The winter is a popular time to travel. Many people have paid vacation time for during the holiday season, and families fly across the country to be together at this time of year. If you will be traveling in the winter, here are some tips to make your vacation a little smoother.
When to Travel
Avoid peak travel days. These usually include weekends surrounding holidays. If you can manage to travel a day or two earlier than the crowds, traffic to the airport will be reduced, lines at the security checkpoint will be shorter and flights will be less full. Without the crowds and complications, your trip will feel much more relaxed.
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What to Pack
If you’re traveling to a cold climate, you’ll want to pack warm clothes, long-sleeved shirts and other winter essentials. If you plan on being indoors most of the time, you might get away with leaving the bulky winter coat at home, but you may still want a jacket. Even quick trips to the store in the winter can leave you chilled if you don’t wear a sweater.
If you’re traveling to a warm climate, pack your swimsuit and shorts! However, don’t forget that the airplane may be cold, as well as the car ride to the airport, so dress in layers. Once you get to your tropical destination, you can forget about your jacket until the plane ride home.
What to Avoid
Avoid layovers in cities with a history of flight cancellations due to snowfall. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than being stuck on the ground in the Midwest while your family celebrates Christmas on the East Coast without you. Save yourself a night on the airport floor by selecting non-stop flights or flights that route through more temperate cities.
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What to Rent
Your family may have offered for you to stay in the guest bedroom, but if the house will be crowded, consider renting a hotel room for the duration of your stay. While this is more expensive than sleeping on the couch, the privacy and ability to relax with a little alone time will more than make up for the cost. You should also check into a car hire service. Renting a car will give you the freedom to come and go as you please. If you want a midnight snack, you can hop in your car and make a burger run. Don’t settle for being tied down on your vacation.
If you use these tips, your winter travel should be just an enjoyable as the holiday itself.