7 tips for a stress-free holiday trip, from flight attendants and travel professionals

I’m traveling by plane for the holidays this year and frankly, I feel bittersweet about it. Vacation travel can be full of hilarity, especially when you reunite with people you love, but it’s also a notorious hassle in most cases. While I can’t control things like traffic jams and flight delays, I’m determined to make this journey as painless as possible.

So I decided to consult a few travel experts—flight attendants, a travel agent, and a YouTube travel influencer—to brush up on my stash of vacation travel survival secrets (I’m a little rusty). I came away with tips, hacks, and a list of essential packs that help me not just survive, but thrive.

If you are preparing your own holiday trip by plane, train or car, keep scrolling. These professionals recommended some tips that I – a constant traveler – did not even know, as well as smart things that will make the trip easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable. Stress is not on the agenda this season.

1. Protect your peace with these two quiet hours tricks

If you are traveling by plane, choose your seat carefully in advance to minimize noise. “For most travelers, a window seat near the front of the plane would be the most comfortable option,” said Mercedes Zach, travel agent for ASAP Tickets. “The front of the aircraft is quieter as the engines are located under the wings further down the aircraft.”

No matter how you travel, Zach recommends putting on noise-canceling headphones once you settle into your seat and stream pink noise. “Unlike white noise, which plays evenly at the same frequency, pink noise intensity decreases as the frequency increases, similar to the sound of beach waves, steady rainfall, and rustling leaves,” she says.

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2. Squeeze in a snooze along the way, but protect your neck and spine.

Sleeping comfortably in the car, train or plane is a skill I still haven’t perfected, but The Sleep Foundation says that sitting up is a perfectly fine sleeping position. Zach has some tips to help lull you into vehicle dreamland and prevent a potentially nightmarish ride.

“I would also strongly recommend bringing a travel pillow as it will make your sleeping experience much more comfortable and your neck will thank you for it after the flight. If you are a regular flyer, investing in a good pillow will soon pay off say massively,” she told Yahoo.

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3. Avoid delays and extra costs associated with overweight checked baggage

Overweight and oversized bags cost you extra money – and apparently they also cost the airline money in fuel and taxes.

“If you’re the person who has an overweight bag and tries to sneak it on, you’re going to delay the flight and frustrate fellow passengers,” notes former flight attendant Hailey Way. In other words, you don’t have to be that person when people are already stressed out on their vacation trips.

Instead, “measure and weigh your carry-on bags before you board the plane,” says Way. Most airlines require your checked baggage to be 50 pounds or less.

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4. Keep your hand luggage as small and light as possible

As someone who used to have a bad back, I learned the hard way that flight attendants are not required to lift your heavy bag into the cabin overhead. Katie Storck, a Southwest flight attendant, confirmed this to me, adding, “The smaller your luggage carrier, the easier it is to board.”

I will add that a carry-on that also has wheels saves you effort at the airport and saves time so you or a friendly passenger won’t struggle to lift it or find a place to store it.

“After takeoff, try pulling your bag out from under the seat and placing it behind your calves. This trick can free up some legroom while still keeping your bag within easy reach,” adds Megan Gougeon, the travel expert behind the popular YouTube Channel Portable Professional.

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5. Stay well fed and hydrated, and skip alcohol if you want to sleep well

You certainly don’t need to be reminded me eating and drinking, but this kind of preparation tends to get in the way of some travelers. Prevent dehydration – which is worse during air travel – and the consequences of traveling while traveling hanging by going beyond the typical water bottle route.

“Instead of a water bottle, I travel with a wide-mouth thermos. It keeps drinks hot or cold and is great for instant meals like oatmeal or soup, which you can make using the free hot water on most flights,” says Gougeon.

“Remember that alcohol and caffeine are not the answer to airplane sleep, as they can lead to more awakenings and poorer sleep quality,” adds Zach. “It is best to consume still water or herbal tea between your sleep times.”

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6. Avoid illness by boosting your immune system

Getting sick during the holidays is the pit, but it’s not just your imagination – it’s real is more common to get sick while travelingespecially when you are in a closed and poorly ventilated room for a long period of time. Way says she packs vitamin C tablets when she travels, and so do I.

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7. Dress for comfort both on and off the plane (or train or car)

“If you want to make yourself feel as comfortable as possible, make sure to wear cozy, stretchy clothes and put on some warm and cozy socks or change into your favorite slippers,” says Zach.

In my opinion — and the opinion of countless social media influencers — two-piece lounge sets are the only way to go for all kinds of travel.

And did someone say cozy socks and your favorite pair of slippers? Well, I say combine them – I love a multitasker.

“Compression stockings are also a good option to consider as they are designed to prevent leg soreness and ensure healthy blood circulation during your sleep,” says Zach. If you’re someone who suffers from puffiness from flights or you’ve booked a particularly long flight, pack a pair in your purse.

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