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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? After all, ‘there’s no place like home for the holidays no matter how far away you roam’, but it also remains a fact that the ‘the traffic is terrific’. Of course those who normally fly during the holidays likewise know that getting in and out of the airports at such times can be a serious undertaking. In fact, it’s times like these when one realizes how easy it would be to get to Paris and only then discover one member of the party happens to be missing as was the case with Kevin McAllister in Home Alone. However, there’s no need to let the obligatory trips to see friends and family take the joy out of your holiday season.

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As is the case with any vacation, doing adequate research is the best way to avoid headaches later (although extra research may be needed for holiday travel). Taking the route less traveled could hypothetically take longer or it could be less packed with cars, but the only way to find out is to check out the details in advance. This is a wonderful time to look at alternate airports and routes. Those who know that they will be flying should additionally go ahead and book their tickets early to both ensure good deals and prevent their desired flights from becoming unavailable. However, these folks should still hunt around for the best tickets prices before making their final decision.

Scheduling tickets exceptionally early or late in the day is another excellent way to prevent delays. Travelers should likewise arrive at the airport a few hours before their scheduled departure and allow ample time in between connecting flights to keep problems from arising. When possible, air travelers should take direct flights to their destinations. For those fortunate folks who can get a few extra days off, it might be worth using them to escape the especially high traffic on peak travel days such as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Of course, don’t pack everything you own. Avoiding checked bags means that travelers can also skip having to wait for their luggage to make it around the carousels. Waiting to purchase gifts at one’s destinations is likewise recommended because it keeps presents from having to be transported on the plane and possibly being damaged in the process.

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It remains common wisdom that any excursion necessitates snacks, beverages, and boredom busters particularly if small children are also involved. High quality noise canceling headphones can additionally be a godsend on long journeys as these devices take care of everything from overly chatty seatmates to crying babies.

Those traveling by car, especially in colder areas, should be sure to take along a winter safety kit that includes flashlights, blankets, a portable radio, tow chains, sand, and an ice scraper in case of emergencies. It’s also a good idea to have cell phones, phone chargers, and GPS navigation systems along for the ride.

We wish everyone safe travels this holiday season as well as a safe and prosperous 2015!

Image Source: Flickr by Kelly Sikkema

Sources: The Travel Channel; Travel Sense; Independent Traveler