Surviving Holiday Travel:

For some crazy reason, you have chosen to travel during the holiday season and you’re going to need a life line to make it through. Here are some tips and advice to help survive that journey. Surviving your family though…you’re on your own.

Here are our top ten tips for surviving holiday travel:

Tip 1: Ear Plugs

A popular life hack that some have been using for years. Reduce airplane noise and block out the noisy passengers around you by keeping a pair of ear plugs in your carryon. Have you ever made the mistake of booking a cruise cabin above the night club or noisy neighbors? For those rustic (run-down) hotels in the middle of a city, pop these in for some restful sleep from the vibrant (noisy) nightlife.

Great Ideas:

• Read about them: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/ear-plugs-flying-100141.html
• Go high end: https://www.bose.com/products/headphones.html 

Tip 2: Patience is a Virtue

Holiday travel can be a beast but getting angry only hurts you in the end. Don’t forget that it’s a holiday too for airline personnel, car rental agents, and hotel staff…and they have to work. A smile can go a long way to help them (and you) make a frustrating day go a little bit better, and a tip might just get you special treatment.

Great Ideas:

• Ask the flight attendant for hot water: http://www.republicoftea.com
• Ask the flight attendant for the harder stuff: http://wandpdesign.com/pages/carryoncocktailkit 

Tip 3: Embrace Technology

Download the airline, bus, or train app to monitor your plans. Push notifications may be annoying but while you’re traveling allow the app to send you notices and updates about their services. Stay on top of schedule changes, cancellations, and even deals. Keep in mind that data service charges may apply, especially while outside your home country.

Great Ideas:

• Last minute accommodations with Hotel Tonight: https://www.hoteltonight.com
• Track a flight with Flight Tracker’s App: http://www.flightview.com 

Tip 4: Travel on Off-Peak Days

If you can be flexible with your travel days and your hosts can too, book your flights before the holiday weekend or afterwards. Flying midweek around a holiday can be hundreds of dollars cheaper. Try eating that turkey a few days before or after.

Great Ideas:

• Search Fly.com or use the app:  http://www.fly.com
• Who can resist a travel savvy Hipmunk: https://www.hipmunk.com 

Tip 5: Ditch the Drama

Skip unwrapping presents with crazy aunt Judy by taking a last minute cruise or vacation package. If you can stop, drop, and sail on a few days notice, you could pick up some hot deals when hotels and travel carriers try to fill empty bookings.

Great Ideas:

• Try Princess Cruise Lines’ Drop & Go: http://bit.ly/1MeUbV0
• Travel Zoo is great for last minute deals: http://www.travelzoo.com

Tip 6: Dress the Part

Travel with shirts and pants that have lots of pockets, such as cargo shorts. Keep your passport, ticket, and ID in your front pockets. Keep anything else you need often in those pockets so you don’t have to dig through your overhead carry-on later. It’s like a second carry-on.

Great Ideas:

• Keep aspirin, Benadryl, and Ambien in those pockets. Especially on long flights.
  Turn a fluffy coat into a pillow.
• Hoodies and pullovers can block out the light.

Tip 7: It’s a Wrap

Don’t pack pre-wrapped gifts, they may be opened by TSA.  Use bags, boxes that fold flat and pop up bows that can be handled quickly at your destination and still give a nice holiday flare.

Great Ideas:

• RealSimple ideas: http://bit.ly/1A9zCo2
• This guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh_Rg6e4SY8

Tip 8: Google Maps

Going someplace new and need to know how to get around but don’t have an international date plan? Google has a great feature to download a zoomable map. Start by selecting the map area you want and then type “OK maps” into the search box. You can download the map and use it even without a data connection. You can use this function in Android and iOS. Take screenshots of areas of interest or information to save it in your photos.

Tip 9: Road Tripping

If you are driving long distance make sure you don’t neglect your transportation. Nothing ruins a holiday like car trouble. Make time to get it done: oil changes, tune-up, tire pressure or new tires, and a good cleaning inside and out for your own comfort. When driving around Christmas, make sure to winterize your car. Pack emergency and first-aid kits all year long.

Great Ideas:

• Emergency car kits: http://goo.gl/JxgggM
• Consumer Reports advice for winterizing: http://goo.gl/cHRzhD

Tip 10: Buy Trip Cancellation Coverage

Getting travel insurance right after you book your trip is important. There are usually benefits when you purchase coverage within 10-14 days of your initial down payment such as waived pre-existing exclusions and the option to cancel for any reason. Expect to pay 10-20% of the total cost of your trip package for insurance. It’s worth the cost to invest in your trip.

Great Ideas:

• RoundTrip Coverage: https://travelersally.com/plan/roundtrip/ 
• TravelEx: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/Enrollments/ConsumerComposite.aspx?p=STS&ct=TC&facp=0