Traveling during the winter months can add a whole other layer of stress and anxiety to travel. Rather than assuming that nothing with the weather will affect your travel plans at all, in the winter, it’s almost a better bet to assume that something will happen with the weather that will impact your travel in one way or another. But if you’re prepared, you don’t have to let winter weather ruin your travel plans. To show you how you can enjoy traveling during the winter or to a snowy or cold location, here are three tips for traveling to a winter destination.
Get a Nonstop Flight Whenever Possible
If you’re nervous about driving on snowy or icy roads, traveling via airplane can be a good idea. However, airline travel can also have its downside once the temperatures start to drop. But luckily, Ed Hewitt, a contributor to SmarterTravel.com, shares that most big problems with flying happen when you’re at your layover. If you get stuck at home due to bad weather, that won’t cause you much undue stress. Additionally, if you have to spend an extra day at your destination because of the snow or ice, it’s usually pretty manageable. But if you’re stuck in an unfamiliar city in between flights, things can get a little sticky. For this reason, it’s a smart idea to try to get a nonstop flight whenever possible when traveling during the winter. This eliminates the chances of having to deal with problems with two or more planes rather than just one.
Prepare for Inclement Weather
The best way to handle it if the weather gets crazy is to be prepared for anything the winter has to throw at you. Especially if you plan to drive to your winter destination, you’re going to want to ensure that you have everything you will need in your car in the event that some sort of emergency takes place. Weather.com recommends always keeping a blanket in your car to keep you warm if your vehicle no longer works. Also, keeping water or other warm drinks will help you to stay hydrated if you’re forced to stay in your vehicle for a long period of time.
Give Yourself Extra Time
When the weather’s bad, there’s a good chance that that variable is going to affect the amount of time it takes to travel from one place to another. This fact stands regardless of whether you’re driving or taking another form of transportation. With this in mind, TravelSense.org advises planning to take extra time during your travels. This means that you might want to leave earlier than you otherwise would if you need to get to your destination by a certain time. Roads may be icy, planes may need preparation, and other factors with the weather could easily make it so your timetable is stretched too thin. But by planning to give yourself extra time, you should have your bases covered.
If you want to travel somewhere during the winter, use the tips mentioned above to ensure you can do so safely and effectively.
