It’s that time of the year again when airport crowds are getting everyone annoyed. Thankfully, travel experts are here to offer the following tips:

Avoid peak travel dates

For Thanksgiving, the Wednesday before and Sunday after are known to bring chaos to airports. There are often deals on Thanksgiving Day and you will arrive in time for the family feast with minimal stress from traveling. As for Christmas and New Year’s, the most popular and expensive dates for travel usually fall on days that let you to maximize long weekends so that you don’t take extra days off from work. Being flexible with these dates would guarantee that you breeze through the airport.

Know your airports

If there’s an alternate airport, go for it. Especially during holiday season, alternate airports can save you time and money, not only on your flight, but also parking, rental cars, traffic to and from, and airport hotels.

Enroll for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Arguably the best investment for traveling domestically, TSA’s PreCheck program costs $85 and Global Entry costs $100. Both are valid for five years and you’ll be all set to speed through security without having to take off shoes, belts or jackets, while leaving laptops and liquids in your luggage! Global Entry includes the domestic benefits of TSA PreCheck and added benefits through Customs and Immigration lines when traveling abroad.

Plot connections carefully

If you’re not flying direct, you should definitely leave enough time during layovers in case of flight delays or weather mishaps. High travel season tends to contribute to flight delays and as the holiday season is in winter, you can never predict the weather. If possible, try making your layover at airports in warmer climates.

Use time wisely

Leave early. During the holiday season, transportation and security lines are bound to take up more time. Gas up your car the night before you travel. Another tip on saving time is to make technology your friend. Take advantage of online check-in, printing your boarding pass at home, using check-in kiosks and bag drop-off, or even using your smartphone for a boarding pass.

Pack wisely

One tip that will save you a lot of time and money is packing light. Many airlines, especially domestic ones, charge for checked bags so it would work in your favor to use a carry-on. However, don’t try to stuff everything in without considering the TSA rules. Liquids and gels have to be in 3.4 ounce or smaller containers in one quart-sized Ziploc bag. Drinks can be brought on your flight if you purchase them after security. To have a smooth boarding experience, make sure you only have 1 carry-on and 1 handbag/personal item.

Travel early or late in the day

To beat the crowd, you might want to travel when everyone else would rather be sleeping. Traveling at uncommon hours almost guarantees travel with no delays.

Play holiday tunes and be at ease

During stressful times when traveling, playing some holiday tunes might get your mind off the frustrations and impatience you’re experiencing, and remind you why you’re traveling in the first place. Relax, and remember to breathe.

Traveling does not have to be stressful and crowded during holiday season, provided that you travel smart. FROSCH hopes these holiday travel tips lead to an enjoyable experience at the airport!