The Ultimate Thanksgiving Travel Guide

Tips, timing, and stress-free planning

Thanksgiving travel: notoriously busy, but totally worth it when you’re reuniting with family, enjoying a long weekend, and kicking off the holiday season. And this year, we’re making it even better with the ultimate Thanksgiving Travel Guide. From smart packing hacks to airport time-savers, here’s how you can skip the travel stress and focus on the good stuff—football, family, and, of course, pumpkin pie.

It may be the busiest travel time of the year, but these strategies will keep your travels smooth and stress-free!

• Leave for the airport early

  Pretty much everyone is familiar with the 2-hour recommendation. But on busy travel days, like Thanksgiving week, that might not be enough. Give yourself extra time to drive (or ride-share) to the airport, find parking, and get through security.

  Buffer time means less stress, you guys!

• Track your flight obsessively

  Airline apps often have the latest information, even before the screens at the airports do. Use the app for gate changes, delays, and real-time updates.

  To avoid dealing with airport Wi-Fi, which can be notoriously spotty, download the apps you might need at home. Be sure to sign in, create an account, and add flight info before you leave home, so you’ll be all set at the airport.

• Bring snacks

  Between getting there early and possible flight delays, you may end up spending more time at the airport than expected. And when you start to get hungry, airport restaurants are slammed—and pricey.

  Pack snacks and even backup meals into your personal item. Think simple items like granola bars, pre-cut fruit, or nuts, which can keep the hanger away without sugar spikes.

  Thanksgiving Travel Guide Bonus Tip: Skip messy or greasy foods, but pack a clean shirt in your personal item, just in case.

• Keep essentials on hand

  If your flight is delayed, you might not have access to your luggage for longer than expected.

  Is there anything you absolutely need to have with you while traveling? Think medication, charging cords, toiletries… If so, pack those items in your personal item for when you need them.

• Avoid packing gifts

  There are tons of reasons to travel with gifts—family you may not see in December, early gift exchanges, even early/late birthday gifts. But wrapped items might get unwrapped during security screenings, boxes can get bent, and anything fragile is risky.

  The verdict? Leave the gifts out and keep your luggage lighter.

• Charge everything

  We’re not talking about shopping, we’re talking about electronics. Charging stations and outlets are prime spots at the airport and fill up fast. Charge phones, tablets, laptops, and anything else before you leave the house.

  Thanksgiving Travel Guide Bonus Tip: Long layover? A fully charged power bank can be a lifesaver!

• Pack an expandable tote

  Whether it’s Black Friday shopping, souvenirs, or gifts from well-meaning friends or relatives, your bags might be coming home with more than you left. Instead of trying to squeeze everything into one suitcase, let an expandable tote handle anything extra.

  Surprisingly, adding a second bag is often less expensive than flying with just one overweight bag—but check with your specific airline just to be sure.

• Prep for kids

  Traveling with kids? Those long travel days are tough on little ones. Here a few quick tips to make it easier, on all of you.

  – Boredom = hunger. Bring extra snacks, and lots of them.
  – Pack a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or other comfort item in your personal item.
  – Make sure they’re wearing comfy clothes and shoes, nothing tight.
  – Hit the dollar store for new toys or books; pull them out for an easy win.
  – Download movies before you head to the airport, so they can watch even without Wi-Fi.
  – Kids can be messy; bring an extra travel outfit in your personal item for emergencies.
  – Did we mention the snacks yet?

• Keep essentials on hand

  If your flight is delayed, you might not have access to your luggage for longer than expected.

  Is there anything you absolutely need to have with you while traveling? Think medication, charging cords, toiletries… If so, pack those items in your personal item for when you need them.

• Ship your bags

  The number one tip in our Thanksgiving travel Guide? Ship your bags to your Turkey Day destination with LugLess. No worries about packed gifts, overweight bags, long check-in lines, or crowds at baggage claim. So you can breeze through the airport with just your essentials.