Top 7 Family Holiday Survival Travel Tips

Does the thought of traveling during Thanksgiving and/or Christmas put a smile on your face? Or does it send shivers down your spine? If you’re like most travelers, it’s the latter. But the long lines, TSA security checks, rude drivers, and cranky kids don’t have to stress you out. Read on to find out the top 7 family holiday survival tips, so you can have a happy holiday season.

Top 7 Family Holiday Survival Travel Tips

Pack Only What You Need

When in doubt, leave it out. Wherever you travel, you can buy what you need. There’s no reason to pack every piece of clothing you own. You don’t have to bring several pairs of shoes and multiple accessories. Leave most hair products and makeup at home. Pack as light as you can, especially if you’re traveling with kids. You don’t want to be weighed down by luggage, do you? Pack the most important items (include your medicine) and leave the rest at home.

Travel During Off Peak Days

One of the most important family holiday survival travel tips is to avoid traveling the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s better to leave a few days earlier or on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Not only will you miss record airline and road traffic, but you will avoid meltdowns. You may even save money on airfare, too.

Be Smart about Gifts

To avoid having TSA unwrap your gifts for inspection, ship them before you leave, wrap them or shop (fun) for them when you arrive at your destination. Better yet, buy loved ones gift cards to their favorite stores or give money. This is easier and can reduce your stress level during holiday travel. It will also cut down on the amount of time you’ll stand in security lines.

Check Your Itinerary

Make sure you have all of the information for your airline tickets, rental car, travel insurance, and whatever else you may need. Use travel apps such as Flight Status to get the latest updates on delays. Learn the approximate amount of time you’ll spend in security with GateGuru. Traveling on the road? Use GasBuddy and SitOrSquat to find the best gas prices and nicest bathrooms while on the road.

Bring Entertainment for Kids

Bring all sorts of entertainment for kids, from a tablet with educational and fun games to coloring and activity books. To pass the time, you may want to chat about the famous landmarks you’ll see. While in the air, watch the movie or get a subscription to Netflix or download family movies before you leave. Also consider giving older kids a travel journal, so they can write down their thoughts about your family holiday vacation. When you get home, you can discuss your trip.

Know the Rules

Keep in mind that you and your family are not the only ones traveling during the holiday season. Even if you’re tense and feeling agitated, you can choose to be kind and mind your manners and teach your kids to do the same. The good news is that passengers 12 and under may leave their shoes on while going through security and those 75 and older can leave shoes and light jackets on during screening. Knowing the rules is a best practice family holiday survival travel tip that can reduce anxiety.

Relax and Have Fun

Keep calm and travel on! Traveling during the holidays with the family doesn’t have to be something you dread each year. Download meditations or soothing music onto your smartphone, plugin and let the stress melt away. Or put ear plugs in your ears and read a book or magazine. If you have time before your flight, take a short walk. If you’re hungry, drink and eat something, even if it’s bottled water and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And remember… Laughter and smiling can be the best medicines. Smile and be friendly!

You Can Survive Family Holiday Travel

Use the above family holiday survival tips to banish any fear you may have about holiday travel. Instead of shuddering at the thought of airline or road travel or standing in long TSA lines, you could look forward to spending time and connecting with family and friends who you haven’t seen in a while. You can have a Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas all because you followed the family survival tips for holiday travel. Now…Go contact your travel agent and book your family holiday vacation!
by Amandah T. Blackwell, Savvy-Writer