The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects an uptick in travelers this spring break. Specifically, current trends indicate a 6% increase in travel volume compared to last year. An increase in this measure equates to longer lines at the airport and at your final destination when traveling during busy periods like spring break.
Spring break is traditionally a popular time for travel, with students off from school and families more able to spend time away from home. Anyone hitting the road or skies in March and April must prepare for crowds. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 2024 cruise bookings increased 28% for this time of year compared to 2023. Travel abroad is also rising, with a 20% increase in international flight bookings.
No need to panic. If a spring break trip is on deck for March or April, you can enjoy the vacation without succumbing to the stressors of a busy travel season. Travel experts point out planning and prioritizing relaxation and patience are vital to having a successful spring break experience.
Advance Planning Matters
Most travel comes with months of planning, but extra time is necessary for busy seasons like spring break. Marjolein Dilven, founder of Spark Nomad, emphasizes how planning far in advance is key for a successful vacation. Dilven notes, “Book flights and accommodations in advance to secure better deals and ensure availability. When doing so, consider flexible travel dates when you have the luxury to do so.”
Mapping out tickets for attractions at the final destination is also important to do ahead of time. Dilven mentions this helps to avoid long lines encountered when making last-minute decisions.
Planning extends beyond booking the vacation and includes preparing for the travel day. For travel journalist Megan duBois, planning a stress-free spring break trip includes allowing for extra time in her travels. She advises, “If you’re heading to the airport, try to get there at least two hours early to get through security.”
duBois also urges travelers to think ahead regarding matters like tracking suitcases. She recommends that every piece of luggage, even carry-ons, include a Bluetooth tracker, “so that you can track them from place to place. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had to gate-check a bag and felt relief when I knew I had a tracker in the suitcase already.”
Include Time To Relax
Spring break travel is synonymous with crowds and long lines. Combat this by including relaxation into the vacation itinerary, as experts point out. Monica Fish, founder of Planner at Heart, has learned the art of a stress-free spring break vacation. She shares, “For our family, having resort days or unscheduled days helps keep it fun and prevents everyone from tiring out. We often enjoy the pool and hotel during the weekend and visit crowded attractions on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday when the crowds are smaller.”
Relaxation time is as important while traveling as it is at the final destination. Scheduling this time during multi-day road trips matters, as duBois notes. duBois adds, “For families hitting the road, leave early in the morning and try to stop between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.” Stopping earlier in the day “will give you plenty of time to enjoy the city you’ve stopped in, plus find a hotel, get a meal, and get to bed to feel refreshed before your next leg of the journey.”
Pack Plenty of Patience
In addition to remembering the essentials like sunscreen and extra socks, duBois notes, “The number one rule for traveling during the busy seasons, especially spring break, is to pack your patience.” Exercising patience during a busy travel season begins at the airport; as she continues, “Everyone else wants to get to their destinations, too, so there’s no use in being rude to others.”
Spring break is a busy time of year for travel for a reason. Often, it’s the only time families can take off from school and work. Sarah Gilliland, founder of On The Road With Sarah and Travel Editor at Wealth of Geeks, reminds travelers to be mindful of the popularity of spring break. She notes, “If you can only vacation when everyone else can, do not stress about long lines or busy destinations.” Managing expectations and being patient are the most important factors when determining how much a family will enjoy their spring break.
Rather than obsess over crowds, Gilliland recommends focusing “on what you can do and enjoy that will help your vacation be enjoyable instead of one big headache.” Another bonus tip Gilliland wants families to remember is to eat. She adds, “Too often, family vacations can turn south quickly because you are out of your normal routine, and everyone is hungry and may not have realized it.”
Travel during busy seasons involves unmet expectations, especially when met with large crowds. Sticking to a routine and remembering the basics make for a less stressful experience for everyone.
