November 11, 2004 -- According to the national Bureau of Transportation Statistics, on the Saturday before Christmas 2003, Americans took to the skies and highways for more than 26 million long-distance trips (of 50 miles or more). Twenty-seven million forays of similar length took place on Thanksgiving. That's more than twice the average rate of daily long-distance travel the rest of the year.
Indeed, one need only board a bus or plane during peak holiday season to experience these statistics firsthand. Though all that mass commotion and locomotion are part of what makes the holidays a thrill, festive hustle and bustle can quickly devolve into hassle and frazzled holiday spirits without the right preparations.
Whether you're traveling by car or plane, a well-planned trip is much more likely to be a pleasant trip. To ensure your happy travels, we've consulted with AAA, the Department of Transportation, and other transportation experts for the following suggestions.
Top Plane Travel Tips
Book your flight as early as possible for the lowest fares. Coordinate early with your host for the holidays, so when you spot a cheap fare you can confirm it immediately. According to Priceline, the cheapest dates to fly over Thanksgiving are November 20, 22, 25, 26, and 30. November 19, 21, 23, 27, and 29 are more expensive but may still yield a bargain. Avoid booking fares on November 24 and 28.
Over the Christmas season, the best dates for airfare bargains are December 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Deals are still to be had on December 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31. Try to avoid flying on December 1, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, and 28.
For New Year's, avoid January 2. You may find a bargain or two, though, on January 1 and 3. (To view these dates in convenient calendar form, click here.)
Try to build some flexibility into your schedule. You're more likely to find discount fares if you're able to travel at various dates and times. If you're extremely flexible, you may want to search for a last-minute deal two weeks before the holiday. If your nerves are steely enough to risk the wait, you're very likely to find rock-bottom prices.
Book an early departure, if possible. That way, if you're bumped or delayed, you'll have plenty of alternative flights to choose from throughout the day.
Know the total price of your fare, including taxes and surcharges, before you confirm a reservation. The new fuel surcharges and security fees can add as much as $160 to your roundtrip ticket price.
Ship gift packages to your destination in advance. Airlines are imposing weight restrictions on checked luggage, and you could end up paying extra for holiday packages if they exceed the per-person limit. Given the heightened incidence of lost luggage during holiday travel, you'll also ensure that your gifts make it to their recipients by Christmas if you ship them separately. If you must travel with your packages, leave them unwrapped in case airport security insists on inspecting them.
Think about using public transportation to the airport to avoid parking congestion and allow yourself some down time before your flight.
Leave yourself time to reach the airport two hours ahead of your departure time, to accommodate increased security measures. The Transportation Security Administration says that since August, airport security officials have been conducting same-sex pat downs on passengers whose carry-ons show possibly suspicious contents. Pat downs generally will occur beside the check-in line, and security personnel is required to describe what they're doing as they pat down a passenger, but passengers are entitled to a private pat-down upon request.
Call to confirm your departure times before you leave for the airport. Better yet, register with your carrier for cellphone alerts so the airline can automatically inform you of schedule changes. (But don't forget your cellphone charger!)
Pack strategically. Don't pack your medication in checked luggage, in case your bags are lost. If possible, carry backup copies of prescriptions. Pack film in your carry-on bag and request a hand inspection, to avoid damage by x-ray equipment. Make copies of all your documents and credit cards and pack the copies in your carry-on or checked luggage, rather than your wallet.
Take advantage of alternative check-in methods. Book an e-ticket. If you're not checking bags, you'll be able to proceed straight to the security checkpoint and your gate. Print a copy of the ticket and carry it with your photo ID in a secure but accessible place.
If you have elite frequent flyer status, see if it qualifies you to use the priority check-in lines. Or call your airport in advance to see if curbside check-in is an option.
To avoid delays, don't try to challenge carry-on restrictions: The FAA permits one carry-on bag per person plus a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. Carry-ons may not contain anything that could be used as a weapon, including cutting tools and sports gear such as baseball bats or ski poles. Investigate your carrier's size and weight restrictions per bag. If your carry-on exceeds the allowable limits and you end up having to check it, you'll slow down yourself as well as the line you're in.
The day of your flight, do not wear metal belts or jewelry. Empty your pockets of coins, keys, and other metal objects before you pass through the metal detector; better yet, make sure all those shiny things are in your carry-on before you get in line. Be prepared to open your purse, carry-on, or laptop case for inspection.
Top Car Travel Tips
Purchase AAA Plus emergency road assistance or check your existing membership to make sure it's valid for the extent of your holiday travels. For $69.99 -- which buys you 100 miles of towing, tire change, lockout service, jumpstarts, and unlimited trip planning advice -- it's a motorist's best defense. And as things go, you probably won't need it unless you don't have it! For more information, visit www.aaa.com.
Tune up your car before you leave. Test the tire pressure, brakes, battery, and charging system. Check fluid levels, including oil, windshield wash, antifreeze, transmission, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and battery fluid.
Buy fuel before the holiday weekend if possible. You'll save money and avoid long lines.
Stock the car with blankets, water, and snacks, to keep you warm and hydrated in case of a breakdown.
Be sure you're rested before you set out on the road. Designate a backup driver if you can. Crack a window every so often for a rush of fresh air and stop for a break every few hours.
Be prepared for heightened security at bridges, tunnels, heavily traveled roads and densely populated urban areas. Police in many places are randomly stopping cars for spot checks, so have your ID ready and don't be surprised if they search the backseat and trunk.
Choose to travel by car, rather than van or SUV, if possible. You'll diminish the likelihood of being stopped for a spot search, and you'll save on fuel costs to boot.
Allow extra time for long checkpoint lines, if you're crossing into Mexico or Canada. A valid passport will speed your passage at the border.
Drive defensively. Remember that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's eves are three of the deadliest days for highway travel. If possible, stay off the roads in the evening, when a greater percentage of motorists are liable to be drunk.
Traveling with Kids
Don't forget your child's favorite toy or game. A Liberty Travel poll of children 8 to 11 says 44 percent of kids won't leave home without a stuffed animal or blanket, and 45 percent wouldn't leave without an MP3 player. Forgetting to heed these statistics could be the biggest mistake of your trip! (For electronic games, don't forget the charger.)
Buy a few new toys for the trip and surprise your children with them if they begin to get anxious or crabby while traveling. The novelty is likely to distract them longer.
Try to book a hotel with an indoor pool, if you're not staying with family. The same Liberty Travel poll reports that 75 percent of kids say pools are their favorite aspect of vacation travel.
What makes your holiday travels more pleasant? Tell us on our Message Boards.