Last Minute Thanksgiving Travel Tips!!
It’s not too late for a few last-minute tips for Thanksgiving travel preparation. Our busy schedules have us down to the wire getting everything ready for the family before they arrive. And if you’re traveling, last minute packing requires your full attention and some of the tips for packing food may require adding a few extra steps. Here they are! And, please add your tips. We’re all in this together – the rush, cooking family favorites, everyone is under a time crunch.
Sleep refuels the body and helps you deal with unexpected situations.
Rest up before hitting the road either by car, train, bus or plane –
Travel is stressful, regardless of your mode of transportation. A well-rested traveler is a happy one. No one wants to travel with a grouch! A sharp, clear mind helps make smart decisions. No forgetting things, especially the turkey. The most important reason to rest before starting your journey is the safety of everyone traveling. Get enough rest the night before driving to your destination, and everyone will arrive ready to start the celebrations.
A road trip is the most frequent form of transportation for the holidays. We hear all about the flight delays and booking early for the best airfare, but for most of us, we are driving to friends and family for the holidays. Be safe on the road. Returning home is the ultimate goal.
Note the busy days of Thanksgiving
Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be very busy; everyone is getting ready for all the special traditions which make this Thanksgiving the best one ever! There may be last minute shopping and people traveling to their destinations. There will be crowds all around and not just the grocery store. Department stores, restaurants and gas stations will have long lines during this time of year.
Both Saturday & Sunday after Thanksgiving are busy days as well. The crowds will start early and this year there is a boom in the economy with everyone shopping and out enjoying the holidays, be ready for a full-on Black Friday. Prepare for the busy part, which includes not only long lines but staying calm when finding the items you want, customer service can be slower and finding parking spaces is always my pet peeve.
Bring along your secret ingredient for relaxation. It comes in handy during stressful times.
Pack your patience and bring along a positive attitude!
What makes you anxious? We all have things that make us anxious and grumpy. Think of strategies to overcome panic or fear and that feeling of frustration. And be prepared for long lines. You will undoubtedly find longer lines at airports, car rentals, train and bus stations. You’ll even see longer wait times checking into your hotel, at gas stations and check-out lines. Be prepared with your patience ready to handle a little extra time to get things done.
Food items such as gravy, sauces and jellies will be considered liquids by TSA.
At the airport be prepared for TSA Security
Going through security can feel like a hassle. We are asked to take off belts, jewelry, keys from pockets, remove electronics – cell phone and computers – on and on! Sometimes it’s hard to remember the procedures are for our safety, and it’s over pretty soon. Avoid wearing belts and jewelry and opt for pull-on pants and comfortable tops which don’t require belts and there is less chance for you to forget something in one of the pockets.
Take along hand sanitizers and wash your hand.
When traveling, we are touching many, many hard surfaces. From doorknobs to countertops to handrails, our hands are on surfaces filled with germs and bacteria. Wash your hands when possible and keep hand sanitizers in your purse, backpack or carry-on, readily available for frequent use.
Travel light –
You move faster with less stuff that’s a fact. But, the holiday season also means gift-giving season. If your plans include taking gifts, plan to ship them ahead of time. It requires extra planning and expense, but the energy, effort, and stress you save is well worth it. And, don’t forget your chargers.
Pack snacks and empty water bottles to help keep everyone hydrated and feeling full. A bite on the road is always welcomed and bringing along your own is less expensive than purchasing along the way. Save money and enjoy what you like with packing a snack in small travel lunch cooler-bags. They don’t take up much room, and your meals are right by your side.
Flying and your carry-on bag –
Check the airline’s website to confirm carry-on luggage allowance. Plan for checked or carry-on options. Each carrier has their luggage allowance and carry-on bag regulations on their website. Take a look before you arrive and avoid any surprises; especially checked bag fees. They can be costly.
Keep your luggage manageable.
For solo travelers
Always pack and carry what you can comfortably handle yourself. This important tip is one to keep in mind not only for ease of travel but to stay ahead of the unknown and unforeseen. You never know what situation you may find yourself in when traveling. You could be delayed and arrive at your destination late at night requiring you to walk further than planned. If this happens, you’ll want to be able to handle your belongings yourself and avoid struggling with bags and packages. Pack and carry what you can comfortably and securely handle. Don’t plan on a kind passerby to help you lift and carry luggage. In this day and time, there are no guarantees someone will happen along to help.
Hotels are super busy during the holiday season. Rest assured customer service will address your concern.
Disappointed in your hotel choice! It can ruin your whole vacation!
Manage your expectations and stay positive; keep your expectation in line with the time of year. Know everyone is trying to make things work. Service personnel and staff will be stressed as well. – make adjustments to your attitude to reduce your stress.
These ladies are heading toward Thanksgiving fun.
Travel less stressful by air or car
Use apps to help managing your trip easier and less expensive.
On the road – use Gas Buddy to find stations and compare prices. Bonus – the app tells you where the clean bathrooms are. Now that’s a real plus!
Another great app when flying is Gate Guru – keep up with any gate changes for your flight. Airline apps are great too – Load the app for the airline you’re flying. You will find updates, info about the terminals, locate airline club around the system.
Trip Case is a great app. Load all the details of your trip and keep confirmation numbers and details in one place. The Waze app will find the best traffic routing and share comments from other travelers about road conditions along your route. Google Maps – It’s Annita’s favorite for directions – great for recalculating new routes. The best tip for apps is to only load apps you’ll use. They will chew-up storage space on your device.
You want the Thanksgiving meal to arrive in good condition and ready for family & friends to enjoy.
Traveling with food
We talk about the two-minute rule but there is also a “Two-Hour Rule” – and it applies to getting on the road with food. Traveling with all the deliciousness that will end up on the holiday table has to be done in a manner that keeps food safe for later consumption. Non-perishable foods travel best. You will also want to pack appropriately to ensure they are not contaminated during travel and stay in a presentable manner. No one wants to see a crumbled cake on the table.
Liquids like gravy, sauces, some jellies and jams will be considered a no-go with TSA. To be sure refer to TSA.gov for more information or contact your airline. How disappointing it will be to throw your favorite gravy in the garbage. Sad!
Travel over two hours? Bring out the cooler. Pack foods on ice to ensure they do not spoil during transit. I believe it is a good idea to pack perishables on ice even when traveling less than two hours. You never know if traffic will flow smoothly or there could be car trouble. Better safe than sorry. If you are traveling with a cooler either by air or car – it will take up space. In the car it will need to fit in the trunk, and by air, the cooler will be one of your carry-on items and need to fit under the seat in front of you.
It’s a good idea to avoid traveling with foods prepared with eggs, milk, and turkey half cooked. Plan to make these items once you arrive. If you must visit with these items, think food safety each step in preparing and packing. The best part of Thanksgiving is the fun and fellowship with family and friends. No one wants to feel ill after dinner. We are ready for family games, football and seconds. Plan for fun!
What are your tips? Please share and help others show and experience the gratitude of the season.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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