Over the next week or so, many of us will be heading to friends or families houses for the Christmas holidays. For most of my life, I have traveled for the Christmas holidays. I have done so on planes, trains and automobiles, so here are my Christmas Travel Tips!

Christmas Travel Tips By Plane

– If you haven’t booked your flight yet, don’t panic! You may still be able to get a last minute deal. My tip is to book on your flight on Christmas Day. There are fewer people flying that day and deals to be had. If you book early in the day or are on an international flight, you can still make it home for Christmas dinner!

– Check your wrapped packages or send them in advance. If you take wrapped packages in your carry-on baggage, security might have to unwrap your present to check it. It is not fun to have to rewrap a present,

– Order presents online and have them delivered directly wrapped! Many retailers offer present wrapping. Saves your luggage space too.

– Nest your luggage. I have written about this before. This way you can bring home all the Christmas presents you were given

– Get to the airport early! Christmas is one of the busiest times at airports, and you don’t want to miss your flight because you arrived too late to get through security and immigration.

– If friends or family are not picking you up from the airport, consider booking ground transportation in advance. There could be a long line for taxis and ride sharing could have surge pricing.

Christmas Travel Tips By Car

– Leave early! It always takes longer than you expect due to traffic and bathroom stops.

– If you are stopping for a night along the way, plan your stop. Hotels and motels can get booked quickly during the holiday season.

– Driving alone? Download an audiobook to listen to in the car. I once drove from New Orleans to Dallas straight, and an audiobook saved me from being bored. I just finished The Immortalists and it was great!

– If you are traveling with kids, bring things for them to do in the car. At the very least, make sure everyone has earphones for their music of choice. This would have saved us many an argument in our family road trips to my Grandparent’s house when I was a kid.

– Have snacks and drinks in the car. There is nothing worse than being hungry and being a hundred miles from the next town with a restaurant. It also means fewer stops along the way!

– Have pillows and blankets for passengers. Most of the road trips I went on as a kid went by really fast as I was asleep in the back. Blankets are also good to have in case of an emergency.

Christmas Travel Tips By Train

– Pack light. Luggage storage can be limited on a train that doesn’t check bags and you might end up having to sit with your bag in your lap.

– Reserve a seat. I have seen people have to stand the whole time because they didn’t book a seat. Don’t count on the dining car having seats either.

– Bring snacks. The prices for food on trains is so high and it is usually not that good!

Christmas travel does not have to be stressful if you plan well. Of course, things happen but at least you know you will have done all you can to prevent that from happening. What Christmas travel tips do you have? Please share it with us in the comments!

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