The holidays are here and while the season brings plenty of joy along with it comes plenty of stress, especially when dealing with some of the busiest travel times of the year. We’ve put together a list of 7 simple, but important, holiday travel tips to make traveling during the holidays and spring break, just a little less stressful.
1. Download entertainment
Yes, most airplanes have in-flight entertainment and wi-fi available but haven’t we all been on a flight where the technology is old, the wi-fi isn’t working, the screens are glitchy? As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself. If watching a movie or working on the plane is important to you, make sure you download files directly onto your tablet or laptop on the off-chance that you won’t be able to access the internet or watch movies provided by the airline.
2. Pack extra chargers
3. Exercise or stretch before departure
Even on the shorter flights, being cramped in an airplane seat lends to poor blood circulation. If you are booked on a long haul flight, that also means fatigue and grogginess are common issues. If possible, try to exercise before a flight, which can be as simple as walking through the airport near your gate or standing instead of sitting waiting for on-boarding. You’ll have an easier time fitting in exercise if you follow our next stress-less tip.
4. Leave more time to get to the airport than you normally would
Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While he wasn’t referring to travel, this sage advice is perfect when planning and preparing for a trip to the airport. Prepare for lots of other travelers slowing your travel to and through the airport, especially during the holidays, spring break, and at the largest/busiest airports in the world. We know, it’s no fun sitting at the airport waiting for your flight to depart, but it’s less stressful than nearly missing the gate closing as your running to catch your flight. If you’ve allowed yourself some time at the airport, then you can get a little exercise in before boarding (see tip 3)!
5. Dress yourself for comfort
Gone are the old days when people were expecting to dress their best for airline flights and we say ‘thank goodness’! As airplanes get more cramped and seats and legroom disappears, you should take comfort whenever you can get it when flying. Of course, no one wants to look like a slob, and if your traveling for business, you may need to wear work attire. Luckily, most jeans come with stretch so they can be a great option for traveling. Lightweight fabrics that don’t wrinkle easy are a great option for travel.
6. Catch up on your sleep
If you are serious about reducing stress when traveling during the holidays, take advantage of a little forced downtime and catch some z’s on the plane. Opt for seat selection at the window so you can enjoy some uninterrupted sleep. Pack a neck pillow, small blanket, noise-canceling headphones or earplugs, and a sleep mask to drown out as much light as possible. You’ll arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to enjoy your time away!
7. Leave the driving to us
Take all the stress out of getting to the airport and leave the driving to us. At EZ Air Park, we’re here to help start and end your trip as smooth as possible. Our favorite holiday travel trip? Leave your car with us and our trusted team will take care of getting you to the airport safely and on time. Our online airport parking reservations give you peace of mind that space will be waiting for you at our airport parking lot.