What will be the busiest travel day for Christmas?

For the 2025-2026 Christmas season, the busiest travel day is expected to be Friday, December 19, 2025, with heavy traffic, crowded airports, and high rail usage as people begin their holiday trips. The weekend of December 20-21 will also be extremely busy, while Saturday, December 20, is anticipated to see peak traffic congestion on UK roads.

What are the busiest days on the road over Christmas?

Estimated Cars

“'Snarl-up Saturday' will be especially busy amid journeys home and the final weekend for gift shopping, but it's midweek Christmas Eve that takes the top spot, suggesting many drivers are saving their precious annual leave and making getaway journeys at the very last moment.”

What is the busiest day to travel around 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 is the best day to drive for Christmas?

When are the best times for holiday driving?

• Christmas Day — Minimal traffic expected.
• Friday, Dec. ...
• Saturday, Dec. 27 — Before 11 a.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 28 — Before 11 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 29 — Before 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 30 — Before 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 31 — Minimal traffic expected.
• New Year's Day — Minimal traffic expected.

When not to travel over Christmas?

Historically, the last Friday before Christmas has been the busiest day on the roads in December. This year, that will be Friday 19 December. Saturday Dec 20 and Sunday Dec 21 will also likely be pretty busy, and Monday Dec 23 is another one to avoid. Last year saw a record number of motorists travelling on these days.

Busiest post-Christmas travel days

Is December 27 a busy 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 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.

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.

Is December 3rd a travel day?

Travel Tuesday takes place the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the US, which this year falls on December 3 (today).

Is the motorway busy on Christmas Eve?

Yes, motorways are typically very busy on Christmas Eve, often one of the busiest days for travel as people head home, with heavy congestion expected from late morning through the afternoon (around 10am-4pm or 11am-7pm), especially on major routes like the M25, M60, and M62, so travelling very early morning or later in the evening is best to avoid the worst jams, notes Esure, The Guardian, RAC, and Fleet News.
 

What is the heaviest travel day after Christmas?

Air travel

United Airlines said it is expecting its busiest winter holiday season ever, with the Saturday after Christmas -- Dec. 27 -- forecast to be the airline's most crowded day. American Airlines said its planning for four flights to depart each minute over its holiday period, from Dec.

Where is the best place to travel during Christmas?

The best Christmas destinations offer diverse experiences, from snowy European markets (Cologne, Germany; Strasbourg, France) and magical Santa villages (Rovaniemi, Finland) to warm beach getaways (Caribbean, Canary Islands, Bali) and vibrant city lights (New York City, London). Consider Germany for traditional markets, the Caribbean for sun, or NYC for iconic festive charm, depending on your preference for snow, sun, or city buzz. 

Which day is considered to be the most holiday for Christmas?

Most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

What holiday has the worst traffic?

Thanksgiving and Christmas consistently see the worst holiday traffic in the U.S., with massive numbers of people traveling, leading to extreme congestion, particularly the days before and after the holiday. While Thanksgiving often has the most travelers overall, Christmas week brings sustained heavy traffic, with many drivers hitting the roads for festive visits, making the days leading up to December 25th and the days immediately following the most congested periods, say Fleet News, USA Today, and the RAC.
 

Is xmas day a busy travel day?

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 .

Why is December 3rd the cheapest day to fly?

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.

What is the best day to travel in December?

Christmas Day is historically the least crowded travel day during the holiday week, and there are some other days that tend to be especially good for travel, too. Analysis of the past four years of TSA travel data reveals what travel might look like this December 2025.

Is it better to fly on December 31 or January 1?

December 31 - Most people would rather party to celebrate a new year than spend the day airport hopping. But, if you're more interested in getting where you need to be while avoiding crowds and saving money, New Year's Eve is a light day to fly.

Which days to not travel in 2025?

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.

Is December 26 a busy day to fly?

Experts forecast the Friday before Christmas, Dec. 19, and the Friday and Saturday after Christmas, Dec. 26-27, to be the busiest for air travel this year. The lightest travel days are expected to be Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

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.

What is the riskiest time of flight?

The most dangerous times to fly are during the first few minutes after takeoff and the last few minutes before landing, often called the "critical ten," when most accidents occur due to lower altitudes, slower speeds, and complex maneuvers, with landing often cited as slightly riskier than takeoff. Statistically, poor weather (icing, thunderstorms) and fatigue from late flights also increase risks, making early morning, fair-weather flights the safest, while summer months see more overall incidents due to higher traffic.