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7 tips for a stress-free holiday trip, from flight attendants and travel pros
I'm traveling by plane for the holidays this year, and honestly, I feel bittersweet about it. Holiday travel can be full of cheer, especially when you're reuniting with people you love, but it's also a notorious hassle in most cases. While I can't control things like traffic jams and flight delays, I'm determined to make this journey as painless as possible.
So I decided to consult with a few travel experts — flight attendants, a travel agent and a YouTube travel influencer — to refresh my stash of secrets for surviving holiday travel (I'm a little bit rusty). I came away with tips, hacks and a list of packing essentials that'll help me not just survive, but thrive.
If you're gearing up for your own holiday travel by plane, train or automobile, keep scrolling. These pros recommended some tips I — a constant traveler — didn't even know, as well as clever items that'll make the trip easier, comfier and more enjoyable. Stress is not on the agenda this season.
1. Protect your peace with these two quiet-time tricks
If you're traveling by plane, select your seat wisely in advance to minimize noise. "For most travelers, a window seat near the front of the plane would be the most comfortable option," said Mercedes Zach, travel agent for ASAP Tickets. "The front of the plane is more quiet, as the engines are located under the wings, further down the plane."
However you travel, Zach recommends putting on noise-canceling headphones once you're in your seat and streaming pink noise. "Unlike white noise, which plays evenly at the same frequency, pink noise intensity decreases as the frequency increases, similar to the sound of beach waves, steady rainfall, and rustling leaves," she says.
Soundcore/Amazon
Newsflash: Those noise-cancelling headphones Zach recommends don't have to cost you hundreds. One of Amazon's top-rated headsets, with 59K five-star reviews, is this affordable option by Anker. They're just $50 on sale (usually $60).
The sound quality and comfort level (it has memory foam ear pads) are on par with models five to seven times the price, and Anker is a trusted brand better known for its chargers and power banks.
These headphones are especially suited to travel thanks to a 60-hour battery life and a handy travel case.
If bulky headphones aren't your style, Anker also makes these noise-cancelling Soundcore earbuds, which are not only low-priced and on sale, but they're also an additional 30 percent off with an on-page coupon.
They're very similar in terms of sound quality and battery life, but in a much smaller and more portable package.
More deals on headphones and earbuds:
Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone and Alexa Built-in, $80 (was $150)
Tozo HT2 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, $30 with on-page coupon (was $60)
Beats Studio Buds: True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, $100 (was $150)
JBL Tune 230NC TWS: True Wireless In-Ear Headphones, $45 (was $100)
2. Squeeze in a snooze en route, but protect your neck and spine.
Sleeping comfortably in the car, train or plane is a skill I still haven't honed, but The Sleep Foundation says that sitting up is a perfectly fine sleep position. Zach has some tips to help lull you into dreamland in a vehicle and prevent a potentially nightmarish trip.
"I would also strongly suggest bringing along a travel pillow, as it will make your sleeping experience a lot more comfortable, and your neck will be thankful for that after the flight. If you're a regular flyer, investing in a good pillow will soon pay off massively," she told Yahoo.
The Cabeau travel pillow goes the extra mile with memory foam and a firm, neck-friendly construction.
It offers chin support, high sides and a thickened back, so whatever direction you nod off in, you're covered.
It comes in a portable case that also includes ear plugs, so you can block out the world for a few hours — or until the holiday revelry begins.
SMART TRAVEL Travel Products
Anyone who's struggled with lower back issues knows a lumbar support pillow is a savior when you have to sit on one spot for hours.
This travel lumbar pillow by SmartTravel has memory foam inside, but it's also inflatable, which means two things: you can customize the firmness, and you can deflate the pillow and pop it in its case for easier packing.
More deals on travel pillows:
Napfun Memory Foam Neck Pillow, $17 (was $22)
Saireider Travel Pillow 100% Pure Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow, $10
Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow, $31 (was $42)
3. Prevent delays and extra costs incurred by overweight checked baggage
Overweight and oversized bags cost you extra money — and apparently they cost the airline money in fuel and taxes, too.
"If you are the person who has an overweight bag and try to sneak it on, you're going to make the aircraft delayed and fellow passengers frustrated," notes former flight attendant Hailey Way. In other words, don't be that person when people are already stressed on their holiday travels.
Instead, "measure and weigh your carry-on bags before you board the aircraft," says Way. Most airlines require your checked bag to be 50 pounds or fewer.
travel inspira
This nifty portable gadget weighs just a few ounces, but it can save you a ton in overweight baggage fees by weighing suitcases and other bags accurately up to 100 pounds.
The travel inspira luggage scale is one of Amazons most popular travel products, with shoppers loving its ergonomic grip and well-lit LCD screen.
Right now, you can save 10 percent with an on-page coupon.
This retro, lightweight, retractable tape measure by Singer is great to have on hand to make sure your carry-ons and checked bags are within the size requirements. These vary by airline, but a 96-inch tape measure will have you covered.
It even has a loop, so you can attach it to your keys or backpack and bring it along for your travel buddies to borrow.
