The Best Family Holiday Travel Tips For Christmas
Travel during the holidays can be a stressful time, especially if you have children. With just a little bit of preparation though, you can make your trip go much more smoothly. Use these tips below to help you plan your trips and make it as enjoyable as possible for you and your children.
1. Book flights early.
The longer you wait to book your trip, the more it will cost. Buy your tickets as early in advance of your trip as possible. If you want to get the best deals for Christmas, then consider buying tickets as early as September. This is when you will get the best deals. The closer you get to the holiday, the more it will cost, and you could end up pricing yourself out of your trip.
2. Have a pre flight checklist so you have everything you need.
This is especially important if you are traveling with children. Toddlers can get easily bored during a long flight, so make sure you pack plenty of games, snacks, blankets, and other things your child will want. Put them in the window seat and allow them to look out the window. It can be an interesting view at 35,000 feet, and your children will enjoy the interesting things they see.
3. Make sure you have all your items packed for baby.
If you’re traveling with a baby, it can easily become more complicated. The way to avoid this is to pack ahead of time as early as possible. Make sure you include everything you need, including strollers, car seats, changing pads, diapers, bottles, blankets, and plenty of clothing, especially if you are traveling to a colder climate. Include a small bag for the flight with the essentials you will need for the trip. If your luggage gets lost, you’ll be glad you had an extra bag.
4. Check to make sure everything on your car is working properly.
If you’re traveling by car, then you want to make sure you check everything before you leave. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck on the side of the road because you weren’t prepared. Take your car to a certified mechanic and have him look it over. Have your oil changed for the colder weather. If you will be driving in a much colder climate, you’ll want a thinner oil, as well as more coolant.
5. Have a map and know where you are going.
This may seem obvious, but have you planned the route you will travel? Have you planned an alternate route? What happens if you run into excessive traffic or a road you planned to take is closed? Take care of this before you travel. Don’t wait until you are trying to get to your destination and get stuck somewhere you don’t want to be, especially if you are traveling with children.
6. Include plenty of activities for your children.
If you are traveling with children in the car, especially small children, then you want to be prepared. Have plenty of games and activities for them to play. Pack snacks and plan for breaks along the way. There are plenty of welcome centers in each state where you can stop, visit the bathroom, and take a walk to get some fresh air.
Traveling during the holiday season can be stressful. Plan ahead, and you’ll have a successful trip everyone will enjoy.