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We’ve all been there. You arrive at the airport feeling joyful about going on a trip, but as soon as you spot the long lines, your blood pressure rises. With every phase of the journey, you

become more agitated. And traveling during any holiday means double the crowds — which can double the stress.  This holiday travel season is shaping up to be busier than last year’s, and it

will probably surpass the record set in 2019, according to AAA. The automotive club forecasts 119.3 million Americans will travel for the 2024 year-end holiday travel period from the

Saturday before Christmas to Jan. 1. The vast majority (107 million) will travel by car, while about 78.5 million will fly, an increase of 4.7 percent from last year.  AAA says the worst

times to travel by car for the year-end holidays are the weekends before Christmas and New Year’s Day; the best times are the eves of the holidays and the holidays themselves. The good news

is that gas prices are lower this year than last. With the crowds, a little planning and mindfulness can help you stay calm on your journey. BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT More travelers

can mean longer lines at security checkpoints in the airport.  Andrew Harnik/Getty Images “Be patient and be prepared for potentially long waits,” says Kristy Tolley, editor of The Points

Guy, a travel advice website. “If you manage your expectations ahead of time, you can avoid becoming frustrated and short-tempered.” Tolley suggests booking the earliest possible flight of

the day (which minimizes the risk of delays) and arriving at the airport extra early. That allows you to walk at your own pace, which is helpful because rushing can increase stress. More

time also means more opportunities to enjoy some of the conveniences along the way such as massage chairs and yoga rooms. AT THE AIRPORT To avoid lines at check-in for domestic travel,

download the airline app and use it to check in, recommends Lisa Kulpa, cofounder of the Basic Travel Couple blog and a flight attendant for a major airline. Then use the kiosks to print

baggage tags and drop off your bags. For travelers who can afford it, TSA PreCheck can substantially reduce the time you wait in security lines domestically, while Global Entry gets you VIP

treatment at U.S. customs when returning from overseas — and some credit cards will reimburse you for some of the fees. Jackie Vernon-Thompson, an etiquette expert, advises travelers to keep

the lines moving by having whatever you need to execute a transaction ready. “Have your ID in your hand. If you’re going to purchase something, have your credit card ready to swipe.” And if

the person on the other side of the counter is less than friendly, it helps to remember that the people working have many responsibilities and may have to deal with rude customers, Tolley

says.