Nearly 14 million drivers are expected to hit the road in the last weekend before Christmas, marking a new record, according to the RAC motoring group. Rail disruption due to engineering works is also expected to add to congestion on the roads. So how can you avoid hotspots – whether travelling by road, air, ferry or rail?
Stagger travel times on roads
The RAC says that on Friday, the worst time to travel is between 14:00 and 19:00, and an evening journey may be slightly easier. On Saturday, most traffic is expected between 13:00 and 18:00, and it’s best to set off in the morning. The AA advises people to be prepared with plenty of fuel, have their phones charged and tyres and lights checked. They also suggest carrying food and warm clothes in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.
Check engineering works on rail
Network Rail advises passengers to check their journey before travelling. Some services, such as West Midlands Railway, are running an amended service due to engineering works, and last-minute train cancellations are possible. As London Paddington is closed between 27 and 29 December for HS2 construction works, rail travel to and from Heathrow Airport will be disrupted, as well as journeys to south Wales and south-west England.
Confirm return travel on airplanes
Friday 20 December is projected to be the busiest day for air travel over the festive period, according to data analysts Cirium. It looked at all departures due to take place between 20 December and 2 January and said that overall, this year will see 5% more departures compared with 2023. The busiest days for Heathrow will be 20 December, while 22 December will be busiest for Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Birmingham, and Bristol airports.
Arrive only for your allotted ferry sailing
The Port of Dover is one of Europe’s busiest ports and it says that if you have booked with a third-party provider, you should check your details before travelling. Allow plenty of time for your journey, and arrive only for your allotted sailing.
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