For the past five weeks I have been sharing travel tips with you in a series called “Holiday Travel.” Well, the countdown we started more than 45 days ago is in its last days. Brace yourself fellow holiday travelers—we may be in for a wild ride.
According to travel guru AAA, a record 64.9 million Americans will be hitting the highways, the rails and the sky during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, crowding the nation’s airports and roadways like never before. AAA says the number may even surpass 65 million depending on the weather. Either way, the projected number of travelers is up 2.2% over last year’s record-setting 63.5 million… and that’s in spite of the fact that the price of travel is up too.
Not only are airfares up over last year, but according to AAA so are hotel prices. The price of gas is higher too. AAA says you should expect to pay $2.29 a gallon of regular, on average (we’re paying close to $2.40 in Wisconsin), over the holiday period, that’s 12 cents more than a year ago. But, I’m not complaining $2.40 is a far cry from the $3.19 I was paying earlier this year.
Will you be loading up the van and going over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house? If so you will have lots of company. AAA predicts more than 80% of all holiday trips will be by car.
And for all of you who will be taking to the skies this week I have good news and bad news. The bad news is reserved for those flying on December 21, the Thursday before Christmas. It is projected to be the busiest travel day with more than 2.3 million passengers predicted to be crowding airports nationwide. According to AAA, the next worst days will be December 22 (2.2 million passengers) and December 26 (2.2 million). But there is good news for passengers holding tickets on flights due to leave on Christmas Eve, December 24. It is predicted to be the least busy day, followed by December 23 and December 30.
Regardless of what day you are flying remember the new airport carry-on rules banning liquids and gels (everything from your child’s water bottle to snow globes for your niece’s Christmas stocking)—if you don’t travel often you may be experiencing them for the first time.
Happy and safe travels… and good luck to all of us.
Related Articles:
Holiday Travel: Important Passport Information For Parents and Children
Holiday Travel: Saving Money On The Way To Grandma’s House-Part 3
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money On The Way To Grandma’s House–Part 2
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money On The Way To Grandma’s House
Holiday Travel: 10 Ways To Stay Healthy On Vacation
Holiday Travel: 10 Ways To Save Time At The Airport
Holiday Travel: Tips To Consider Before You Hit The Highway
Holiday Travel: 10 Hotel Safety Tips
Holiday Travel—The Escape Plan
Holiday Travel: Dollars and Sense
Winter Driving—Tips On How To Navigate Through Treacherous Travel Conditions