How to Travel in the Winter
Who here thinks they can’t travel in the winter?I know I did.Why the heck would I go somewhere when it’s cold instead of waiting until it gets warmer? Well, for starters, it’s cheaper. There are typically fewer crowds (with the exception of Northern Light regions). On top of that, who ever said that you need to be warm to enjoy a destination?I’ll even prove it to you.One of my posts in the upcoming weeks is going to be a full weekend-long guide on how to make the most of winter in Boston.But for now, here’s some of my favorite tips on how you can make the most of a wintery vacation.
Go Somewhere Off-Season
It is so much cheaper to travel somewhere that’s colder in the winter time. It’s one of the first lessons I learned as a travel agent. You’ve probably heard the term off-season before. To quickly refresh, it basically means the time of year when a destination has the least amount of tourists. In contrast, the high season will see airline tickets and hotel rates increase because so many people want to travel to that destination.Take Europe, for example. High season for most European countries is late April to early October, if we’re being generous. However, during the wintertime, it’s much more affordable to plan a trip there.It’s super easy to figure out when the best time to go to a destination is. Consult Google or just ask your favorite travel agent.It’s me.I’m your favorite travel agent.
Pack Layers
I know I’m the queen of the capsule wardrobe, but this is definitely an instance where more is more. There’s nothing worse than being cold and having all your layers on. Summer is much easier to pack for. Shorts, t-shirts, dresses, bathing suits -- they’re all lightweight and compact. Wintertime means layers and sweaters, boots and jackets.I would always recommend packing a little more than you think you need in the winter.That is not me saying bring a week’s worth of clothes on a weekend getaway to New Hampshire.Use your common sense. You’re here, after all. You clearly have it.
This, for example, is one of those moments. The photo looks cool but I was absolutely freezing.
If You Can Fly Non-Stop, Do It
This isn’t something I would have considered before becoming an agent but now, whenever I travel in the winter, I always fly non-stop.Think about it.Winter weather means flight delays more often than not. Whether it’s ice or snow or wind in your departure city or your destination, your plane could be delayed for hours. If you have a connection to make, you’ll probably miss it.Unless you have a ten hour layover somewhere. In which case, what are you doing?This applies for bus or train travel as well. The fewer connections you can potentially miss, the less likely you are to get stranded somewhere.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative
This might be one of my favorite parts of traveling during off-peak times. I get to really stretch the bounds of my creativity. With some major tourist-y activities off the table, I have to improvise. Build my own.For example, if you’re going to London in January, you’re probably not going to want to go on an open roof bus tour of the city. However, that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice the whole experience. Look up what public bus routes will take you by the monuments you’d see on a tour and then go sit on the top level. Not only is it cheaper, it’s warmer too!
Start Your Travel Days Early
This is super technical but also so true. Think about it. If, for some reason, your early flight gets cancelled, you have way more of a chance of getting on a flight later that day. The same is true for buses and trains.If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you have fewer opportunities to get on a later plane.
Getting up early isn't only great for getting perfect photo lighting. It can also save your travel plans!
Take Out Travel Insurance
Like every post, this one is not sponsored by anyone or anything. However, this is, by far, one of the most valuable things you can take on your trip with you. Especially if you plan to travel in the winter. Lots of travel insurance plans today cover Trip Delay. Allianz’s policy that we sell at Liberty Travel stipulates that you’re eligible for compensation (up to $200) if your flight is delayed more than 5 hours.No, it won’t stop you from having that six hour delay...But wouldn’t you rather have a 6 hour delay and $200? That’s all from me for now, folks. Leave a comment below or come find me on social media and let me know some of your tips and tricks for surviving the winter!