Top Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel

Holiday weekends give us a great chance to take a vacation, head out to see loved ones, or visit places of interest. The week of Thanksgiving alone draws around 20 million travelers to the air, packing planes and sending prices skyward. The roads are no different, with some 36 million people driving over the weekend. With all the congestion it is easy to be dissuaded from traveling in the first place, but with these top travel tips you'll be able to save yourself from the inconveniences and travel worry-free over the holidays.

The most important thing to consider wherever you travel during the holiday season is your luggage. Packing small and light will save you a lot of hassle and tired arms, and will also reduce the risk of losing bags at the worst possible time. Take an easy-open pack as a carry on with a good book, some emergency sandwiches or energy bars, and a spare sweater in case it gets colder. Make sure you keep a supply of water handy, as some airlines may not be able to keep up with demand. Due to opportunistic thieves it is actually a risk to put home address and contact details on luggage. Instead, try and use your work contact details.

A great way to free up space and stay light is to send any gifts you may be bringing with you ahead of time. Security checks won't allow wrapped gifts onboard, and no liquid containers over 3 ounces. If you absolutely must carry a gift with you, leave it unwrapped and take collapsible gift bags that you can use once you arrive. Consider non-metallic, or easy removable footwear and belts; dress appropriately with the security checks in mind, and you'll get through much quicker. The faster you can get through security, the easier everything else becomes.

You can cut down on wait times and the risk of delays by carefully planning ahead. The earlier you book, the greater chance you have of making a flight at a great fare, with a good seat. Booking three weeks in advance should ensure the best deals. Avoid the peak travel times, such as the day before Thanksgiving, where possible. Try and get direct flights, or limit stopovers to smaller, less busy airports. You may want to try flying from a smaller airport in the first place, as the reduced congestion can often leave you with a better experience overall. Hotels, car rentals, and parking are all usually easier and cheaper around the smaller airports too.

The good news about holiday travel is that deals are all around, as the airlines compete to get the most passengers to their planes. Using TripMama.com will help you take advantage of this fact, as we search through the top airline aggregators to bring you the very best on offer. Make sure you look across a range of dates, and adjacent airports, as the more flexible you are, the more you save.