The Holiday season is here and whether you’re planning a Christmas visit to Grandma’s, a theme park vacation, or a visit to the sunny Caribbean, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

Check admission hours and requirements. You should assume if you’re visiting a popular destination during the holidays, that operations may be a bit different than the rest of the year. Some places may be closed on some holidays, hours of operation may be different, and reservations may be required. This includes popular theme park destinations like Walt Disney World which currently require reservations to visit any of the 4 main theme parks. Know before you go so you’re not disappointed.

Research COVID-19 requirements. After nearly 2 years into the pandemic, there is one thing that we know for sure – COVID restrictions and requirements are subject to change. Sometimes daily. And this doesn’t just apply if you’re planning a visit outside the country – depending on where you live, it is entirely possible that the city, state, or region you’re visiting will have different COVID requirements than where you live. It may mean masking indoors, or potentially showing a vaccination card for admittance to some indoor places. And if you’ll be traveling internationally, there will likely be other requirements – and each country is different. Again, these change rapidly, so be sure to check with your travel agent about what you will need for your trip well before it’s time to go.

Pack as light as you can. If you are flying, the best scenario is to avoid checking any bags if possible. You will save time by not waiting for your checked bag to show up, and don’t have to worry about your luggage going to a different destination than you. But that’s not always possible, especially when traveling during cold weather season – and likely with a few gifts as well. If you’re checking a bag, then be sure to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on for “just in case”. In addition, make sure anything truly important – like medications, or anything that is valuable – is also in your carry-on.

Plan your road trip wisely. Does heavy traffic stress you out? Plan some alternative drives that are more scenic – it may take a bit longer but if everyone arrives happy, that’s a win, right? Break up long drives with some interesting stops along the way. Time your trip for “off-peak” days, or times of the day. Think about if you’ll be arriving near a major city around rush hour – and try to plan not to do that if possible. And consider early-morning or late-night departures when the kids can sleep for a more peaceful drive – for everyone.

Avoid getting hangry. Most holiday travel, whether by air or land, is focused on getting where you want to go as quickly and easily as possible. So eating is often a bit of an afterthought: “We will grab something along the way”. But what if nothing is available when your stomach is insisting to be fed? Planning ahead with some snacks and drinks solves the hangry potential and helps keep everyone – kids and grownups – happy. Don’t overlook this for your flights as well. Food may be more limited on your Flight than pre-pandemic, and a lot of dining locations in the airport may have limited hours, so bring some snacks with you for your flight. (Just remember you can’t bring liquids over 3 oz. through security.)

Kindness matters. It’s a tough time to be a flight attendant or TSA agent, and during the busy holiday season it’s even harder. They deal with a lot of frustrated and even angry people daily. Don’t let any of your travel frustrations spill over – be nice, smile, and have a kind word for the folks that are helping you get to where you are going.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Assume that at some point, something will go wrong. You’ll miss a turn, your flight will be delayed, the kids will get cranky, or your seatmate on the plane will snore. Whatever it is, just remember this line from one of my favorite Christmas movies, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – “it’s all part of the experience”! (And it will make for a great story over the years.)

Happy Holidays and happy travels!

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