More deals on travel measuring tools:
Mini retractable tape measure (3 Packs), $4 (was $7)
Retractable 60-inch tape measure, $5 (was $7)
4. Keep your carry-on as small and light as possible
As a person who used to have a bad back, I learned the hard way that flight attendants are not required to lift your heavy bag into the overhead compartment. Katie Storck, a flight attendant for Southwest, confirmed this for me, and added, "The smaller your carryon is the easier it is to board."
I'll add that a carry-on that also has wheels saves you from straining in the airport, and saves time so you or a kind passenger won't struggle lifting it or finding space to stash it.
"After takeoff, try pulling your bag out from under the seat and placing it behind your calves. This trick can free up some leg space while still keeping your bag within reach," adds Megan Gougeon, the travel expert behind the popular YouTube channel Portable Professional.
Get smart about your carry-on bag, literally, with this smart luggage that has a built-in USB port for charging your personal tech on the go.
It's small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, so you won't even have to lift it, and its smooth wheels make it a cinch to navigate.
More deals on carry-ons:
Kroser Carry On Underseat, $70 (was $77)
Vankean 17.3 Inch Rolling Laptop Bag, $79 with on-page coupon (was $88)
5. Keep yourself well-fed and hydrated, and skip alcohol if you want to sleep well
You certainly don't need to remind me to eat and drink, but this kind of prep tends to fall by the wayside for some travelers. Ward off dehydration — which is worse during air travel — and the consequences of traveling while hangry by going beyond the typical water bottle route.
"Instead of a water bottle, I travel with a wide-mouth thermos. It keeps drinks hot or cold and is great for instant meals like oatmeal or soup, which you can make using the free hot water on most flights," says Gougeon.
STANLEY/Amazon
Ever hear of Stanley tumblers? I kid! Of course you have, but water bottles aren't the brand's only bread and butter.
This Stanley wide-mouth thermos is also a mega-popular product on Amazon, and it keeps liquids cold or hot for up to 24 hours.
It's BPA-free, leak-proof and rust-proof, so it's a trusty travel companion, even on a road trip that's bumping you around. I love that it has a cool, collapsible handle and the cap doubles as a cup.
"Remember that alcohol and caffeine aren’t the answer for airplane sleep, as that can lead to more awakenings and worse sleep quality," adds Zach. "It's best to consume still water or herbal tea in between your sleep time."
PackIt/Amazon
Gougeon notes that solid food will be your best friend on a road trip or plane ride, too. This PackIt freezable snack box with built-in ice packs keeps everything sealed up and fresh, and its small size makes it easy to pack.
More deals on portable food and drink containers:
Contigo SnapSeal Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug, $28 (was $30)
Thermos Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar with Spoon, $25
EasyFun Insulated lunch bag, $10 (was $20)
Coobiiya Lunch Bag, $10
6. Stave off sickness by boosting your immune system
Getting sick during the holidays is the pits, but it's not just your imagination — it actually is more common to get sick while you travel, especially when you're in an enclosed and poorly ventilated space for a prolonged period. Way says she packs vitamin C tablets whenever she travels, and so do I.
Airborne's effervescent, orange-flavored tablets have an outstanding 4.8 star rating on Amazon and more than 12,000 perfect reviews.
Just plop a tablet in water and it goes to work creating a fizzy drink packed with vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, selenium, magnesium and more immune-boosting vitamins and minerals.
More deals on immunity-boosters for travel:
Airborne Elderberry + Zinc & Vitamin C Gummies, $13 (was $14)
Nuun Hydration Immunity Electrolyte Tablets With 200mg Vitamin C, $14 (was $15)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, $22.50 (was $25)
Serfeymi Pill Pouch Bags for Travel (Pack of 120), $5 (was $6)
7. Dress for comfort both on and off the plane (or train or car)
"If you want to make yourself feel as comfortable as possible, be sure to wear cozy, stretchy clothing and put on some warm and cozy socks or change into your favorite pair of slippers," says Zach.
In my opinion — and the opinion of countless social media influencers — two-piece lounge sets are the only way to go for all kinds of travel.
This No. 1 bestselling two-piece set is a TikTok sensation for travelers and it's been described as rivaling Oprah's favorite set by Spanx in terms of fit and quality. It's thick, stretchy, soft and comes in more than 20 colors.
Not your vibe? No worries, we've rounded up seven other selections of cozy matching sets that are travel-ready.
And did somebody say cozy socks and your favorite pair of slippers? Well, I say combine them — I love a multitasker.
I dare you to find a more adorable set of slipper socks than these for less than $10 on sale. With faux sherpa a non-slip tread, they're the perfect footwear for a journey of zero steps.
Choose from 13 colors.
"Compression socks are also a great option to consider, as they are designed to prevent leg soreness and ensure healthy blood circulation during your sleep," says Zach. If you're the kind of person who sustains swelling from air travel or you have a particularly long flight booked, pack a pair in your purse.
Physix Gear Sport/Amazon
These compression socks help prevent swelling and improve your circulation while you're in the air.
More deals on cozy travel clothes:
Lillusory Women's 2 Piece Lounge Set, $43 with on-page coupon (was $73)
Charmking Compression Socks (8 pairs), $18 (was $32)
Snoozies Slippers, $12 (was $14)
