Many of us choose to travel at Christmas time, whether it’s to visit loved ones over the festive season or to simply get away from the norm and enjoy the summer (or winter) weather elsewhere.

For some, embarking on a trip at this busy time of the year can take on a whole new meaning – especially for those who are used to travelling during the non-peak seasons. Follow these seven tips to make Christmas travel a little easier.

Choose appropriate gifts for travelling

Large, bulky, and heavy Christmas gifts are usually inappropriate for travel, especially on flights where there are baggage restrictions. Save your baggage space for items you need such as clothing, shoes, and toiletries.

Consider small gifts or make a list of gifts to buy when you get to your destination. Also consider the gift of travel or gifting an experience over buying loads of presents and having to travel with them.

Be prepared for the journey

There is an increase of travellers over the festive holidays so it’s best to be prepared for congestion. Allow for plenty of time and if flying, make sure you arrive at the airport early.

Roads can also be busy at this time of the year. Try to avoid peak travel days such as Christmas Eve if you can. There are usually fewer crowds if the flight is mid-week rather than the weekend. 

You could consider travelling on Christmas Day as this is typically a quiet day for travel. Try to avoid connecting flights and check-in online to avoid long queues. If you are driving, prepare for alternative routes in case of congestion and avoid peak times on the road.

Prepare your documentation

Find out about visas, immunisation requirements, and the paperwork you’ll need well in advance to ensure you have everything ready to go before you leave. Make sure you have any travel and travel insurance documents, passports, and accommodation details at the ready. This may help avoid any delays and confusion if you are in a situation where you need to produce them.

Download tickets and maps so you can access them offline and produce a spare copy of your important documents.

Keep safe

It’s important to protect yourself and your belongings while travelling. Research your destination before you go. For example, if you’re visiting some parts of South America, you’ll need to put in place much stricter safety precautions than for a destination like Japan. Visit the Smartraveller website for up-to-date crime details and warnings for your destination and consider taking out travel insurance.

If you’re heading away at Christmas, you may also want to put in place some security precautions for your home while you’re away. According to ABC News, the Christmas period typically sees an increase in burglaries since many homes are left empty due to people going away, and because many homes contain a larger number of new items that burglars can steal to sell or pass on as gifts.

If you’re worried about leaving your home unattended, you may want to consider getting a house sitter and/or installing smart security cameras to keep an eye on your home remotely while you’re away.

Dress for the weather

Travelling at Christmas time means your destination is at the peak of summer or winter – in other words, it is usually either very hot or very cold. Make sure you’re prepared with the appropriate clothing and footwear for your destination.

If you are travelling to a cold destination, be sure to pack warm under and outerwear such as thermals and jackets. Look for insulated outerwear that is not too bulky for packing. If travelling in summer, don’t forget a sunhat, sunscreen, and your swimwear. Check the weather in advance and check the Smartraveller website for any weather warnings.

Stay in touch

Don’t forget that Christmas is a time for connection. Consider how you could include loved ones who you won’t be seeing over Christmas because of your travels. Keep in contact via messages, phone calls, and video calls. You could even organise a virtual Christmas gathering.

For safety, ensure you leave a copy of your itinerary and important documents with a trusted person so there is a record of your travel. Regular check-ins with friends and family will give them peace of mind that you are safe and well over the festive holidays.

Keep it meaningful  

Many families have Christmas traditions and there is no reason why you can’t create some of these traditions when you are away from home. For those who love a traditional meal, try to find a restaurant that offers this and book before you leave.

If you are visiting friends or family, offer to make a dish that is traditional to you or take your favourite Christmas music to share. If you usually have a secret Santa, you could still do this with pre-arranged gifts and a video call. Even if you can maintain just a small amount of tradition, it will make your Christmas away feel more real. 

Source: Smartraveller, ABC News