17 secret travel tips for fall and winter that aren't so secret after all

Planning a fall or winter holiday trip this year?

A few smart tips from a variety of sources might just come in handy.

Best advice, of course, is always to think twice - but check these out for consideration and reflection.

1. Book early to save money - and that includes Christmas and New Year's trips. 

She added that while now is a good time to think about flights - it may be too late for some.

3. Pack lightly.

4. Pack layers that you can add or remove easily.

6. Fly non-stop whenever possible.

7. If you must have connecting stops, pick those connecting airports carefully - look ahead at weather forecasts, for starters.

8. Fly early in the day, advises almanac.com. 

"Weather problems in one airport trigger delays throughout the system, so fly early in the day," it suggests. 

"The earlier you fly, the fewer of these cascading delays will hit you."

10. Well ahead of time, search for great travel tips and insights on city guides, local blogs, podcasts and more. 

12. Allow extra time for travel, no matter where you're headed and no matter how small or large your travel party. 

13. Stay hydrated.

14. Protect your skin.

16. Assume there will be delays. Plan accordingly.

17. After you return home from travel, consider waiting a while to unpack your suitcase - especially if you stayed in a hotel, according to one doctor.

"Here's why you shouldn't unpack your suitcase right after coming home from a vacation," Dr. Jason Singh of Loudoun County, Virginia, said in a viral TikTok video recently. 

"Bedbug eggs typically hatch within six to 10 days, and the nymphs require a blood meal shortly after hatching to continue their development," he added.

"And just let your suitcase hang there in the side."

Sydney Borchers of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.