A backpacker's guide to stress-free holiday travel
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful…”
...but not as much as packed airports, train stations, and jammed highways. Travelling during the holidays can be… messy. Don’t get us wrong; travel feeds our souls, so we aren’t going full Grinch and avoiding holiday travel. Surely there are those who love the frenetic energy of rushing through crowded airports to the soundtrack of classic carols à la Kevin McCallister’s family in Home Alone. But for everyone else, simple stress-free travel is the way to go.
For anyone who’s dreading the logistics—and cost—of their upcoming end-of-December trip, fret not. We’ve compiled a few holiday travel hacks to help get you through it. Whether you’re heading home to celebrate with family over eggnog and gingersnaps, or escaping to a sun-baked beach getaway, we’ve got you.
Behold, our backpacker’s guide to managing travel stress during the holidays.
Sort out your packing list pronto
Celebrating a holiday that includes gift giving may mean having to be strategic when packing. If you’d rather avoid last-minute shopping at your destination (recommended!) or shipping your gifts (which may add stress if the carrier is unreliable), factor in presents for your loved ones. They’re likely to put a serious strain on your luggage space — especially if you’re packing cozy gear for Canadian winter weather too. You may be required to purchase an extra checked bag if travelling via train or plane. This will be even more expensive and challenging if you’re flying economy with Air Canada (who recently announced they’re no longer allowing carry-ons). Just like Saint Nick, make a [packing] list and check it twice! Also, try to gift things that take up minimal space like event tickets or gift cards.
Ensure you’re receiving email alerts
Plans can change. If you’re flying ahead of the holidays, flights might get delayed or cancelled, and connections and gates might change. Depending on your travel plans, you may be getting text or email alerts. Make sure they’re on and that you’re staying informed. Also, keep an eye on the flight information displays in the airport and your ears tuned into relevant announcements. These are simple ways to ensure you have ample time to come up with solutions and feel less frazzled during a busy travel day.
Book travel tickets well in advance
We recommend booking your tickets as early as possible to avoid inevitable price spikes as the holidays approach. Steer clear of booking flights on the weekend before Christmas and apply this logic to train travel too. Whether you’re hitting festive markets in Europe or taking the VIA Rail through Canada, the earlier you book, the better. When booking flights, you might as well get a jump-start on planning too to get a sense of what you absolutely want to do. While overplanning can cause overwhelm, having a skeleton plan cuts down on stress and decision-making. During the busy holiday season, that’s one of the best favours you can do for yourself.
Choose less obvious activities
If you have the freedom to spend your holidays however you like, why not get into some off-the-beaten-path adventures? Your destination research might show you the best holiday markets, carefully-curated seasonal menus, light displays, and après-ski bars, but those things can draw crowds and leak cash from your wallet. Why not try a simple walk through the woods, star-gazing with hot chocolate, or making your own mulled wine instead? Steering clear of classic holiday locales will help ensure you have space to breathe without blowing your budget. At the end of the day, quality time is what’s important.
Give yourself the gift of time
If you can, prioritize arriving at the airport or train/bus station early to give yourself a buffer in case you face huge crowds or weather delays. Triple check your ticket times and plan a solid transportation route whether you take a car or public transit. Pro tip: Take advantage of online airport security reservations (like YYZ Express at Toronto Pearson Airport) to zip through baggage screening faster than you can sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This may mean you’ll have plenty of time to kill at your gate, but think of it as an opportunity to settle your travel nerves and chill with a good book, a hot drink, or some soothing tunes.
Streamline your plans
Once you arrive at your holiday destination, you may be tempted to overload your schedule with back-to-back events and visits with loved ones. If you’re holidaying in your hometown, you may have lots of people clamouring for your time. Or maybe you’re exploring a new city and feel like you have to cram every single thing into a few days. Either way, if a packed schedule stresses you out, remember you can always cross things off your list or politely decline some invitations. This will make the things you end up doing feel more special, enjoyable, relaxing, and easier to manage. Bonus: You may even save some money in the process.
BYOP (Bring Your Own Peace)
Planning ahead and being proactive about potential holiday travel stressors leaves the door open to peace and tranquility once the holidays actually arrive. Bring the self-care items and comfy clothing that’ll make you feel at ease. If you’re still feeling anxious after a hectic travel day, try taking a break to listen to a meditation app or audiobook, or find a cozy nook to stretch your body. Managing your stress levels will also decrease your risk of getting sick during a season when many bugs are going around. Now you’ll have the time, headspace, and health to be merry and spread some festive cheer. Happy holidays!
