Best Kept Holiday Travel Secrets
Somehow every year the holiday season sneaks up on us. We know we’re going to be traveling, but in the excitement of reconnecting with loved ones, we forget all about the logistics of getting from point A to point B. Trying to sort out the details at the last minute can be stressful, but I’ve got you covered!
Here are my top four last minute travel tips to make life less stressful this holiday season.
1. Know the “Off” Days: Stephanie Rosenbloom from the New York Times wrote traveling on “off” days is often easier and less expensive than the peak days of the holiday travel season. “off” days can include the holidays themselves as well as the days surrounding them. If you can’t travel on an “off” day, consider traveling on Tuesdays as the fares are often lower.
2. Compare Prices and Clear Your Cookies: We all have our favorite airlines that are familiar to us, but they don’t always have the best prices. The Review Journal advises you look at various sites to make sure you are getting the best fare, even if you are booking a last minute trip. Another tip from Review Journal was to clear your cookie history, this ensures you are getting the best rate for the time and date you are searching for, instead of a fare that was saved by the cookies on the website.
3. Choose Your Departure Time Wisely: The Travel Channel suggests traveling early or late in the day during the holiday season. Taking an early flight gives you options on the off chance your flight is unexpectedly canceled. When traveling shorter distances, consider driving at night because most people are not on the roads, meaning less traffic and less stress.
4. Don’t Overlook Travel Bundles: Bundles can be a great way to save some money for a last minute trip, even if you only use the airfare part of the bundle. Rosenbloom spoke to some travel experts that were advocates of booking travel bundles, but advised travelers should make sure the hotel that is available is one they would have selected on their own.
Bonus Tip: If you are not traveling to see friends or family, take a look at destinations that are on their off-season. For example, most people travel to Europe in the summer months, so this time of year hotels and tours may be cheaper because there are not droves of tourists flocking across the pond.
Though travel can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be. I hope these tips help you with your holiday plans, last minute or not. Are there any other tips that come to mind? Let us know in the comments section below!
Safe Travels, Rachel
