20 travel tips to keep you sane if you’re going home for the holidays

If you have to fly to get home, be sure to be monitoring flight deals. All sorts of flight deals pop up around the holidays, so watch for ones that work and can save money. And be flexible on airports if possible, as that can help you snag a better deal. 

If at all possible, don’t travel on peak days or times. Travel a little earlier or a little later than the crowd so you don’t have to spend as much time in traffic or at the airport. Nothing drives insanity more than too much time spent in a crowd. 

One-way tickets offer more flexibility with departure days and times, and they can sometimes be cheaper. If you have the flexibility within your schedule, this can be a great way to travel. 

Travel insurance isn’t always necessary, but it’s something to at least consider when going home for the holidays. The weather is more unpredictable, and if you’re going to spend the money to go home, at least you have the assurance that you can visit another time if something goes awry. 

If you can, book flights with credit card points. It saves you lots of money and that way, you can spend on gifts or outings with your friends and family when you’re home. 

Make a reservation for absolutely everything while you’re home. Flights, rental cars, hotel rooms, restaurants, activities — if you can reserve a spot ahead of time, do it, especially if you’re going to be in a busy area. It’ll eliminate lots of headaches.

Airport lounge access is far more affordable than many people realize, and there are plenty of ways to get deals. This is a great option if you’re traveling with a family, have a long layover, need to work, or want to avoid crowds. 

Gifts can take up an enormous amount of space. If it’s within your budget, send your gifts to your destination ahead of time. If you send your gifts on time, you can trust that they’ll already be home when you arrive, and if you can’t make it back for some reason, at least the gifts will be there. 

If you have to travel with your gifts, pack them wisely. Check the TSA rules for gifts if you’re flying with them, and make sure you have them in your carry-on so they don’t get lost in the airport system. 

You should monitor the weather when you’re traveling no matter what, but be especially cognizant of it around the holidays. If an impending storm could interfere with your plans, see if you can change them to avoid any hiccups. 

Companies aren’t quite as flexible with remote work now as they were during the pandemic, but many are still willing to let employees work remotely on occasion, especially over the holidays. Taking a day or two remotely can give you more flexibility in your travel plans. 

If you don’t want to put miles on your own car, need some extra space, want all-wheel drive, or are flying to your destination and need a car when you arrive, rent one. They can make traveling so much easier. Just be sure to book one ahead of time, as there is a limited supply. 

Whether you’re flying without WiFi or you’re driving through spaces with poor cell reception, download your entertainment ahead of time. Make sure you have hours of content and lots of options to stream while you’re traveling. 

Don’t rush anything when you’re traveling home for the holidays. Leave home with plenty of time to get to the airport and make it through security. Give yourself plenty of buffers to stop at gas stations along the way and still make it to your destination before dark. The more time you allow yourself, the saner you’ll stay. 

If you’re driving, check gas prices ahead of time and plan accordingly. Traveling is expensive, even if you’re driving, so do your homework to avoid spending money frivolously. 

Make sure to check the road construction before you leave home, too. You might want to consider an alternate route or give yourself extra time to get through the construction. At the very least, you can mentally prepare for a delay in your trip. 

If you’re driving home for the holidays, keep winter supplies in your car. Anything can happen on the roads, especially during the winter, so have everything you might need should you get stuck or have car troubles. 

Don’t leave home without food or water while traveling over the holidays. If you’re going by car, keep non-perishable items and bottles of water in your vehicle in case of emergencies. If you’re going by plane, consider bringing food to avoid astronomical airport prices. 

Devices die after frequent use, so don’t forget your chargers. If you’re traveling by car, keep them in the bag you’re going to have by your seat. If you’re traveling by plane, keep them in your carry-on. 

Always have a backup plan when you’re going home for the holidays. Many people are trying to get to the same places simultaneously, all while the weather is less than ideal for travel. Someone is bound to have to change their plans. If it’s you, be prepared with alternatives.