Tips For Holiday Travelers

As a travel agent, I am asked many questions frequently related to traveling during the holiday season.  I’ve picked my top questions, answered them below, and thought they might be helpful for other holiday travelers out there!

Q. With all the security restrictions, what do you suggest for transporting holiday gifts?
A. It really depends on how many gifts you will be transporting.  If you have a large quantity of gifts that are large or bulky, the best method is to send them ahead of time.  Consider using a bus service such as Greyhound.  Remember to take considerable care in packing your items so that they arrive safely and not crushed!  If you only have one or two gifts and they are small, you could pack them in your suitcase or carry on.  If you will be taking them with you, remember not to wrap them because security at the airport may unwrap them, which can be frustrating to you and to the passengers behind you.  Buy wrap when you arrive, or bring gift bags and tissue for quick and easy wrapping at your destination.

Q. When we visit relatives, we prefer to have our family stay at a nearby hotel instead of imposing and feeling cramped at a relatives house.  Do you have any advice?
A. It is important to be prepared when traveling with children.  Bring along plenty of snacks for both the airplane and for in the hotel room so that you don’t have to shell out big money for stuff from the vending machines.  Also, make sure you bring activities for them to do when they are bored.  One tip I often suggest is to pick hotels that typically attract business clientèle because they will be very quiet during the holiday season.  You should be able to get a really good rate for a high quality hotel property (and most of them do have pools and other amenities).


Q. I’m only going back home for a few days and would like to carry on my bag instead of checking it – to save time.  However, I’m concerned about the liquid rules – what can I bring with me?
A. This is a common question as many people are still confused about the liquid rules.  You can bring makeup, toothpaste, shampoo, and other gels etc. – as long as you follow the rules. 

Each product cannot be more than three ounces, and you have to be able to put everything into a one-quart Ziploc plastic bag.  When you reach the security checkpoint, you will have to remove the bag and put it into a tray to be scanned.  If you are still unsure, please visit www.tsa.gov for the full details on the rules.
Traveling during the holiday season can be stressful, however, if you plan ahead, like arriving at the airport early, making sure your connections are reasonable and not bringing too much luggage or carry on bags, you can arrive at your intended destination with a smile on your face and ready to celebrate the holiday season.  Happy Holidays and Happy Travels!

Posted by on 12/14 at 12:55 PM

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