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Open-Jaw and Circle Fares

Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.

An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games.

He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.

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When is a round trip not a round trip? When it’s a circle or open-jaw itinerary.

Thanks to the airlines’ complicated and arcane fare structures, roundtrip flights almost always cost less than the sum cost of two one-way trips on the same route. (Discount airlines are a notable exception to this rule.) And most round trips go from Point A to Point B and back again.

But what if you need to do some traveling at your destination, and it’s more convenient to fly home from a different airport? Or if you need to hit two or more cities in a short span of time, and want to do it in a single trip? If either situation applies to you, you may want to consider an open-jaw or circle ticket. Read on to learn how these special fares could save you money on your next multi-city itinerary.

The Open Jaw An open-jaw flight is one that, in the simplest terms, flies from Point A to Point B, then from Point C back to Point A. Points B and C are often neighboring airports, or at least in the same general area. A sample open-jaw itinerary might be a flight from Atlanta to Seattle on the way out and from Portland, OR to Atlanta on the way back.

Another open-jaw scenario is to fly into and out of the same destination city, but your starting and finishing points are different, thus: Fly Point A to Point B; then fly Point B to Point C.

An open jaw is ideal for travelers who are planning to cover a lot of ground during their trip and who don’t want to waste time returning to their original airport. Perhaps you fly into San Francisco and then drive down the coast of California to Los Angeles; an open-jaw fare would allow you to fly home out of LAX instead of making your way back up to San Francisco. Open jaws are also useful for cruise passengers whose sailings embark and disembark in different ports.

Despite the fact that an open-jaw itinerary isn’t quite a classic round trip, most airlines treat it as such and charge you half the roundtrip fare of what each leg of the trip would cost you. So if the Atlanta – Seattle round trip would cost $400 and the Portland – Atlanta round trip would cost $500, you end up paying $200 for the first leg and $250 for the second leg, for a total of $450 roundtrip. The resulting total fare will typically offer considerable savings over the cost of two separate one-way flights.

There is such a thing as a double open jaw — Point A to Point B on the way out, and then Point C to Point D on the return. While this is usually more expensive than a traditional open jaw, it may still save you money over two separate one-way flights.

The Circle A circle itinerary typically begins and ends in the same city, but includes at least three separate flights that take you to two or more different cities without the overland portions of the open jaw.

Example: Fly from New York to Detroit, then Detroit to Houston, then Houston to New York. (Feel free to add Points D, E, F and beyond, but make sure you start and end at your original city — New York in this example.)

Circle itineraries usually permit a maximum of two stopovers and are priced as a series of one-way flights. (Circle fares may not save you as much as an open jaw.) Still, circle fares qualify you for discounted fares, and you may even find that the fares on the separate legs of your flight add up to less than a pure roundtrip fare. This is especially true on popular long-haul routes.

Exceptions and Rules Open Jaw The most common restriction on an open-jaw itinerary is that the segment of your trip that you don’t fly (the Seattle-Portland leg in our example) must be shorter than the shortest leg of the trip that you do fly.

So, for example, if you flew from Atlanta to Seattle, then drove cross-country to New York, then flew back to Atlanta, you couldn’t qualify for the open-jaw discount, as the distance from Seattle to New York is much greater than the distance from New York to Atlanta.

Circle Fares Restrictions and rules on circle itineraries vary by airline, but usually take one of the two following forms, both a variation on the old “Saturday night stay” rules:

1. You may not begin travel from the farthest geographical point of your trip until the first Sunday of your trip. Note that it is the farthest geographical point, not the place you stay the longest or schedule in the middle of your trip.

2. You may not begin the last leg of your trip until the first Sunday after the beginning of your trip.

The difference between the two is critical: in the first instance, the order in which you visit the cities is extremely important. In the latter instance, it is much less so.

If your airline has different rules for different segments of your trip, the whole trip will generally be subject to the most restrictive ones. So, for example, if one fare requires a 14-day advance purchase and the other a 21-day advance purchase, you’ll need to book 21 days ahead in order to get the discounted circle fare.

How to Find Open Jaw and Circle Fares Luckily, open-jaw and circle fares are not too difficult to find. Most online booking engines and airline Web sites can recognize a circle or open-jaw itinerary, and price them accordingly; just look for the multi-city search option. It might still be worth checking with your travel agent just to be sure. If prices seem high, call and ask if minor adjustments of your flight dates might help you qualify for either an open-jaw or circle itinerary.

