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Life

Travel Tips for the Holiday Season

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NYU chapter.

As the holiday season approaches, and we prep for our travels, it is very necessary that we keep in mind certain things to make our journey smooth and enjoyable. Below are some tips to help you make the best out of this holiday break.

Travel Light

The golden rule of travelling, not just during the holiday season but always, make sure you only take things you really need. With the holiday dresses and gifts, it is normal to overpack, so make sure the only things going into your luggage are the absolute necessities and a couple of fancy dresses (can’t leave without them!). 

Start Early (pretty early)

If you haven’t already booked your tickets, now is probably the time to do so! The same goes with the time you leave to board your flight. Getting in on time is a big deal during the holiday season, when the traffic is at its absolute worst, even the airports are swarming with more people than the population of a whole country, making it harder to get past them. 

Avoid Rush Days

As you’re planning your round trips, try avoiding days that are known to be extremely busy, for instance, travelling between 24th and 26th December, and between the 29th December and 2nd January can result in unnecessary and easily avoidable complications.  

Have A Plan 

Even if you are just going home, you should have a plan. Try making a list of everything you want to do so that you don’t have any regrets once you are back from the break. 

Avoid Carrying Gifts

Everyone knows this but is still found guilty of doing this all the time. It is definitely important to get gifts for our loved ones, but you can do it in so many ways rather than carrying it all with you on a journey. Shipping them beforehand, is an option, even buying it at your destination is not a completely insane alternative.

Take A Break 

It is called a ‘break’  for a reason. Avoid doing your work/school tasks this season unless it is absolutely necessary. Consider this the best time to let loose so that you come back as refreshed as possible to carry on with your duties in the best possible manner. If your break is long enough, think about picking up a new hobby or catching up on that workout routine you always wanted to try. 

Lastly, for those going on a solo trip:

Not everyone travels home for the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. In addition to the tips above, make sure that you prioritize your safety. If you are visiting a new city or even a new country, keep your important documents and emergency numbers on you all the time. Whether the purpose of your travel is exploring or finding peace, make the most of every moment you are on this break. 

Happy and safe travels! 

Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 

Palak is a sophomore at NYU majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She currently serves as the Social Media Director for the NYU Chapter and has previously been a staff writer for the campus team. Have a question for her? Email @pj935@nyu.edu !
Carly Mantay is currently studying Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU.