Holiday Tips for Travelling
Travelling during the holiday season is never easy: Think traffic jams, sweltering summer heat, delayed flights, and crowded airports. When you add squirming kids into the equation, you may be tempted to simply hunker down at home.
Nevertheless, loads of South Africans are expected to hit the road this holiday season. The holidays are a great time to visit relatives, reconnect with old friends, or even (lucky you!) take that long-awaited holiday to an exotic destination. “The trick to smooth holiday travel is careful planning," says Eileen Ogintz, creator of the travel site TakingTheKids.com. " And whenever you're on the road with children, it's important to stay flexible and calm."
Keep your cool—and keep your kids happy—by following these savvy travel tips from our experts.
Avoid peak travel dates
Be smart when selecting your travel dates. If you’re taking a flight to Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg, flights in the week before Christmas, and before and after New years are the most expensive. Flights on Christmas day or on New Year’s Eve are more affordable. Use search engines and shop around for flexible dates and times that suit your pocket.
Leave early
Rather than aiming to “arrive at the airport early,” you may want to try to “leave for the airport early” to anticipate all the peripheral delays you may encounter.
Pack smart
Avoid being surprised at check-in with a bill for an overweight suitcase. Plan your outfits for the trip. If you can buy toiletries on arrival to avoid having liquids in your luggage and have extra room for shoes. Wink, wink ladies…
Keep your cool
Do not ever lose your temper, even if things go wrong. You’re more likely to get better customer service with a smile on your face. Yelling at an airline employee or at each other when things go wrong will ruin the holiday atmosphere you are ultimately striving for. Don’t let your trip start off with a grump.
Prepare for the unpredictable
Prepare for emergencies. Life is unpredictable and having an emergency away from home can put a dampen on your family holiday. Take note of Bankmed’s emergency contact information for travel within and outside of South Africa. You can access the information via our website or the Bankmed mobile app.
Chill out
Last but certainly not least, remember why you’re on holiday. Take time to enjoy the company of your friends and family, read a good book, lie on the beach or meditate. Revel in the downtime before the New Year rush.
Happy traveling.