Christmas is one of the best times to travel, however, it can be quite a challenge if you’re not prepared. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow a series of tips for a stress-free Christmas travel with minimal complications.
For instance, LOCK & enjoy! becomes your ally during this season when it comes to organisation. The reason is that we offer secure places where you can leave everything you need (suitcases, personal belongings, shopping bags, backpacks, etc.). We would like to mention that we are available in:
- Sevilla
- Madrid
- Valencia
- Paris
- Málaga
- Barcelona
- Las Palmas
- Palma de Mallorca
- Benidorm
- San Sebastián
Christmas Travel Tips for Maximum Enjoyment
Nothing should go wrong at Christmas, hence the importance of following the tips explained in this article.
Check Your Vehicle
If you are travelling by car, we advise you to have it checked beforehand, as well as to book an appointment at your garage well before your departure date. The reason is that there’s higher demand during the festive season, and some dealerships may be closed for the holidays.
It usually gets cold in most places during Christmas, and there might be snow, so tyres, windshield wipers, lights, and the battery are key elements to check.
This tip is very important because having a breakdown on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day is not the same as on any other day of the week or month.
Avoid Crowds
Keep in mind that the festive period spans from 24 December to 7 January. However, the days of the week change according to the calendar. For example, this year Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Tuesday, so it is likely that many people will have decided to start their holidays from the day before, or even from the weekend prior.
Avoiding crowds is essential to reach your destination on time. We recommend making a brief plan and avoiding key days (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Epiphany), both for your departure and return.
Also, set a specific departure and return time, and, above all, the earlier the better, i.e., start your outbound and return journey as early as possible.
Light Meals
Heavy or rich meals are not advisable, either before setting out or during the journey. The reason is simple, eating heavily can cause increased drowsiness, and this detail in a driver can be very dangerous. Furthermore, drowsiness significantly increases if such meals are had during naptime. The same goes for energy drinks, as they can create a false sense of control while driving.
Therefore, we recommend having a light snack before departing and depending on the duration of your journey, you should replenish your energy at each stop. For example, a coffee with toast, a piece of fruit, or an energy bar.
Planning
Planning a trip involves more than just sticking to the GPS. Several other factors must be considered:
- Christmas is one of the times of the year most prone to strikes in the air and rail sectors. Therefore, we advise you to stay alert to possible news on this front, as such a situation could affect your trip. To avoid this, it’s important to have a Plan B, i.e., have an additional mode of transport at hand.
- Weather conditions are also very important. Ideally, check the website of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), as it is one of the most reliable sources for forecasts and alert levels. Knowing the weather during your journey allows you to take necessary precautions to drive safely.
- The state of the roads is also essential, especially after the events in Valencia. The Dirección General de Tráfico informs about the roads affected by closures, works, or any type of traffic-related incident.
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance, even just for the duration of your trip during the festive season, is also highly recommended. Most insurances provide annual coverage, however, there are also temporary options for such getaways.
The aim is to ensure maximum comfort and peace of mind, both for you and your loved ones. During these weeks, the number of travellers increases significantly, therefore, the risk of incidents is much higher in all areas.
If you opt for comprehensive coverage, you’ll be protected against all sorts of situations such as flight cancellations, lost luggage, injuries, or illnesses.
Compare different insurance companies and choose the one that suits you best based on your preferences, and depending on the destination.
Documentation
Documents are indispensable for any type of travel. We explain a number of issues to consider before starting your journey:
- The identity document must be valid, as it is a mandatory requirement to board a plane. To renew this document, you must book an appointment in advance and there is usually a delay, so don’t leave it to the last day. The same applies to the passport.
- If you travel outside the European Union, each country has different requirements for the entry of tourists. Check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the documents needed to enter each country without any problems.
Following these Christmas travel tips can make the difference between a smooth trip and one with unforeseen events. And, remember, if you don’t know where to leave your luggage, book our lockers in the cities where we are present. Enjoy Christmas with LOCK & enjoy!
Sevilla