It’s no secret that spring break is one of the priciest times of the year to travel. If you are like me, it is also one of the only times of the year we have a full week off from school, sports, summer camps, etc. Financial stress followed by the stress of chaos in the airports can oftentimes leave families with the “why bother” attitude. I am here to help you say, “let’s do it!”
Be realistic on your budget and how many days you need. Don’t get so hung up on taking a full week’s vacation if it isn’t in the cards for your budget. 4 nights/ 5 days can be the perfect getaway that you and your family needs.
Added tip: if it is a shorter trip, make sure it’s a shorter travel day. Direct flight and a short transfer time once you land are key.
Look at different airports. Don’t be afraid to drive to an airport that is in a nearby state or even country. For example, many of my clients travel to Toronto from Michigan and oftentimes save thousands of dollars. You heard me, thousands!
Added tip: look into park and fly packages at hotels. Get there the night before, get a good night’s sleep, park for free. Just make sure their shuttle leaves early enough to get you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Direct flights are always best! This avoids all the added stress of layover connections, a longer travel day, luggage getting lost, etc. Yes, this can mean paying a bit more and I realize a layover may be the best option for the budget, but just reminding you of those things to consider.
Added tip: if you have to book a layover give yourself a minimum of 75 minutes on the way to your destination and a minimum of 3-3.5 hours on the return. Customs will be busy, busy, busy!
Bonus tip: don’t book a layover in a city that is prone to bad weather. Chicago, for example, is an airport I never fly through in the winter months.
If you have points/miles look into what that might help with. For example, the kids and I flew to Seattle on points and then bought our tickets from Seattle to Oahu with cash. Sure it’s a little more work and two separate tickets, but it helped keep the budget in check.
Added tip: if you do this, and you do check a bag, you will have to collect it at your layover and recheck it. Another reason not to check a bag 😉
Never, under any circumstances, buy a basic economy seat. Yes, it is cheaper, but there are so many things that I hate about this seat class. You can’t select your seats until check in. So, plan on not sitting with your family. Second, there are no changes that can be made and for sure no upgrades (even with points). And lastly, you will be last to board and probably no room left for your carry-on, you will be in the very back of the plane by the toilets and last off the plane. Being last off the plane in another country means you will be in a very long line at customs/ immigration.
Avoid Saturday as your departure date. Most families tend to fly out the day after school is out. If you can manage getting out of town that Friday or holding off until Sunday, you will avoid the busiest travel day of spring break. This helps avoid chaos at the airports, traffic on the road, and at check in at your resort.
The same goes for your travel day home. Sunday is when most families will head back. If this is your only option, try and get an earlier fight. In the past I have always booked afternoon flights to avoid the super early transfer time to the airport. However, an earlier flight could potentially help avoid delays at the airport and less crowds.
Avoid checking a bag! This is my biggest tip at any time of the year. This saves time and money. Most airlines average about $35 per checked bag, each way. For a family of 4, that adds up! If you don’t check a bag, you get to skip the long line at check in, and these can get pretty long! When you return home, you don’t have to wait 30-45 minutes for your luggage to come off the plane. Between your carry-on and your personal item (bag/ backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you) you can truly fit all that you need for spring break. Think about it. Sundresses, bathing suits, and a couple pairs of shoes. Easy! All hygiene products now come in travel sizes. I can take a 7 day vacation to a destination that requires bulkier clothing and still make a carry-on and personal item work. For more tips:
TSA/ Global Entry /Clear are gamechangers! Also, MyTSA app (https://www.tsa.gov/mobile) provides estimated wait times at each airport’s security lanes so you can plan ahead and time your arrival accordingly. Travel is busy! I can’t stress this enough. Adding the fact that it is spring break makes it a guarantee! I always tell my clients, “get there early, have an extra mimosa and start your vaca early, rather than running through the airport.”
If flying isn’t in the cards for you and your family, road trips are so much fun… when well prepared. Here are some great tips from our last trip. https://www.farawayplacestravel.com/road-trip-recap-tips/
I hope these tips and suggestions help you feel confident enough to say, “let’s do it!” Happy Travels.
Looking for more tips and travel advice? Visit https://www.farawayplacestravel.com/blog/
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