Summary of Travel Hacks
10 Best Travel Hacks for Flying this Holiday Season
We’ve partnered with KAYAK to gather the best travel hacks from experts to enhance your holiday flying experience.
KAYAK searches numerous travel sites to provide essential information for booking the ideal flight, hotel, rental car, or vacation package.
KAYAK Explore
Explore is an exciting tool that helps travelers discover great destinations within their budget. If you’re open to traveling anywhere, you can input your budget and see numerous places available within that price range, even filtering by flight duration.
If you’re planning a trip from Toronto to the Caribbean, for instance, you could explore flights with a 3-4 hour travel time. Similarly, if Europe is your target, just input 6-7 hours.
Check in Online
Airports can be hectic, especially during the holiday rush with crowded spaces and long lines. To save time, check in online to skip the counter and head straight to the gate. This is particularly efficient for travelers with carry-on luggage, as they can proceed directly to security.
Even if you have checked bags, utilizing a dedicated drop-off desk can greatly reduce your wait time.
Choosing Your Seats
Online check-in also allows you to have the first choice of seats. Others may only get leftover options at the counter. We recommend checking Seat Guru for detailed seat configurations and specifications, which help in selecting the most comfortable seats.
Opt for seats near the front of the plane for quicker disembarkation and first choice in meal service.
Travel as a Couple
When flying as a couple, consider booking a window and aisle seat while leaving the middle seat empty in a 3-3 layout. This strategy increases the chance of having the middle seat free, making your travel more comfortable.
Take Advantage of Premium Seat Perks
Consider investing in premium tickets for improved comfort, especially for couples wanting to avoid middle seats. Allocating money for window and aisle seating can significantly enhance the travel experience.
Think About Seat Configuration
In configurations like 3-4-3 or 3-3-3, the middle seat is strategically beneficial. It minimizes disruptions and helps maintain personal space.
Staying Flexible
If your travel schedule is flexible, explore various departure and return dates using KAYAK’s tools that reveal potential savings for shifts of up to three days. We’ve noted significant savings just by adjusting our travel dates by a day or two.
Price Alerts
Take advantage of KAYAK’s Price Alert feature to receive notifications on price changes for flights or accommodations. This helps you capitalize on the best booking times without the hassle of manually checking.
Care Package
Traveling can be uncomfortable, but a well-packed care package can make a trip much easier. Consider bringing items like:
- Eye mask
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Sweater or scarf for temperature changes
- Chapstick and moisturizer
- Medications for common ailments
- An entertainment device stocked with favorite shows or music
- A collapsible water bottle
Lounge Access
Consider obtaining lounge access for a more relaxing airport experience amidst the holiday chaos. While not everyone may have frequent flyer status, programs like Priority Pass offer access to numerous lounges globally for a yearly fee.
Carry a Unique Bag
Many travelers lose bags due to identical styles. To avoid confusion, invest in a distinctive bag with a bold color or unique pattern. Alternatively, you can enhance the visibility of a standard bag with colorful luggage bands or handle wraps.
These travel hacks can significantly improve your flying experience this holiday season. Embrace flexibility, utilize available tools, and ensure you’re well-prepared for your journey!
