Last year I wrote a post titled, Tips For Making Holiday Travel More Bearable. It is common knowledge that Thanksgiving is the most stressful time of year for travel. Travel is expensive, airports are packed, flights are delayed and the whole thing can be a miserable experience. Yet this Thanksgiving, Matt and I are traveling to Portugal. I want to use this upcoming trip as a case study for my readers to see how you all can make Thanksgiving travel more manageable and even enjoyable (hint: don’t bring children)

We Depart the Friday Before Thanksgiving

School is still in session early next week and the Friday before is far enough out that airports should be relatively normal. Others might have thought the same so I am sure there will be an uptick at Boston Logan this Friday compared to most, but it shouldn’t be too bad.

It Is Not Thanksgiving in Portugal

Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to travel abroad as it is uniquely an American holiday. This means the local population is still working, foreign tourists are minimal and restaurant prices/menus are normal. Portugal is also quite a bit away from the United States so you aren’t getting American tourist numbers like you would in Cancun. Finally, much of the travel for Thanksgiving is visiting family within the United States.

We Are Returning on Saturday

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is one of (if not the) busiest travel days of the year. Luckily, that is not the case in Lisbon, so we would only feel that in Boston upon landing. However, we are coming home on Saturday which will be busier than the typical Saturday, but way less stressful than the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Global Entry should make a longer line at customs more bearable.

Avoiding Domestic Layovers

Holiday travel means more people. More people means more travel delays. Matt and I do have a layover, but it is in Lisbon where Thanksgiving travel will be minimal. I strongly recommend traveling direct or connecting internationally for Thanksgiving travel.

Clear or Pre-Check Will Save Us Time

Even if the airport is mobbed, we won’t have to wait more than 30 minutes (and I would be shocked if this is even the case) to clear security. Also a lot of the same credit cards that will get you into the lounges will also pay for Clear and/or Pre-Check.

We Will Wait in the Lounge

Boston has plenty of lounge opportunities for frequent and infrequent travelers. Even if it is a little busier than usual this Friday, Matt and I will escape the hustle and bustle and sit in the lounge until it is time to board. Remember so many credit cards now provide lounge access now.

Obviously, there are other ways to help limit the stress (hello business class), but the items above were meant to be more of a realistic list that anyone could follow. Thanksgiving travel can be hectic but there are ways to make it easier. Where are you traveling for Thanksgiving?

Bon Voyage,

Andrew