Traveling at Christmas is a lot like its own holiday movie. Crowded airports. Long lines. Delayed flights. Anxious, rushing families. Flocks of travelers who appear to have never been through security before.
It’s why for most people, Christmas is the absolute busiest, most stressful time of the year to travel. But it doesn’t have to be.
Holiday travel is definitely its own circus, but with a little advanced planning and know-how, you can get through the airports more easily than you think. This Christmas airport travel guide covers everything from booking to packing to passing security to boarding so you know exactly what to do (and what not to do) to stay calm, save time, and have a smooth travel experience during the busiest travel season of the year.
1. Book Flights Early (and Wisely)
Tip #1 for surviving Christmas airports: buy your flight tickets as soon as you can. Flight prices start increasing as early as September, and by mid-December most budget-friendly seats will be gone.
But aside from price, booking early also gives you access to better flight times. Day and time matter more than ever during the holidays.
Morning flights are generally more reliable because delays haven’t accumulated yet. Peak holiday travel is December 21–24 and December 26–30. And if you have any flexibility at all, Christmas Day itself is often surprisingly quiet and cheap.
Traveling last minute? Look at airports within driving distance of your destination, too. Smaller or closer ones tend to be less crowded (and way less expensive) than the major hubs.
2. Arrive Earlier Than You Think You Need To
The standard advice for airport arrival is 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international. Christmas travel advice? Add at least 1 extra hour to that.
The lines are just that long.
Check-in counters move at a snail’s pace. Security lines take what feels like forever. And crowds mean that everything—from baggage drop to the bathroom—takes longer than normal.
If you have time to kill, flight delays and security lines won’t feel as stressful. Arriving early can also mean more time to eat, relax, and recharge, instead of worrying about making your flight.
3. Pre-Check Your Flight Status Before Leaving Home
Holiday flight schedules change constantly. Weather delays, overbooked aircraft, late arrivals from previous flights, and all kinds of other operational problems are common during Christmas.
Don’t end up at the airport only to find out your flight was delayed 4 hours or canceled altogether.
Check your flight status on the airline’s app before you leave home, including your gate number, any changes to check-in or boarding procedures, and any other instructions from the airline.
Apps update more quickly than airport boards and are more accurate than third-party sites. Plus, if your flight is delayed or canceled, you’ll often be able to rebook it right on the app, instead of waiting in line behind disgruntled passengers.
4. Pack Smart to Avoid Security Delays
Security screening lines can double or triple at Christmastime. Agents are handling more passengers and more bags than usual. Families are flying with extra bags and luggage. And nobody thinks twice about bringing wrapped presents, oversized carry-ons, or special holiday foods that will trigger additional bag searches.
To speed through security as quickly as possible, consider:
Skip Wrapped Gifts
Ship gifts ahead of time or pack them in your suitcase, unwrapped. Wrapped gifts will almost always get flagged and opened by security agents.
Know the Liquids Rule
100 ml or less. Fits in a quart-sized clear bag. Per bag. Liquids include:
Lotion
Perfume
Snow globes
Holiday drinks or food items
Call your airline if you’re not sure. Better to pack it in checked baggage than risk getting it confiscated at security.
Wear Easy Layers
Take off easily. Put back on easily. Anything that slows down the line. Boots, scarves, hats, heavy winter coats, and bulkier outfits just take longer for agents to check.
Prepare Your Electronics
Remove laptops and tablets unless you have TSA PreCheck. Cameras, e-readers, and other electronics should be easily accessible and ready to remove before you get to security.
Taking a few minutes to pack smart can help you save a long time at security.
5. Take Advantage of Trusted Traveler Programs
If you travel a lot, seriously consider enrolling in a trusted traveler program before December. Programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR can be lifesavers during Christmas.
Regular security lines can be packed wall-to-wall, while PreCheck often has a short line and travelers zip through since they don’t have to remove shoes, belts, liquids, or electronics.
CLEAR can also help you bypass the ID verification line, which is a major time-saver during holiday travel.
6. Pack Your Carry-On Like You’ll Arrive Checked Baggageless
Winter travel has no guaranteed travel companion like lost baggage. Storms, holiday crowds, and travel delays mean that checked bags will get delayed, lost, or just late enough to mess up your connection. Packing for the holidays is already stressful, but a well-packed carry-on is worth its weight in gold.
Here’s a checklist to make sure your carry-on includes:
Travel documents, IDs
Medications
Chargers and power bank
Snacks and refillable water bottle
Change of clothes
Valuables
Travel-size toiletries
Entertainment (books, downloaded movies, headphones, etc.)
If your checked bag is delayed or lost, you’ll have everything you need to last at least 24 hours.
7. Holiday Treats and Food: Travel-Friendly or Not?
Holiday cookies, candies, baked goods, and food gifts are a normal part of Christmas travel. They’re the perfect treat to share with your family. But not everything is allowed through airport security.
The rules are simple:
Solid foods are fine. Cookies, breads, chocolate, dried snacks.
Spreadable or creamy items are considered liquids. Peanut butter, frosting, gravy, jams, cheese spreads.
Snow globes with more than 3.4 ounces of liquid cannot go in carry-ons.
Pack holiday foods with care or send them ahead by mail. You can always bake cookies at your destination, too.
8. Protect Your Travel Documents and Electronics
Traveling at Christmas is like going into battle with presents. Gifts to wrap. Extra winter coats and boots to pack and unpack. Bags within bags, and bags within bags. Bring a lot, and it’s easy to misplace things or get your stuff mixed up with someone else’s.
