We’re seeing the end of August and the beginning of the “ber” months. Do you know what that means? The holiday season is just around the corner!
The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, family, and unforgettable memories. Many people look forward to escaping their daily routines and embarking on exciting adventures. Travelling during the holidays, however, can be stressful. The peak travel season not only attracts an enormous crowd — but they also influence hotel rates, pushing prices forward and limiting availability.
Planning your trip in advance can help you alleviate the stress and ridiculous costs, and there’s no perfect time to act but now! From scoring cheap hotel deals amidst the holiday rush to avoiding long queues, we list 10 tips to make your trip a bit of a breeze this holiday season.
1. Travel during off-peak days and hours
Visiting a popular tourist attraction on a Saturday of a major holiday season is a recipe for disaster. You won’t just get the most expensive rates on hotels and flights but also encounter long queues and crowded attractions, which would surely ruin your trip.
Being flexible can work wonders. One simple way to avoid such horrible experiences is by travelling before or after everyone else. Consider timing your trip on off-peak days, like Wednesday. The same goes for finding the best hour for visiting attractions. In most cases, going early in the morning is key to avoiding long queues, as attractions get packed in the hours leading to lunchtime.
2. Monitor flash sales
Travelling on a budget? You can save a bunch by being extra flexible with your travel plans and waiting for flash sales on flights. Airlines usually offer special deals, roughly the same time of the year. That said, search when your airline last had a flash sale and keep your eyes peeled for the prize (or the price, rather!)
But don’t wait for too long to secure your slot!
3. Save money on accommodation
Accommodation takes up a huge chunk of your travel budget. Hotel prices also climb quickly in the months leading up to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Isn’t it hard to relax in a nice hotel during the holiday season knowing that you’ve burned lots of cash on a 2-day stay?
Luckily, there are still a bunch of ways to trim down the costs even during the peak travel season.
- Book early
- Compare prices across websites and multiple platforms
- Search using third-party booking sites but book the hotel directly
- Save by bundling your travel expenses (flight, hotel, transportation, etc)
- Look for business hotels
- Check other affordable hotel alternatives like hostels, apartelles, and Airbnb properties.
This cheap accommodation in Dublin, for instance, has a wide range of rooms that suit your budget, from newly refurbished visitor suites to our economical twin rooms. You can also save more when you book directly.
Also read: Family Breaks in Carlow: 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Hotel for Your Crew
4. Plan to minimise airport or terminal stress
Waiting for hours in security lines often feels more tiring than the journey itself. Eliminate the hassle by planning ahead.
- Research the security rules and restrictions ahead of time.
- Arrive at the airport or terminal at the recommended time.
- Check if there are steps you can do online so you can skip the process when you arrive.
- Pack snacks, travel pillows, entertainment packs, and other items that can stave off hunger, discomfort, and boredom.
- Bring backup chargers and electronics
- Download travel apps and have a screenshot of important details
5. Driving? Prioritise fun and comfort
Thanks to holiday-induced traffic congestion, getting cranky on the road is common. However, it’s possible to turn things around and make your road trip enjoyable.
Travel during dead hours, like the dawn. Map out routes to avoid inconvenience. Research fun stop-off points along your route where you can eat and relax. Don’t forget to perform car maintenance and prep for weather conditions too.
6. Keep your chill
No matter how well you plan your much-anticipated holiday, there’s no guarantee that everything will go smoothly. The higher your expectations are, the more disappointment you’ll have if things didn’t go according to plan. There’ll be delays, heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, over-the-budget expenses, and other undesirable travel situations.
But just because your plan is busted doesn’t mean your entire trip is ruined too. Learn to let go of the things you can’t change and focus more on situations you CAN control.
Patience and flexibility are key to stress-free travel. Manage your expectations during the peak travel season. Try your best to remain calm and practice breathing techniques. Bring items that’ll help you relax and have fun. Pack travel-sized snacks. Try to be polite to people around you, even under pressure. How you act now will affect the succeeding events of your trip, and throwing tantrums over small inconveniences will only spoil the fun for everyone.
7. Look at the big picture
Okay, this might sound a little cliche but try to divert your energy on “what is” and “what will be”. Try to see the big picture as to why you’re travelling in the first place, and focus on people, events, and places that truly matter.
Let the little annoyances turn into funny stories for later. With thoughtful planning merged with patience and flexibility, you can turn every holiday travel into a beautiful experience worth remembering.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a foodie and travel buff who enjoys writing articles about travel and money-saving. Aside from sharing travel hacks, she spends most of her time playing the piano and guitar. If you want to know more about budget travel and affordable hotel alternatives, visit DCU Rooms.
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