Travel
Experts provide tips for holiday travelers in what promises to be a busy season
The auto club AAA predicts that 119 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday season – 3 million more travelers than last year.
“Travelers should expect the roads, airports, and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, in a news release.
Haas advises holiday travelers to plan ahead and give plenty of time in case of heavy traffic, long lines, or unexpected delays.
Another thing to consider, at least if you’re leaving the Upstate on a road trip: Go ahead and fill your gas tank here.
As of Wednesday, gas prices in the Upstate were well below the state average. Prices in Greenville were at $2.66 a gallon while averaging $2.68 a gallon in Spartanburg, according to Tiffany Wright, the public affairs director for AAA in the Carolinas. The average price per gallon in the state was $2.76.
Wright said the surge in travel this holiday season is linked to solid job numbers, economic growth, and increased consumer spending as inflation softens.
The majority of travelers will be taking trips by car, Wright said. But nearly 8 million are expected to take domestic flights.
Officials at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport are gearing up for a busy week.
In a prepared message in advance of the holiday season, GSP President and CEO Dave Edwards shared the following advice for passengers and other visitors:
Plan to arrive two hours before your flight’s departure time. Use your carrier’s mobile app or website for check-in, and take advantage of GSP’s self check-in kiosks.
Make a plan for parking. Garages A and B are located near the terminal building at a maximum cost of $18 a day. Economy lots 1 and 2 offer parking at a maximum of $10 a day. The locations are less convenient, but the airport offers free shuttle service from the lots.
A cell phone lot is free for visitors waiting to pick up passengers.
The curbside area for pick-up and drop-off has been recently redesigned. Edwards said that newly designated zones for rideshares, shuttles, and regular pick-up have eased traffic and made things more efficient.
Prepare for the TSA security checkpoint. The airport urges passengers to have required documents ready, to empty pockets, to be ready to remove personal items and to consider wearing loose-fitting shoes.
For specific questions or additional information, GSP encourages travelers to get in touch by email at info@gspairport.com or by calling (864) 877-7426 or texting (864) 485-8885.
Overall, visitors to GSP can expect a good experience, said Laura Lampe, a Greenville-based travel agent. “They do a fantastic job,” she said. “It’s so easy to get in and out of there.”
She does, however, have advice for air travelers: Invest in a luggage tracking device, such as the Apple AirTag, especially for trips that involve multiple flights. “It’s a must,” she said.
Lampe’s company, Young Travel and Cruises, primarily works with clients on high-end trips, including cruises and European travel.
The holidays aren’t usually a busy time for these kinds of getaways. But “this year is an exception,” she said. Overall, the travel industry has been booming since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it’s still possible to find good travel deals online, Lampe encouraged those interested in making last-minute vacation plans for 2024 to reach out to Upstate travel agencies. As she explained, they keep a close eye on late-breaking bargains and sometimes receive inside tips from vendors.
Nonetheless, she cautioned that deals might be difficult to come by because “so many things have been booked up.”
In fact, the best approach might be to think in terms of a holiday trip for 2025, Lampe said.
“Try to start as far in advance as possible,” she said. “I’d suggest planning up to a year ahead of time.”
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