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Looking for 20 Tips To Combat Traveling Stress Around The Holiday Season. Read below to get some insightful and great tips for this holiday season. Here, at Life Of The Empty Nesters, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

The Holiday’s can be the most wonderful time of the year or the most stressful. If you add travel to visiting family, it can really add to the holiday stress. Do you enjoy listening to holiday music, visiting with loved ones and spending time with family?

The only thing is when you include travel time to get to your family, it can become a very stressful situation! Did you know that more people travel during the holidays than any other point in the year? Let’s see if these helpful tips can help make your travels easier.

Although the airlines are prepared for the rush of holiday travelers, at times, it can still get a little overcrowded. So, here are 20 tips to combat traveling stress around the holiday season.

Plan Ahead and Purchase Airfare in Advance

Don’t wait until the last minute to buy your airline tickets to visit and see your loved ones. Although, it’s not too late now, if you haven’t done so already. However, it’s important to go ahead now and book your travel plans. Waiting any longer may result in higher fares and fewer options.

Use a Travel Agent

Do you have a travel agent? If you don’t have a travel agent already, guess what? James and I are travel agents, we would love to help you with all of your travel planning needs. You can find our contact information, here at http://www.lifeoftheemptynesters.com.

Now is the time to let us do the legwork for you and save you the headaches. We will compare all of the options and get you the best prices available. Plus, James and I are so accustomed to helping people during the holiday season, we know exactly what needs to be booked, to give you the most stress-free travel.

Pay a Little Extra for Comfort

What stresses you out the most about traveling over the holidays? Is it getting through security with time to spare? Is it having to wait until the last zone is called to board your plane? Maybe it’s not being sure if you will have overhead bin space? Or worrying that you won’t have enough legroom if the person in front of you reclines their seat? Are you someone who picks a flight time that works best for your wallet, even if it’s a red eye? If you’re not prepared for a red eye flight, you’ll just arrive at your destination tired and agitated.

Avoid Flight Layovers

When possible, opt for a direct flight! This will allow for less stress and worries about making a connecting flight. You will also have less stress about losing your luggage. When you have a layover you add more time to your travel day. A longer day means, I’m tired and aggravated!

Check Your Passport Before You Book

If you’re traveling out of the country, it’s important to check your passport. Some countries will not allow you entry, if you are within six months of the expiration date on your passport. Also, check and see if you need a Visa and/or immunizations for your travel.

Don’t Be A Last Minute Packer

Alway pack the day before. I realize that somethings need to wait for the morning of to pack, if thats you, write a list and leave it on your luggage. That way you will not forget those last minute things. Definitely, make sure you have the luggage that you are planning to use in advance. Wouldn’t it be awful to not have your luggage available the morning of your trip?

Make A List and Check It Twice

Make a packing list. I go through what do I need from AM to PM. What do I need from the bathroom? Think about the activities you have planned to do on your trip and pack accordingly.

Do you have any parties that need special attire, maybe an ugly Christmas sweater? Want to wear a certain outfit when meeting family members? By making a list ahead of time it will remind you of what you still need to pack. Also, it will help you with what you may need to buy from a store or maybe what you may need to put through the laundry.

Only Pack A Carry-On

I really don’t like checking a bag. It is so freeing to walk past the check-in counter when you arrive at the airport. Especially during the holiday travel season, these lines can be exceptionally long and slow-moving. With just my carry-on, I don’t have to stress about whether or not my bag made it on my flight because it’s right there with me.

Plan Ample Time To Get To The Airport

How early do you get to the airport? The guidelines are two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Remember, your departure time is not your boarding time! You want to make sure you have ample time to make it to your gate before the gate closes. Getting to the gate with time to spare allows for a less stressful travel experience.

Always Leave Ample Time For Security

James and I always make sure we leave enough time to get through security. But there was that one time that we were told that the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport was know for it’s long lines and we were like we’ll be fine we have two hours, hahaha. We cut it so close!

