Holiday times and the summer season are peak travel periods for airlines, trains, and roadways. The tourism industry also flourishes as hosts and hostesses show their friends and family around town. For some, this can mean an excessive increase in spending and a huge investment of time. Yet, it doesn’t always have to be. Below are a few great time-saving tips savvy travelers live by.

When you’re expecting a three-day weekend ahead, try taking two days before the break instead of one.

The convention for most people is to take Friday off for holidays that fall on a Monday. But for a busy holiday, like the Fourth of the July, this can put you smack dab in the middle of “early” holiday traffic. Instead, take off Thursday and Friday. This extra day of vacation can help you avoid long lines and unsafe road conditions due to high volume.

During the holidays especially, people often seem to leave for their destinations all at the same time. Suppose you have plans to travel to a relative’s home for the upcoming holiday. You say you want to leave work early the day before to beat the crowds. But did you consider perhaps that most everyone in your area has the plan? To bypass even the early-bird crowds, plan to leave not just a little early, but as early as you can.


When planning for a holiday like Thanksgiving that falls on a Thursday each year, try taking off Monday through Wednesday to get a head start.

Holiday travel periods like these are usually a time people use to catch up with family. Taking the extra day or two gives you more time to bond as well as beating the holiday rush.

When driving, retire early and try to leave out the next day long before dawn.

This is a little twist to driving at night. Now, instead of driving in the pm hours when you’re more likely to drift to sleep, you can take advantage of the lighter traffic during the night hours while not being as tired.

When flying or taking a train, take early morning departures.

Many people book their flights around 7am or 8am, but some airlines and trains begin their schedules as early 5am or 6am. Take advantage of these times and their possibly reduced travel fares.

Consider alternate modes of transportation.

Planes, trains, and cars and trucks are the first and fastest way people think of to travel, but have you ever considered making a trip through the MidAtlantic while on a bike? Or on a ferry from one seaport to another? These are other excellent ways to get where you're going fast without the hassle of the long lines associated with more traditional means.