Holiday Travel Planning Guide: Beat the Rush
The summer is in full swing, and you may be spending your days relaxing by the pool or eating ice cream by the scoopful, but the winter holiday travel season will be here before you know it! The holidays are magical with twinkling lights, delicious hot chocolate by the fire, and an endless number of events with family and friends. However, traveling during this season can be anything but magical, especially if you do not plan ahead. Long lines at the airport, sky-high airfare and hotel rates, and the general chaos the season brings can leave a sour taste in one’s mouth.
Good news! Traveling during the holiday season can be less stressful and joyous with proper planning. Our travel advisors here at Avondale Travel have put together this comprehensive guide to help you start planning today to reduce your stress six months from now.
1. Book Now (Yes, seriously. Right now!)
We get it and we all fall victim to procrastination every once in awhile. However, when it comes to booking your holiday travel, the early bird gets the worm and the best rates on airfare and hotels (or other accommodation options). Booking early not only locks in the best rates but also gives you peace of mind that your vacation is already planned.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
More options: The earlier you book, the more hotel, car, and flight options you have. If there is a specific neighborhood or region you are looking for, start researching and booking now to avoid limited or no options later down the line.
Best prices for flights: Airfare historically spikes 4-6 weeks prior to your departure date and can peak even earlier for busy travel periods. Booking your flights 3-5 months in advance for domestic and 4-6 months in advance for international travel ensures that you can get the best rates before massive increases. As a general guideline, at the absolute latest, plan on booking Thanksgiving travel by early to mid-October and Christmas and New Years trips by the end of October.
Book with the airline directly: While you may be able to find a slightly cheaper price booking through a third-party website, save yourself stress by booking with the airlines directly. Not only can you sign up for the airline’s rewards program (and earn miles for future trips), but booking directly with the airline makes it easier to be compensated or rescheduled if there are schedule changes, delays, and cancellations.
Use fare tracking tools: Use tools such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to monitor ticket prices for your destination and dates of travel if you are a little too early to book. You can sign up for email alerts for any increases or dips in prices. When you see a dip, or when your trusted travel advisor tells you, book your flight with the airline before prices increase again. Insider tip: If possible, look at alternative departure airports close to your “homebase” to check for savings!
2. Be Flexible with Your Plans
If you are able or willing to have some flexibility with your travel plans, you can not only save money but also have a more creative and out-of-the-box trip! Not only can this help make your holiday travel planning more fun, but it can also discover places that you never would have seen before.
Here are some tips to consider to be flexible with your travel plans:
Consider your dates: Traveling during the holiday season naturally means rates are higher, but if you have some give within your schedule, look at alternative dates. Consider the price difference between traveling during the holiday week versus traveling the week before or after major holidays. Not only could this save you money on airfare (that you can use towards souvenirs!) but it can also mean less lines and stress at the airport or on the roads.
Look at alternative destinations: Tourist hotspots tend to be the busiest (and most expensive) during major holidays. Instead of hitting a major city, look at alternative destinations such as mountain towns, slow beach getaways, or small-historic cities. If you are looking to go internationally, look at quieter towns outside of major cities for a more authentic and traditional “vibe” (and take daytrips to the larger cities via train or bus). Insider tip: Fare tracking tools such as Skyscanner and Google Flights allow you to set “anywhere or everywhere” for your destination. Using this option allows you to see alternative cities and countries that may be less expensive and offer a unique holiday vacation experience.
3. Don’t Over Plan Your Trip
Planning ahead is key to avoiding headaches, but overplanning can also lead to stress. Finding a happy medium is essential to a relaxing vacation. Allowing flexibility in your schedule to account for delays, unpredictable weather, or other hiccups along the way makes your vacation more enjoyable.
Some tips to keep your schedule flexible:
Allow for extra time: Building in a little extra time into your day such as arriving earlier at the airport than usual or choosing a longer layover helps you not feel rushed or frazzled.
Choose your top activities and then be open to unexpected experiences: If you are in a larger city or a place with multiple things to do, choose one or two key highlights for each day. This allows you to get excited and plan for your “activity of the day” while then allowing you to explore your surroundings and “see where the wind takes you.” Don’t forget, if you love a city, you can always return in the future to explore further!
Remember the “why” behind your trip: As you plan, determine “why” you are going on this trip. Maybe you are taking a solo getaway to see the Christmas lights in London or are reconnecting with extended family over Thanksgiving. Or maybe you are taking a dream vacation to Walt Disney World to share the magic with your children for the first time. No matter what your reason is, keep it at the forefront as you plan, and remember to create memories to last a lifetime.
4. Stay Ahead of Planning and Travel Stress
As enjoyable as a vacation is, travel is never completely stress-free. To protect your peace, there are various tips and strategies you can implement before, during, and after your trip.
These tips include:
Prioritize your hydration and sleep: Being exhausted and dehydrated is a recipe for a stressed-out traveler. Before your trip, aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep and try to maintain this schedule during and after your adventures. Ensure that you are aiming for at least 8-10 glasses of water daily and keep a reusable water bottle handy.
Keep a daily routine: Prior to and even during your trip, try to maintain a routine. Whether it is your skincare regimen, going to the gym or a run, or writing in your journal over coffee in the morning, keeping some form of a daily routine helps you to recenter and focus to minimize stressors.
Remember to give yourself grace: Traveling is stressful no matter when, but especially during the holidays. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but it is always okay to ask for help if you need it and take time for yourself to decompress. Remember that you can only do so much and that no one is perfect.
Traveling during the holiday season can be chaotic, but with strategic planning ahead of time, you can significantly reduce your stress. No matter where you plan to visit, early planning and preparation are essential. At Avondale Travel, we are here to support you and help plan your holiday vacation, whether it is a solo trip or a large family reunion. Contact us at Avondale Travel today to start planning now!