Keep in mind, however, that these fares may not necessarily be your cheapest bet. If a discount airline serves all or part of your itinerary, check that carrier’s one-way fares to see if they can beat what the big airlines are offering. For help finding low-cost carriers around the world, check out our guides to Domestic Discount Airlines (U.S.) and International Discount Airlines .

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What is the difference between a round trip and a circle trip?

Circle trip, 1. can i change my return date on a round trip ticket, 2. are round trip tickets always cheaper than one-way tickets, 3. can i make stops at different cities on a round trip ticket, 4. are circle trips more expensive than round trips, 5. can i combine a round trip and a circle trip, 6. can i book a circle trip online, 7. do i need a visa for each destination on a circle trip, 8. are there any restrictions on the duration of a circle trip, 9. can i make changes to my itinerary during a circle trip, 10. are there any specific travel insurance options for circle trips, 11. can i book a circle trip with different modes of transportation, 12. are there any recommended resources for planning a circle trip, what is the difference between a round trip and a circle trip.

A round trip and a circle trip are two common terms used in the travel industry to describe different types of journeys. While both involve returning to the starting point, they have distinct characteristics and purposes. Understanding the difference between these terms can help travelers make informed decisions when planning their trips.

A round trip refers to a journey from one location to another and then back to the original starting point. It typically involves booking a flight, train, or any other mode of transportation that covers the outbound and inbound segments. For example, if you plan to fly from New York to London and then return to New York, it would be considered a round trip.

One of the key advantages of a round trip is that it offers convenience and often cost savings. Airlines and other transportation providers usually offer discounted fares for travelers booking a round trip ticket. This means that the overall cost of the journey is lower compared to booking separate one-way tickets.

Additionally, a round trip provides a sense of continuity and convenience, as travelers know their return journey is already arranged. It eliminates the need to search for transportation options at the destination for the return trip, reducing travel-related stress.

A circle trip, on the other hand, is a more complex type of journey that involves visiting multiple destinations in a loop or circuit. It may include stops at various cities or countries before returning to the starting point. Unlike a round trip, a circle trip does not necessarily follow a direct route between the origin and destination.

Circle trips are especially popular among travelers who want to explore and experience multiple destinations within a single trip. They allow for greater flexibility and the opportunity to visit diverse locations.

While a circle trip offers more freedom and exploration, it can also be more time-consuming and expensive. Planning and coordinating transportation, accommodations, and activities in multiple destinations requires careful research and organization. It is essential to consider the distances between the various stops and plan for adequate travel time.

FAQs about Round Trips and Circle Trips:

Yes, most airlines allow passengers to change their return date on a round trip ticket, but it may be subject to additional fees or fare differences.

In many cases, round trip tickets are cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets. However, this can vary depending on the airline, destination, and specific travel dates.

Most airlines allow passengers to make stops at different cities on a round trip ticket, but it may be subject to certain conditions and additional fees.

Circle trips can be more expensive than round trips, as they involve visiting multiple destinations. However, this depends on the specific itinerary, transportation options, and accommodations chosen.

Yes, it is possible to combine a round trip with a circle trip. This allows travelers to visit multiple destinations before returning to their starting point.

Yes, many travel booking websites and agencies offer the option to book circle trips. It is recommended to use websites that specialize in multi-destination itineraries or consult a travel agent for assistance.

The visa requirements for each destination on a circle trip may vary. It is important to check the visa requirements of each country you plan to visit and apply for the necessary visas in advance.

The duration of a circle trip can vary depending on personal preferences and individual travel plans. Some travelers may opt for shorter trips, while others may plan longer journeys to fully explore each destination.

Yes, it is possible to make changes to your itinerary during a circle trip. However, this may be subject to availability and potential fees or fare differences.

Many travel insurance providers offer coverage for circle trips. It is important to review the policy details and ensure that it provides sufficient coverage for multi-destination travel.

Yes, circle trips can involve combining different modes of transportation, such as flights, trains, buses, or ferries, depending on the destinations and preferences of the traveler.

