Get Ready for Holiday Travel

Traveling during the holidays can be exciting. The hustle and bustle, combined with the anticipation of spending time with loved ones, can really enhance the spirit of the season. But, traveling during holidays can also be expensive and unnerving without thoughtful planning. Here are a few money saving, stress-reducing tips that will ensure your trip will be joyful!

Travel ON the holiday
While airline prices might skyrocket the closer you get to a holiday, prices are generally lower if you travel on the actual holiday. Although it may not always be ideal, Thanksgiving and Christmas travel can save you a lot of extra cash. According to online travel agency Kayak, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are two of the most economical times to fly. You can also save big if you fly out Christmas Eve. The flight booking tool, CheapAir, estimates that travelers flying out Christmas Eve will save an average of $76 compared to a flight just two days earlier. You’ll also find quieter airports and less road traffic.

Consider alternatives to (bland) hotel reservations
Hotels often charge top dollar at holiday time. If you aren’t staying with family, check out airbnb.com, vrbo.com or similar sites. Not only can you score an apartment or small home for what you might typically pay for a hotel, digs often include a full kitchen, which can save you money on dining out. For example, a very popular, lower-priced hotel in Boston charges $133 per night for a double room during the holidays. For $135 per night during the same time period, you could rent a charming studio apartment with a full kitchen, and a private patio to watch the snowflakes fall. Another five bucks a night gets you an apartment that sleeps 4 and offers a washer/dryer all to yourself, and even a gorgeous gas fireplace to open gifts by.

Utilize other (smaller) airports
If you’re fortunate enough to live within a reasonable distance to multiple airports, seeking out smaller airports can really save you time and stress during the holidays, and might save you some cash, too. For example, the bustling San Francisco International airport forecasts 130,000 passengers flying in and out between Friday, November 22nd and Sunday, December 1st! SFO’s daily maximum parking rate for long-term parking is $18 per day; the international garage is $28 per day; and the domestic garage is $36 per day.  In comparison, one could drive to the smallish, low-key Sacramento Airport, with economy parking at just $10/day.

Seek alternate routes when driving
Sometimes the fastest route isn’t the quickest! If you’re driving, avoid a last-minute scramble or traffic nightmare by ensuring you’ve got directions for a different route ahead of time. Mapping out an alternative and having it ready can save you a major headache. We recommend the Waze app for real-time, user generated traffic updates and alternative routes. Or, consider taking that scenic drive right out of the gate. Taking in holiday scenery, colorful lights, and winter’s beauty can put you in the right frame of mind before attending those high-energy family gatherings.

Don’t wrap before you go
It might seem more convenient, but wrapping your gifts before flying off to spend time with distant family is not ideal. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has very specific rules regarding restricted items, and your gifts could end up getting opened for inspection or, worse, confiscated and destroyed. Whether the presents are going into checked luggage or a carry-on, ignorance of TSA regulations regarding prohibited items can leave you gift-less. Even simple gifts such as a child's snow globe or gel candles are prohibited. Rough baggage handling can also result in your homemade cookies crumbling, while your vac-packed gourmet coffee can set off an x-ray machine. If you can, ship gifts ahead of time to family members. You might even save money on baggage fees. For additional savings to both your wallet and your back, you can ship your own gifts home, too!

Be phone ready at the airport
Dreaming of a White Christmas? Snowy weather may look festive, but it can wreak havoc on travel plans. Flight delays and cancellations are not uncommon during the holiday season. Before you depart for the airport, put the phone number of your airline customer service department into your phone’s address book. If you have a flight delay or cancellation, you may be asked to line up with all the other delayed travelers, to attempt a rebooking. Calling the customer service department while you wait in line gives you an advantage over those just queuing up. You might reach someone on the phone faster than you can get to the rebooking counter. Consider, too, adding travel insurance to your trip. While severe weather cancellations might mean your trip doesn’t go forward, at least you can rest easier knowing you won’t experience a financial punch.

Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to turn you into a stress-riddled Scrooge. With careful planning, you can enjoy those tasty turkey trimmings during the “most wonderful time of the year!”