The holidays are a common time for folks to hit the road and visit family and friends. While most people strive to complete their travel before Christmas Day, your plans may leave you with no other option than to take advantage of the day to get to your destination. Luckily, traveling on Christmas isn’t as bad as it sounds! Whether you’re planning to reach your final destination by car or by plane, here are some things to keep in mind to make life easy when traveling on Christmas Day:
1 – NOT TAKING YOUR CAR? GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME.
Many people are surprised to find just how easy driving can be at Christmas. After all, it’s a day most families spend inside, eating and spending time with loved ones – not running errands. While you don’t need to plan for traffic if you’re the one behind the wheel, you should definitely give yourself some extra time if you’re relying on public transit, like your local bus or train system, to get you there. Odds are, they’re running on a reduced schedule.
2 – PACK SNACKS AND DRINKS!
Whether you’re traveling by plane or driving to your destination, you’ll find far fewer shops open than usual. Airports won’t offer nearly as many amenities as they typically do, and if you’re driving, you may find it difficult to find an open gas station for a bite to eat while you refuel. Bring some snacks that are easy to eat on the go – think pretzels, granola bars, and mixed nuts – as well as a beverage or two (or a water bottle to fill once you get through security) to keep you hydrated!
3 – TIRED OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC? BRING A PLAYLIST.
If you love carols, you’re in luck. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an airport terminal or radio station that isn’t blasting Christmas music on December 25th. If you’re craving a break from the seasonal tunes, make sure you set up a playlist on your phone and bring some headphones. Otherwise, it might be a very long trip!
4 – HOLIDAY CHEER IS APPRECIATED, BUT NOT REQUIRED.
Most people are in surprisingly good spirits on Christmas Day – even those who are forced to spend the day at work, away from their families. While many of these people choose to work because they don’t celebrate the holiday, others will be eager to wish everyone they see a “Merry Christmas!” There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Whether you choose to embrace the spirit of the season and wear your Santa hat to catch your flight or you prefer a toned-down approach, you’ll be just fine.
5 – IF YOU’RE FLYING, CHECK THOSE PACKAGES!
While you won’t face restrictions around what you can bring if you’re taking your car, airlines have strict regulations around what can make it onto the plane. Bagged gifts are acceptable, but wrapped gifts may need to be unwrapped if security thinks there’s a need to investigate further. To avoid any potential headache, review TSA’s list of banned items before you fly and consider shipping your presents to your final destination instead of bringing them along for the trip.
With a little preparation, traveling on Christmas Day can be just as easy – if not easier – than other days of the year. Wherever your plans take you this holiday season, take these tips into consideration, and you’ll be amazed to see how smoothly your travels go!