Many online resources and travel blogs provide useful tips, itineraries, and recommendations for planning a circle trip. It is advisable to research and gather information from reliable sources before finalizing your itinerary.

By understanding the difference between a round trip and a circle trip, travelers can make informed decisions and plan memorable journeys that suit their preferences and travel goals. Whether opting for convenience and cost savings with a round trip or seeking adventure and exploration with a circle trip, each type of journey offers unique experiences that contribute to a fulfilling travel experience.

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Zaylin Dunford

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Screen Rant

The rules of time travel are rewritten in the bloodiest way possible for a vicious circle finale (exclusive).

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Keanu Reeves is Genghis Khan's Ultimate Weapon in BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B

Walking dead creator confirms negan killing abraham was a deliberate mislead for glenn fans, 10 best star wars legends comics (that should still be canon).

• A Vicious Circle #3 concludes Boom! Studios' prestige time-travel miniseries with a pulse-pounding climax; according to the preview for the issue, the finale is set to featur a surprising alliance between duel protagonists Thacker and Ferris.
• A Vicious Circle is a collaboration between writer Mattson Tomlin and artist Lee Bermejo; the conclusion to the creators' unique take on the time-travel adventure subgenre is highly anticipated, and appears like it will not disappoint.
• Expect epic amounts of historical bloodshed and perhaps at least one more plot swerve before the satisfying conclusion to Boom! Studios' latest high-caliber offering, A Vicious Circle

Boom! Studios high-octane time travel miniseries A Vicious Circle wraps up with its third issue, which is set to deliver a pulse-pounding, mind-melting climax. The first two issues of the ambitious project hooked readers, and now, the series' creators have crafted a can't-miss ending, which Boom! teases is a " brutal " finale.

Screen Rant is thrilled to share an exclusive first look at preview pages for A Vicious Circle #3 – written by Mattson Tomlin, with art by Lee Bermejo – along with several exciting variant covers for the issue, which offer a further glimpse of where the story is headed.

The long-awaited final act of Tomlin and Bermejo's series subverts the dynamic between its duel protagonists, shifting them from adversaries to surprising allies, as the endgame for their temporal odyssey comes into focus.

Keanu Reeves' immortal BRZRKR returns later this summer as Genghis Khan's ultimate weapon in the new BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B #1.

Boom! Studios' Time Travel Odyssey A VICIOUS CIRCLE Comes To A Stunning Conclusion

A vicious circle #3 – written by mattson tomlin; art by lee bermejo; main cover by bermejo.

A Vicious Circle #3 promises an exhilarating culmination of the series, which has vaulted back and forth through time as it progressed through a unique take on a staple subgenre of sci-fi, the time-travel adventure.

A Vicious Circle is a collaboration between author Mattson Tomlin and artist Lee Berjemo. Tomlin is perhaps best known for his burgeoning screenwriting career, having worked alongside Matt Reeves on the script for the upcoming The Batman Part II , as well as the film adaptation of Keanu Reeves' original comic book series BZRKR . Berjemo meanwhile, has had a decades-long career, most notably working for DC, and is an Eisner-nominated creator. A Vicious Circle #3 is the much-heralded final installment of their time-travel story , the first two issues of which were widely lauded.

According to Boom! Studios official synopsis for A Vicious Circle #3 promises an exhilarating culmination of the series, which has vaulted back and forth through time as it sought to defy and redefine the conventions of a staple subgenre of sci-fi, the time-travel adventure. As Boom! teased:

After stunning revelations come to light about Ferris’ origins and Earth’s dark future, Thacker and his former prisoner forge an alliance they never could have expected… When they return to the beginning, will these rivals finally close the circle, or is the bloodshed destined to continue forever?

Anticipation among readers for the issue, and the end of A Vicious Circle's story, is long-heralded. First announced nearly a year-and-a-half ago , there has been a year-long gap between the release of the second and third issues. Readers familiar with A Vicious Circle #1-2 know that it is well worth the wait for issue #3.

A VICIOUS CIRCLE Won't Come To A Close Without Epic Amounts Of Historical Blood Being Shed

A vicious circle #3 – variant covers by inhyuk lee, dan panosian, & sean gordon murphy.

Endings are the hardest part of any story, especially one involving time travel, but with A Vicious Circle , Mattson Tomlin and Lee Berjemo seem to have maneuvered themselves into place to make this a truly satisfying conclusion.

