14 holiday travel tips for a stress-free festive trip

Traveling during the holidays can be tricky. These holiday travel tips will help you navigate the holidays for stress-free travel:

• Do not pack wrapped gifts
• Have a backup plan
• Fly on the day of the holiday

The holidays are coming! Winter break is a time for celebrations, from family gatherings to New Year’s festivities and maybe even a much-needed vacation. But if you've ever traveled during this time, you know it can be a little hectic. Between crowded airports, jam-packed roads and unpredictable weather, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. With some careful planning, you can navigate the holiday travel season without losing your festive spirit.

Why holiday travel can be stressful

Traveling during the holidays can be a challenge. With everyone trying to get somewhere at the same time, it’s like the entire world is playing a game of musical chairs – and we all want the same seat! Understanding why these travel days are so busy can help you figure out the best way to avoid the biggest headaches.

The impact of busy travel days

You’ve probably noticed that airports feel like shopping malls on Black Friday during winter break. It’s because we’re all rushing to get to our holiday plans, whether it’s a big family gathering or a New Year’s Eve party with friends – or just some well-deserved downtime. Flights get overbooked, highways get clogged and security lines seem to stretch into next week. But with a little planning, you can dodge the worst of it.

Common challenges during festive travel

Beyond the crowds, there are a few other factors that can throw a wrench in your holiday travel plans. Weather is one of the big ones. Depending on where you are, snowstorms and icy roads can cause delays and with more people traveling, the chances of something going wrong—like a flight cancellation or a traffic jam—are higher. But a little flexibility and planning go a long way.

14 holiday travel tips

Traveling during the holiday season can be overwhelming. Think crowded airports, jammed highways, and all those last-minute delays or cancelations – all of which do not bring holiday cheer. We've put together our top holiday travel tips to help you sail through the usual holiday chaos so you can have a smoother and more enjoyable trip.

1. Fly on the day of the holiday

The days leading up to any holiday and the weekend after are notorious for heavy traffic and crowded airports. If you can, consider the somewhat wacky idea of flying out on the day itself – it might sound crazy and the timing won’t work for everyone especially if your family eats early but airports are much quieter and you’ll still make it in time for turkey.

2. Travel after the holiday

If your schedule is flexible, then traveling the day after a holiday might work for you. Most people will have traveled to their destination before the actual holiday, meaning that the day after will be more relaxed.

3. Avoiding peak travel times

If you can’t adjust your schedule, traveling early in the morning is your next best bet. Flights are often less crowded and you’ll have more time to handle any unexpected delays.

4. Be flexible on airports

If you’re worried about costs, then choosing to fly out of a large airport with more flights at competitive prices will give you more options. Worried about the crowds? Choosing a smaller airport with limited options can mean less delays and a smaller travel crowd.

5. Book early

When it comes to holiday travel tips, early birds truly do get the best deals. Whether you're flying, traveling by train or driving, the earlier you book, the better.

6. Pack gifts in carry-on

If you’re bringing gifts, make sure you pack them in your carry-on. This will make distributing them easier and you won’t have to dig through your suitcase to find them. Holiday travels can be chaotic—expect everything from lost luggages to canceled flight—this holiday travel tip is also a surefire way to ensure that you have eyes on your gifts at all times.

7. Do not pack wrapped gifts

Wrapped gifts might be opened and screened by airport security staff. If your present is selected in the screening process, agents will unwrap it to make sure it's safe. This means your careful wrapping job will be undone, potentially damaging the gift.

TSA recommends wrapping your gift at the destination or using foldable gift bags or gift boxes that are easy to open.

8. Travel with carry-on only

This holiday travel tip will save you time and stress. Traveling with a carry-on means you don’t have to wait in long lines to check in your luggage and wait for it on the luggage carousel when you’ve landed. You’ll also save yourself the stress of possibly losing your luggage during the holiday travel chaos.

9. Keep essentials in your carry-on

Pack a small ‘travel essential’ bag in your carry on for easy access. Have your phone, charger, passport, ID and other important travel essentials in a separate compact bag so you don't have to dig through your pockets, carry-on or overhead bin.

10. Prepare for security checkpoints

Another holiday travel tip to help you have a smooth journey is to prepare for security checkpoints. This means having your liquids packed and organized, removing jewelry, wearing slip-on shoes without metal, separating your electronics and emptying any water bottles.

11. Prepare for travel delays

Holiday travel comes with its own challenges – whether it’s packed highways or unpredictable weather. To stay ahead of the game, always leave some cushion in your plans. Whether you're flying or driving, having extra time on your side can save you from the frustration of backed-up traffic or delayed flights.

12. Have a backup plan

Traveling during the holidays can be stressful—unpredictable weather or delays can add to that stress—so, it’s essential to have a Plan B ready. Whether it's rebooking options for a cancelled flight or knowing where to find the best roadside assistance during a snowstorm, having backup plans gives you peace of mind.

For those flying, using airline apps and taking screenshots of mobile boarding passes is a great way to avoid patchy Wi-Fi.

For drivers, make sure your car is winter-ready with a tyre check, emergency supplies and detour plans. When the weather decides to take over, flexibility and preparedness are your best travel companions.

13. Key travel dates to avoid

Knowing when everyone else is traveling can help you plan around the crowds. Thanksgiving tends to peak on the Wednesday before and the Sunday after. For winter break, the busiest days are the weekend before the holiday and the days right before New Year’s. Avoid popular travel dates or the weekend just before a major holiday.

14. Pack light

Make sure to pack what you need and leave room for your own gifts! Start with making a list of your travel essentials, nice to haves and extras. Pack your travel essentials first and then move on to the other lists. Having something ‘just in case’ might seem like a good idea but it can lead to an overweight luggage.

The holidays are about spending time with the people we care about and with these travel tips, you can focus on enjoying your break rather than stressing about the journey. Safe travels and happy holidays, wherever you're headed!