The Ultimate Holiday Travel Survival Guide
The holidays are full of joy—and, let’s be honest, a little chaos. Between shopping lists, baking marathons, and finding something festive to wear, travel can feel like one more thing on the to-do list. Crowded airports, unpredictable weather, and rising prices don’t help.
But with the right planning, you can skip the stress and keep the festive feeling. Our survival guide will help you plan smarter, pack lighter, and travel happier, so you can focus on what really matters—making memories, not managing meltdowns.
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1. Plan Ahead
Book Early
Book as early as you possibly can. Flights and hotel rooms will be a lot cheaper, and there will be much more availability, so you can get the times and days you want. Try booking at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance for domestic travel, and even earlier for international destinations.
Be Flexible
Word of advice: do not insist on traveling the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. Traveling on Thanksgiving morning is usually a lot cheaper and has fewer crowds and traffic. Coming home on New Year’s Day also often means fewer crowds and more affordable fares.
Set Fare Alerts
Using sites like Airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, or Hopper will give you alerts when prices drop, and you can book.
Try Alternate Airports
Often, there are airports an hour or so away from your desired destination that are smaller than the main one, and those can be a lot cheaper and a lot less crowded on peak travel days.
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2. Pack Strategically (and Lightly)
Make a Packing List
Don’t just throw things in your suitcase that you think you might need —strategically plan your packing so you can mix and match.
Ship Gifts
Whether you buy gifts, wrap them, and ship them yourself to your destination, or order them online to be shipped directly there, it doesn’t matter—just ship them ahead of time. It will save you precious real estate in your suitcase.
Leave Space
Chances are, you will be coming home with more than you left with, so always leave extra space or pack a foldable bag for your return trip.
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3. Beat The Airport Rush
Arrive Early
Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. This way, if the security line is long, you won’t be in a panic that you won’t make your flight on time.
Use Expedited Screening
TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry will be your best friends during the holiday rush. These programs make going through the security line much faster.
Track Security Wait Times
Apps like MyTSA will track wait times for you, so you can better plan when you should get to the airport. Often, the airport website will also have updated wait times.
Know Your Terminal
Take a look at the terminal map online for your departing airport and any connecting airports to see how much time you need to get to your gate. If your gate is the furthest from security, be sure to leave yourself enough time to reach it comfortably for boarding.
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4. Prepare for Delays and Cancellations
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5. Stay Healthy
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6. Keep Your Cool
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7. Build in Buffer Days
Planning will be your best friend when traveling for the holidays. Being prepared for whatever comes your way will help ease the stress when something unexpected happens.
Between bulkier winter clothes and holiday gifts, your suitcase can fill up fast. Keep things as simple as possible with these hacks:
Airports can be chaotic during the holiday rush, but there are ways to make it bearable.
Delays and cancellations happen; you just need to be prepared for when and if it does. Before heading to the airport, check your ticket's delay and cancellation policy. Be sure to download the airline’s app for easier rebooking, updates on delays, and gate changes. Booking a flight earlier in the day may also improve your chances of avoiding a delay.
The last thing you want is to have to cancel a trip because you’re sick. Take steps to stay healthy so your trip can happen without a hitch. Be sure to drink plenty of water, use hand sanitizer, wash your hands, get enough sleep, and mask up on the airplane and at the airport.
One of the smartest things to do when traveling for the holidays is to expect the unexpected. Delays happen—don’t let them ruin your entire holiday. Use apps like Headspace or Calm to help you de-stress during layovers or crowded flights. Be sure to pack plenty of entertainment for yourself and anyone traveling with you.
Giving yourself a few days before the holiday will help you de-stress from travel, making it much more enjoyable. Likewise, give yourself a day or two when you get home to unpack and relax before you have to go back to work.