Heading to grandma's house for Thanksgiving? Getting out of the cold and vacationing by the beach? Whatever your holiday plans are, you'll need affordable car rentals to get you around. Here are seven tips for smoother Thanksgiving travel.
Avoid Peak Travel Times
Since Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, the Wednesday before is the busiest time to travel. Traveling on Thanksgiving itself or earlier in the week is usually fine. You may even find extra discounts or cheaper airfare if you don't mind traveling on the holiday itself.
Book as Early as Possible
It's almost never too early to make holiday travel plans. The closer you get to Thanksgiving, the higher rates will be. Get your rental coupons together and call around to find the best deals in your area. As soon as you choose your dates of travel, book your flights, too.
Consider Smaller Airports
Tickets may be a bit more expensive, but flying out of a smaller airport usually means less crowding and fewer delays — something that's extra important around Thanksgiving. Plus, you can usually get a great rental deal even at small airports.
Leave Earlier Than You Think
Never assume that there's a day or time when the roads aren't going to be congested around Thanksgiving. Leave earlier than you think you should — you never know when traffic, jammed parking lots, or extra long security lines will slow you down.
Pack Smart for the Trip
It's always best to get all of your necessities into a carry-on, which means you don't have to check luggage, wait for it at your destination, or worry about the airline losing your bags. However, double-check the rules about what you can and cannot carry onto a plane. Review your pre-departure checklist before hitting the road.
There's so much you can do from your phone before you even hit the road. Compare rental car prices, print out your boarding passes, and check in at the airport — all from your phone. Plot connecting flights with plenty of time between them so you don't miss your second flight.
Compare rates from independent agencies and lock in your holiday travel plans early.