The holidays usually entail heavy traveling, which can create traffic congestion in travel hubs such as airports and around major cities. Lessen your stress and make your travel smoother by booking a local hotel and choosing the dates in advance. Below are five pieces of advice to consider when planning travels.

A Local Hotel’s Holiday Travel Advice

1. Be Open To Change

To get the best deals and avoid the busiest crowds, be flexible on travel dates, hotel plans, and layovers. Avoid holiday crowds by leaving earlier than planned, traveling on the actual holiday, or traveling early in the morning or late at night, during natural lulls. You should also spend time comparing rates and exploring options to find the best deals, changing your layover city, hotel of choice, or travel method if necessary.

2. Find a Home Away From Home

If you’re not staying with family, make sure you choose a local hotel that offers great rates with all the comforts of home. The ideal discount hotel should have a full-service restaurant, complimentary hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, and hotel rooms stocked with toiletries.

3. Check & Print All Confirmations

Whenever you book hotel rooms, you should receive an email confirmation with a summary of your order and a confirmation number. If you booked it online, contact the hotel to confirm they received your reservation and the details are correct. Print all confirmation emails in case there’s any confusion.

4. Pack Lightly

When packing, bear in mind that you may return home with gifts, so leave as much room for them as possible. Be willing to do laundry frequently instead of packing daily outfits, and if you have presents to take, mail them instead of packing them. This saves you luggage room and overweight bag fees while preventing gifts from being damaged.

5. Always Leave Early

Weather delays, traffic jams, and other inconveniences are common during the holidays, so give yourself time to navigate setbacks without being late. It’s better to spend an hour or two waiting than to miss your flight. Be mindful of this if you’re booking connecting flights by leaving plenty of time between them so a delay is less likely to make you miss your next plane.

For welcoming comfort and a convenient location, book a room at the Quality Inn in Union County, PA. This local hotel offers courteous service, a full-service restaurant and bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a hot breakfast. Enjoy all the comforts of home in each room, including a personal coffee maker, a flat-screen TV, plush bedding, and laundry facilities. Call (570) 568-8000 to book your room or visit their hotel listing to see their amenities.