The holidays are upon us!

But it’s no secret that the most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest time to travel.

So before you can have those opening-scene-of-Love-Actually embraces with your reunited loved ones, you may have to get through some Planes, Trains and Automobiles moments first. But don’t worry — we’ve got five simple tips to keep your holiday travel smooth and your holiday spirit intact.

Tip #1: Plan your travel days strategically

Timing is everything during the holidays, so try to be as strategic as possible when you’re making plans and booking flights.

The first no-no: peak travel days.

Try your best to avoid what will be the busiest days of the season, like the 2-3 days immediately before and after Christmas Day. If your dates are flexible or if you’re able to work from home, consider traveling within the two weeks after New Year’s, which is known as “dead week”. It’s not only way less crowded because so few are traveling by then, but it’s also way cheaper — flights, hotel rates, and airfare tend to plummet. When booking flights, look for particularly early or late flights, as those times will most likely be less crowded, and trust us — it’s worth the extra money to book direct, if you can, to decrease the risk of cancellations, delays, and general layover nightmares.

Tip #2: Be prepared for a change of plans

Speaking of cancellations and delays...there may be a lot of those this holiday season. Weather is always a possible culprit to consider, but with added and unpredictable effects of the pandemic on things like staffing and transportation schedules, an unexpected change to your travel plans is unfortunately even more likely.

So make sure you’re as prepared as possible. Have a backup plan in case you can’t get to where you’re going.

Bring a change of clothes in your carryon if you’re flying. Think about alternate routes if you’re driving. Try to book flexible, refundable tickets and travel insurance so you’re protected if something does go wrong.

Future, in-a-pickle you will thank you.

Tip #3: Research the restrictions

You knew this one was coming.

As we’ve mentioned, COVID-19 is complicating matters and can definitely throw a wrench in your travel experience. With restrictions and rules constantly changing as the world navigates the pandemic, it’s important to do your research ahead of time. This goes for airports and airlines, restaurants, attractions, all of it. We recommend checking Sherpa right before you travel. Knowing what restrictions to expect, which rules to follow, and what’s currently open or closed will make your life (and everyone else’s) a little easier.

Tip #4: Pack like a pro

This one’s for the flyers: packing is important! Not just what you pack, but how you pack.

First off, pack light.

That’s not always easy (or possible) depending on where you’re going and for how long, but if you can carry on — do it. It’ll be worth the time you save in the checking line, the money you save on bag fees, and the disaster avoided if you fall victim to the dreaded lost luggage. If you can’t carry on, think about what you’re checking. Trying to pack holiday gifts? Ship them instead; it’s usually easier and can be cheaper in some cases.

And lastly, pack whatever you might lack at the airport or on the flight. Remember, not everything’s open, hours are restricted, and most airlines aren’t back to full in-flight service. Bring some snacks, a backup pair of headphones, an extra mask. Make yourself proud and pack like a pro.

Tip #5: Give yourself extra time

However you’re traveling this season, you can expect extra traffic, extra long lines, and extra crowds — so give yourself some extra time. Because an under-staffed travel industry + a world that’s finally ready to travel again = potential chaos. And TSA Pre-Check may not be enough to save you this year. Hit the road ahead of schedule. Get to the airport an hour earlier than you normally would. Do whatever you can to save time on tedious tasks and avoid lines, like utilizing online check-in or curbside bag check and downloading helpful travel apps.

5 Tips For Not-So-Terrible Holiday Travel