How to survive the long, looooong lines when you travel this summer

Here are some expert tips to navigate record crowds and skip the lines

If you feel like you're spending more time standing in line than on vacation, then you've probably been traveling this year.

And I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's about to get worse. Much worse.

This summer, travel is expected to hit record-breaking levels, with airports, attractions, and even once-quiet destinations bursting at the seams.

Want to fly somewhere? Get in line. Checking into a hotel? Get in line. Dining at a popular restaurant? Line. Visiting a museum and get out of the heat? Yep, another line.

How to survive the summer lines

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It's not just an inconvenience. Serious crowds can form at the biggest tourism destinations, which can turn dangerous, says Tamara Herold, director of the Crowd Management Research Council at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"Not knowing how to handle a crowd can increase the risks of serious injury or trampling," she says.

She's not kidding. Earlier this year, at least 30 people were killed and many more were reportedly injured at the Kumbh Mela festival in India. Tens of millions of visit Uttar Pradesh to bathe in the Ganges River. And who can forget the 153 people crushed to death in Halloween celebrations a few years ago in Seoul, South Korea?

So what's the best way of avoiding long lines and handling the inevitable crowds?

How to handle a large crowd

Let's start with a worst-case scenario: You're stuck in a crowd this summer with nowhere to go.

Herold, the crowd control expert, has three tips for surviving a crush of people and getting out alive.

Stay calm and take deep breaths

Don't panic! That will make the situation much worse. “Try to stay as calm as possible and remain situationally aware,” she says.

Move with the crowd

If you’re caught in a dense crowd, don’t fight it. “Move with the crowd to stay on your feet and avoid injury,” advises Herold. Check for alcoves or stairways for an opportunity to leave the crowd.

Have a reunification plan

If you’re traveling with others, agree on a meeting spot in case you get separated. “It’s a simple step that can save a lot of stress,” says Herold.

I hope you won't need these tips during your summer travels. But what about those long lines? What can you do beyond some of the obvious ways to steer clear of the lines, to avoid standing around during your vacation?

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How to avoid the lines this summer

You don't have to get stuck in line during the next few weeks. Here are some practical ways to avoid a long queue.

Get there early

That's the advice of Henri Chelhot, CEO of the venture capital firm that owns FlightHub and justfly.com. "The best advice I can give is to book the first flight of the day," he says. No one wants to get up at O'dark hundred to catch a flight, so you're less likely to see a huge line at TSA or the gate. Here's a pro tip: Chelhot says you can also ask to use the PreCheck line, even if you're not a member. "Sometimes, you'll be surprised by the answer."

Zig when everyone else zags

In other words, if visitors go to one entrance, go to another. "Every time I go to the Louvre in Paris, it's amazing to see long lines at the Pyramid entrance, while the Carrousel du Louvre entrance will help you breeze in," says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips.

Wait a while

We're heading into the busiest time of the year — late July and August. But wait! Summer doesn't end until mid-September, and the crowds start to thin out right after Labor Day. "An often overlooked travel hack to avoid airport crowds is taking advantage of shoulder-season travel," advises Denise Yaghi, a flight attendant for the Icelandic airline Play. "Not only can travelers enjoy faster and smoother airport experiences, but airfare during shoulder season is often more affordable."

Of course, you can also pay to avoid the crowds by carrying the right credit card or having Global Entry membership. But for many travelers who are taking one or two flights a year, that's impractical advice. And as a consumer advocate, I second that. You shouldn't have to pay more to avoid long lines. Everyone's time is valuable, and no one's time should be wasted.

It can't go on like this

As I look at the summer travel projections and take the pulse of visitors, I'm struck by the growing consensus among experts: Something has to change.

There's already a strong case for capacity controls, not just at popular attractions but in entire cities. Many of my colleagues have already promised to stop promoting tourism during the summer because they don't want to be part of the problem.

I agree with them — it can't go on like this — but I don't think the answer is to stop writing about summer travel. I think it's to start encouraging responsible summer travel.

For example, most Americans don't realize that it's the off-season in half the world — the southern half. You can get to some of my favorite places like New Zealand and Chile and enjoy lower rates, smaller crowds, and great skiing. You can still travel this summer, but if you turn the equation on its head, you might find that travel will become more bearable.

But if everyone goes to the same places — I don't even want to think about the chaos that awaits us.

Your turn

Have you spent a lot of time waiting in line this summer? What are your best tips for avoiding long lines and crowds? Our comments are open.