Handy tips for planning a trip to escape the cold

With dozens of inches of snow and days on end of sub-zero temperatures, many of us dream of a tropical getaway or even just a trip to the other side of the state.

But traveling in winter has a unique set of hazards, whether you’re taking a plane, train or automobile.

Anyone hoping to still get away this winter might have to pay a pretty penny, said Brenda Pierson, manager at Travel Leaders in Aberdeen.

“There might be some last-minute deals on a cruise, but then your airfare will cost you twice as much,” she said.

For those who booked a getaway in advance, popular destinations include Mexico, Costa Rica or Hawaii, Pierson said. Those who want to stay in the continental U.S. tend to hit California, Texas and Florida.

“For us here in the Midwest, we choose our destinations based on what’s easiest to get to,” Pierson said. “Our clients like the all- inclusive resorts.”

Even if it’s a tropical destination, that doesn’t mean that weather here in the upper Midwest can’t complicate travel, Pierson said. That’s where travel insurance comes in.

“That helps out with all those delays — if you have to drive to another city to leave, if you have to stay overnight somewhere en route or on your return — that’s where travel insurance comes in and takes care of it all for you,” she said.

And while it’s fairly easy to book a flight on your own, booking a trip through an agent gives you a little extra help if things go wrong, Pierson said.

“If you’re stuck in Minneapolis, we’re here to help you, if your flight doesn’t leave at 5 a.m. ... we’re here to help you,” she said. “Otherwise you could be on hold for hours.”

Most of her clients opt to fly right out of Aberdeen or maybe Sioux Falls. By the time fuel, parking and a hotel are calculated, it ends up being about even or possibly less expensive to fly from the Hub City, Pierson said.

Some people have already started thinking about their winter 2020 getaways.

“We do have a lot of inquiries already, in fact, for next winter,” Pierson said. “It’s a little early yet, but we have inquiries.”

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when traveling this winter:

Planes

• Try
• to plan for flight delays — if there’s a time-
• sensitive event, give yourself extra time to get there and maybe take an extra day off from work on the way back.
• Early flights — those in the morning — are less likely to get delayed than those in the afternoon, especially in the peak flying hours of 4 to 6 p.m.
• Program your airline’s customer service number into your phone — it’s 1-800-221-1212 for Delta Airlines, which serves Aberdeen — to keep up with delays and to more easily rebook a flight.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

Trains

• While
• there isn’t an Amtrak train that leaves from Aberdeen — or anywhere in South Dakota for that matter — the nearest station is in Fargo, N.D., which heads west to Seattle or east to Chicago. Connections to other destinations can be made from either city.
• Taking a train will take longer than flying — and about the same or a little longer than driving. But not having a personal vehicle can be advantageous when traveling to a destination with expensive parking and reliable public transportation.
• Just like planes, trains can experience weather and other delays. Amtrak has a mobile app that is updated with any delays or cancellations. Search “Amtrak” in the app store.

Source: Amtrak

Automobiles

• With
• the right precautions, winter road trips can be just as fun and safe as ones taken in summer.
• Pay attention to the forecast and know when to adjust or call off your trip. Use your favorite weather app and tools like the Safe Travel USA road condition map.
• Have a winter survival kit in your vehicle at all times. It should include blankets, a shovel, first aid items, a flashlight and extra batteries, snacks, matches and candles. Make sure everyone has a good winter coat, hat, mittens or gloves and boots.
• Make sure your gas tank doesn’t dip too far below half-full. It’s just as easy to keep the top half full as it is to keep the bottom half. Most vehicles can idle for hours before draining the tank.

Source: South Dakota Department of Public Safety