Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Traveling

Pack light and plan ahead before you celebrate the holidays.

Your Holiday Travel Guide - A nor'easter is threatening plans for millions of Americans who will fly or drive to their respective Thanksgiving destinations, with the worst weather expected on Wednesday, Nov. 28 — the busiest travel day of the year. But if you are prepared to weather the storm and are still planning to travel, here are a few tips to help you and your family have a stress-free holiday traveling experience.—Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

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Your Holiday Travel Guide - A nor'easter is threatening plans for millions of Americans who will fly or drive to their respective Thanksgiving destinations, with the worst weather expected on Wednesday, Nov. 28 — the busiest travel day of the year. But if you are prepared to weather the storm and are still planning to travel, here are a few tips to help you and your family have a stress-free holiday traveling experience.—Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

Check for Flight Cancellations - Due to the storm, thousands of flights have been delayed and hundreds have been canceled as of Nov. 26. Some airlines are issuing weather waivers on fees to change flights. Delta and US Airways were the first to roll out their weather waivers, which they announced during the evening of Nov. 25. United and JetBlue followed suit. It's likely more airlines will do the same as the storm approaches.(Photo: Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

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Check for Flight Cancellations - Due to the storm, thousands of flights have been delayed and hundreds have been canceled as of Nov. 26. Some airlines are issuing weather waivers on fees to change flights. Delta and US Airways were the first to roll out their weather waivers, which they announced during the evening of Nov. 25. United and JetBlue followed suit. It's likely more airlines will do the same as the storm approaches.(Photo: Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

Not Everything Is That Deep - Life isn’t perfect. Sometimes the train is running late, or the waiter messes up your order or your boo forgets to put the toilet seat down. Stop acting out over things that don’t matter. Take a breath. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Avoid Peak Travel Dates - The American Automobile Association predicts that 43.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes to celebrate this Thanksgiving, with many of them traveling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or on Dec. 24, which are the heaviest travel days. Try to leave early, or travel on Thanksgiving or several days before Dec. 25.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

American Airlines - By November, American Airlines will have added five seats on its MD-80s jets. They are also considering adding an additional row on its Boeing 737s. Do you think that's a good idea? (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Book Flights in Advance - Fare increase heavily during the holiday season. Around Thanksgiving flights can increase up to 17 percent. They can go up 51 percent around Christmas, and spike by 15 percent for New Year's. Check out travel sites like Expedia, Priceline and Kayak for the cheapest times to book airfare for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve travel.(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Consider a Smaller Airport - During the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, 25.1 million people are projected to fly, an increase of 1.5 percent from last year, according to the industry's trade and lobbying group Airlines for America. It may be wise to choose a regional airport as you'll often find smaller crowds, more parking and shorter security lines.

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Consider a Smaller Airport - During the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, 25.1 million people are projected to fly, an increase of 1.5 percent from last year, according to the industry's trade and lobbying group Airlines for America. It may be wise to choose a regional airport as you'll often find smaller crowds, more parking and shorter security lines.

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Weigh In - Going along with being mindful of how much you pack is avoiding those pesky overweight baggage fees. Weighing your luggage with an at-home luggage scale before you leave can save you hundreds in unexpected costs, plus the embarrassment of re-arranging your unmentionables in the middle of check-in. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

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Weigh Bags at Home First, Check-in Lines Will Be Long - Airport check-in lines are already long, and with millions of Americans expected to fly for the holidays, imagine how packed airports will be. Make check-in smoother by weighing your bag at home first so you won't hold up the line shifting items in your suitcase to meet weight restrictions.(Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

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If You Are Driving, Check Your Vehicle - Not everyone will be flying to this holiday season. More than 38 million Americans will travel by automobile, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Make sure your car is in good condition when you get on the road. Check that your insurance is up to date and get your oil changed (if needed) so your vehicle is ready for your holiday pilgrimage.(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

Bring Reading Materials and Games for the Children - Holiday travel can be hectic for parents, so just imagine how difficult long hours in the car and shuttling through airports can be for children. If you are driving to your destination, pass time with fun games like “I Spy,” “Guess Mobile” and “Billboard Poetry.”             (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Nintendo)

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Bring Reading Materials and Games for the Children - Holiday travel can be hectic for parents, so just imagine how difficult long hours in the car and shuttling through airports can be for children. If you are driving to your destination, pass time with fun games like “I Spy,” “Guess Mobile” and “Billboard Poetry.”             (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Nintendo)

Ship Gifts in Advance - If you are flying, why weigh your check-in bags down with gifts? Shop online or ship your gifts to their destinations in advance. If you are sending perishable items, make sure you ship them appropriately, ideally with next-day delivery. Be sure to track your packages to insure their arrival.(Photo: Oleksiy Maksymenko/Getty Images)

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Ship Gifts in Advance - If you are flying, why weigh your check-in bags down with gifts? Shop online or ship your gifts to their destinations in advance. If you are sending perishable items, make sure you ship them appropriately, ideally with next-day delivery. Be sure to track your packages to insure their arrival.(Photo: Oleksiy Maksymenko/Getty Images)

Use Technology to Help You Plan - When you are embarking on your holiday travel, just remember “there's an app for that.” Check out Hotel Tonight and Priceline for apps. If you are driving, be sure to download weather and traffic apps.(Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Use Technology to Help You Plan - When you are embarking on your holiday travel, just remember “there's an app for that.” Check out Hotel Tonight and Priceline for apps. If you are driving, be sure to download weather and traffic apps.(Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)