Traveling around the holidays can be a real pain. Millions of other people will be on the road or at airports trying to see their loved ones, which can make traffic, lines, and general crowds a bit overwhelming. Plus, you have gifts to manage, inflated prices for peak travel times, and other headaches associated with taking a trip in November or December. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of 12 tips for holiday travel that can help make your journey as smooth as possible.

1. If you’re flying, pick a direct flight.

The holidays are prime time for travel delays to occur. Snowy weather and packed airports are a recipe for missed connections! So even though booking a flight with 1 or more layovers might save you money, it’s best avoided if you want to ensure you make it to your final destination on time.

2. Avoid traveling on peak days.

Certain days, like December 23rd, tend to be incredibly hectic. Whether you’re on the road or at the airport, the days immediately leading up to the holidays are some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you want to avoid standstill traffic or lengthy lines at security, you should plan your trip on off-peak days. If you travel on the holidays themselves (like Christmas Day or New Year’s Day), airports and roads are often deserted, which makes everything go much more quickly and smoothly.

3. Travel during unpopular hours, as well.

Not only are there peak dates for travel, but there are also peak times. Late at night or early in the morning, journeys tend to be easier because there aren’t as many people on the road and/or at the airport. If you schedule your travel around the less busy times, you may lose a few hours of sleep, but you’ll deal with far fewer crowds.

4. Don’t travel with gifts.

Traveling with gifts takes up a lot of valuable space, especially if you’re flying and you have a limited amount of luggage that you can bring. Plus, if you pack your gifts, they’re more likely to get broken en route, which may lead to a disappointing Christmas morning. A better solution is to mail them, or if you shop online, you can send the gifts directly to the recipients from the retailer. Alternatively, you may opt for gift cards and cash, which can’t get damaged in transit.

5. Travel light.

Packing lightly can be challenging in the wintertime because, depending on your destination, you may need to bring lots of layers. However, it’s best not to overstuff your suitcases, especially if you’re flying. Airlines have luggage weight limits, and you’ll probably be returning home with some presents, so you need to save space for your new belongings. If you can’t leave behind any clothes, skip the toiletries. You can buy toothpaste and shampoo at any drugstore once you’ve arrived.

6. Build delays into your itinerary.

With lousy winter weather, flights get canceled all the time. Plus, heavy traffic and popular travel days can make it difficult to get to your destination or through the airport with enough time to make your flight. That’s why you should plan to leave early. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll use because you never know what can occur. The worst thing that can happen is you have to have lunch at the airport, which is a lot better than missing your flight altogether.

7. Stay positive

Traveling is stressful, especially around the holidays. But it’s worthwhile to keep a pleasant attitude and try to stay in the holiday spirit, even when it's challenging. Getting frustrated with a flight attendant or clerk at the airline desk won’t make delays shorter, but it can ruin someone’s day. Plus, it’ll just put you in a negative mood as well. Even when it’s hard, keep smiling, and spread some joy.

8. Invest in travel insurance.

You never know what will go wrong, so it’s always a good idea to cover your bases. If something significant comes up and you have to cancel your trip, travel insurance can often help mitigate the financial losses. It can also be helpful for flight delays, lost baggage, or other unfortunate circumstances. Plus, travel insurance typically isn’t very expensive in the context of your total travel expenses. Just be sure that you read the fine print first because there are restrictions on what is covered.

9. If you’re flying, sign up for TSA PreCheck.

For a fee, you can skip the security line at the airport. This can lead to a much better, less stressful, and more seamless travel experience. It’s not an option for everyone, as there are security restrictions. But it’s worth looking into, especially if you’ll be flying into or out of a major airport.

10. Make sure your devices are charged before you leave.

The last thing you want when you’re traveling is to experience a delay and then realize your phone is dead! You need to make sure you’re able to contact people, pull up plane tickets, driving directions, etc. It’s also beneficial to charge your laptop, Switch, Kindle, etc., as well. If you get stuck in traffic or at the airport, this will allow you to entertain yourself without wasting your phone’s battery.

11. Skip the Airline Counter

Check in to your flight beforehand with your phone or computer. You can print your boarding pass at home or have it ready on your phone. Plus, you can often check your baggage curbside instead of waiting in long lines at the airline counter. This can save valuable time and improve your overall experience.

12. Stay at the Holiday Inn

Staying at a Holiday Inn will ensure that you have a lovely time without a hassle or headache. It’ll be much more comfortable than a crowded family member’s house since you’ll have your own space. Plus, Holiday Inns can be found across the country, including in Grand Rapids. This means that you’ll be able to expect a standardized level of quality and consistency in the care you receive from the staff. It’s easy to book online with the Holiday Inn, and rates are affordable, so it’s the ideal place to stay, no matter where you’re going.