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Where’s Rudolph When You Need Him?

Traveling doesn’t have to be a hassle this holiday season.

Maybe you’re waiting until the new year to travel. Regardless of when you’re taking your next trip, some of these tips may save some time and frustration.

Check in online…

If you can, check in and print your boarding pass before you leave home. If you’re checking luggage, try the curbside luggage check in. Many times, it is quicker. If you can’t do this at home or at your hotel, use the self-service kiosks instead of standing in the longer lines.

Travel with a carry on bag…

If possible, try to pack only a carry on bag. You can save time by not standing in any lines to get your bags tagged. If this isn’t possible and you have heavy or numerous bags, look at shipping them ahead of time to your destination. It may save you some money and will definitely save time.

Better yet, if you’re taking gifts, why not just have them shipped when you order them? If you bought the gifts locally, good for you. Wrap them and ship from your home post office instead of packing them.

Drive and still have fun…

If your road trip is long, think about taking enough breaks so everyone isn’t stuck in the car for hours and hours. You might even find a halfway spot to stop and have some extra fun. If you’re traveling in or toward weather issues, check the weather before and during your trip. Your route may have to change.

Buy attraction tickets in advance…

Going somewhere lots of other people are going? Check online to see if you can buy your tickets ahead of time. Print them at home or arrange to pick them up at the will call booth.

Speaking of attractions…think about reversing the way you visit. When we would go to Disneyland, we’d head for the back corner and work our way to the front. Why? Because most people start at the front of an amusement park, zoo, or other attraction and work clockwise through it.