5 Tips for Less Stressful Holiday Travel
The holiday travel season is almost here! And if you're planning to fly anywhere between now and the end of the year, having a little extra preparation and a good game plan can go a long way toward avoiding some of the inevitable holiday travel headaches.
Every year, we hear the same media stories: record-breaking travel crowds, packed airports, flight delays, cancellations, and frustrated travelers trying to get to their destinations.
While some travel disruptions are simply out of our control, there are a few things you can do to make the experience a little less stressful. As someone who travels frequently with my family, I've learned that a little planning, flexibility, and knowing what to do when things don't go as expected can make all the difference.
Here are five simple tips to help make your holiday travels go a little more smoothly.
1. Download Your Airline's App Before You Travel
This is one of the easiest things you can do to stay ahead of potential travel disruptions.
Most airline apps allow you to check in, access boarding passes, monitor flight status, receive real-time updates, and, most importantly, manage your reservation if something goes wrong. If your flight is delayed or canceled, you may be able to rebook directly through the app instead of waiting in a long customer service line or spending hours on hold.
My tip: Turn on push notifications and keep an eye on your flight status, especially during busy travel periods or when bad weather is expected. Sometimes you'll receive an update through the app before it's announced at the gate.
2. Book Nonstop Flights Whenever Possible
I almost always prefer nonstop flights, even if they cost a little more. Every connection introduces another opportunity for something to go wrong, whether it's a delayed first flight, a missed connection, or luggage that doesn't make it to your final destination. This becomes even more important during the winter months when snowstorms and severe weather can create disruptions across the airline network. A delay in one city can quickly impact flights hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
My tip: If a nonstop flight isn't available, give yourself plenty of time between connections and avoid tight layovers, especially when connecting through airports known for winter weather.
Sometimes paying a little more for a better flight schedule is worth the added peace of mind.
3. Choose Early Morning Flights
Whenever possible, I try to book flights earlier in the day.
Why? Because flight delays tend to build throughout the day and a delayed aircraft, crew scheduling issue, or weather disruption can create a domino effect that impacts flights later in the afternoon and evening. Early morning flights, especially those using aircraft that stayed overnight at the airport, generally have a better chance of departing on time. And if something does go wrong, you'll typically have more options to get rebooked on another flight that same day.
My tip: The first flight of the morning might mean waking up a little earlier, but I'd rather start our vacation early than spend the evening sitting in an airport hoping to get to our destination.
4. Plan Ahead and Build in Some Buffer Time
If you're traveling for something you absolutely cannot miss, don't plan to arrive at the last minute. This is especially important if you're heading out on a cruise, attending a wedding, meeting family for a holiday celebration, or have an expensive tour or activity already booked.
Whenever possible, consider arriving at least a day early, or even two days ahead if you're traveling internationally or during a particularly busy holiday period. A little extra time can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and missing an important part of your trip.
My tip: When we have something important scheduled at our destination, I prefer to build in some flexibility rather than risk having our entire itinerary disrupted by a single flight delay.
And remember, the busiest travel days around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's often mean fewer options when flights are full and something goes wrong.
5. Protect Your Trip With Travel Insurance and the Right Credit Card
Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you'll never need, but you'll be glad to have if something goes wrong.
Flight cancellations, significant delays, lost luggage, unexpected illnesses, and other travel disruptions can quickly turn into expensive headaches.
Many premium travel credit cards offer valuable protections, including trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation or interruption coverage, and baggage protection, provided you meet the card's coverage requirements. However, these benefits aren't always as comprehensive as a separate travel insurance policy.
For our family, I personally purchase an annual travel insurance plan that provides coverage for multiple trips throughout the year. We also use premium travel credit cards when booking travel to take advantage of their additional protections and benefits.
My tip: Before purchasing travel insurance, check what coverage you already have through your credit cards. Pay attention to coverage limits, exclusions, eligible reasons for cancellation, and how benefits work together so you're not unnecessarily paying for overlapping coverage.
For more information, check out my guide to travel rewards credit cards and their benefits.
Final Thoughts: A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Holiday travel can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. The reality is that no amount of planning can prevent every flight delay, cancellation, or unexpected disruption. What you can control is how well you're prepared when something doesn't go according to plan.
Book smarter flights, give yourself a little extra time, understand your travel protections, and be ready to adjust when needed. And perhaps most importantly, pack a little patience. Airports are busy, airline employees are dealing with the same disruptions, and just about everyone is trying to get somewhere to spend time with family and friends.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: spend less time stressing about getting there and more time enjoying the people, places, and experiences that make traveling worthwhile.
Safe travels and happy holidays!