The holidays are full of love, joy, and being surrounded by your closest friends and family. But they can also be somewhat chaotic. This is especially true for people who have plans to travel during this time. There are many things you have to consider when making your holiday travel plans, and this can quickly become a stressful situation.
We understand how you feel because we’ve been there! That’s why we wanted to take some of the stress off your shoulders and put together a 2022 holiday travel guide to help make your travel plans go as smoothly as possible.
Booking Your Flights
- Book Early: If you haven’t already booked your flights, you should consider doing so ASAP. Typically, the earlier you book, the cheaper your flights will be and the more options you’ll have.
- Shop Around: Don’t be afraid to take some time to shop for the best flight deals. Some airlines may have better deals than others, and you want to ensure you’re not overpaying for your flights.
- Consider Your Airport Options: If your destination has multiple major airports, keep your options open. Sometimes, flying into a lesser-known airport is your best choice as they may have alternative route options and are typically less crowded.
Choosing Your Travel Days
If you want to avoid a crowded, crazy, and chaotic airport, you must take into consideration what days you should travel on and which days you should avoid. Some days will be more hectic than others, so plan around those days if possible.
- The Worst Days to Travel: According to The Vacationer, the worst days to travel during the 2022 holiday season are November 23rd, November 27th, December 22nd, December 23rd, December 26th, and December 27th.Â
- The Best Days to Travel: According to The Vacationer, the best days to travel during the 2022 holiday season are November 21st, November 22nd, November 24th, November 25th, November 28th, and November 29th.
Packing Tips
- Make a Packing List: Be sure to make a list of all the items you’ll need to bring with you. The holidays are such a busy time, and it can be easy to forget things if you don’t make a packing list.
- Pack Light: We suggest packing all of your belongings into a single piece of carry-on luggage. This will help you navigate the airport more quickly and lessens the risk of losing your luggage.
- Bring an Extra Suitcase: Plan on bringing an extra suitcase with you during your travels. Odds are, you are going to come home with more than you left with, and this ensures that you have enough room for things such as gifts.
Home Safety Tips
One important step to take when traveling during the holidays is to keep your home safe and secure while away. Some things that we recommend doing before leaving on your trip include:
- Lock Up: One of the most important things you should do is lock up. Make sure that all your valuables are put away, shut and lock all your doors and windows, and move any spare keys out of sight.
- Make Sure Everything is Unplugged: You should unplug all of your electronic devices before leaving on your trip. Having your electronic devices constantly plugged in while you’re away can be a fire hazard, and the last thing you want to happen is to have a fire start, especially while you’re out of town.
- Put Your Mail on Hold: If you have a full mailbox, people could suspect you’re not home and may be more prone to break into your house. To avoid this, we suggest you put your mail and newspaper on hold and resume delivery when you return home.
Transporting Your Gifts
- Ship Your Gifts Ahead of Time: A really easy way to save yourself the hassle of transporting your gifts is to ship them to your destination ahead of time. This way, you won’t have to worry about lugging them through the airport.
- Give Gift Cards: One of the easiest gifts to take with you is gift cards. They are small, easy to bring in your suitcase, and a gift everyone will love.
- Don’t Wrap Your Gifts: If you plan on bringing gifts, do not wrap them ahead of time. TSA usually doesn’t allow wrapped presents through security, and they may be unwrapped when you get to your destination.
At the Airport
- Get TSA PreCheck: One of the best ways to speed through airport security lines is to get TSA PreCheck. When you go to the airport, you’ll be able to go through the TSA PreCheck line, which is typically quicker than going through the regular security line.
- Get to the Airport Early: If you’re traveling during the holiday season, be sure that you get to the airport extra early. It will be busier than usual, and it may take longer to get through airport security. So, give yourself some extra time just to be safe.
- Be Patient: The airport during the holiday season can get a little crazy, and there’s a good chance that something will go wrong. Instead of getting upset or frustrated, stay calm, and be patient.
From all of us at Swift Passport and Visa Services, happy holidays! No matter your travel plans this holiday season, we hope you get to spend some precious time with your family and friends.
If you do plan on traveling internationally for the holidays and need a passport or visa, Swift can help! You can begin filling out your passport or visa application on our website. If you have any questions along the way, please contact us! We’d be happy to help. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
