With Thanksgiving just around the corner, large numbers of tourists and locals alike are expected to travel through Palm Springs International Airport.
The airport says it will welcome more than 34,000 departing passengers from Tuesday to Sunday, with an average of 6,500 travelers on peak travel days.
Here are some travel tips to ensure a smooth flying experience, because while spending Thanksgiving with family members can be stressful, there’s no reason why holiday travel should be the same.
Come to PSP early
Palm Springs locals may be used to getting up less than an hour before their flight takes off.
That may not be feasible during the peak holiday travel season.
Airport officials recommend that travelers arrive two hours before departure to check in their luggage, and say those traveling with carry-on luggage only should arrive 90 minutes earlier.
The airport is busiest between 10am and 2pm, when approximately 3,000 passengers pass through security. In such cases, waiting times can be up to 30 minutes.
To accommodate the increased number of travelers, the airport has added a seventh screening lane.
Travelers travel through Palm Springs International Airport.
More: Which grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving? Here you can read where you can do last-minute shopping
More: These twelve Coachella Valley restaurants are offering special dinner menus this Thanksgiving
More: What’s open on Black Friday? View opening hours for Coachella Valley Target, Walmart and Costco stores
Determine the best PSP parking choice in advance
Open parking sports at the airport can sometimes be rare, especially around busy travel weeks. The main terminal area costs $20 per day and may fill up quickly this week.
Live parking updates are available at flypsp.com/parking.
An overflow lot on Kirk Douglas Way is available for overnight parking. Shuttle service to and from the terminal will operate from 4:30 AM to 10 PM through Thanksgiving Day. The service will only continue for returning travelers from 8:30 AM until the last arrival from November 29 to December 3.
Plan ahead if you plan to dine at PSP
Although new restaurant options are quickly being added to the airport, the increased number of travelers means that many of these locations will be full during peak hours.
The airport advises passengers to plan ahead for dinner. Grab-and-go options are available at shops and kiosks throughout the property.
Other useful tips
Check-in online. By checking in via an airline app, passengers can save time when arriving at the airport.
Each passenger can carry a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols with containers of 3.4 ounces or less.
If you plan to bring Thanksgiving food, you can pack it in carry-on or checked luggage, as long as the items meet TSA rules for liquids. Close items tightly to prevent spills.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What You Need to Know When Traveling through the Palm Springs Airport Thanksgiving Week
