What is the busiest day to fly around Christmas?

The busiest days to fly around Christmas are generally the Friday before (Dec 19, 2025) and the days immediately surrounding the holiday, with over 460,000 daily passengers expected in the UK. Other peak days include the weekend of Dec 20–21 and post-holiday, with Sunday, Dec 28, being particularly busy.

What is the busiest travel day over Christmas?

The busiest Christmas travel days are typically the Friday before, the weekend just before, and Christmas Eve, with significant congestion as people finish work and shop, while Christmas Day itself can also see busy flights and some road travel. Expect peaks on the last Friday and Saturday, plus Christmas Eve (Dec 24th) and the following Monday (Dec 23rd), with morning travel being busier for flights and afternoons/evenings for roads.
 

What's the best day to fly around Christmas?

These days are typically the least crowded for flying, making your journey more pleasant and stress-free. According to data, flying on December 24 or 25 can help you avoid the holiday rush, as many travelers tend to fly before Christmas rather than on the actual holiday .

Is Christmas the busiest day at the airport?

The busiest airport travel days of 2024: According to the TSA, all but 2 were in the summer. The busiest day was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but none of the top 10 (or top 20) were around Christmas. So, if you survived the summer & Thanksgiving travel season in 2025, you should be OK for this Christmas season.

Is it better to fly on December 23, or 24?

Flying December 24th or 25th saves serious money. Analysis of over 40,000 flights shows Christmas Eve runs 75% above baseline but still costs less than the surrounding peak days, while Christmas Day offers the best value of the holiday period at just 27% above normal fares.

Busiest travel day with Christmas around the corner

Is December 27 a busy air travel day?

The agency expects the heaviest traveler volume will be about 2.86 million on Sunday, Dec 28, followed by Dec 19, 20, 21, 27, and 29. The busiest day last year was Friday, Dec. 27, when TSA screened just under 2.85 million travelers.

Is December 24 a good day to travel?

If you don't mind flying on holiday days, NerdWallet also suggests New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as days that will have the least travel congestion. You could save money by traveling closer to Christmas, however. "Flying December 24th or 25th saves serious money.

What are the worst traffic days around Christmas?

Worst days to travel for Christmas

• Friday, December 20.
• Saturday, December 21.
• Sunday, December 22.

Why is December 3 the best day to buy flights?

What is Travel Tuesday? On Dec. 3, in the wake of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, companies from airlines and hotels to rental platforms capitalize on consumerism, dropping limited-time booking promotions for travelers from operators around the world.

Is Christmas Day a quiet day to fly?

Even if the flights aren't much cheaper on Christmas Day, you should be able to count one thing going in your favour: the airport should be comparatively quiet. “The airports will almost certainly be much less busy due to fewer flights operating,” says John Strickland.

Is December 26th a good day to fly?

December 26 - As soon as Christmas is over, many people need to get back home to work and other responsibilities. If you can wait a couple of days to get home, you'll experience fewer crowds at the airport. December 27 - Many people know that the airport will be bustling on December 26th and wait till the 27th to fly.

What are the heaviest travel days for Christmas 2025?

Boxing Day (December 26) and the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December are predicted to be extremely busy this year, with big sales impacting road transport. And with workers returning to work on 29 December, rush hour will also return in the mornings and evenings. Try to avoid driving during these periods.

Do more people fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

The least-crowded dates to travel during the holidays, according Nerd Wallet, is on Christmas (Dec. 25) with Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) being the second-quietest option.

What is the best day to fly for Christmas?

Assuming you don't mind spending part of your holiday in the air, Christmas Day or Christmas Eve are the best days to fly during the last two weeks of the year. While airport crowds dramatically increase in the days before and after the holiday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day crowds remain light.

Is Heathrow busy on Christmas Day?

Airports expecting record Christmas periods

Heathrow Airport is expecting to record its busiest ever December and Christmas Day, with about 250,000 passengers a day travelling through the airport.

How to get cheaper flights around Christmas?

How to Score Cheap Flights During Christmas

1. Key Takeaways.
2. Travel Light.
3. Pick a Less Busy Travel Day.
4. Adjust Your Holiday Schedule.
5. Book at the Last Minute.
6. Consider Overnight or Early Morning Flights.
7. Consider Alternate Airports.

How early should I book a flight for Christmas?

To get the best deals: Book 32–73 days before Christmas (mid-October to early November). This is the ideal window for lower fares. Avoid last-minute bookings, as prices often increase by $100–$200 within 21 days of departure.

Which day should you not travel?

Dates to avoid travel in 2025 July: 2, 11, 20, 29 August: 1, 10, 19, 28 September: 9, 18, 27 October: 8, 17, 28 November: 7, 16, 25 December: 6, 15, 24 Reason to avoid travel: as per the caption provided.

Which holiday is the most deadliest traffic day?

4th of July

The Fourth of July is considered the deadliest holiday of the year, says the American Safety Council. During the Independence Day holiday period, the National Safety Council estimates between 377 to 501 traffic-related fatalities, with alcohol consumption a major contributing factor to vehicle crashes.

What day of the week has the least traffic in the UK?

What are the quietest days to drive? Commuting is a little quieter on Mondays in many UK cities. Sunday is often the best day to go on a sightseeing trip whilst avoiding traffic – especially if you set off earlier on before many of the shops open and the usual 'Sunday drivers' venture out.

Is December 28 a good day to travel?

🗓️December 28: The last highly auspicious travel day of the month! Use it to finalise or start any major travel plans for 2026. ⚠️ Be cautious between December 6 and 25. During this period, double-check all tickets, schedules, and communication multiple times to avoid issues.

Is Dec 3 a travel day?

The Tuesday following Thanksgiving is now dubbed "Travel Tuesday” with many airlines, hotels, and other providers offering specials. Taking place December 3, this year, Travel Tuesday is the perfect day to search and plan for your next trip. Looking for inspiration?

Is December 25 a good day to fly?

Airlines often price Christmas Day flights lower than those on the days leading up to and following the holiday. Since most people aim to reach their destination before Christmas, demand for December 25th flights tends to be lower, leading to cost savings for those who choose to travel on the day itself.