Now that the holiday seasons are definitely underway, airports are packed and tickets are getting harder to get. Crowded terminals, heavy traffic and stressed-out airline employees all combine around this time of year to make for a potentially harrowing experience. But it doesn’t have to be the case. If you just take some time to prepare properly, holiday travel should prove a fairly painless experience.
Shop Around
Don’t just buy the first available tickets you find. Shop around. Looking at all the alternatives can definitely pay off, even this late in the holiday season. Definitely check out the deals on travel search engines like Priceline and Expedia, but also remember to look at the airline websites themselves, as there you’ll often find exclusive offers found nowhere else.
Arrive at the Airport Early
It’s better to arrive extra early than having to miss your holiday flight and having all of your plans ruined. Make an effort to set your alarm and get to the airport at least one hour before you flight is due to board. To kill time, bring a good book to read.
Use Off-Site Airport Parking
If you need to park at the airport, consider doing so at an off-site lot. Great Newark airport parking is usually located just minutes away from the airport itself. These lots offer free and quick shuttle rides to and from the terminals and they are usually cheaper than on-site parking, so you save money and the hassle of having to drive through heavy terminal traffic.
Invest in Durable Bags
You never want to have your luggage fall apart in the middle of a crowded terminal. Invest in a set of durable luggage, and try to fit as much as you can onto your carry-on bags. Duffle bags are great for this, as they allow you to fit a lot of stuff into them and they can easily slide into the overhead compartments.
Ship Your Presents
Instead of lugging your presents with you and having to pay extra for all the luggage (not to mention the hassle of carrying all that extra weight around), ship Christmas presents to your destination via FedEx or UPS.
