Ready for the vacation of a lifetime this holiday but can’t shake the feeling you’re forgetting something?  Not to worry:  here are a few holiday travel tips to help you stay on track.  Whether you’ll be spending time with your family or off to a getaway, it’s important to plan.  Number one travel tip:  find out peak travel dates—then avoid them like the plague!  There are two problems associated with peak travel. One: everything costs more from plane tickets to hotels to car rentals. And two: everyone else will be traveling those same dates.  If at all possible, plan for your trip to start a few days before the peak travel period and then plan to come back a few days after.  It’s your best bet for finding great price reductions and to avoid holiday traffic headaches. 

Try to get the best deals for your dollar.  Look for flight specials and vacation destination deals.  If you’re visiting family for the holidays and don’t need a hotel room or transportation then all you have to worry about is flight costs.  Websites that offer great holiday deals are Expedia, Travelocity and Cheaptickets.com.  You’ll also be surprised to learn that many airlines offer great deals if you search their websites directly.  One great shop-by-comparison site I would recommend is SideStep.com, which compares every flight special sorted by price.  I’ve had the best success using their services.

If you’re destination doesn’t include free room and board then I would recommend that you also comparison shop for all-inclusive package deals.  There are plenty of great places to stay during the holidays that offer three- and five-night vacation packages, meals and activities included.  Also factor in the price of a car rental to cover as many of your needs as possible.  Then, the earlier you book, the better your deal.

There is one tip in particular that can greatly reduce your stress level.  You know that sinking feeling you get sitting in the airport waiting to board your first connection when you hear the airline attendant politely announce that the flight has been delayed?  You’ve got a connecting flight scheduled to depart 30 minutes after this flight is scheduled to land, and pre-boarding begins 30 minutes prior to take off to make sure the flight leaves on time.  That’s when you wonder why you didn’t schedule a later connecting flight.

By selecting connecting flights with at least an hour and a half of layover this nervousness can be completely avoided. I’m aware that you may choose a connecting flight that is close in time to your first so that you may reach your destination quicker and avoid the dullness of being in the airport for too long. However, all things considered, half an hour is that long when you have to leave the plane, locate the departure flight and gate, which may be in another terminal, then get settled before it is time to board the plane. What’s more important is that by giving yourself this extra time you are almost guaranteeing that you will make your connection, a guarantee that is worth it during the hectic holiday travel season.

Also, prepare yourself ahead of time for airport security and pack in accordance with the airport’s security measures.  It saves lots of hassle.

One security measure to stick with is to pack all liquids and gels bigger than 3 ml in the bags you will check.  There are signs up everywhere stating that you cannot carry liquids and gels through the security checkpoint.  This includes lotions, toothpaste, baby oil, aerosol hairsprays, perfume bottles, bottled water and other items.  If illegal items are found at the checkpoint, they will be confiscated.  Just pack them away and meet them at baggage claim when you get to your destination.  You are allowed to carry liquids and gels 3 ml and under in zip-top clear bags so you’re not completely bereft.  Best travel tip: follow the rules.  You, your family, airport security and everyone waiting in line behind you will be much happier for it. 

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