Eager to travel this season and wondering about the latest holiday travel tips and hacks? We got you covered.
There’s good and bad news on the travel horizon. According to the 2021 U.S. Family Travel Survey conducted by the Family Travel Association (FTA) in collaboration with the NYU School of Professional Studies, 88% of parents are likely to travel with their children in the next 12 months, although eight out of 10 say their travel plans changed because of the pandemic. In more good news for the travel industry, fall and winter travel by air and car are both expected to rise to near pre-pandemic levels. (The AAA predicts that train, bus and cruise travel will increase to 1.02 million travelers, almost triple 2020 levels but still 31% lower than 2019 levels.)
In bad news for travelers, AAA is forecasting more than 53 million travelers over Thanksgiving alone, so America’s roads and skies will be busy.
Here’s six holiday travel tips and a quick guide to navigating the new-for-now travel “normal.”
Airports Will Be Busy Over the Holidays
Air travel is expected to rise to 95% of its pre-pandemic volume, according to AAA, to 4.2 million flyers up from just 2.3 million last year. This is due to a few factors.
One key factor is that Nov. 8, 2021, U.S. borders reopened to foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated with FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. Additionally, a negative COVID-19 test result within one day of arrival or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 is required from air travelers. This is big news! Munich Airport, for example, will increase from zero flights last spring to just under 100 flights weekly bound for the US, Canada and Mexico from mid-December onwards.
When traveling within the U.S., foreign travelers do not need a negative viral test or to self-quarantine. However, many local jurisdictions such as New York City are more strict, and now require proof of vaccination for any visitor age 5 and older to enter an indoor space such as restaurants, theatres and museums. For international travel, refer to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and your destination’s official tourism website for specific guidelines.
1. Holiday Travel Tips: Allow Plenty of Time at the Airport
Interestingly, in the 2021 U.S. Family Travel Survey, Dr. Lynn Minnaert, Clinical Associate Professor at the Tisch Center, noted that U.S. families “want clear communications from travel businesses: for example, while some families look for reassurance that health protocols are being followed, others want to know in advance if any amenities will be closed or have restricted access.” We are jumping into the perceived void of travel advice.
First tip: Keep your patience handy, you will need it.
An increase in the number of flyers means longer wait times at airports. Get ready for a layer of extra screening procedures to verify the vaccination status and ID of each traveler.
Holiday traffic through airport security is typically slow due to the number of travelers carrying wrapped gifts, foodstuffs and more. Picture families carrying COVID-19 home testing kits and hand sanitizers through X-Ray machines and imagine the delays. Experts recommend allowing two hours’ advance time for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
Vaccinations and Boosters Increase Traveler Confidence
Other factors boosting holiday travel are the success of Covid-19 vaccines and new health and safety guidelines enforced by the federal government.
The rising vaccination rate around the U.S. and the world has been crucial to the resumption of all aspects of life. Most students ages 12-17 have returned to in person schooling and activities thanks to the vaccine.
The newly sanctioned children’s vaccine was recently made available. A one-third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines is now readily available to ages 5-11; even the American Museum of Natural History in New York is dispensing vaccines free of charge to visitors. When the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently surveyed parents with children under the age of 12, 41% said the availability of kids’ vaccines will make them more likely to travel.
Many adults are eligible for booster shots that prolong the protective power of the vaccines. As a result, the travel industry is beginning to see the light of prosperity at the end of a long, dark, financially troubled tunnel.
Scientists have determined that the remarkable efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines keeps the vast majority of travelers out of the hospital, even if infected. However, no parent wants to risk exposing their older or younger relatives to Covid-19 and its variants. And if someone does contract the illness while traveling, even if they’re asymptomatic and feeling fine, it may mean quarantine for your entire group. That’s why travel insurance is a must for anyone investing in a vacation or travel package.
2. Holiday Travel Tips: Practice the Latest Public Health Guidance
The CDC recently released its recommendations for holiday gatherings and related travel. The best way to minimize the risk of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. However, mask usage indoors, social distancing and personal hygiene – the health safety measures we have practiced since the pandemic began – all play a crucial role.
