What Can We Expect? [travelling Christmas Eve from Ottawa to Hilton Head]

[Hornet441]

Okay, we (2 adults) are travelling Christmas Eve from Ottawa (YOW) to Hilton Head (SAV) Through Washington, Dulles (IAD). Depart YOW at 2:20 PM, arrive IAD at 4:00 PM. One hour layover and arrive in SAV at 6:40 PM. We're pretty good in and around airports but have never travelled on a major holiday nor been through IAD before. What can we expect or at least try to prepare for (other than weather, which looks good)?

 

[CapriciousC]

Dulles (like most major airports) is likely to be a madhouse on Christmas Eve. Not trying to be discouraging, but it might help to look at a layout of the airport online ahead of time and maybe check with the airline and see if they can at least tell you which terminal you'll be arriving to and departing from. They won't be able to give you gate information, but even knowing in advance which terminal and getting the "lay of the land", so to speak, will help.

On the upside, when you get to the Savannah/Hilton Head airport (which is located here in Savannah, despite the name - I've always thought that was a bit misleading) things should be relatively calm. Our airport's just not that big, and you can walk directly to the rental cars. Also, it's currently 70 degrees as I'm typing this, so your weather should be nice :whoopie:

 

[tschwa2]

You also might want to call your airline and ask for the on time percentage for your first flight. If it isn't at least 70% I would be worried. You also want to make sure if you are checking bags you have enough stuff in your carry on to get you through the first day at HH in case your bags don't make it.

When you get to HH it will be dark so make sure you have good directions to where you are going.

 

[Hornet441]

Terminal layout and on time percentage. Good advice, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.