Illustration by EUGENE CUBILLO

Besides being the season and the reason for shopping and endless partying, the long Christmas break is also the time for some people to pack their bags and take the first plane out. Christmas is actually one of the peak seasons in travel. Some even call it the busiest travel season all over the world.

Traveling during the holidays, though, can be very challenging. Just think about the traffic jams, long queues in the booking counters, flight delays, what to bring (or which goes with your favorite pair of pants), sometimes even lost luggage, uncomfortable accommodations, and other traveling woes imaginable. Not to mention that airline tickets (on top of everything else) go sky high at such discouraging rates.

Your idea of getting away from it all may actually be more stressful than you thought. Here are some tips on how to make holiday travel as hassle-free as possible:

• As much as possible, travel during off-peak season. Best to travel as early as a week before Christmas (the 19th up to 21st) and as late as the week following New Year’s Day to avoid the holiday rush. Don’t forget to book early, too.

• Be aware of the changing route maps and flight frequency. Take into consideration the changes that the airlines are implementing like cancelled and rescheduled flights and new promos. For example, Cebu Pacific has introduced the Travel Fund, a virtual wallet where flyers can store the value of their unused tickets for later use within the validity period. Starting December 1, customers whose flights will be rebooked or cancelled will have their own Travel Fund. Or they can transfer the booking to another person with a corresponding name change fee. 

• Booking online is your best bet to avoid the long lines in the booking counters. But make sure that you have the confirmation to avoid last-minute confusion. Call the airlines to confirm your flight just to make sure that no error has happened.

• It may be a cliché, but travel light. Since luggage weight allowances vary, it is best to pack light. Know where you are heading. If you’re traveling to a tropical destination, you don’t need heavy clothes. As much as possible fit all your stuff into a single carry-on luggage. But packing light doesn’t mean not taking all the necessities. Anticipate any trouble, and be a Girl Scout. Carry a map, compass, first aid kit, wipes, bottled water, and whatever is necessary.

• If you’re going to drive, be prepared. Make sure the vehicle is in good running condition. Have it tuned up. Check the radiator, the battery, and the oil and transmission fluid. Gas up the night before, and make sure you get a full tank. Check the tires if they have the right air pressure and always have a spare tire. Check if the toolbox is in the trunk.

• During a road trip, plan for the unexpected like motion sickness, bathroom breaks, and road construction as well as traffic jams.

• Traveling with children can be stressful. Just make sure the children are occupied. Get ready for the inevitable like boredom, impatience, and sometimes, fights. Keep them engaged in simple games. Bring some reading materials, toys as well as snacks.

• Before going out of the house, switch off the main fuse box. Make sure that you remove all the plugs in the sockets and all the appliances are turned off.

• Lock all the doors and windows of your house and ask your friendly neighbors to keep an eye on it while you are gone.