Masks are required for everyone – regardless of vaccination status — on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. This federal mandate applies whether you’re traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
Road Trips Have Risen in Popularity
Despite gas costing over a dollar more per gallon than this time last year, AAA says holiday travel by car is up 8.4% over 2020, the pandemic year which saw an unprecedented surge in road trip travel. It is the fastest year-over-year growth seen since the Great Depression.
Families especially like the privacy, affordability, and ease when everyone (increasingly with the family pet) packs into a car. We predict many families will plan a few extra days this year to enjoy holiday festivals and explore mini road trips on the way to and from a relative’s home.
3. Holiday Travel Tips: Follow Our Rules of the Road
Our long-standing rules of the road include carry your own snacks. Traveling with a cooler minimizes exposure to COVID-19 while dining, particularly as you travel through counties without mask mandates or vaccination requirements. Be extra cautious wearing masks in gas stations, truck stops and fast-food restaurants which are high contact areas catering to a variety of travelers from different regions.
If you’re renting a car, note that rental rates have increased 4% compared to last Thanksgiving, averaging $98 per day. Remember the sky-rocketing costs and limited availability of rental cars last summer? While the car rental shortage has subsided, it could return for the holidays. Book your rental car early and choose a refundable option.
Traffic has certainly returned, and with a vengeance. Wednesday afternoon prior to Thanksgiving and Thursday afternoon prior to Christmas Eve are among the worst possible days to drive notes INRIX, a leader in connected car services and transportation analytics.
4. Holiday Travel Tips: Be Sure Your Vehicle is as Fit as You Are
Flat tire? Dead battery? Not sure how to install your daughter-in-law’s new-fangled car seat? In the U.S. alone, AAA expects to respond to over 400,000 calls for help over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Prevent a lot of issues by getting your vehicle inspected prior to departure. Check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels. If you, like us, have not been traveling often or very far afield, remember that these systems are particularly vulnerable to deterioration, especially without proper care or maintenance.
The ripple effects from rental car shortages mean fewer staff are working shorter hours. If you’re renting a vehicle, try to download a vehicle manual before you leave the rental station. If that’s not possible, ask the staff on-site for assistance with the wipers, headlights, oil change, battery location and other essentials that may be unfamiliar.
5. Holiday Travel Tips: Save on Airfare with Early Flight Booking
Plan, shop, bake, wrap, pack and smile are all important tasks this season but you must add booking early on your To Do List. Experts advise that flight prices, while nearly one quarter less than a year ago, are going up, up, up due to limited flight schedules and staff shortages.
It is possible to find a last-minute bargain, especially if you can fly on the holidays of November 25, December 25 or 31. Travel agents can also be very helpful at this time of year. If you’re DIY-ing the whole trip, be sure to pick up a telephone and call ahead to verify reservations made online.
Hotels are Reopening Yet Recovery is a Long Way Off
Holiday research by the AHLA reminds us that while business is picking up, only 29% of Americans surveyed say they’re likely to travel for Thanksgiving and up to one-third for Christmas holidays. Of those traveling, two out of three travelers will stay with family and friends instead of a hotel, vacation rental, boat or other.
Tremendous losses during the pandemic, costly hygiene and sanitation upgrades, limited capacity, staff shortages and supply chain issues have contributed to pushing mid-range hotel prices up 39% over fall 2020. Airbnb rentals and yacht charters carry a premium over the holidays as well, so the best advice is to plan ahead.
6. Holiday Travel Tips: Strategies to Save and Be Safe in Hotel & Lodging
Hotel bookers may benefit by using their hotel loyalty points and rewards certificates now, as many of the major chains have announced big changes in redemption rules for 2022. New rules are based on the dynamic pricing software the airlines have been using to charge people different fares based on when tickets are purchased, the flight’s load factor and anticipated demand. Expect the holidays to charge premium redemption rates.
Hotels have done a great job keeping guests safe. We have examined hotels’ public health precautions and AAA is also on the case. As part of their Diamond rating system, AAA enhanced its housekeeping evaluation to include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that meet these new criteria can be found here.
Please keep the latest holiday travel tips in mind as you plan your winter family adventures and return home healthy, happy and hopeful for the New Year.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
You are doing a great job with https://myfamilytravels.com site.
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.