Now that December is here, throngs of people are hitting the road, hopping on planes and clogging the malls. The most wonderful time of the year can be the most frustrating, especially if you’re travelling. Here are our tips on how to avoid the crowds and make your holiday travel less annoying:
- This is stating the obvious, but if you’re planning on taking a vacation during the holidays, avoid the big attractions and resorts. They’ll be jammed. Instead, seek out smaller, more tranquil private rentals. If you do decide to visit a destination like Disneyland, stay on the property.
- If you’re in a resort area, start your day early. Book tours for first thing in the morning and hit the beach while others are still having their breakfast – you’ll have it to yourself.
- Travel during the middle of the week when there are fewer travellers to deal with.
- Travel on Christmas and New Year’s Day – or a couple of days before or after. The worst days to travel are the days immediately before and immediately after major holidays.
- Don’t try to do too much. It’s a holiday. Try and relax. Take things slowly. If you’re going non-stop you’ll find your patience will disappear faster than the stuffing.
Smaller highways are a good alternative to jammed “expressways”. Photo: Getty Images
On the road:
- Use smaller highways. They’re usually as good as the major routes but with far less traffic. Make sure you check road conditions before you depart.
- Take frequent breaks if traffic is heavy. It’ll take longer to get to your destination, but you’ll be much more relaxed when you get there.
Arrive early to avoid check-in chaos. Photo: Getty Images
In the airport:
- Arrive a couple of hours early to keep stress down should things go wrong. You’ll have ample time to check your bags, pass through security and grab a coffee to enjoy while relaxing at your gate.
- Do you have the option of using a smaller airport? They’re far less crowded and can be more convenient than major airports.
- Try to book direct flights where possible. Multiple stops just add frustration and increase the chances of delays, not to mention more crowds.
And finally, be patient and keep your sense of humour. If everyone were just a little more patient and accommodating, there would be a whole lot more smiles to go around.
