Pesach

Peach Travel Tips

If there’s a truck heading to your destination, we suggest using it, especially if you're a large group. It’s often the most convenient way to transport your items.

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The ideas listed below are ones we’ve personally used as a family of four, or together with another small family:

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Matzo

We tape two matzo boxes together and create a handle using strong tape. This allows us to carry the matzo as a carry-on instead of checking it in, reducing the risk of the matzo breaking in transit.

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Wine

We don't pack wine, as kosher Bartenura wines are widely available in liquor stores across the U.S., as well as in many Walmart, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie locations. However, it's always best to contact the local Chabad rabbi ahead of time to confirm availability at your destination.

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Minyan Information

Local rabbis are usually very helpful, not only with their own minyan schedules but also with providing contact information for other minyanim in the area. Many communities or developments also create group chats where minyan times and other helpful information are shared throughout Erev Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed. Try to join these chats early for useful travel and destination tips.

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Kashering and Kitchen Prep

If you're staying in a hotel or Airbnb and haven’t used a local kashering service (we typically don’t), you can boil water in a travel electric kettle and kasher the sink yourself. We also bring plenty of fridge liners to cover counters, fridge, and freezer surfaces. Though the liners are bumpy, they’re lightweight, easy to pack, and don't affect serving or cleaning. If one gets dirty, it's simple to replace.

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Selling Chometz

When selling your chometz before Pesach, don’t forget to include the address of your Airbnb or hotel in the sale, especially if you’ll be bringing any chometz items with you.

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Bedikas Chometz

If arriving on Chol Hamoed, it's customary to do bedikas chometz again. With most Airbnb rentals, this is quick since professional cleaning services usually leave the place clean and empty.

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Food for Chol Hamoed Trips

We prepare many Pesach cakes and cookies in advance and freeze them in daily portions. Cupcakes are a great alternative to large cakes, as they travel more easily. We also pack cut-up and peeled fruit, yogurt, and leben bags.

For lunch, we use a travel egg cooker to boil eggs, which we mash and eat with matzo or veggies. Avocado or guacamole with matzo is another great option.

For dinner, we usually bring or buy a small grill (available at most Walmart stores) and barbecue along the way. Meat, chicken, and hot dogs are frozen in labeled containers by day, so in the morning, you can simply grab the day’s container and go without needing to sort through food.