Traveling During the Christmas Holidays
Christmas is right around the corner and many of you are looking forward to spending time with family. Whether that means a short drive to the next town or a long trip traveling by car, train, or plane, here are some useful tips to help you get to your destination safely with your sanity intact.
Plan ahead—knowing when and how you plan to travel can eliminate many last minute disasters. We have family out-of-state as well as in-state; therefore, we travel out-of-state every other year. That gives me plenty of time to find the best prices for air travel (which we prefer). Many airlines have an online service that you can sign up for which will alert you to any special deals for your destination—take advantage of it.
When traveling by air, research the airline’s policies on carry-on luggage. Know how many pieces you can check and any extra fees associated with your luggage. If you choose to carry on your sundry items (shampoo/make up), you must place them into a quart-sized baggie. Each container can hold no more than 3 ounces. If you place your sundry items into your checked bags, there is no need to limit sizes or amounts. Remember though, if you’re traveling to or from an area of high altitude, your bottles may expand or contract, so it’s still a good idea to enclose in a Ziploc to prevent a mess. Don’t pack wrapped gifts, security screening may ask you to unwrap them. Use one checked bag to carry your gifts, going and coming back.
Is your seat assigned or is it first come, first serve? I love to fly Southwest Airlines because their fares are reasonable and also with a simple check-in online 24 hours before the flight (first come, first served), I can sit in any available seat. Ask if they serve meals or snacks; if not, bring your own. Don’t forget your driver’s license and/or your passport if leaving the country. You won’t be getting far without them.
Call ahead to make sure there are no delays or cancellations before leaving home. This time of the year is notorious for bad weather and delays. Leave for the airport early to avoid traffic, the holiday crowds, and long lines. You may find yourself stuck at the airport due to delays, so come prepared with a travel pillow, blanket, your charged iPod and cell phone, a good book, and a couple of protein bars. Don’t bring bottled water; security screening will confiscate it. But you can carry an empty bottle which you can fill once you’re through.
If you prefer to drive on vacation, consider renting a car. Consider the wear and tear on your vehicle. Is your car ready for a long trip? Do you have enough room for everyone? If you reserve a rental car early, there are some great deals to be found—don’t forget to look for a coupon, they are out there. Call your car insurance agent and confirm that your insurance will cover the rental car—they usually do. However; I recommend that you take the extra insurance offered by the rental car company. In case of an accident, you may be faced with extra charges that your car insurance company won’t cover—check it out!
When traveling in a car with your children, no matter how young or old, keep them busy with activities and make them comfortable with pillows and blankets so they will sleep. Every summer for many years, I drove from Colorado to Arizona with my two sons to visit my family. I tried to fill the 14 hour drive with music, games and special treats every two hours. I would fill several brown paper lunch bags with different treats. Each bag was marked with the exact time they could be opened.
- Here is a sampling of some of the items I placed into the bags:
- homemade cookies
- coloring book and crayons
- beef jerky
- disposable camera
- pixie sticks
- small handheld games
- crackers and peanut butter
- note pad and pencil
For older kids, their iPods and hand-held games are all they need to keep them happy. Don’t forget extra batteries and chargers. For a long trip, a portable DVD player with a few movies will keep everyone happy. Pack a picnic lunch, find a nice spot to stop and enjoy your lunch. It gives everyone a chance to explore and stretch their legs.
When driving during the holidays you have a better chance of running into cold and/or severe weather. Don’t forget to pack plenty of food (such as protein bars), water, and blankets in case of an unfortunate flat tire or car problems. Make sure you have a charged cell phone and a flashlight.
I have never been on a train, so I can’t speak to the pros and cons. I have taken a bus trip with my young boys and vowed to never do that again. It was an extremely long and uncomfortable trip. And in some cases more expensive than flying (depending on your destination).
We are not done yet. When traveling, there are things we don’t want to forget, so I put together a list that I use when I travel. Adjust it to your needs and you’re good to go. Enjoy your trip!
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