Posted on Friday, December 05 2025
There’s nothing more heartwarming than knowing you’re going home for the holidays – and nothing more heart attack-inducing than knowing you’re going to have to be traveling during the busy holiday season. Especially if there’s an airport involved.But holiday travel doesn’t have to be painful. Keep these tips in mind and we promise you’ll have a better trip.
Set out with the right mindset: Recognizing that your holiday trip might come with some delays and setbacks, and being prepared to weather them, is your best defense against holiday travel stress. Assuming that there may be some bumps along the way not allowing yourself to get frustrated will make the whole process easier.
Don’t rush:Every travel expert says this, but it’s true: Give yourself enough time to get to your destination, and build in some extra ‘holiday delay time’ to ensure you aren’t racing through a terminal or honking at the cars in front of you. Leaving yourself an extra hour or two can make a huge difference to whether you arrive happy – or completely frazzled and drained.
Use travel apps: You don’t have to become one of those super-travelers who run their whole trip on phone-based applications, but familiarizing yourself with a couple of basic ones (like airport/airline trackers and a driving app like Waze) can help you navigate delays or cancellations more easily. You may even be able to enjoy delays if you know about them in advance!
Pack smarter: Consider what you might need in the event of a delay or change of plans, and keep those items handy. A book, an extra pair of underwear, face cream, a snack, a bottle of water – whatever will help you feel just a little bit better if you’re faced with a delay or setback – can make a huge difference when you’re starting to feel demoralized. (And don’t forget to keep passports, ID and travel documents easily accessible at all times!)
Pack smarter for kids: Holiday travel can be extra-stressful with kids in tow. Here again, a little planning is your best defense: Small toys, games, snacks and fidget items can help distract and soothe children who may be disoriented or up well past their bedtimes. Giving kids their own little backpacks can give them a feeling of responsibility – and provide a little extra room for a blankie or stuffie to provide comfort.
Headphones and chargers: We’re not going to tell you that you need every travel gadget in the world to make your holiday trip better, but a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, spare charging cables and an extra battery will help you withstand even the longest of delays.
Stay calm, courteous and polite: Everyone you encounter during your holiday travel is in the same boat: Either they’re traveling during the stressful season, or they’re working during the stressful season. It’s not easy for anyone. Resolving to stay calm and polite, even in the face of frustrating situations, will deliver better results for everyone.
How Premiere Suites can help
As the largest provider of corporate housing in Canada, we know travel challenges. With more than 1500 furnished suites, homes and townhomes across Canada, plus a network of more than 10,000 more furnished residences, we’ve got accommodations to suit just about everyone!