Boston's Best Holiday Travel Tips
Logan Airport
1 Harborside Drive
East Boston, MA 02128
(800) 235-6426
massport.com
1. Download the MA traffic info application
This app provides up-to-date traffic information from streaming traffic cameras. Make a list of your favorite cameras to get live conditions on your most frequently traveled areas, and avoid any backups. If you are already stuck in traffic, you may have your passenger find the closest camera to your area to see what is going on around you. Check the cameras along your travel route before you head out for your holiday destination.
UPS Store
304 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 437-9303
packstoreship.com
2. Ship holiday gifts
Traveling light makes both driving and flying more comfortable. Shipping gifts ahead of time will save space and the hassle of transporting them safely. The security lines at Logan can be long during the holidays already, so you will get through more quickly with fewer items to search, and you won't run the risk of having to re-wrap. Shopping online and shipping gifts directly to recipients is another great option, as most companies will offer gift wrapping free or for a marginal fee.
T.F. Green Airport
2000 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
(888) 268-7222
pvdairport.com
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
1 Airport Road
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 624-6539
flymanchester.com
3. Consider using alternative airports
Logan is a popular airport and often the first to come to mind when traveling in or out of the Boston area, which makes it even busier during the holiday travel season. For those south of Boston, consider using T.F. Green airport in Rhode Island. T.F. Green is a smaller airport, but still offers many flight options. For those north of Boston, consider using Manchester-Boston Regional airport in New Hampshire. This is also a smaller airport, but hosts flights from the major airlines.
E-ZPass
ezpassmaineturnpike.com/
4. Avoid toll lines with an E-ZPass
Traffic on the highways in and around Boston slows down at the tolls, and can become especially backed up during heavy travel times like the holidays. You can avoid these lines by getting an E-ZPass transponder (formerly a FastLane pass), which is the Electronic Toll Collection Program of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. This transponder allows you to cruise right through the tolls without stopping, and can be used at the Sumner Tunnel, the Ted Williams tunnel, the Turnpike and the Tobin Bridge.
PreFlight Airport Parking
111 Eastern Ave.
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 884-2294
preflightairportparking.com
5. Park at PreFlight parking to avoid airport parking fees
PreFlight Parking is a parking and shuttle service in Chelsea. It is open 24 hours a day, offers frequent shuttles to Logan, and is a cost-effective way to park your vehicle. It not only keeps your car or truck safe and secure, but it will jump your battery or inflate low or flat tires if you end up stuck there. Save money and avoid the congestion of the airport by parking offsite at PreFlight.
Here are some extra tips for stress free holiday travel:
- Know where you are going when driving -- in case your GPS fails.
- When flying, print out boarding passes at home to reduce the time needed at the airport.
- Have a backup plan should there be any unexpected Boston weather.
- Consider traveling on the holiday to avoid the busier travel days.
- Get a good night's sleep before a long day of travel so that you are well rested and alert.
Related: All Things Travel: A Great Year For Travel In Boston
Kim Vareika is the owner of Vareika Personal Training and Yoga in Plainville. She has been in the fitness industry for over ten years, and believes that wellness is about more than just physical health. When she is not teaching, practicing, or writing, she resides in Bridgewater where she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her nephew Caesar. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
