The words “holiday travel” can strike fear in the heart of even the most seasoned travelers, but traveling during holiday seasons doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you have two or ten people that you need to get somewhere, sit back and enjoy the holidays without worrying about travel.

The biggest concern most people have with holiday travel is that it is expensive. Unfortunately, the holidays are a high season for many destinations, and so prices are higher both for transport and lodging.

Know what you’re getting into by planning travel routes well in advance. For drivers, interstates and highways are going to be the most prone to traffic backups, so try and find a route that avoids these. While the distance may look longer on a map, you’ll be surprised at how much faster you can get to where you need to be by avoiding main thoroughfares at the holidays.

If you’re flying to a holiday travel destination, there may be ways to reduce costs substantially by taking connecting flights or booking extra trip legs. While this doesn’t seem to make sense, there are many cases when spending more time in the air will substantially relieve the stress on your wallet.

Many people hate traveling over the holidays because, to put it bluntly, other people can be annoying. If a long car ride is in your future, make sure you have plenty of snacks and distractions to keep your passengers happy. If you’re traveling alone, bring plenty of music and easy-to-eat foods so you can avoid stopping for meals and don’t get too bored.

Airports during the holidays can be a nightmare, so be sure to bring those comforts that will help you tolerate those around you. Earplugs are great for reducing noise levels in the air, and can be the difference between a peaceful flight and spending hours trapped near a crying baby. Most airlines don’t offer food for free anymore, or only give meals for long flights, so stock up on snacks to make sure you’re comfortable during a flight. If airline concessions are too pricey, buy some food in advance, but make sure it meets TSA guidelines.

An excess of baggage will only slow you down, so try and keep it to the bare minimum. If traveling with gifts, ship any large items ahead of time, which will typically be cheaper than checking a bag if flying, and will certainly cut down on time spent at the airport.

If possible, it’s great to try and plan holiday travel to leave a little earlier or later than everyone else. Trying to drive to a destination the day before Thanksgiving may mean being stuck in traffic that quickly turns three hours to six, so you may save substantial time (and headaches) by trying to leave first thing Thanksgiving Day. The same goes for Christmas Eve and other peak travel days. Check your local news for updates if you’re not sure if your area is impacted.

Don’t stress about holiday travel, and take a few precautions to get there quickly and cheaply.

Joining membership clubs such as Hotels Etc. allows you the opportunity to save up to 80% off holiday travel discounts. Always be sure to check out Trust Dale to get additional insights within the travel industry!