With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it may be time to double-check that you have everything in order for your holiday traveling. If the thought of that is making you break out into hives, have no fear! This travel checklist will cover all of your bases so your Thanksgiving getaway is full of gratitude and low on stress.
1. Confirm that your Passports and ID’s are Current and Valid
This point may seem like a no-brainer, but if you haven’t looked at your passport or ID in a while, you may get a nasty shock to see that it’s expired. A few weeks before you travel, you should always double-check your paperwork and make sure that you have all your documentation in order. This way, if something is amiss, you’ll have enough time to rectify it before you head out of town.
If you are traveling within the US on a domestic flight, you can use a government-approved driver’s license, your passport or military ID. International flights require a passport only, so make sure you are taking the correct ID according to your destination!
2. Book Your Flight As Early As Possible
One of the priciest (and most difficult) times to fly is around the holidays since everyone wants to get home to their families. To help reduce your ticket costs, price out flights via Skyscanner or Hopper at least 6 weeks in advance.
You can set alerts to be notified when your desired flight(s) increase or decrease, with helpful price forecasts so you’ll be alerted to the best pricing. Booking early around the holidays is strongly advised; ticket prices tend to rise significantly the closer you get to your travel dates in November and December.
3. Get TSA Pre-check
One of our favorite travel tips is to sign up for TSA pre-check. When airports are at their busiest (and trust us, they will be) TSA pre-check can save your sanity and a ton of your precious time. Not only will you get access to an expedited security line, but you’ll also minimize your hassle by not having to remove your shoes, belt, and other cumbersome items before walking through the security checkpoints.
4. Only Pack a Carry On
If you can manage it, skip the giant suitcase, and try to pack everything into a carry-on. Having only one small bag will save you more time and aggravation than you realize. While everyone else is standing in line to check their bag, you can breeze through to your terminal. And while everyone else is standing aimlessly around baggage claim after a long flight, you can whisk off into the night as soon as your plane lands!
5. Save on Hotel and Parking by Bundling
Another great tip that’s helpful not only during holiday travel but anytime you take a vacation is to bundle services. You can book a package that includes a hotel and rental car or purchase your flights and your hotel as a packaged deal. Using companies such as airportparkingreservations.com will help you save money, time, and aggravation by having everything on one reservation.
Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!
Image credits:
Photo by Rocker Sta on Unsplash
