Stress-free travel tip no. 12

Be patient. Most travelers are stressed, just like you, and want to reach their destination on time. Be patient. After all, getting upset will not get you there faster.

Stress-free travel tip no. 11

Charge your cell phone. Before you leave home, make sure your cell phone is completely charged, and don't forget to pack your charger in your carry-on bag. Make sure to write down all important phone numbers, too, especially contact information for your airline, hotel and family.

Stress-free travel tip no. 10

Check-in before you leave home. Many airlines now allow travelers to check-in for their flights from home. Often times, you can check in up to 24 hours before your flight, select your seats in advance and indicate how much baggage you'll be checking. This new feature allows you to print your boarding pass at home, and skip the long check-in lines at the airport. Check with your airline to see if they offer this time-saving option.

Stress-free travel tip no. 9

Try the suburbs. If you need to book a hotel room, hotels located in central areas tend to have very high prices during the holidays. Look for less pricy hotels on the outskirts of the downtown core, or the suburbs.

Stress-free travel tip no. 8

Check the weather and traffic reports. The weather and traffic conditions can be unpredictable at times. Plan ahead to avoid any delays.

Stress-free travel tip no. 7

Bring any essentials, valuables and medication with you. Should your luggage get lost, or if your flight gets delayed or cancelled, leaving you stranded in the airport for hours, you won't have access to these important items. Pack them in your carry-on bag, for easier accessibility.

Stress-free travel tip no. 6

Pack accordingly. Airport security is tight! Items not permitted in your carry-on luggage could cause long delays, which could result in missing your flight. Remember, wrapped gifts could also be checked by security, so if you must pack them in your carry-on, leave them unwrapped, or put them in gift bags to make for easier inspection.

Stress-free travel tip no. 5

Arrive early. On your departure date, arrive at the airport early to allow plenty of time to check-in, go through the security check-point and get to your gate. Plus, you could avoid long, last-minute lines.

Stress-free travel tip no. 4

Get up at the crack of dawn. If you can help it, aim for early morning flights. Should your flight get cancelled, there's a greater probability that you could still get to your destination on a later flight that day.

Stress-free travel tip no. 3

Avoid peak travel times. If you can help it, travel on less busy days. During the holidays, every day is a busy day, but Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve are amongst the busiest.

Stress-free travel tip no. 2

Reserve your airport parking in advance. Spots are limited at the airport and some dates are already blacked out. Some lots are not even accepting reservations anymore! Avoid circling for a spot at the last minute, and book your parking in advance.

Stress-free travel tip no. 1

Book your flights early. Holiday flights get sold out quickly, so don't miss out on seeing your loved ones this holiday season. Plus, the later you book, the pricier your ticket might be.