Whether you live away from your family and traveling home for the holidays, or traveling someplace fun and doing a destination holiday vacation – traveling around this time of year can suck the holiday spirit out of anyone. With delayed flights, packed airports, long lines, fussy babies – you can be overwhelmed with just trying to get from point A to point B. We’ve put together a few tips that will help you maximize your travel time in the smoothest, most efficient way possible – that will get you to your family or your holiday destination with no added stress.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Think about it like this: EVERYONE is traveling during the holidays. So there will be a 100% chance that the lines will be much longer at the airport, and traffic will be heavy trying to get there. Try and get there 3 hours ahead of your scheduled departure as opposed to the 1 or 2 hour recommend time. When you give yourself enough time to get to and through the airport, you won’t have to stress about standing in the lines for very long times, and getting through security quickly in fear that you will miss your flight!

Be Ready to Strip Down

With so many travelers during the holiday time period, airport security will be on watch for every little thing, which means – you will have to strip down while going through security. Keep in mind as you are getting dressed before you leave to wear clothes that are easy to take off and throw back on while moving in line. Things like zip up hoodies and slip on shoes make for perfect airport wear, because it’s quick to put them on and take them off. Pro tip: Leave all of your jewelry in your carry on, and put them on after you get through security – this way you don’t have to take any of it off and put it into those bins.

Bring Snacks

Airport food can be a drag we all know. But since you might be there a little longer than expected, come prepared! Bring snacks like popcorn, fruit, small veggies, and small candy to keep you going through the airport, and on your flight. There’s comfort in knowing that even though you didn’t want the nasty airport pizza and pop – you have some snacks in your carry on to hold you down on the plane until you arrive at your destination.

Pack a Movie Or Two

First of all, charge up everything, and pack all of your chargers in your carry on. The worst thing to be is without some sort of entertainment for holiday travel. Be sure to download Netflix or another streaming app and download your favorite movie or series to watch on offline mode. Map out how many movies it will take to get to your destination, and download that amount offline. While you’re in the air enjoying your favorite movie or show, before you know it you’ll be at your destination! Trust us – watching movies on your tablets or devices makes the time go by MUCH faster.

Be Patient & Have Some Understanding

Realize that everyone is in a rush just like you to get to their holiday vacation. Knowing that everyone might not be as prepared as you, and that there are multiple people trying to enjoy their holidays as well – do your part and don’t get so frustrated or overwhelmed with everyone. If someone is moving too slow infront of you, exercise a little patience – you have time if you left early enough. If there is a crying baby onboard – plug up that movie and turn the volume up. The baby can’t help it. Extending a little grace to everyone will not only make for great holiday travel for the other people around you, but will provide peace for yourself.

Happy Holiday Travels!

Featured Image by: @cocobassey