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08 Nov

Tips For Less Stressful Thanksgiving Travel

Travel Dreamz Booking Agent

People travel far and wide come Thanksgiving weekend. No matter how people choose to travel, many find holiday traveling to be taxing.

The motorist group AAA says that roughly 43 million people travel at least 50 miles from home for the Thanksgiving holiday. With so many people flying the friendly skies or on roads or railways, there is a good chance individuals will encounter delays and some frustration. Minimizing the challenges associated with holiday travel means following a few tips that can make the experience a bit easier.

Flying

  • Book flights early. Come the holidays, last-minute deals are few and far between. The best way to ensure you get the flight time you want for the best price is to book as early as possible. Some people book their tickets a year in advance if they know they will be traveling on Thanksgiving. However, a safe bet is to do so two months before so you will have the pick of options, including seating family members together and avoiding connecting flights.
  • Cheaper flights can be had on Thanksgiving. If you want to avoid crowds and save a little money, consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day. Long lines and bigger crowds peak the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. That's because travelers want to be at their destinations in advance of the food being placed on the table. However, if you're traveling west, you may be able to take advantage of the time change and book an early flight -- and still make it to dinner in time.
  • Know security protocol. Visit the airline's Web site or give a call in advance to learn the Dos and Don'ts of your carrier. Since the terror attacks on September 11th more than a decade ago, security measures at airports have continually changed. Know the restrictions in regard to liquids or toiletries to save time and ensure you make your flight.
  • Pack lightly. Baggage check and claim can take up precious minutes. If your Thanksgiving trip will be brief, bring along only one carry-on per person (the amount allowable for most airlines) and easily board the airplane.
  • Arrive early. Arrive at the airport as early as you can, ideally 2 to 3 hours before your flight. This enables you to check in bags and get to the gate. Should you have to make changes to seats at the gate or take care of any other necessities, you'll have peace of mind that being late won't hamper those plans.

Driving

  • Save up personal time and leave work early. Peak travel times for Thanksgiving driving include Wednesday afternoon when many businesses close early for the holiday. If you leave then, there's a good chance you will be sitting in traffic with the thousands of other travelers who decided to get a head start by leaving at 3 p.m. If you can, take off from work on Wednesday and leave in the morning. Or do the bulk of your driving at night.
  • Pack a GPS device with you. Busy holidays could mean a greater propensity for accidents or traffic jams. Don't be caught off guard by not knowing a detour around the hold-up. Having a GPS with you can help you to stay abreast of traffic patterns and get out of trouble should your main travel route become blocked.
  • Prepare the vehicle. There's nothing worse than having turkey and pumpkin pie on your mind when you are standing roadside with an inoperable car. Schedule a tune-up before travel to make sure you are set for the trip. Have a spare tire ready and any tools necessary should you have a blow-out.
  • Pack snacks. Hunger pangs can make tempers rise when you are stuck in traffic. Although there will be plenty of food at your destination, pack snacks (especially if kids are traveling) so that falling sugar levels or grumbling stomachs do not add stress to the trip.

Millions of people will be visiting friends and relatives for the Thanksgiving holiday. Keep travel-related stress at bay by having a travel plan and setting off as early as possible. 

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