A simple countdown for the pieces worth locking in early, and the accessibility requests that are easier to make in advance.
5 Minute Read
AT A GLANCE
- Early Fall: Decide Where, When, and How
- Six to Eight Weeks Out: Book With Your Needs in Mind
- A Month Before: Share Your Plans
- Two Weeks Before: Check Hearing Devices and Chargers
- The Week of Your Trip: Confirm Everything in Writing
- If You Are Driving
- Travel Day: Keep It Simple and Stay Reachable
There is something special about holiday travel. You picture the hugs at the door, the familiar dishes on the table, and the stories waiting to be shared.
Getting there, though, can feel like a lot to juggle, especially when crowded terminals and hurried announcements make it harder to follow what is happening.
Planning holiday travel a little at a time can make the whole trip feel lighter. Instead of one big to-do list, think of it as a simple countdown. Each stage has just a few tasks, and by the time you leave, most of the work is already done.
Early Fall: Decide Where, When, and How
Your countdown starts with the big picture. Talking with family about which holiday you will celebrate together, where you will gather, and how long you would like to stay gives you more choices and more time to think about what will be most comfortable.
Travel around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s is some of the busiest of the year. Deciding early whether you will drive, fly, or take the train lets you pick the option that feels calmest for you. It is also a good time to set a comfortable travel budget, which can help you avoid last-minute surprises.
Six to Eight Weeks Out: Book With Your Needs in Mind
Once your plans are set, it is time to book. When you reserve flights, train seats, or hotel rooms, it can help to look for places where you can add notes about your needs. Many airlines let you note hearing loss on your reservation so staff know to share gate changes or announcements with you directly, and some hotels offer accessible room kits with visual alerts for the door and smoke alarm.
If you feel a little shy about asking, you are not alone. Our tips on getting comfortable asking about hearing loss accessibility can help you find the right words. These accommodations exist to make your trip easier, and asking for them is simply smart planning.
A Month Before: Share Your Plans
About a month out, it can help to send your itinerary to a family member or friend. Include your flight or train numbers, arrival times, and where you will be staying. That way, someone knows your plans, and you have one less thing to explain on a busy travel day.
It can also help to print a copy for yourself with confirmation numbers, addresses, and important phone numbers. A paper copy is easy to hand to a gate agent or driver, and it does not depend on a charged phone.
If you would like assistance at airport security, TSA Cares, the TSA’s passenger support program, asks travelers to reach out at least 72 hours before a flight. Our guide to travel planning tips for people with hearing loss covers more accommodations from start to finish.
Two Weeks Before: Check Hearing Devices and Chargers
Two weeks before you leave, you might give your hearing aids or other assistive devices a little attention. Cleaning them, replacing worn parts, and stocking up on batteries or checking your rechargeable case gives you time to visit your hearing care provider without rushing if something needs a repair.
Gathering your chargers in one small pouch helps make sure nothing gets left behind. A portable battery pack can be a helpful addition, since outlets in airports and train stations can be hard to find during the holiday rush. A small notepad and pen make a simple backup when a conversation gets noisy.
The Week of Your Trip: Confirm Everything in Writing
As your departure gets close, it helps to confirm each part of your trip. Whenever you can, it helps to ask for confirmations by email or text rather than relying on a phone call. Written details are easy to review, easy to share, and there is less worry about mishearing a time or a room number.
Many airlines and train lines send updates about gate changes, delays, and check-in times by text or through their apps. Turning on notifications means updates appear right on your screen, even when announcements are hard to hear.
If You Are Driving
If you are driving, it may help to plan your route and rest stops ahead of time and to leave a day early if the weather looks uncertain. A quick vehicle check, including tires, wipers, and fluids, is a good idea before a long drive.
Sharing your route and expected arrival time with someone at your destination adds peace of mind. Agreeing on how you will check in along the way, whether by text or a call at a set time, can save a lot of worry if traffic or weather slows you down.
Travel Day: Keep It Simple and Stay Reachable
On the big day, it helps to keep your essentials within easy reach: your phone, hearing devices, chargers, identification, and a printed copy of your itinerary. Arriving a bit early lets you find a seat near the gate or boarding area where you can see the display screens clearly.
Letting the gate agent or conductor know you have hearing loss can help them alert you to any changes. Then you can take a deep breath. You have planned carefully, and now it is time to enjoy the trip and the people you care about waiting at the other end.
Holiday travel does not have to feel overwhelming. With a simple countdown and a few thoughtful steps along the way, you can arrive feeling calm, connected, and ready to celebrate. Wishing you safe travels and a season full of good conversations.
Take the next step:
- Learn how a CapTel captioned telephone can make it easier to confirm plans and check in with family before and after you travel
- Find out which CapTel phone model might be the best fit for you or someone you care about
- See if you or someone you care about may be eligible to receive a CapTel phone at no cost
- For questions or to learn more, call CapTel at 1-800-233-9130
Keep exploring: More on telephone devices for hard of hearing | Visit the CapTel blog | Share this article with a friend
CapTel® is the inventor and technology leader in Captioned Telephones for people with hearing loss. CapTel phones show word-for-word captions of everything a caller says, helping those with hearing loss stay connected with the important people in their lives.