Our fight was already delayed one day due to plane issues. So when we arrived at the airport at 5:15 am in Dallas the lines were two – three hours long. We tried to figure the best course of action and our last resort was to go back outside like we just arrived and put our bags through curbside pick up.

The curbside agent didn’t want to take the luggage because it was close to the flight boarding time. As a result, we tipped him big, while giving him some sad eyes and after some negotiations, he agreed to take them. It is so stressful to be in that situation!

During holiday travel, remember that it is the busiest time of the year. I cannot stress enough to leave enough time!!

Have Documents Readily Available

Whether it’s your driver’s license, boarding pass or passport, make sure to have it ready to hand to gate agents and TSA personnel. You don’t want to get all the way to the front of the security line to realize you packed these items in your checked bag or left them in your car. If you have your boarding pass on your phone, turn your phone brightness all the way up as it helps with scanning the QR code.

Leave Holiday Presents Unwrapped

Since TSA can go through your luggage, they will also unwrap any presents you may be bringing with you. As convenient as it is to arrive with the gifts wrapped and ready to joyfully hand out. Remember, it would be best to wait until you arrive at your destination to wrap your gifts.

Also, remember to check your airlines do not fly items. Here, every airline has a list of prohibited items. You really don’t want to take time to purchase gifts only to have them removed due to them not being allowed on the plane.

Bring Snacks and Water Bottles

I pack like a pack mule. If you need it I probably have it. Which means I have my empty water bottle to fill up after I get through security and I have snacks!!! It is very important to stay hydrated.

Especially when traveling, it’s one of the first things most of us say no to. But it’s the best pieces of advice for people flying. You may have to get up more frequently on the plane, but your body will thank you once you land.

Pack Flight Entertainment and Download Movies

There is a lot of waiting when it comes to traveling, so make sure you have plenty of entertainment options to choose from. Whether it’s a new book or a new movie you’ve been dying to see. Don’t count on being able to stream your entertainment, it’s always best to download these things before boarding your travels. This way your not disappointed and bored.

Fully Charge Your Electronics

What’s the point of going through all the work of downloading everything you need, just to have your device run out of juice as soon as you turn it on? Do your due diligence and make sure all of your devices are fully charged before leaving your house.

Always Have A Battery Backup

Consider bringing a battery backup with you, especially if you have a long travel day. Even if all of your devices are fully charged when leaving your home. There is no guarantee that the battery will last during your entire trip.

Keep Frequently Used Items Easily Accessible

If there are items that you think you will need during the flight, make sure you place them down by your feet. There is nothing worse than having someone sitting by the window, needing to get out into the aisle to get into the overhead bin for carry on luggage. It is so much quicker and easier to have your essentials at your feet!

Plan Ahead For Cell Service

I am one of those travelers that needs to be connected all the time. So before I leave the country, I make sure that I will have service when I arrive. In some countries, you will need to purchase a special international plan. In this case, you will have to contact your cell phone provider.

Check Your Airport Transfers

Make sure you have all of your travel documents, confirmations for airport transfers and car rental paperwork handy. I like to print these documents out, just in case, I don’t have service for my phone. It won’t help to add these confirmations to my cellphone wallet and then have no battery.

Live In The Moment

It’s imperative to take a moment to breathe and enjoy the ride. Travel has become so much easier in the last few decades and it allows thousands of people to see the world and their loved ones so much easier. The airports will be crowded with everyone trying to get to their destinations, but staying relaxed and finding little things to smile about will help to ease your travel worries.

Following these 20 tips to combat traveling stress around the holiday season will definitely help make your travel over the holidays a whole lot easier. Do you have a tip we missed? If so, add it to the comments, we would love to hear about it.

Happy Holiday Travels!

For more insightful and informative travel blogs, click these links:

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2019/03/04/daylight-savings-time-travel/

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2019/03/26/discover-airline-ticket-purchase-tips/

https://lifeoftheemptynesters.com/2019/10/29/book-with-travel-agent/