Does travel during the holidays stress you out like no other? The holidays can definitely either be a time of happiness, warmth, and good memories – or they can be a time of stress, anger, and pulling your hair out at the roots. One of the major stressors during the holidays is travel. Will I make it on time for my flight? Will I get snowed in? What if I am stuck at the airport for days due to a delayed flight? How much did those airline tickets cost again? If you want to see your family for the winter holidays, then traveling is a necessity. Luckily, we have seven stress-relieving holiday travel tips for 2016 to share with you. We hope they do you some good this season.
1. Get the App
We live in a world of tablets, smartphones, and yes, apps. There’s an app for nearly everything (even this app for finding someone nearby to cuddle with). Every major airline has a smartphone app that you can download and use to check the status of your flight, show your boarding pass, check your miles, and more. You can also use apps like Skyscanner or FlightStats to look for cheaper tickets and to check the status of your (or a family member’s) flight regardless of what airline they chose.
Major Airline Apps:
2. Have a Plan
It’s important that you think ahead when it comes to holiday travel. You might have bought the tickets and arranged for transportation to the airport, but you also need to consider increased holiday traffic, what hour you’ll be arriving at your destination, what public transportation options are available, the check in time of your destination hotel, whether or not your phone is charged enough to make an emergency call, and so much more. Think smart – plan ahead, and make sure you’re prepared for any of the stresses that holiday travel throws at you.
3. Pack Smart
Make sure to pack only what you definitely need. Traveling during the holidays means lots of presents – and lots of money-spending. You can save money by forgoing checking bags, and instead opting for a small backpack as your personal item, and a duffel bag as your carry-on. You can even fit two weeks’ worth of clothes in a single small duffel. Just roll your clothes to save space and prevent wrinkles, and make a few other space-saving adjustments to your usual packing routine. Regarding those big bags of bulky presents, try mailing as many of them as possible to your destination address.
4. Bring Snacks
We don’t know about you, but we’re very aware of this thing called being “hangry” (hungry + angry = hangry). Avoid the holiday rage by packing yourself some delicious snacks for the flight. This will save you money at the airport, too!
5. Avoid High Traffic Days
It’s well-known among frequent travelers that Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel days of the year – you’d be wisest to avoid flying that day. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the only busy travel day. Many people are traveling to and from home during Christmas, and the airport can get quite congested during this time of year. This is especially true if you live in a college town where students often travel home for winter break. We also recommend trying to catch either an early morning or late evening flight if you’re worried about airport traffic and your flight being on-time.
6. Leave Your Car at Home
Driving your own car to the airport means just one more thing to worry about. First, you have to find the parking lot. Then you have to find a place to park. Then you need to pay for parking up front or grab a parking pass. Then either take a shuttle or walk by foot to the airport. This can easily add an additional 45 minutes to your trip, which can be the difference between being on-time and missing your flight entirely. Instead, opt to take a cab to the airport, or have a friend/family member drop you off. This way you can also skip the parking fees and won’t have to stress about your car getting damaged or broken into.
7. Practice Yoga
We posted a blog not too long ago about how yoga can be a remedy for jet lag, but it’s also a great way to alleviate stress during holiday travel. If you’re freaking out at the airport, try finding a spot to sit on the ground and focusing on taking deep breaths in and out. If you’re prone to travel anxiety, you should also meditate or perform a few yoga stretches and breathing exercises the night and morning before your trip. We love yoga because it doesn’t require any additional tools or accessories – just a quiet space, your mind, and your body.
What Are Your Favorite Stress-Relieving Holiday Travel Tips?
Do you have a favorite pre-holiday travel ritual that helps you to eliminate stress? God knows we’d like to hear it, and so would our readers. Do everyone a favor and leave a comment below sharing your favorite way to beat the stress this winter.
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you are looking for in a hotel in Pleasanton, then the Sheraton is just for you. Just a stone’s throw away from the Stoneridge Mall, our riders like that they can easily walk to various shops and restaurants without breaking a sweat or having to call a cab. You could even take BART from the airport, get off at the West Dublin station, and arrive right at the Sheraton’s door! It’s truly that simple. Don’t forget to check out the Pleasanton Off the Grid food trucks in the Stoneridge Mall parking lot on Sunday for lunch!
uniquely furnished, which many of our riders say gives it a bed and breakfast vibe as opposed to the mundane, boxed feel of large chain hotels. The Rose Hotel is right on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, so you can easily walk to different shops, restaurants, and even the weekly Pleasanton farmers market. The Rose Hotel is also a short drive from the Pleasanton Golf Center and the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Your stay at the Rose Hotel in Pleasanton will make you feel right at home, so you’ll likely come back here again and again for your business or leisure travels.
are in need of an extended stay hotel in Pleasanton, our riders always have great things to say about Hyatt House. The rooms are all furnished suites, complete with a work space, high speed internet, a kitchen, flat screen television, telephone with voice mail, and anything else you might need whether you are traveling for work or for a fun family vacation. Our riders who have come to spend a week or two exploring the Bay Area, the Livermore Premium Outlets, and all the rest that the Tri-Valley has to offer have said that Hyatt House is an affordable and convenient choice.
our riders often choose. Located on the edge of the Stoneridge Mall, our riders say that this is a perfect location if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the town and escape into the beautiful parks in Pleasanton and Dublin. It’s just a short drive to either Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park or Dublin Hills Regional Park, both of which offer expansive trails that are dog friendly. The Marriott is also just a short ride from the Alameda County Fairgrounds, which hosts events throughout the year. What the icing on the cake? The Marriott has a complimentary shuttle for locations within 5 miles from the hotel.
580 freeway, the Best Western Plus is an affordable option that allows you easy access to downtown Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and more. Our riders who are working with a tighter budget but still want to be able to experience all of the Tri-Valley and greater East Bay Area recommend the Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn. It’s a smart choice that won’t leave you disappointed.
Please note that we do not receive compensation for any of these recommendations – our goal is to provide you with knowledge to help you make a good choice for your next hotel in Pleasanton!