Traveling to your winter wonderland is exciting, whether going to cold Canada or warm Waikiki. How should you prepare before boarding the plane or putting the key in the ignition? Here are 16 winter travel tips on traveling and driving to make your vacation easier.
Smart Winter Travel Tips for Prepping for Your Journey
Winter trips may be more challenging due to the weather. However, you can heighten your enjoyment with these eight ideas.
1. Pack for the Weather
Imagine you live in a moderately cold climate, and your winter vacation is in Aspen, Colorado. While you may have seen snow before, it’s nothing compared to the environment of a mountain town. In January, the average low temperature in Aspen is zero before the wind chill kicks in. Pack for the cold weather with plenty of thermal clothing, heavy coats and moisture-resistant socks.
Conversely, you may travel from cold weather to warm weather. The last thing you want is to walk around in a parka. When this winter travel occurs, the best tips involve packing just enough cold-weather clothing for the trip. Once you reach your destination, your suitcase should primarily contain garments for warm weather.
2. Bring Snow Boots
When packing clothes for cold weather, warming your face and feet is the most vital step. Experts say about 10% of your body heat escapes from your head, so bring beanies and ski masks to trap the warmth.
While insulated shoes can warm your feet, some people forget how difficult it can be to walk on snow and ice. Sturdy snow boots can save the day. They’re unique because they’re waterproof and prevent moisture from entering. With less snow touching your socks, your feet stay warmer for longer.
Be mindful of brands selling winter boots instead of snow boots. The winter version is more applicable if you want fashion and style, whereas snow boots are practical for the frozen ground.
3. Check Off-Season Rates
With decreased demand, some locations may offer discounted rates in their off-season. Check prices for places you’ve wanted to visit but were afraid of crowds or expense. You may be able to find special winter packages to get more bang for your buck.
One of the best examples of a winter off-season is Hawaii. While the island state sees visitors year-round, the winter has fewer tourists because of the rainy season. Precipitation often occurs from December through March, but it hardly ruins vacations. You typically find lower rates on the Hawaiian islands compared to the other times of the year.
4. Book Flights Early
Another way to save money on winter travels is by booking in advance. Waiting until the week before your trip means you’ll encounter higher prices due to increased demand. Google Flights data says costs are lowest around 38 days before domestic flight departures and 101 days before international travel.
Waiting for the lowest price can be a cat-and-mouse game with the airline, so make it easier by setting up alerts. You’ll know precisely when costs decrease and the best time to buy has arrived. Scheduling flights for Christmas and New Year’s may be a lost cause, so check later in January or February to find deals.
5. Hydrate Your Body
Some family members enjoy the cold weather, whereas others can’t wait to get back in front of the fireplace. Regardless, it’s essential to hydrate when outdoors. You may associate dehydration with hot temperatures, but it can happen any time of the year. Bring water bottles or a reusable thermos and refill them as necessary.
Another underrated aspect of winter travel tips is skincare, considering the drier conditions. Vacationing in a place with lower humidity and colder temperatures means your skin can dry out quickly and become flaky. Prepare your family by bringing plenty of moisturizer. With hydrated skin, you’ll look healthier in photos and feel more confident on the trip.
6. Pack Medications
Winter vacations can take you far from home, so remembering your medical supplies is among the most vital travel tips. Make a checklist of any prescription medicines you’ll need and ensure you have enough until you get back. If you think you may run out, check with your physician before you play in the winter snow.
While you can get over-the-counter medications at your destination, it’s helpful to have them when traveling. Pack pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin if you get headaches or pain. If allergies are an issue, it’s great to have antihistamines in your bag. Winter vacations may take you to elevated areas, so speak to your physician about altitude sickness medication, as well.
7. Try Local Winter Activities
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Living like a local is essential anywhere you travel, especially in winter. What do the townspeople do when snow blankets their yards? Get out of your comfort zone by trying fun activities like ice fishing or cross-country skiing.
Learning your destination is one of the best ways to enjoy your vacation. Before departing, check the community calendar to see what fun winter events are happening during your stay. If there’s a festival or local holiday, you can celebrate with the residents and enhance the trip. For example, a January visit to eastern Canada lets you participate in the Toronto Light Festival.
8. Embrace the Delays
When traveling, you likely know how long it will take to reach your destination, but a delay can throw everything out of whack. While panicking can be tempting, flip the narrative by making the most of your time. Delays mean you have more downtime in the airport, so take advantage of it by having fun with your family and friends.
Winter storms delay thousands of flights, so be aware of this possibility when traveling. Prepare for them by bringing games and other entertainment methods to the airport. With some waits lasting hours or days, you can easily complete a game of Monopoly. If you or your family get antsy, consider browsing shops and restaurants inside and outside the airport.
Winter Driving Tips to Stay Safe
Your vacation may be more friendly to your budget if you drive. With the colder weather in play, how can you stay safe? Use these eight winter driving tips to keep your car and family in superb condition.
1. Check Road Conditions
Before driving, you must check the road conditions and ensure they’re safe. Local media and the National Weather Service are your best friends when determining your area’s safety. If snow has fallen, you may need to wait or exercise caution while driving.
