Travel experts advise holiday travellers to ‘pack your patience’

This is one of the busiest travel times of the year with couples and families looking to escape the winter doldrums for a little bit of relaxing in the sun.

While it would be nice to experience that kind of sunshine right about now, sometimes getting to that hot destination can be a bit of a headache.

Aside from packing the right clothes, sunscreen, and the perfect hat, travel experts say you also have to pack some patience.

Toronto Pearson International Airport was bustling Friday and will continue to be for the next few weeks.

“Besides March Break, the Christmas holidays are probably the busiest time of the year regardless of where you’re flying from across Canada,” said Barry Choi, a personal finance and travel expert.

Some people are jetting off to places like Barbados, Mexico or even Jamaica this holiday season.

Regardless of where you’re heading, Choi says aside from the flip flops and bathing suits, you need to pack something just as important.

“You’re not the only one travelling, so be aware that the airports are going to be busier,” said Choi. “If you’re checking luggage, you have to appear earlier to make sure to get through on time, and just be patient — I know it’s a very common saying, but pack your patience.”

WATCH MORE: Toronto Pearson Airport braces for 3.2 million holiday travellers

Choi says to show up at the airport early and take advantage of some tech features offered to travellers.

“If you’re heading down south, there’s obviously going to be customs that you need to deal with,” said Choi. “One way around it, if you’re flying out of Pearson, there’s a mobile custom control app that allows you to pre-book a time and clear customs. That will help you speed up things a little bit.”

Even the land crossings are busy this time of year.

“It’s definitely our busiest time of the year, so we do advise anybody that does plan on coming across the border that they should expect delays, that they should plan ahead and definitely check the border wait-times before crossing,” said Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Superintendent Stephanie Robichaud.

The CBSA says planning ahead when driving back into the country from the U.S. can save you a lot of time.

“A really good tip we give to travellers, especially if they’re crossing somewhere that has multiple border entries, is to check which border crossing has a less busy wait time, or maybe traveling at non-peak hours,” said Robichaud, “For example, the Mondays of long weekends tend to be the absolute busiest time for travel.”

To recap, if you’re going to a beautiful spot, plan ahead, plan properly and be patient.

Regardless of how much of a headache travel can be, you could always be staying in the cold Canadian winter.

READ MORE: More GO train cancellations ahead this weekend, detours planned