Holiday Travel Tips - Make it Fun

Holiday travel may not really be your idea of fun but it does happen and whether or not we really want to see the in-laws over the holidays many of us will end up on planes, in trains, or on the road during the holiday travel season.   If it be a package holiday or a trip to see the folks learn how to have fun on the road or in the air.  Here are a couple of ways to make holiday travel easier.

Leave Early

If you are like me travel is part of your life but you also don’t regularly travel with the rest of the family in tow. I like to leave early when I am traveling by myself to avoid stressful situations and make sure I have enough time to deal with any unforeseen situations. Why would holiday travel be any different? Especially with a bunch of unexperienced travelers. The holidays is about having fun, don’t make travel more stressful than it has to be. Leave early and allow extra time for all activities.

Leave the Junk Behind

Holiday travel is about spending time with family not carting a bunch of junk around. Leave the extra stuff at home and travel light. Checked bags are expensive these days and you never end up using all of what you check anyway. Husbands if your wife needs convincing to leave the kitchen sink at home make her carry her own bag, she may change her tune.

Carry on bags can be more trouble than they are worth. I find the only reason I carry things on to the plane is to have something to do on the plane and carry important business information. When I am traveling with family I can occupy myself with them and leave the business stuff at home. Problem solved. Check as much as you can of what you have to bring and leave the rest.

Send Presents of Wrap Them on Arrival

This does not specifically have to be tailored towards Christmas travel but that is one of the busiest times of the year so this tip can go a long way. If you are taking presents with you I suggest first and foremost to mail them ahead of time. Carrying extra presents is a burden, you are not Santa Claus, let the postal service or Fed ex take care of it. Getting this stuff through the airline maze in one piece can be a Christmas miracle in itself.

If you must take presents on the plane with you, don’t wrap them. TSA will need to see inside anything that looks suspicious and that could mean unwrapping your presents in a security shack, not an ideal situation.

Practice Security Screening With the Kids

Going through security check points is hassle enough by yourself. With kids it can be a nightmare. It is a good idea to practice before hand and explain to your kids what to expect. I do mean before you get to the airport, not while you are standing there waiting in line.

Once you get in line if you have already followed my advice of traveling light you shouldn’t have much to worry about. But you will still need to go through the x-ray smoothly. Here is the tip, while you are in security take off everything you must put through the x-ray machine and put it all in a zippered pocket on a bag or into the pocket of a jacket that you will put through the machine. Send it all through and pick it all up on the other side. You can put it all back were it goes without having to rush.

Wear slip on shoes and make sure everyone else does too. Give all of the boarding passes to one person and have them man the checkpoint. Loosing a boarding pass at this point would be bad for your holiday travel.

Keep Up to Date

Surprises are what make travel stressful and difficult. Stay up to date with feeds on your smart phone or emails. Call and check for any changes in flights or weather related delays. Sometimes the automatic updates are the last way to get information. If you think there might be a problem it is good to pick up the phone.

If you are able, print out any boarding passes in advance. This can speed you through check in allow you to make seat assignments and smooth the process.

Keep it Fun

Nothing can ruin a trip more than stressed out parents yelling at kids and unruly kids testing their parents. It seems that kids can thrive on frustration and stress by making it even worse. Do yourself a favor and make it fun for your kids. Take books and games that are easily packable. Don’t be a stick in the mud, kids love airports though you may not, let them explore and have a good time.

Holiday travel can be stressful but it doesn't have to be.