These days, Thanksgiving travel brings more stress than showing up with the most desired side dish. With the Delta variant still spreading, it's important to plan ahead in order to stay healthy and make it to your destination without any issues.
Last year, the country saw 34 million fewer Americans travel for the holiday season due to the pandemic. This year — with vaccination rates increasing — travel may look a little more normal. A recent Rent.com holiday travel survey found that 86 percent of renters are planning on spending the holidays with friends and family. This travel season has also prompted 31 percent of travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance due to COVID-19, a significant increase in comparison to recent years.
With millions of people yearning to reunite with family and friends, getting from one place to another will likely be a logistical nightmare. From congested roads to long airport lines, it's hard to plan for the unexpected.
Before you pack your bags to hit the road, rails or air this fall, give our list of Thanksgiving travel tips and tricks a quick read to help you survive the year's busiest travel weekend while spending less money and avoiding long lines.
Save time and skip the long airport security lines by enrolling in TSA Pre✓®. Not only will this investment aid you in avoiding long security lines, but it also allows you to keep your shoes, belt and jacket on and keep your laptop inside your bag.
Given current travel conditions, TSA Pre✓® is more helpful than ever as airports continue to struggle managing more travelers with less staff. According to the TSA, 93 percent of TSA Pre✓® passengers waited less than five minutes in airport security lines, leaving you more time to make sure you packed all the essentials or enjoy a pre-holiday drink at the airport bar!
Luckily, enrolling in the TSA Pre✓® program is easy to do. Once you apply online, you'll have a 10-minute, in-person background check followed by fingerprinting. After that, you're good to go. Sign up by following the simple steps on the TSA website. Global Entry might be a better bet if you frequently travel internationally as it includes an expedited customs experience plus TSA Pre✓®.
There's no way around it, the entire week of Thanksgiving will be hectic for travel. That being said, there are a few travel days that we recommend you avoid to steer clear of the day-before-Thanksgiving rush. Rather than sitting in bumper to bumper traffic or paying an arm and a leg for airline tickets, SmarterTravel recommends doing your Thanksgiving traveling on:
What days do you want to avoid? SmarterTravel recommends:
If your schedule doesn't allow for a late departure, consider traveling home on Thanksgiving evening or Friday, Nov. 26. While Friday is still a busy travel day, SmarterTravel says that it only accounts for 12 percent of travel bookings, as opposed to Saturday (31 percent) and Sunday (57 percent).
Because of the pandemic, there are even fewer options for flights now than have traditionally been available throughout the holiday season. The sooner you can book your flights, the better. Despite the fact that tickets hit a historically low price earlier this year, seasonality and advance purchasing still impact pricing, according to ARC & Expedia Group.
Contrary to popular belief, the weekend is the most economical time to book flights. The travel pricing report found that travelers can score significant savings by leaving on a Sunday and returning on Friday.
How do you avoid traffic jams and flight delays altogether? You travel by train, of course. Amtrak trains run from coast to coast and provide sleeping accommodations for those traveling overnight. Traveling by rail not only saves you money on gas and airfare, but it also gives you time to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as you ride toward your destination.
Even better, you can bring along that extra pair of boots or overdue gift for your nephew because Amtrak allows passengers to travel with two 50-pound bags for free.
If you're traveling with kids, note that Amtrak offers a 50 percent discount on the lowest available adult rail fare for children ages 2 to 12, making this method significantly more affordable than air travel in most cases.
Not in the mood to sleep on a fold-out mattress in your grandmother's living room? Take some time to compare the hotel and rental deals in your area. It's important to consider both hotels and rentals as prices can vary significantly between the two. When comparing prices, keep in mind the differences between the two options. Here are some additional factors to consider according to MoneyUnder30:
Get your flu shot and any other medications filled before you hit the road, take flight or ride the rails. Add an extra item to your checklist to stock up on masks, hand sanitizer and any other general health items like vitamins and water.
This applies to your family, too. Make sure your travel group is on the same page in terms of vaccinations, tests and masks for your Thanksgiving gathering so everyone feels safe and comfortable. When in doubt, we recommend that you check CDC guidelines for the latest updates on how to safely congregate.
While you may be excited to share your travel plans and "candid" family photos on social media, this is not in your best interest. Be sure to keep your social media locked to strangers while you travel and refrain from posting about your trip until you return home. Here are a few additional tips:
With fewer flights operating, inclement weather and the global pandemic on top of it all, it's more important now than ever before to be protected. Go ahead and splurge for travel insurance to protect your Thanksgiving trip. They say you can't put a price on peace of mind. We believe that you can, and that price is whatever the airlines are asking for travel insurance. Make sure this insurance includes a clause for COVID-19 disruptions given that not all insurance options do.
When booking your travel, be sure to choose the refundable option if possible. Read the cancellation policies closely to make sure you don't lose any funds should something unexpected happen.
Depending on where you're traveling for Thanksgiving, it's important to pack your vaccination card (yes, not just a photo) and research the local COVID-19 mandates before arriving at your destination. In some states, you are required to provide a recent negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination to attend restaurants, shops, theaters and more. Make sure that you schedule your test 72 hours before traveling so it remains valid.
If possible, it's also a good idea to travel with some at-home COVID-19 tests like BinaxNOW as well as plenty of masks to make sure you stay protected throughout your whole trip.
Low car inventories and rising prices can easily put a damper on even the most exciting vacation plans. Make sure you reserve your rental car early and confirm availability directly with the company. Third-party sites don't keep up with on-site inventory and are often difficult to file a claim with.
You made it to your family and now it's time to chow down. Food safety is extremely important whether you're preparing for the big feast or enjoying a leftover snack the day after.
Don't spend your well-earned vacation stuck in traffic or in a middle seat 35,000 feet above the ground. Survive the holiday hustle and bustle and spend more quality time with family and friends by using these easy holiday travel tips and tricks.
Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based journalist and editor who writes mostly about technology and its intersection with food and culture. She’s the managing editor of tech news publication Hypepotamus, and has contributed to The Guardian, Atlanta magazine, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, VICE and more. She spends her time eating her way through Buford Highway and exploring Atlanta's arts scene.