As the preview for A Vicious Circle #3 makes clear, the temporal back-and-forth between duel protagonists Thacker and Ferris has now turned into an alliance, as they prepare for a violent campaign throughout Earth's history. The final page of the preview is a brilliant splash-page from artist Lee Bermejo, featuring the pair of assassins interfering in the timestream in the bloodiest possible ways: swinging a sword at the head of an English King, shooting George Washington mid-Delaware Crossing, but also interfering to prevent the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, and thus, the start of World War I.

Readers will have to wait until the August release of A Vicious Circle #3 to know how the story plays out behind that point – though in addition to copious amounts of historical blood being shed, astute readers should also expect at least one more swerve in the plot before all is said and done. Endings are the hardest part of any story, especially one involving time travel, but with A Vicious Circle , Mattson Tomlin and Lee Berjemo seem to have maneuvered themselves into place to make this a truly satisfying conclusion to Boom! Studios latest high-caliber offering .

A Vicious Circle #3 will be released in August, 2024.

The Batman Part II

The Batman Part II is the sequel to Matt Reeve's The Batman, released in 2022, and will continue where the original film left off. The film shares a universe with the HBO Max original Penguin series and sees the return of the Riddler and a different incarnation of the Joker.

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Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide

2024 Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide

The Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide is the official guide to the Lake Superior Circle Tour. This magazine contains information on many of the communities along the route and offers great information and suggestions to make your trip truly remarkable. It also contains great resources such as a campground list, map, distance chart, bordering crossing information, and much more. The Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide is home to the  Lake Superior Ale Trail , the  Lake Superior Java Journey , and the Lake Superior  Stamp Program , which allows you to collect stamps around the Lake, to earn your Lake Superior Circle Tour Certificate! With this guide your trip planning will become easier and so much more fun!

Please be advised that it can take up to 4 weeks for you to receive the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide. If your order does not arrive within 4 weeks please contact  [email protected]  to let us know.

The $6 CAD fee is to cover the costs of shipping and handling. To download a copy of the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide for FREE visit our Downloads Page ! Free copies of the guide are also available at Travel Information Centers around Lake Superior.

The Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide, often referred to as the Lake Superior Circle Tour Magazine, is the official publication and guide of the Lake Superior Circle Tour. You can pick up a free copy of the guide from Welcome, Travel, and Information Centers around Lake Superior. Or you van view and order a copy online. Within the guide you will find information on communities, attractions, and experiences from all around the Lake. It also contains several different incentives and trip planning aids.

One of the most popular aspects of the guide includes the Stamp Program , which encourages travelers to collect stamps from different locations around Lake Superior. Other popular aspects of the guide include the Lake Superior Circle Tour Campground List , the Lake Superior Ale Trail , and the Lake Superior Java Journey . The guide also features many other trip planning tools including a map , border crossing information and so much more!

Don’t miss out and order your very own Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide today! It will be sure to make planning your journey easier and fun for the whole family!

About the Guide

The Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide is the ultimate guide to everything around the lake. 80,000 copies are printed and distributed annually. It has many features to help plan your very own personalized circle tour. But where did it come from and who publishes it?

The organization that publishes the guide is a non-profit destination marketing organization called  Ontario’s Superior Country . Ontario’s Superior Country, formally known as the North of Superior Travel Association, was incorporated in 1976 as an Ontario Non-Profit destination marketing organization. Shortly after incorporation Superior Country began promoting the Lake Superior Circle Tour. These promotions were done by the development of an annual publication. Over the years the publication has taken many different shapes and sizes. The organization often spearheaded partnerships between stakeholders on both sides of the lake in the promotion of the tour. By spearheading these partnerships, from the 1980’s to now, Ontario’s Superior Country has been able to build strong partnerships all around the lake.

Through its partnerships, and its promotions of the route, the organization developed several different incentives for travelers to venture around the Lake. Such programs included the Lake Superior Circle Tour Admiral Program. This program had asked travelers to prove they had traveled around the lake by collecting items, or submitting receipts from around the lake, and at one point taking photos. In return travelers were awarded a certificate for completing the Lake Superior Circle Tour. Since then the program has changed into the now famous Lake Superior Circle Tour Stamp Program – which allows travelers to collect stamps from around the Lake to receive their certificate .

