Your 2025 holiday travel tips, with advice from our experts
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We all know how stressful travel can be — but a lot of us do it anyway during the holiday season. Airports will be packed, and chaos is virtually inevitable.
So, we gathered our favorite tips from travel professionals to help you prepare for your upcoming end-of-year trips. Let's look at some of the best ways to make your 2024 holiday travel experience less intense and expensive.
How to save money on holiday flights
Booking a trip, specifically during the holidays, can be jaw-droppingly expensive. Here's how to save some money on your end-of-year travel.
Use alternate airports
If you can be slightly flexible with the airports you use, it's possible to find some great deals.
Duncan Greenfield-Turk, Founder of travel agency Global Travel Moments, encourages you to search peripheral airports that are reasonably close to your destination — even if less convenient. 'Secondary airports can save time and reduce stress during busy periods,' he says. 'For major hubs like Chicago O'Hare, consider flying into [Chicago] Midway. Similarly, in New York, explore LaGuardia or Newark if JFK looks chaotic.'
You may also try departing from alternate airports that are not your home airport. For example, if you live in Sarasota, you may search for flights out of Tampa, Clearwater, even Orlando. The drive is farther, but the money you save could be well worth it.
Kindamorphic/Book one-way tickets
Joe Cronin, President at International Citizens Insurance, recommends looking into the merits of not booking a round-trip. 'You should check fares for one-way tickets with different airlines, instead. This could give you appealing flight combinations and schedules that suit you better,' he says. 'Additionally, this hack is good for grabbing a bargain at the last minute if your plans suddenly change.'
This strategy also comes with the added benefit that, if you miss your outbound flight, your entire trip won't be forfeited.
Don't forget about travel rewards
If you have airline miles, hotel points or credit card rewards you've been holding on to, now could be the time to redeem them. Travel rewards can help cover part or all of your holiday travel expenses, opening up more funds for holiday gifts.
'One of the biggest stressors of holiday travel is finding affordable flights,' says Kathy McCabe, travel expert, host and executive producer at 'Dream of Italy' on PBS. 'After years of trying various points and miles consolidation platforms, I discovered Point.me, and it's been a total game-changer. For anyone juggling travel rewards across different credit cards and airlines, Point.me consolidates all your accounts into one platform. It provides real-time guidance on how to maximize your rewards, saving you time and money.'
Related article 59 travel products from Amazon that will make your trips easier
Plan for delays and cancellations
RobertHoetink/If you travel regularly, you know that flight delays and cancellations are common enough that you should build your holiday plans around preventing them. So how do you do that?
[F]light disruptions are likely to take place during this busy period,' says Mercedes Zach, Travel Agent at flight deals website ASAP Tickets. '[E]arly morning flights…usually leave on time and are less affected by cancellations, weather conditions, or technical difficulties.'
To accentuate this point, it's a bad idea to book your flights near the end of the day. That's because if a delay or cancellation causes you to miss your flight, you could find yourself stranded until the next day. The earlier you fly, the more opportunities an airline has to rebook you the same day.
Julian Kheel is the founder and CEO of Points Path, an amazing internet browser extension that helps you to quickly view award prices when searching with Google Flights. He urges travelers to be proactive in the event of a delay or cancellation. 'Don't wait for the airline to reach out to you with information,' he says. 'Get in touch with an airline agent, either in person at the airport, by phone, or even via social media. And remember that the first alternate option an airline offers you isn't necessarily the only one available. Ask for other options, and even to be rebooked on another airline if none of the offered options are acceptable.'
Or, if the option is available to you (at a reasonable price), take the advice of Richard Campbell, founder at 10Adventures, a platform to book hiking and cycling vacations all over the world. 'Pay the extra for a direct flight,' Richard says. 'There is so much flight chaos, with every flight at capacity, that if you miss your connection it is a total pain to get to where you want to be.'
If you have a big trip on the line, consider buying travel insurance to offset the cost of having to change or cancel a trip due to a delay. Also, note that many travel credit cards include limited travel insurance benefits.
Related article How to get your fourth or fifth night free on hotel award stays
Prepare for the day of travel
Kirk Fisher/Once you've booked your flights, the day of travel still requires savvy planning. Here are a few common-sense steps you can take to make your commute a success.
TSA PreCheck
There's a special lane at many domestic airport security checkpoints reserved for travelers with a membership called 'TSA PreCheck.' Members are allowed to go through security without removing their shoes, belt or jacket. They can even keep their carry-on-approved toiletries and laptop in their bag.
In other words, it's revolutionary to your airport experience. This lane is typically much smaller (and moves much faster) than the regular security lane — which could mean the difference between making and missing your flight, depending on how tardy you arrive at the airport.