Keep your valuables and travel essentials in a specific, zippered area of your carry-on, or even better in a dedicated pouch or bag within your larger suitcase. This includes:
Passport
Boarding pass
Wallet
Cash, credit cards, travel cards
Laptop
Camera
Smartphones
Holiday travel can bring more pickpocketing in the airport (and on trains and buses). Keep your valuables safe and within reach.
9. Prepare Yourself for Long Lines (And Practice Patience)
Lines are just what you can expect at Christmas airports. Here’s where you’ll find them.
Lines at:
Airline counters
Security checkpoints
Boarding gates
Restrooms
Airport cafes and restaurants
Pickup and drop-off areas
It’s where patience in action becomes your secret weapon for surviving airport travel. Build extra time into your schedule, and assume that everything will take longer than normal.
Travelers who go into the season expecting chaos are the ones who weather it with the least amount of stress.
10. Stay Hydrated and Eat When You’re Hungry
Holiday travel often means:
Hurrying through airports
Standing or sitting in long lines
Lots of sitting, waiting, and inactivity
Skipping or delaying meals
Drink water regularly. Eat snacks and meals when you’re hungry, not because you “should.”
Airport restaurant prices will be eye-watering, and lines for food and beverages at Christmas will be just as long as everything else.
11. Invest in the Airport Lounge
Airport lounges are a Christmas traveler’s best friend. Even if you don’t have elite status or an annual membership, you can likely get into most lounges with:
Priority Pass
Specific credit cards
Paid day passes
One-time passes
Most offer access to amenities such as:
Comfortable seating
Snacks and full meals
Drinks
Restrooms
Power outlets
Quiet space to relax or work
Lounges are worth it, especially if you’ve got a delayed flight or are spending a lot of time in a crowded terminal.
12. Charge Your Devices Before You Leave Home
Airports at Christmas are mobbed. Finding an open charging outlet in the airport can be a struggle. Charge everything fully before you leave home and:
Bring a fully charged power bank
Bring a charging cable for each device
Bring a universal travel adapter if you’re flying internationally
Don’t fight for available airport power outlets. Use your own instead.
13. Dress Comfortably (Even If You Want to Dress Festively)
Many Christmas travelers want to get on the plane and look festive and dressed up, either for family photos or for a holiday event they’re traveling to. Don’t try to make the airport time the place to do it.
Comfortable clothing is important because:
You will be walking a lot.
Clothing layers have to come off for security checks.
You might be waiting in lines for long periods of time or sitting still for hours at a time.
Plane temperatures are unpredictable
Don’t wear itchy, uncomfortable clothes or tight shoes. Dress in comfy layers you can easily move in.
If you want to look your best, change into your holiday clothes once you get to your destination.
14. Winter Weather: Anticipate Delays and Have a Plan B
Winter weather can be 100% unpredictable. Snowstorms, fog, ice, and high winds often cause air travel disruptions in December. Don’t let holiday weather surprise you.
Prepare by:
Tracking weather forecasts for your departure and destination areas
Keeping airline app notifications on
Knowing your rights for cancellations
Understanding rebooking options and protocols
Budgeting extra time for missed connections
If severe weather is predicted, call your airline early to find out your options. Airlines often issue travel waivers that allow you to change flights for free.
15. Know What to Do If You Miss or Have a Delayed Flight
Delays and missed flights are common at Christmas. What to do if this happens to you?
Tip #1: Check the airline app before you do anything else. It updates much more quickly than airport agents.
Tip #2: If you need to rebook, go to the line to see an agent, but…
Call the airline customer service number while you wait in line.
Ask if there are flights available on partner airlines.
Know your rights as a passenger before you speak to agents, especially on international flights.
The more you take charge, the more likely you are to get on a new flight quickly.
16. Track Your Luggage
To prevent holiday luggage problems, take these steps:
Add a distinctive luggage tag
Put an ID card inside the suitcase
Install a Bluetooth tracker in your bag
Photograph your luggage before checking it
Keep your claim ticket safe
Weigh your bag at home to avoid having to repack at the counter
Thousands of people come and go through airports during the holiday season, so luggage confusion is incredibly common. Take these small steps to protect yourself from big problems.
17. Stay Calm and Be Kind to Airport Employees
Airport agents, TSA agents, and flight attendants all take a lot of pressure during the holidays. They can’t do their job effectively if they’re also coping with stressed, pushy passengers.
Be patient and kind to the people who work at the airport. It not only makes for a better experience for everyone, it can also help you in case you need assistance.
Happy travelers are more likely to be offered flexibility, seat upgrades, and priority rebooking when things go wrong.
18. Get Travel Insurance to Protect Yourself
Travel is already unpredictable during the winter. Add holiday crowds, potential weather, delays, and lost luggage, and your travel risks go up even more. Travel insurance protects you from:
Canceled flights
Delayed travel
Lost or damaged luggage
Medical emergencies
Unexpected expenses
Travel policies are very affordable compared to the potential costs of ruined holiday travel.
Check out ThePointsGuy’s post on finding the best travel insurance for more details.
Final Thoughts
Traveling at Christmas can be one of the most stressful, chaotic times of the year. It’s also one of the most popular times of the year to travel, and as travel writer Rolf Potts once said, “The better prepared the traveler, the more luck the traveler will have.”
With the right mindset, planning, and a little flexibility, you can make it through even the busiest Christmas airports with minimal headaches. Arrive early. Pack smart. Stay organized. Budget for delays and problems. Be kind to airport staff. The more you do, the better position you’ll be in to travel smart.
The holidays are about joy, time with people you love, travel adventures, and celebration. With these Christmas airport tips, you can focus less on the travel headaches and more on the things that matter most.
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