Are Your Feet Ready for Holiday Travel? 5 Tips for Pain-Free Trips
Nov 07, 2025
The holidays are full of movement — packing suitcases, running through airports, standing in lines, dancing at parties, and trekking from store to store. It’s a joyful time, but it’s also hard on your feet. If you already deal with issues like plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat arches, or Achilles tendon pain, all that activity can easily exacerbate the condition.
Even healthy feet can feel sore and swollen after hours of walking on hard surfaces or wearing festive shoes that look great but don’t offer much support. Luckily, you can avoid seasonal foot pain with a little planning.
By making a few small changes now, you can stay on your feet all season long without hobbling into the new year. And if you need professional help, our team at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, can help ensure your travel is pain-free.
Good shoes equal happy feet, especially when you’re traveling. Choose shoes that feel comfortable the moment you put them on — no “breaking in” should be needed. Look for a sturdy sole, soft cushioning, and a wide toe box so your toes can spread naturally.
If you’ll be flying long distances, remember that your lower legs and feet can swell; a lace-up or adjustable style helps you loosen things mid-flight.
And while it’s tempting to wear heels or stiff dress shoes to holiday events, try alternating them with a supportive pair before and after. That swap can save your arches and ankles from a lot of pain. If you wear orthotics, don’t forget to pack them; they make a huge difference, especially if you’ll be walking more than usual.
Long hours in planes, cars, or trains can make feet stiff and swollen. Keep your blood flowing by wiggling your toes, flexing your ankles, and pointing your feet up and down a few times every hour. If you can, get up to walk the aisle or stretch your legs during car stops.
Compression socks can also help. They gently improve circulation and reduce swelling. Don’t forget to stay hydrated; dehydration can worsen muscle cramps and stiffness. When you reach your destination, give your feet a quick warm-up: roll your ankles, stretch your calves, and rise onto your toes a few times. You’ll feel the difference almost instantly.
Bring blister bandages or moleskin, a travel-sized lotion for dry skin, toenail clippers, and a nail file to smooth rough edges that catch in socks. Add a small massage ball or frozen water bottle to roll under your arches at night.
If you’re prone to heel pain, an ice pack or instant cold pack can be a lifesaver. Just 10 minutes of icing after a long day can help ease inflammation. Your preferred pain relief medication, plus any prescribed orthotics, night splints, or toe spacers, are other items you may carry.
The holidays tend to push us from one activity to the next, but your feet need downtime. Try to sit and rest for a few minutes every hour, especially if you’ve been standing on tile or concrete while cooking, shopping, or hosting.
If you start to feel soreness in your heels or arches, elevate your feet for ten minutes. It helps reduce swelling and gives your muscles a chance to recover.
If you’re experiencing heel pain when you get out of bed, it could be plantar fasciitis. Feel a sharp twinge near your big toe? It could be a bunion starting to flare. If you catch these issues early, treatment is usually less involved and more effective.
Holiday travel should leave you with good memories, not sore feet. A little preparation goes a long way toward a pain-free season.
And if your feet already hurt or you want expert advice before you take off, South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, is the best place to go. Schedule an evaluation with our experts at your nearest office in San Antonio or Kerrville, Texas, today.