TSA PreCheck costs as little as $78 for a five-year membership.
Airport lounges
Many folks don't realize how easy it is to escape the deafening anarchy of the airport concourse by slipping into an airport lounge.
Whether you've got a credit card that comes with airport lounge access or you just want to purchase a day pass, airport lounges are the (comparatively) serene oasis you didn't know you needed. They typically come with free food and alcohol, as well as fast Wi-Fi and chairs that are infinitely more comfortable than those at the gate.
Related article The 47 best travel gifts for the frequent flyer in your life
Have a luggage plan
Minimize checked bags
Keri Baugh, founder of travel website Bon Voyage With Kids, urges travelers to stick to carry-on bags when possible. 'If you are flying over the holidays, don't check a bag. This saves money on baggage fees, and it reduces the chance that your bag will get lost by the airline,' she says.
It's not easy for most of us to stuff a long weekend's worth of cold weather clothes into a carry-on. If you can do it, great. But Keri's point stands: When you hand your bags over to the airline, a lot can go wrong.
Also, avoiding a checked bag means you won't have to stand in a line at the check-in desk. And during the holidays, those long lines can be demoralizing.
Be deliberate with your carry-on bag
You've probably heard the tip that you should 'cross-pack' your carry-on and checked bag (if you've got one). In short, don't put all the essentials in your checked bag. Make sure your carry-on bag has enough clothes, shoes etc. to get you by — just in case your checked bag gets lost.
That's just the starting point. Sanya Weston — owner of Your Premier Travel Service — is passionate about optimizing her carry-on bag.
'Whether you're embarking on a road trip, flying, or taking a train, your carry-on bag reigns supreme,' says Weston. 'Whether you're a solo traveler or journeying with children, the contents of your carry-on can make or break the success of your vacation.'
Some of her insights into packing the perfect carry-on include the following:
Pack items to keep yourself and your companions entertained during the journey – a book, tablet, headphones, puzzles or a travel-sized board game. A neck pillow and an eye mask are an easy fix for added comfort during flights or long land journeys.
Always pack a few snacks like granola bars, nuts or dried fruits to stave off hunger, especially if you encounter delays. A reusable water bottle is a must these days, and most airports have water fountains for filling up after passing through airport security.
Ensure you have chargers for your devices and a power bank to keep them charged throughout your journey. This is especially crucial if you rely on your phone for navigation or entertainment.
Pack a small toiletry bag with essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer and facial wipes. These items can help you freshen up during long trips or layovers.
26 expert-approved travel essentials you can get for $10 or less
Bottom line
The holiday season is here. If you don't already have your flights, hotels and other travel booked, start planning now — whether it's a much-needed stay at an all-inclusive resort or a quick jaunt to visit family.
Follow these tips, and you're bound to save money on travel expenses, improve the quality of your commute and be more prepared for travel mishaps.
Why you can trust CNN Underscored
When it comes to holiday travel advice, trust is paramount. That's why at CNN Underscored, we pride ourselves on being a reliable source of guidance for readers navigating the complexities of travel.
Expert insights: We collaborate with seasoned travel professionals, industry leaders and experienced travelers to bring you advice that is practical, actionable and rooted in real-world experience. Every tip in this guide has been vetted by experts to ensure it aligns with the latest trends and challenges of holiday travel.
We collaborate with seasoned travel professionals, industry leaders and experienced travelers to bring you advice that is practical, actionable and rooted in real-world experience. Every tip in this guide has been vetted by experts to ensure it aligns with the latest trends and challenges of holiday travel. Independent reviews: We thoroughly research and test travel products, services and strategies to ensure they meet the high standards our readers expect. Transparency and accuracy are at the core of our editorial process.
We thoroughly research and test travel products, services and strategies to ensure they meet the high standards our readers expect. Transparency and accuracy are at the core of our editorial process. Up-to-date information: The travel landscape is constantly evolving, and we strive to provide timely updates to our readers. From changes in airport security protocols to the latest deals on flights and hotels, we keep our content current to help you make informed decisions.
The travel landscape is constantly evolving, and we strive to provide timely updates to our readers. From changes in airport security protocols to the latest deals on flights and hotels, we keep our content current to help you make informed decisions. Comprehensive coverage: Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first holiday trip, our guides cater to a wide range of needs. From budget-friendly hacks to tips for maximizing luxury travel perks, we cover it all to make your journey smoother.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first holiday trip, our guides cater to a wide range of needs. From budget-friendly hacks to tips for maximizing luxury travel perks, we cover it all to make your journey smoother. Reader-focused approach: At CNN Underscored, our priority is to empower our readers with knowledge and tools to improve their travel experiences. We listen to your feedback and continuously refine our content to better serve your needs.
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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