As a non-profit Superior Country depends on the advertising revenues it gains from the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide to continually produce it each year. As a non profit the organization is able to reinvest dollars into promoting and advertising the tour. These promotions allow the organization to better market the Lake itself as well as its partners around the lake.

Most recently the organization has developed its headquarters within the Nipigon Tourist Information Center located in Nipigon , Ontario. Within the Lake Superior Circle Tour Headquarters you can meet the team behind the publication while browsing some souvenirs and reviewing information on the surrounding region.

If you are interested in Lake Superior Circle Tour Advertising please visit our advertising page .

Still unsure about the tour? Order the Guide!

What is TravelTime?

Travel Time Map Generator & Isochrones

I know i can get from a to b by public transport within my selected time, but it's not showing up.

If you're using public transport to do your analysis, it can look like we don't include a specific transit line. But it is rare that we have forgotten to add it! We have a full data team collecting transport data, and they're rarely caught out. It's usually due to understanding how we calculate travel time catchments. We build the area to include:

• Walking to the station platform
• Waiting for the next available departure
• Time spent boarding the train
• Giving enough time to take the A to B journey
• Depart on the station on the other side.

That means if you set your max travel time at 30 minutes, and the train journey you think should be included takes 28 minutes, it probably won't show up, because the other steps push it over the max 30 min limit. Try adding an extra 5-10 minutes to your max catchment area and see if this helps! Understand how we built our public transport model

You can't drive that far / you can drive much further than that

We recommend that you do a little experiment.

• Open another mapping app of your choice and enter an A to B route
• Select a departure time for tomorrow.

The average mapping provider gives very vague driving estimations. It's not uncommon to see a journey estimation between 30 minutes up to 2 hours. That's a lot of buffer room!

Our driving model only returns one singular best possible time estimate. We do this using our purpose-built driving model. Explore how we've built our driving model.

Still not convinced?

You can explain your data issue to us here and we can help you out. Please include in your request whether you're using the API for commercial or personal purposes.

About this tool

This demo was built to showcase the TravelTime API. To use the full capabilities of the API you will need coding skills, or experience with one of our integrations: QGIS, Alteryx or ArcGIS. Access to the API gives you larger travel time catchment areas, more transport mode options and large request volumes. Access the developer playground here.

What is a travel time map?

Our map tool allows you to create a 'How far can I go map' by transport mode and time limit. For example someone can ask how far can I drive from my home in 30 minutes. The tool outputs shapes, also known as travel time isochrones visualise where's reachable. Sometimes these shapes are incorrectly labelled as a 'travel time radius map'. A radius is always just a circular shape, but a travel time shape is completely unique as it analyses all locations reachable using a specific mode of transport.

How to create a drive time radius map or other modes

• Select a start location
• Select a maximum travel time limit
• Select a mode of transport, for example driving
• Voila! There's your driving radius map

Use cases for consumers

• Create a commute time map so you can see where to live based on commute time.
• How far can i travel in a given time: compare transport coverage for different areas.
• Create a drive time radius map: explore how far you can travel on a road trip.

Use cases for businesses

• Travel time mapping up to 4 hours & cross reference other data sets in GIS such as population data
• Site selection analysis: analyse the best location to locate a business by adding thousands of analysis points
• Create a distance matrix or travel time matrix & calculate travel times from thousands of origins to thousands of destinations
• Network analysis / travelling salesman problem: use spatial analytics to solve routing problems
• Commute time map - plot thousands of employee commute times for an office relocation

This web page is a limited demo that can do the following:

• Create up to 3 time polygons visualising where's reachable within 2 hours or less. Our API can create large travel time areas, talk to sales.
• Calculate travel times from an origin to various points of interest - in this demo we use points from Foursquare Give A to B routing details

Full access

We provide full analysis by all transport modes and all travel time areas in our full service. You can access this by:

• Book a demo
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Draw a travel time area or make your own commute time map.

• See 'How far can I get' in X minutes
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• Overlap many shapes & highlight overlap area
• Search points of interest within the area
• Get A to B routing details

Watch CBS News

Are you traveling for July Fourth? Here's how to beat the travel rush.

Updated on: June 27, 2024 / 6:15 PM EDT / AP

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and the travel rush is already heating up.

Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming holiday week. That will likely mean busy roads, as well as packed airports and train stations.

Motor club AAA projects that some 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more from their homes over a nine-day Independence Day travel period — surpassing pre-pandemic numbers for the U.S. holiday. And the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen over 32 million individuals in airports from this Thursday through July 8, up 5.4% from last year's numbers.

• Here's how to save money on your Fourth of July barbecue

Are you traveling for the Fourth? Here's a rundown of what you need to know.

Smooth sailing for travel around any holiday is never a given. But avoiding the most hectic times, when others are rushing out of town, is a good way to start.

If you're traveling by car for the Fourth of July, it's best to hit the road in the morning, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Peak traffic congestion varies by location, INRIX data published by AAA shows, but the worst times to drive on, or leading up to, the holiday are generally between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Either way, be prepared for the roads to be jammed.

"Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal," Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a prepared statement.

July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, and many travelers will likely take Friday July 5th off to extend their trip into a four-day weekend. Drivers in large metro areas can expect the biggest delays on Wednesday July 3 and Sunday July 7 — as travelers leave and return to town, Pishue added.

And if you're renting a car ahead of July Fourth, the busiest pickup days will be Friday, Saturday and Wednesday before the holiday, AAA notes.

Airports will also likely be packed all week long — but the TSA expects most people will take to the skies on Friday.

It anticipates that it will screen more than 3 million individuals Friday. That would surpass the agency's current record for most people screened on a single day, which reached just under 3 million last Sunday.

"We expect this summer to be our busiest ever," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, adding that travel typical peaks around Independence Day.

Last year, the busiest day for Fourth of July air travel was also the Friday ahead of the holiday, TSA data shows. If past trends hold, travel will likely be higher on the days before and after the Fourth — particularly closer to the weekend. In 2023, for example, more than 2 million people were screened on the Fourth, which landed on a Tuesday last year, down from 2.88 million the Friday before.

Flights can be delayed or canceled for an array of reasons — from plane-specific mechanical problems to major storms impacting popular travel paths.

If your flight is canceled, airlines are required to provide refunds for customers, even if the cancellation is due to weather. Delays are trickier, because they typically have to meet certain criteria for relief, such as refunds or compensation — but carriers will often give customers to chance to switch to alternative flights, if available, at no cost.

In April, the Biden administration issued final rules that include requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and "significant" delays. Those rules are set to take effect over the next two years, but the Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments each airline has made for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

It's better to be stuck at home than locked in hourslong traffic or stranded in an airport terminal. Before heading out the door this holiday week, do yourself a favor and check the status of your travel plans.

Was your flight, train or bus ride delayed? Are there are traffic incidents set to disrupt your drive? And what about the weather? A quick look through your itinerary — such as trip updates on a carrier's website — checking weather forecasts and monitoring traffic safety through services like the 511 hotline or your phone's navigation apps can go a long way toward avoiding travel misery.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

— Leave early: There are more people everywhere during a holiday week, so lines will be longer and roads will be busier. Give yourself more time to get to your destination or to make your way through airport security.

— Keep an eye on the weather — and not just for your destination: Look at the weather for your entire travel path. Even if it's sunny skies both at home and the place you're headed, it's important to keep an eye out for any storms in between. You may need to do some rerouting.

— Be kind: A trip delay or cancellation can be really frustrating — but if you're running into disruptions, chances are others are too. Customer service agents have a lot on their plate at this time of year, and it's important to be patient and respectful as they try to help you.

• Transportation Security Administration

More from CBS News

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Passenger complaints about airline travel surged in 2023

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Driving Time Calculator

Driving time between two cities.

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

You may want to search for the driving distance instead. Or if you're thinking about flying, make sure you compare flight times between airports. For a long road trip, check the cost calculator to see if it's within your budget.

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When and How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

The 49th state is a prime place to experience the aurora borealis.

Experiencing the aurora borealis may be easier than you think. While some travelers head to remote areas of Canada or Scandinavia to catch the elusive phenomenon, you can see the northern lights in Alaska without needing a passport. The Far North offers the best opportunities for aurora chasers, but Fairbanks, at a latitude of just under 65° N, also makes a great base. The real trick is finding clear skies.

