8 Strategies for Hassle-Free Holiday Travel

With the holiday season upon us, we’ve gathered our best tips to help you navigate long TSA lines and crowded baggage claims, ensuring your holiday travel is as stress-free as possible.

Dinogo’s Best Holiday Travel Tips

1. Select your flights carefully.

If bad weather is a possibility, avoid booking the first or last flight of the day. Opt for an early morning flight when available. Additionally, choosing a direct flight can significantly reduce your travel time and minimize the risk of delays associated with connecting flights. Use filters to sort flights by the number of stops to find the best options.

If you’re traveling to or from a cold destination, timing your flights is crucial, as conditions often worsen after sunset. Aim to schedule your flights for the warmest parts of the day, typically from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

2. Travel light.

Every journey begins with what you pack. If you tend to overpack, we have some helpful tips to maximize your luggage space. One of our top recommendations is to try fitting everything into a carry-on (or even better, just a personal item). This way, you can bypass baggage claim altogether. If your ticket only allows a personal item (thanks, Basic Economy) and you’re curious about the costs of adding a carry-on, check our Airline Fees page for the details.

When flying to a colder location, ensure you’re warm and cozy throughout your flight. Pack a travel outfit with sufficient layers, allowing you to adjust your clothing as needed. Consider bringing a small, inflatable neck pillow for added comfort instead of using your clothes for support.

3. Allow extra time for your travels.

During busy travel times, the last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic with only 30 minutes until your flight departs. Allow yourself plenty of time from when you leave home to when you need to be at the airport. We recommend arriving at least an hour early. Best case: you catch your flight on time despite any hiccups. Worst case: you find no line and can relax with the latest bestsellers and snacks before boarding.

Aside from extra time, there are ways to reduce your airport wait before your flight. First, if possible, check in online the day before. This can help with seat selection and may influence your boarding order. The earlier you check in, the better your options will be.

4. Receive real-time updates about your flight.

Ever rushed through the airport only to find that your gate has changed? Prevent this and other travel headaches with our free personal travel assistant, Dinogo Trips. This app allows you to keep all your travel plans organized in one place and will notify you of any flight delays or gate changes, ensuring you’re always in the right spot at the right time. By downloading the free Dinogo app, you’ll receive push notifications for any changes, so you won’t need to check your email.

5. Enjoy VIP Lounge access without a first-class ticket.

Yes, it’s definitely achievable. Instead of searching for a vacant spot at your gate and having to wipe crumbs off a seat, you could be relaxing on a plush sofa with a coffee bar nearby. You can enjoy this luxury even if you’re not flying first class. One option is to check your credit card benefits (they might include lounge access) or sign up for a service like Priority Pass, which offers access to a network of lounges.

6. Enjoy yourself, but don’t overdo it.

As long as you meet the 3oz liquid rule, it’s fine to pack a few small bottles in your liquids bag (though many airlines prohibit consuming your own alcohol onboard). Just be cautious with airport and in-flight drinks; while it’s nice to relax before a flight, overindulging could put you and others in jeopardy.

7. If you're staying at a hotel, inquire about early check-in.

After a long day of travel, nothing beats sinking into a comfy hotel bed. But if your check-in isn’t until 3 PM and you arrive at 10 AM, that leaves you with hours to kill. The best approach is to call the hotel ahead of time and request an early check-in. If a room is available, most hotels will gladly accommodate you.

8. Inform the office that you’re OOO.

Wallet? Check. Keys? Check. Tickets? Check. Out-of-office message? We can assist with that. For complete peace of mind this holiday season, ensure your contacts know you’ll be unavailable. Our OOO Generator can help you create the ideal auto-reply that matches your mood. Just answer a few quick questions, choose your vibe, and you’re set to let everyone know that their monthly accounting reports can wait until your return (or provide an excuse to dodge that inevitable small talk with Aunt Fran). No matter your destination this season, we have the resources to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip. Happy holidays, everyone!

This blog was initially published on December 20, 2019, and updated on October 26, 2022.