For many, the holiday season provokes a lot of feelings. A survey conducted by The American Psychological Association in 2023 found that while 80% of folks describe the holidays in positive terms (fun! joyous!), 63% describe them negatively (stressful, overwhelming).
Although there are many reasons for holiday-induced stress, a big one is travel.
Last year, an unprecedented 39 million Americans flew during the holiday season, and 2025 is on track to be another record-breaking year. It makes sense: Travel is often necessary for folks to see the family and friends they hold dear.
Lyft may not be able to help you with most holiday stressors, but we have worked hard to do what we can to de-hassle flying — so you can minimize the stress of the journey and focus on the fun and joy of connecting with your loved ones.
Here are six ways to make your holiday travel a little easier this season.
1. Schedule your airport drop-off — and pickup
According to a recent survey by Lyft of over 1,000 rideshare users, 71% of riders find that getting to and from the airport is more stressful than the flight itself.
Riders are right to worry. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days to fly — there are 20% more rides to/from airports than usual. The Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving are even more hectic: Rides to the airport are 30% above their normal levels.
However, 86% of people surveyed by Lyft also felt that using rideshare, instead of driving themselves, is “worth it” during the holidays. Here’s our tip to make it even easier: To ensure you get to the airport on time, schedule your ride to the airport (ideally more than 24 hours before your flight), and give yourself plenty of wiggle room in case of traffic. Your driver will be there within 10 minutes of your pickup time — and if not, you’ll get up to $100 in credits.
You can also now schedule your ride from your destination airport. But what if your flight’s delayed, you ask? (And you’d be right to: As if holiday travel weren’t stressful enough, nearly one out of every four holiday flights is delayed). Lyft has built flight tracking into its app: When you schedule an airport pickup (and input your flight details), Lyft will adjust the pickup time automatically, so your driver is ready when you are.
2. Plan your exit strategy from family gatherings
While spending time with family and friends is one of the benefits of the holiday season, family obligations can also take their toll.
One way to deal with family stressors, according to the American Clinic of Psychology, is to limit the time you spend with relatives: “This could mean staying for just part of a gathering or meeting in a group setting where you can pivot and engage in other conversations or activities happening. You can also plan an exit strategy ahead of time, such as using a code word, in case you’re feeling triggered or overstimulated and need to signal to someone that it’s time to leave.”
If you do decide to exit early, know that you wouldn’t be alone: A majority of rideshare users that Lyft surveyed (58%) admitted they have taken a rideshare to escape the chaos of family time.
3. Book an XXL — and stop worrying about packing
Nearly 70% of Americans stress about packing. Rather than trying to stuff holiday gifts, bulky sweaters, and party heels into an under-seat backpack, however, many Lyft riders are embracing going large. Last year, requests for an XL Lyft spiked 36% the day before Thanksgiving and around 50% the day before New Year’s Eve.
To answer this increasing demand, Lyft recently launched XXL — an option to request vehicles with even more trunk space (fitting four to six bags, so room for all the family’s luggage). So far, 50% of XXL rides are airport rides. Feel free to join the trend: Give in to a checked suitcase, order that XXL, and pack it all.
4. Practice meditation or mindfulness, even in the back seat of your ride
In a study by the mental health nonprofit A Mission for Michael (AMFM), 37% of respondents noted that “meditation and practicing mindfulness” helped them the most when it came to managing holiday stress. Your Lyft ride to/from the airport is a great time to breathe and center yourself before the travel/holiday festivities begin.
Last year, Lyft interviewed Dr. Clifton Berwise, a clinical psychologist for Modern Health and a former driver with Lyft, to get his tips for ways riders can practice DIY mindfulness in the back of their Lyft rides. Read them all here.
5. Earn points and save money with Lyft Cash Rewards
Check a suitcase, you may say — in this economy? And we hear you: nearly ⅔ of people experience financial stress during the holidays.
To help our frequent riders save (up to $456 annually — so they can schedule that XXL with ease), Lyft has created a loyalty program: Lyft Cash Rewards.
6. Say thanks!
The AMFM survey notes a coping mechanism that, somewhat surprisingly, helps 84% of Americans during the holidays: practicing gratitude.
So, while it may seem cheesy, one of the best ways to navigate the holiday stress may well be striking up a conversation with your driver — and thanking them for their service, verbally and/or with a tip. Of course, Lyft riders are well ahead of the curve on this one — tips are roughly 10% higher over Thanksgiving break and during Christmastime. And on Christmas Eve last year, one out of every 12 tips was over 50%. Clearly, Lyft riders know what the holiday season is truly all about.