One way to make your trip safer is by removing snow and preventing its damage. For instance, experts recommend trimming branches that could fall onto your vehicle due to the snow’s weight. Another good rule of thumb is to remove it as early as possible to prevent compacting and stretching before shoveling to avoid injury.
Once it has finished, shovel it from your driveway and spread sand. This substance increases traction and decreases the risk of slipping and injuring yourself.
2. Drive Slowly
While it may seem simple, slow driving is essential for safety and security. Winter roads typically have less traction because of ice. If a road doesn’t look dangerous, don’t take it for granted — respect the speed limits and how your car responds. Give yourself plenty of braking distance because your vehicle may have difficulty stopping quickly.
Slow driving is extra important in the winter because cold weather negatively impacts your engine. When the temperatures dip, the vehicle must work harder to propel itself. The Department of Energy says temperatures under 20 degrees Fahrenheit compromise gas mileage by 15% when driving in the city. For short trips, fuel economy can drop as much as 24%.
3. Get an Early Start
Getting up early to start your road trip might not be ideal unless you’re a morning person. However, giving yourself as much daylight as possible is among the best winter driving tips. Start your road trip soon after sunrise to improve your driving experience with maximized visibility. If you can reach your destination by sunset, you’re in good shape.
Night driving is possible in well-lit areas, but it can quickly become dangerous. Imagine your road trip takes you to the countryside with only an occasional streetlamp to guide your way. While powerful headlights are handy, they only go so far as to protect you from deer and other wildlife crossing the road. Maximize daylight by getting on the road sooner.
4. Use a Block Heater
While leaving early is ideal, it may be more difficult to crank up the car if it feels like a tundra under the hood. Cold conditions are suboptimal because they tax your battery and engine more, so how can you mitigate them?
Start with a block heater. This device heats your engine block to ensure your oil and coolant are at a proper temperature before you leave. Doing so reduces engine wear and tear and helps you feel more confident in your vehicle despite the weather.
Whenever you plan to head out, plug in the block heater a few hours beforehand to give your engine time to warm up. Some devices come with timers to make them easier to use.
5. Take Breaks
Road trips can be more cumbersome during the winter because of energy levels. In the cold season, people feel more sluggish because of hormone changes and less exposure to sunlight. Lessen the burden of long road trips by taking breaks and splitting up the travel. If you like to stop and smell the roses, check out charming small towns and shops to make the route more fun.
Another way to split up the road trip and beat the winter blues is to divide the driving responsibilities. If other adults are in the car, ask them to drive about two hours each. Relying on one person to drive the entire way could deprive them of energy once you reach your destination, so it’s wise to give others time behind the wheel.
6. Inspect the Vehicle
If your vehicle is older, consider renting one to reach your destination. However, even new automobiles require an inspection before departing on a long road trip. Take your transportation of choice to a trusted mechanic for a comprehensive review to ensure it’s ready for extended use.
If you do it yourself, here are a few elements to inspect:
- Fluids: When was the last time you got an oil change? Top off the car’s fluids, including the brake, transmission, power steering and windshield wiper.
- Brakes: Cold weather and slippery roads make brakes more valuable than ever. Check the brake pads to ensure they haven’t become too thin.
- Headlights: With early sunsets, don’t take a chance with reduced visibility.
- Recovery gear: The last thing you want is to get stuck during a snowstorm. If you drive on trails, bring recovery gear to escape sticky situations.
7. Care for the Tires
While every car component is essential, only one section touches the ground — your tires. All four deserve care and attention before you leave and during your trip. Prior to your departure, check the air pressure and ensure they meet the manufacturer’s recommendations. Cold weather can cause it to drop, so don’t let your tires go flat.
When driving, have a tire pressure gauge ready to check the pounds per square inch (psi). If any tire dips below its standard psi, stop at a gas station to fill it back up. Another option for tire care in the cold weather is to increase your traction. Winter tires have a unique rubber compound and more significant gaps in the tread to make them stick better.
8. Prepare a Car Emergency Kit
Driving for hundreds of miles could introduce unwanted surprises to your vacation. Prioritize an emergency kit as one of your winter driving tips to ensure they don’t mess up the entire trip. Within this assortment, you should have tools to help you on the road. For instance, you may need jumper cables if your battery dies and you need help starting.
Most cars come with a jack and a spare tire, so ensure yours has these tools ready. If you have room, pack sand or cat litter to improve traction. These inexpensive items could get you out of a bind if your tire gets stuck in the snow. Other winter preparations include bringing blankets and cell phone chargers.
Use These Winter Travel Tips to Maximize Your Trip
Winter vacations can be tricky due to the weather conditions. However, careful planning and mindful traveling can make them more manageable. You do yourself and your family favors by inspecting the car, packing snow boots and all the winter gear you could need and booking your accommodations in advance. While these factors seem small, they go a long way toward your enjoyment.
Jack Shaw is the Senior Outdoors Writer for Modded Magazine. Driven by his passion for writing, Jack loves to traverse the wilderness, travel, and explore the unknown. He has over six years of experience writing professionally and loves engaging in new projects. His works have been published in The Travel Magazine, EcoHotels, Trekaroo, and more.
