WINDSOR LOCKS/NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The holiday rush was on – this time in the opposite direction – on Sunday. Millions of people across the country were heading home from their Thanksgiving destinations.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is typically a busy travel day. According to a survey from TripAdvisor, 22% of travelers headed home on Sunday after traveling for Thanksgiving.
The survey also noted that 51% of people traveled for the holiday.
Bradley International Airport was quiet on Sunday night; however, people who head to the airport every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving say it typically is very busy earlier in the day. But some were expecting it to be a bit more chaotic on Sunday night.
“We were quite shocked we got a parking space,” said Marlene Mihalek of Sandy Hook. “Everything’s been moving along.”
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Most flights were on time. Travelers getting ready to depart didn’t have to wait long to go through security. Many were expecting the airport to be packed; they were pleasantly surprised.
“Today was really nice,” said Mihalek. “There’s people here but they’re moving, so it’s not overcrowded or anything.”
Meanwhile, many of the benches were full at Union Station in New Haven on Sunday evening. The station was full of travelers heading home after Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.
The station had to be evacuated late in the afternoon after someone pulled the fire alarm.
“It didn’t seem like there was a lot of people until everyone went outside and everyone was clustered, so I guess it kind of became very overwhelming,” said Deanna Vanni of New City, New York.
Even after everyone was allowed back inside, the area in front of the station got very congested as passengers got picked up or dropped off.
Many people travel on the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year and they planned ahead.
“Everything’s been going great. I made sure I booked four months in advance because after that tickets will go up,” said Joshua Brown of Boston.
Despite all the hustle and bustle, most of the trains were on time. Passengers say what could’ve been a stressful day of travel really wasn’t that bad.
“I always find that the Metro North train from New York to New Haven is always on time, and even if you have to stand it seems good,” said Shannon Palmer of New Haven. “It’s a good train.”
Monday is expected to be a busy travel day as well, as more people head home after the holiday or head back to work.
