The Don’ts of Holiday Travel
Ho ho ho, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you travel over the Christmas holidays. Whether you are traveling to be with family, or simply taking advantage of having some extra time off work, there are some things you should NOT do when traveling over Christmas.
Don’t Wait to Make Reservations
The December holidays are a busy time for travel, so don’t wait to book your flights, hotels, or train tickets because you might miss out! Some hotels in popular Christmas destinations will take reservations up to two years in advance, and most flights can be confirmed up to 11 months ahead. This doesn’t just apply to New York City or Munich, your hometown hotels might book up quickly as well, so even if you’re just going to visit your parents, you still might want to plan ahead.
Don’t Expect Deals or Discounts
Since this is peak travel season, there are rarely any discounts or deals on travel over the holidays. If you are normally a bargain hunter when it comes to travel, you may have sticker shock, and the best thing you can do is to plan ahead. Sometimes, you can find cheaper flights by traveling on the actual holiday because most travelers don’t want to spend Christmas on a plane, but don’t count on it.
Don’t Expect Everything to Be Open
Some destinations, like ski resorts, will be “business as usual” over the holidays, but other destinations may be a bit quieter. For example, in the UK even public transportation is closed on Christmas Day. Grocery stores may be closed entirely, or close early, so you may need to plan ahead and make sure you have what you need before the holiday. Don’t assume anything will be open, and if that’s not the case, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Bring Presents With You
Traveling with kids over Christmas can be challenging, because they still want to open presents on Christmas, regardless of where you are. Some years, we’ll take photos of the gifts and wrap the photos, so they still have something to open and then they have new presents when they get back home.
We’ve also celebrated Christmas early, before a trip, or late, when we get home from a trip. Opening gifts after vacation is a nice way to have something to look forward to at the end of your trip.
Don’t Expect European Christmas Markets to Be Open After Christmas
If you’re traveling to Europe to visit the Christmas markets, make sure you check the dates as they vary widely. A lot of the small-town markets close on the 23rd of December, so if you’re traveling between Christmas and New Year’s, you might miss it. Other markets may extend into early January, but make sure you know the dates ahead of time so you don’t arrive at an empty square.
What NOT to Do at European Christmas Markets
That said, you can travel before Christmas and markets are usually open. In Europe, they typically open the first Sunday of Advent, while US markets often open Thanksgiving weekend.
Don’t Forget to Pack Appropriately
We always advocate for traveling light, but winter travel typically requires more gear. Snow boots and parkas take up a lot more room than flip-flops and swimsuits! But even if you are traveling to a cold weather destination, check the forecast right before you leave because winter weather can change quickly. Last Christmas in New York, rather than cold and snow, it was rainy and mild.
Don’t Book Tight Connections
Delays are common this time of year, so give yourself plenty of time if you have connections to make. Weather delays or just general congestion could set you back and you don’t want to miss your connections over the holidays as it can be really hard to rebook if everything is already full. I have even been delayed by someone wrestling with an oversized gift in the overhead compartment of an airplane. An easy way to take the stress out of holiday travel is to book longer layovers.
Don’t Book Late Flights
Early morning flights have fewer delays and cancellations, and more options for rebooking if something does happen. If you’ve got the last flight of the day and something happens to cause a delay, you’re probably going to be stuck at the airport overnight.
Don’t Forget an Emergency Kit if You’re Driving
Holiday travel doesn’t always involve flights or trains; you may just be driving a few hours home for the holidays. If you’re driving, especially in cold climates with snow, you need to make sure you have an emergency bag and extra blankets. Traffic and bad weather can delay you, so make sure you are prepared by stocking your car with cold-weather supplies, plus snacks and drinks.
Don’t Forget to Partake in Local Holiday Traditions
If you’re traveling abroad, or even to a different part of the country you live in, the Christmas traditions could be very different from what you are used to. Whatever the local tradition is, make sure you take time to enjoy it. From New York’s Christmas windows to Germany’s Christmas markets, find out what the locals do. In Japan, they eat Kentucky Fried Chicken!
Don’t Go to Orlando Between Christmas and New Year’s
We normally don’t tell you to avoid destinations altogether, but for this, we make an exception. Because of the school holidays, this is the busiest time to visit the Orlando theme parks. It’s crowded all the time but double-crowded over the holidays. Don’t do it. If you do, don’t say we didn’t warn you!
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The December holidays are a great time to travel, if you are prepared! Don’t let these tips keep you from planning your holiday travel. Want more holiday travel tips? Check out these blog posts!