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6 Survival Tips and Strategies for Holiday Travel

luggage-933487_1280Aside from all the hustle and bustle and excitement of the holidays in general, it’s a great time to visit distant family and friends. If you live in a separate state or area from your family, you may be planning to take a road trip or fly out to visit for a few days.

Traveling during the holiday season can be hectic and I’m sure the last thing you want around this time of year is added stress.

Here are holiday travel tips to help you save money and improve your overall travel experience.

Set a Travel Budget

First off, it’s important to determine how much money you plan to spend on traveling during the holidays. It may not sound fun to set a spending limit and be cautious of splurging on your getaway, but you’re bank account will thank you when you return.

Estimate travel expenses like fuel or airfare, possible hotel stays, and extra meals. Also, bring some cash along to have handy in case you can’t get to an ATM for any reason.

Schedule Travel on Off-Peak Days of the Week

Avoid taking off on the day of the holiday because other procrastinators will have the same idea and create traffic and unnecessary hassles for you. Try to schedule your departure on an off-peak day either before or after the holiday for added convenience. Of course, you could consider flying privately with someone like Jettly if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of airports, skip the queues entirely, and arrive at your destination refreshed and stress-free!

If you plan on flying, airline tickets may be cheaper on off-peak days so you can take advantage of a discount and enjoy a smooth flight. If you are driving, try to leave out either early in the morning or late at night to avoid traffic.

Pack Light

I know I’m not the only one who tends to over pack. Only pack what you need for your trip and maybe an extra outfit or some emergency items as needed. If you are visiting family for Christmas, you will most likely receive gifts or you could pick up souvenirs and you don’t want to have to squeeze them into your bag or leave them behind because you don’t have room.

Bring Snacks

Bringing snacks along is a must especially if you have children. Plus, travel is pretty exhausting and you can save money and time by bringing your own snacks along on your trip.

If you already have snacks in the car, you won’t have to make extra stops or purchase overpriced food items on the way to your destination.

Ship Gifts or Purchase Clutter-free Items

If you plan on bringing gifts along, consider shipping larger items ahead of time if you will be flying. If you will drive, it’s best to try to fit what you can in your car since it will be easiest but if you must ship wrapped gifts, call your local post office ahead of time to see if you need to bring or purchase anything extra along with their hours of operation because some post offices may have different hours for the holidays.

To lighten your luggage load you can purchase clutter-free gifts like gift cards for friends and family. Gift cards are small and easy to keep track of.

Travel Insurance

It’s always good to be properly prepared for unfortunate situations during your travels. You must consider what you would do if the items you’re bringing along got lost or stolen along the way. Look into your travel insurance options if you are flying.

For a minimal fee, travel insurance can help cover delays and cancellations, medical coverage, and the costs of damaged goods. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep these helpful tips in mind when preparing for your holiday travel this year so you and your family can enjoy a safe and stress free experience.

Are you planning any travel this holiday season?

Posted in: Travel

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