The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is in the fall or spring. Auroras occur because of solar activity, so during the early part of the solar cycle, known as solar minimum, there is a smaller chance of experiencing a full-on auroral storm. As we move toward the peak of Solar Cycle 25 , the odds of seeing the northern lights increase.

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.

Displays of the northern lights tend to intensify around the equinox months of September and March because Earth's tilt in relation to the sun means that the magnetic field of Earth and the solar wind are in sync. Plus, there's a higher likelihood of clear skies during spring, so March is the best month to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights in Alaska.

If you can find dark and clear skies, be on alert from dusk onwards and you might get to see an aurora. According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the best time to see the aurora is around midnight, give or take an hour. However, they can occur at any time.

Where Is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights in Alaska?

You'll have the best chance of seeing the northern lights in locations between 65° N and 70° N latitude. Fairbanks is about 198 miles south of the Arctic Circle and enjoys sporadic northern lights. It's not worth considering more southern destinations like Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays.

Travelers wanting to increase their odds should head for the more remote northern villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory or to Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik in the extreme north. Unsurprisingly, Arctic Alaska is cold in winter (temperatures can drop to 30 degrees below zero). Below are some of the best places to spot the northern lights.

The old gold rush boomtown of Fairbanks is the undisputed capital of the northern lights hunt in Alaska. It's not the very best place for aurora viewing — it's just below the Arctic Circle — but auroras frequently occur here.

Its popularity among northern lights seekers has a lot to do with its accessibility. There are frequent flights and plenty of options for accommodations. Good vantage points in the vicinity include Cleary Summit, about 20 miles from Fairbanks, which is easy to get to and offers parking and a solid view of the horizon.

The Geophysical Institute also recommends Haystack Mountain and Ester, Wickersham and Murphy domes on its website. Chena Lake Recreation Area is a popular place to look for reflections in the water (you can park your car near the jetty). At nearby Chena Hot Springs Resort , you can even watch the show from an outdoor hot tub. By day, try your hand at either cross-country skiing or ice fishing through pre-drilled ice holes.

Once a gold mining settlement, this Alaskan Arctic destination is now little more than a truck stop at 67° N latitude on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. It's a prime northern lights observation location, largely because of the rustic Coldfoot Camp in the Brooks Mountain Range on the edge of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve , the northernmost national park in the U.S. Many aurora adventure tours take guests here, and to Wiseman about 15 miles north, for the high chances of a northern lights display. Another option nearby is the fly-in luxury Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge . Coldfoot is 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle.

This small town, formerly called Barrow, is on the extreme northern edge of Alaska at 71° N latitude and is home to the Top of the World Hotel , which organizes tours and outdoor adventures connected to Indigenous Iñupiat culture. You can also visit the Iñupiat Heritage Center to learn about bowhead whale hunting and traditional crafts. Alaska Airlines flies to the town's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport from Anchorage.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Spanning 13.2 million acres, this national park is the largest protected reserve in the United States. Travelers can bed down at the 14-person Ultima Thule Lodge for a wild adventure facilitated by small aircraft and filled with glacier trekking, rafting, and (of course) waiting for the northern lights to flicker across the sky.

Northern Lights Forecasts

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a Space Weather Prediction Center , which is a great resource for a short-term forecast of northern lights activity. Fairbanks also happens to be the headquarters of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, which issues a nightly forecast on Aurora viewing alongside a 27-day forecast.

SolarHam gives a reliable three-day geomagnetic forecast that's often used by aurora hunters, while the Aurora Forecast app shows travelers the position of the auroral oval around the Arctic Circle. It also indicates the probability of seeing the northern lights where you are (green, not so much; red, and they're probably happening right above you).

Northern Lights Tours in Alaska

You'll likely get to Coldfoot on an organized tour, and if you fly to Utqiaġvik, your accommodations will also act as a local tour guide. If you're going to be in Fairbanks, however, you have excursion choices to make. The Northern Alaska Tour Company runs round-trip van tours 60 miles north of Fairbanks to the town of Joy for an increased chance of seeing the northern lights. During the aurora season, 1st Alaska Tours offers evening trips to Chena Hot Springs, about 60 miles north of downtown Fairbanks, and to Murphy Dome, one of the highest peaks in the Fairbanks area, which provides a 360-degree view of the horizon.

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