This Is the Biggest Holiday Travel Mistake You Can Possibly Make

Before there were Insta influencers and self-proclaimed social media experts, there was Samantha Brown. The celebrated travel host, who’s been on air since 1999, has visited over 250 cities in 62 countries, creating over 160 hours of programming and counting. And there’s no better person to ask about the no-nos as we approach the busiest time for travelers, holiday season.

Here, she shares her insider tips on when you actually should get to the airport before your flight, why Snickers are the ultimate road snack, and why practicing kindness is the best thing you can do.

What is the biggest mistake people make when traveling during the holidays, and how can they avoid it?

Traveling on the busiest days to the busiest places. The busiest travel days for Thanksgiving are always the Wednesday before and the Sunday after—that’s for both flying and driving. To avoid this, choose to leave on Monday or Tuesday, or the day of Thanksgiving, and return on Saturday. If you cannot avoid those days, leave early morning on both as the traffic is only going to get worse as the day goes on.

When it comes to booking holiday travel, when is the best time to do so? Any tips for those who may not have booked their hotels or flights yet?

The general rule is you want to book around 60 to 21 days out, but I would start comparing prices three months before each holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and February Break for those with school-aged kids. A good barometer of when to buy flights is to look at the seat chart of the flight you are interested in—if its wide open there’s no reason to buy, but check back weekly. If it’s starting to fill up, you should purchase it, especially when booking for a family who wants to sit next to one another.

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What are some tips on staying active and not getting off your fitness routine during the holidays?

Never miss your workout two days in a row, even if you need to augment it a bit depending on what you have access to. No gym? Then go for a run or a brisk walk, have a handful of strength-training moves you can do with no weights. Get the whole family on a walk after a big meal. It’s a great way to catch up and work off some of that dinner. 

Are there any unique parts of traveling this year specifically that travelers should take note of?

Travel is still big and airports are still packed. For holiday traffic, get to the airport no less than two hours before the boarding time of your flight, not its departure. If you’re traveling with family, ask if there are family lanes—all big airports have them, especially during this time. Bring healthy snacks and a water bottle to fill but just make sure that water bottle is empty going through security. Most TSA agents will not allow you to drink it, so you’ll have two choices—throw the expensive water bottle away or dump it out and wait in line to go back through security again. 

Realistically, how long before a flight does one need to get there on the Thanksgiving holiday?

At least two hours before the boarding time. A lot of people base getting to the airport by the departure, but the plane boards 30 minutes to 45 minutes before and the gate is closed 15 minutes prior to departure. You don’t want to cut it close. 

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Any new rules we should be paying attention to for flight cancellations or delays?

The Department of Transportation has passed new consumer protection rules. Airline passengers are now entitled to automatic refunds when flights are canceled or significantly delayed. Airlines will have to refund customers the full ticket prices, including airline-imposed fees, as well as government taxes and fees in cash, not vouchers or miles. A significant change to a flight now includes a three-hour or longer delay for domestic flights, and at least a six-hour delay on international flights. If an airline changes a flight’s departure or arrival airport, or adds a connection, that also counts. This is phenomenal news, especially for the infrequent flier who may not know their rights.

How can one travel with just a carry-on even if they’re going to a cold or snowy destination this season?

Wear your heaviest, bulkiest gear on the plane. Your big comfy sweater? Wear it. Those chunky winter boots? Put them on, even for security. Big ski jacket? You guessed it: Wear it. That saves a lot of room in your small carry-on. I also always travel with a Merino wool long-sleeved top and long johns for a base layer. They take up very little room in your luggage and make just about any outfit winterized. 

What do you always pack in your carry-on that makes holiday travel more seamless or less stressful?

A good trail mix or high protein energy bar or a Snickers bar. Every stressful moment I’ve succumbed to could have been handled better with 300 more calories in my system. 

Any other holiday travel tips and hacks to share?

Practice kindness. It’s a stressful time and most people at the airport don’t do this often. If you’re at your gate and heading to get a cup of coffee or snack, see who may also need something. The wheelchair-bound person stuck waiting at the gate or a single parent with their hands full. It doesn’t take much to notice other people struggling and that you could possibly make things a little more pleasant.