5 tried and true Thanksgiving travel tips to help you survive this week’s travel.

  Whether you’re driving or flying, traveling before and after Thanksgiving can turn into quite a headache. With people across the US eager to get to their loved ones (and the turkey!), lines at airports and traffic is inevitable. But don’t let the journey get you down!  

1. Plan ahead and arrive early.

The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, so plan ahead. If you’re driving, think about the rush hour times for each city you have to drive through. Even consider a scenic route—sometimes the distance might be longer but you won’t end up sitting bumper to bumper. If you’re flying, arrive extra early. You’d rather be sitting at your gate reading a book or enjoying some fantastic people-watching than having a panic attack at the never-ending security line.

2. Stay connected.

Download key travel apps so you immediately know of any flight delays or traffic issues. GateGuru is a favorite of ours. It provides detailed maps of airports and real time updates relevant to your flight. If you’re driving, download Waze. It connects you with other drivers, and you can see their updates on traffic, accidents, police traps and more.

3. Be ready for the unexpected

Weather delays are simply unavoidable. Prepare for unexpected hiccups by arriving early (see #1), building in extra time between connections, and packing necessities in your carry on. And always remember that your Enchanted Woods Travel consultant, Melissa who helped you plan this trip will be your advocate if things go bump—keep my number handy.

4. Pack Smart

If you’re flying, avoid checking a bag as best you can. If you have to check one, be sure to keep necessities in your carry on. Medications, toiletries, chargers, and valuables should be with you at all times. You can get our Free Packing List below. Traveling by Car? Check out a previous blog on Surviving Road Trips!

5. Relax

If something goes wrong, take a deep breath and relax. Some issues are simply unavoidable, so do your best to be flexible and patient. In 5 years, your bad travel day will turn into a funny story to share around the Thanksgiving table.     As always, remember, if you’d like personalized help, consider booking an appointment with Enchanted Woods Travel to discuss your travel needs.   Not sure if you need a travel agent or think you can do it yourself for cheaper? Check out this blog I wrote called Should I use a Travel Agent or Book Online Myself discussing why it’s actually beneficial to use an agent.   Do you have any great tips for Thanksgiving Travel? If so, please leave a comment below!   If you’ve found this content beneficial please recommend the site to your family and friends. And if you liked this post, please tweet, pin and share – I’d really appreciate it! You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter!  

About Enchanted Woods Travel

Thank you for entrusting Enchanted Woods Travel with your vacation plans. We strive to provide all of our clients with the best possible options for the best possible vacation.

As travel agents provide a service as do lawyers, doctors, teachers, taxi drivers, hairdressers, photographers, etc. We do this because we have a love for travel and we like to help you enjoy your life. We put a lot of time, effort, and research into looking for the best value vacation to suit YOU! Enchanted Woods Travel DOES NOT charge a fee for our services, we do however ask that you please allow us to complete your vacation booking plans for you. It might seem easier to “just do it yourself” but you entrusted us thus far, trust us the rest of the way! Happy Thanksgiving!