Winter travel can be quite an adventure, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Harsh weather conditions can pose significant risks to your safety and well-being. That’s why being well-prepared is key to ensuring a safe and stress-free journey. To help you navigate through the winter wonderland, we’ve put together 7 essential tips for safer and less stressful winter travels.
1) Check the weather early (and often): Many travelers will wait until a storm hits to start making alternative plans, but why wait? If you can manage to stay ahead of major weather systems, you can put your contingency plans into place early. Believe it or not, winter weather forecasting is quite reliable, and storms are often predicted at least 48-72 hours in advance (in the summer it’s a little trickier since thundercloud formation can occur fairly quickly). Plus, staying up-to-date on weather is now easier than ever with mobile apps and social media giving us real-time updates and notifications 24/7.
2) Book your flights wisely: Flight cancellations, delays, cranky travelers…need we say more? The hassles that can come with flying in bad winter weather are different than when you’re driving, but just as challenging. So be wise when you’re booking your flights. Fly direct when possible and if you have the opportunity to choose an early morning flight, take it. Why? The chances of having your flight affected by problems at other airports are less, and if your flight is cancelled or delayed, you’ll be more likely to find a different flight for the same day than travelers who got a later start.
3) Think about connections: Say you’re headed to Ireland and one of your connections is in New York, where you know a snowstorm is headed (because you followed tip #1!). Call your airline as soon as you catch wind of the potential for bad weather and see if your connecting flight can be rerouted to a different part of the country. This may complicate things a bit, but at least you won’t be sleeping in a chair at the airport!
4) Book a hotel room: Since many hotels don’t charge your credit card until 6pm local time, making a “just in case” hotel reservation in advance is a great way to prepare for unplanned layovers or less than favorable road conditions—just make sure to check the hotel’s cancellation policy before you book to avoid any cut-off times if you end up catching a flight! But don’t delay– if you wait until everyone else is stranded and trying to find a hotel room, chances are you’ll be out of luck.
5) Choose the right rental: If you’re planning to rent a car in a destination with a challenging winter climate, it’s essential to choose a vehicle well-suited for winter conditions. Opt for a rental with all wheel-drive, snow tires, high ground clearance, and good weight distribution. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are a great option, as they are naturally better suited to handle tricky weather conditions because of these features.
6) Stay attentive on the roads: Though the best option is to avoid driving in severe winter weather entirely, if you must venture out, keep your focus on the road and avoid distractions such as your phone and radio. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and reduce your speed to give yourself more reaction time, should an incident occur. Be mindful of black ice, which can be extremely difficult to see and therefore quite hazardous. When stopping, ease on your brakes and avoid hard braking, as this could cause your vehicle to lose traction and slide out of control. Lastly, if possible, ensure your rental is equipped with an emergency kit, including items such as a blanket, flashlight, and travel first-aid kit.
7) Be prepared: Whether it’s rescheduling travel plans, making hotel accommodations, handling delayed baggage, or coordinating an emergency medical evacuation, On Call International is dedicated to assisting our travelers, 24/7, in any type of weather. Visit www.oncallinternational.com to learn more.
About On Call International:
When traveling, every problem is unique–a medical crisis, a political threat, even a common accident such as a missed flight. But every solution starts with customized care that ensures travelers are safe and protected. That’s why for over 25 years, On Call International has provided fully-customized travel risk management and emergency assistance services protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations. Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.
