Thanksgiving is the holiday that sees the most condensed period of air travel all year, with the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving being the two busiest days of long weekend.
For those who plan to spend time with loved ones away from home, this isn’t great news. When you take time away from the daily grind to relax and feast with the people you care about, the last things you want to deal with are inflated fares, packed airports, and plane delays. Unfortunately, if you plan to travel during the busiest time of year, this is precisely what you will get. Luckily, Thanksgiving travel is not all doom and gloom. Here’s how you can make the most of your holiday travel this year.
1. Don’t Make Over-Ambitious Travel Plans
Most of us are accustomed to packing our itineraries with as much as we can fit in. We want to get more out of our vacation time by planning as many activities as possible because we want the opportunity to experience what we can’t do inside our typical routines. Well, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate that way of thinking. First of all, since it’s a national holiday, many businesses and amenities will be closed on Thanksgiving. Those that are open will likely be overly-packed. So, this week is not the best time to learn how to ski or check other items off your bucket list. Instead, set your expectations low and plan on lounging as much as possible. When you do this, you leave less room for disappointment.
2. Prepare for Bad Weather & Traffic
If you live in an area with a mild climate, don’t forget that certain destinations are experiencing true winter weather in November. For some, this means there could be icy roads and even closures. Furthermore, airport runways aren’t the only place where there’s higher-than-usual traffic during the holidays. In many cities, the roads will be packed. It’s not uncommon to run into multiple traffic jams and sometimes collisions. When you travel during Thanksgiving, this is what you should expect. In a nutshell, while your GPS might say that your final destination is an hour drive from the airport, always give yourself more time to get there. If you’re ahead of schedule, you can always stop for sightseeing or a quick cup of coffee.
3. Pack Light to Avoid Luggage Problems
If you can manage to travel with a carry-on only, do it. If you can skip the baggage claim, you’ll have one less stressor to deal with. If you’re not sure how to make that happen, here are some ideas:
- Wear your heavier clothing rather than packing it in your bag
- Roll clothing instead of folding to optimize space usage
- Invest in travel-sized toiletries
- Store items like stick deodorant, socks, and t-shirts inside your shoes
Most of the time, your “personal item” can be a small backpack — usually, you can bring two small bags without checking either of them
If you’re not sure about what sized items you can bring, check with your airline. They can provide more details.
4. Leverage the Convenience of Technology
You know that your smartphone isn’t just for making calls and browsing social media. Surely, you plan to take photos of your vacation to document your memories. But, your phone was an investment — you should use it as such. When traveling, use apps to make your life easier. The most important app to download when you travel during the holidays is your airline’s branded app. Especially when traveling during a busy season, online check-in is a must. Plus, your airline’s app will notify you about delays and other important travel information. Next, you should leverage maps to their full advantage. You can track your itinerary, share your ETA with family and friends, discover the nearest fuel and EV charging stations, and see road closures. This way, your trip can run much more smoothly.
If your hotel or car rental company has an app, download it. Are you going to need food delivery? Find out which services are available in your destination city and download the apps. Technology can save you a ton of time and stress when traveling during the holidays.
5. Collaborate With Family About Flexible Dates
Of course, if your holiday plans include other people, everyone needs to get on the same page. While it’s a well-known fact that you can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars by traveling a week before or after an actual holiday, we’re all programmed to celebrate on certain dates. If you want an “un-Thanksgiving” with loved ones, you’re going to have to collaborate.
Thanksgiving travel can be hectic because it seems like everyone wants to gather and celebrate. For the least amount of headache and optimal fun this season, follow the advice above. Should you or a family member be in an accident during the holiday in which injuries are sustained, the first thing you should do is contact a personal injury attorney. When you are represented by a skilled attorney, you’ll have your best chance of being fairly compensated for any injuries that you sustain in an accident.
Call Jacobson, Schrinsky & Houck in Milwaukee today at (414) 223-4444 or contact us online to have one of our caring lawyers come out to meet you and get car accident help today and money for your injuries. There is no fee until we win.
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