Over the July 4th weekend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a new record. On July 7, for the first time in nearly 25 years, the agency screened more than three million travelers in a single day.
Last year, more than 14 million passengers went through TSA checkpoints over the long Labor Day weekend. Those figures peaked the Friday before the holiday, with 2.7 million passengers screened.
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the summer season, and families want to fit one more weekend getaway before the doldrums of the school year and cooler temperatures settle in. With extra time off from work and school, Labor Day also represents a time when most families find themselves able to travel, giving way to those long lines and high costs.
While a new record may not be on the horizon for the first week of September, anything is possible.
Maintain Flexibility When Traveling
The first weekend in September brings to mind traffic, long lines at airports, and crowded destinations. Even with these challenges, experts say there are many ways travelers can save money and experience a stress-free Labor Day vacation.
Shopping for flight deals, maintaining flexible travel plans, and managing expectations make a huge difference. Some experts also encourage travelers hoping to avoid crowds to consider lesser-known family destinations.
Airfare tends to rise on popular holiday weekends like Labor Day, but travelers can save some money on flights if they are willing to shop around and keep travel plans flexible.
Delish Knowledge Food and Travel Writer Alexandra Caspero urges families to research times that may be less popular. Frugal flyers can trade inconvenient flight times for financial benefits. She notes early Friday or Tuesday morning flights over long weekends “are often cheaper than mid-morning or early afternoon flights.”
In addition to the millions of Americans flying, many drive to their destination over Labor Day weekend. Though not buying airline tickets, drivers likely face elevated fuel costs, higher-than-expected hotel prices, and congested roadways.
Mickey Visit founder and Disneyland Secrets author Gavin Doyle suggests shifting the dates of a holiday weekend trip to increase the odds of finding deals. He suggests arriving “on a Wednesday rather than a Thursday. You’ll be far better off avoiding the peak weekend travel fares.”
Doyle admits some families may struggle to avoid traveling during busy holidays. However, he advises families to consider other times in the year to dodge high airfares altogether if they can.
Caspero also says picking off-season destinations as a Labor Day vacation spot adds to a cheaper vacation overall. “Not all locations are equal,” she adds. “This year, I’m taking my family to Maine in late September for a fraction of the price as visiting during July. The weather is still enjoyable, but accommodations during the shoulder months are much less expensive than peak season.”
Manage Expectations Around Crowds
Because Labor Day is the final weekend of the summer travel season, it often comes with heavy crowds at destinations nationwide. Once on vacation, travel experts share similar sentiments about managing expectations, especially if traveling to a busy theme park like Walt Disney World.
Marjolein Dilven, founder of Spark Nomad, suggests families arrive at the theme parks as early as possible to enjoy quieter morning hours. “I take it a little easier during the day, so I’m able to stay later, which allows me to enjoy attractions with shorter wait times as others start to leave.”
Theme park editor and freelance journalist Megan duBois urges families to manage expectations at theme parks around Labor Day weekend. She recommends families identify and prioritize top must-see attractions in the event of heavy crowds. “You’re also going to want to make your hotel, dining, and anything else with a reservation as early as possible. The prices will only go up the closer to Labor Day you get.”
To combat pre-vacation worries, Sarah Gilliland, founder of On The Road with Sarah, suggests families keep things in perspective. “If you can only vacation when everyone else can, do not stress about long lines or busy destinations. Instead, focus on what you can do and enjoy that will help your vacation be enjoyable instead of one big headache.”
