Many people only travel during the holiday season, which means the airports will be more crowded than ever and you’ll encounter a lot of people who don’t know what they’re doing. It can easily lead to unnecessary stress and frustrations, especially if you’re traveling with children. The great news is there’s a lot you can do to ensure your holiday travel experience is a good one. Check out our essential holiday travel tips to learn more!
Avoidance
Sometimes the best prevention is avoidance. While most of the season will be busy, there are certain peak days you’ll want to avoid. These dates include the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after any of the holidays.
Book Nonstop
One of the most essential holiday travel tips is book nonstop. With weather delays and cancellations happening more often during the winter season, flying direct is always the best option. Not only is there a better chance you’ll arrive at your destination in a timely manner, there’s less chance of losing your luggage.
Consider Your Connections
If you find yourself in the position where you have to book a layover, do it thoughtfully. Take into consideration the connection airport. Do they have a history of delayed or cancelled flights? Is it a busy hub airport? How big are they? Where are they located? The last question is important because of potential weather delays. You’ll also want to time your connection carefully. Avoid overly tight connections during the holiday season. You don’t want to miss it because your first flight was delayed or because you didn’t have enough time to sprint across Chicago’s O’Hare International.
Budget More Time
Not only will TSA security check points take longer, it’ll take longer to check your bags and there will be more congestion on the roads. Avoid the stress by leaving early. You may have extra time to wait at the airport, but it’s better than missing your flight.
Book Your Parking
Airports are notorious for selling out of parking during the holidays. The last thing you want to do is get to the airport only to find that their parking lot is full. Save yourself the hassle by reserving your parking space at an offsite airport parking vendor. Not only will you have the peace of mind that your parking spot is reserved, you’ll be shocked at the savings.
Don’t Wrap Gifts
If you’re traveling with gifts, do not wrap them. This rule applies even if you are checking your luggage. At any point the TSA can inspect your luggage and they will open your gifts if they feel it’s necessary. Plan to purchase gift bags at your destination or pack a roll of wrapping paper with you.
Packing Your Personal Item
Your personal item is your most important piece of luggage. This is the one that is guaranteed to stay with you. There are a lot more carry on bags and full flights during the holidays. More often than not you may be required to gate check your bag. Always pack your personal item with things you need if your suitcase is lost or delayed. The most important items to pack: identification, medications, and glasses. Other items you may want to include are a change of clothes, toothbrush, snacks, and cellphone charger.
Self Park FLL is home to the best economy parking for Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Our free shuttles, fenced lot, and friendly team make us the perfect choice for your FLL airport parking reservations. Reserve our cheap airport parking now so you can park yourself and keep your keys!
