It’s no secret that traveling over the festive period is notoriously more difficult than any other time of year. According to a recent poll, 9 out of 10 Brits plan to travel over 300 miles to celebrate Christmas this year – with an average of 339 miles typically travelled during the month of December alone. So with the big day looming ever closer, we wanted to share a few top tips when it comes to traveling over Christmas.

Avoid last-minute packing

There are countless things to pack when traveling for Christmas, from cards to presents, luggage, food and drink, toys to keep the kids entertained on the journey… the list goes on! Make Christmas day morning less hectic by loading up the car the night before – top tip: after the kids have gone to bed can be an optimum time! That way all you have to do in the morning is focus on getting everyone ready and out the door.

Check for Travel Updates

If you’re driving further afield to visit family elsewhere in the UK, be wary of the Christmas chaos bringing thousands more Brits out onto the motorways. Busier roads, with many families rushing to get to their destinations, means an increased chance of accidents, road closures and congestion when it comes to driving around the time of Christmas and New Year. Be sure to check your local travel updates online before setting off to see if there are any routes you should avoid and plan your trip accordingly to avoid delays.

Traveling By Train

If you’d rather avoid the hectic roads altogether this Christmas, booking a relaxing train journey could be the perfect solution to stress-free travel. Ensure you double-check Christmas travel timetables to inform you of exactly when services will be running. There are a couple of things to remember if you’re opting to travel by train this year:

Wear a facemask – with the new rules imposing face masks to be worn on public transport again, don’t forget to pack enough face masks for you and all the family.

Don’t overpack – it’s important to be mindful that there’s limited space on trains to store everyone’s luggage. Try to pack as lightly as possible, being selective with how many presents you bring along, and only packing the essential requirements.

Social distance – while we appreciate this may not always be possible on busy services, try to social distance where possible, sitting a meter or more away from other passengers to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Book in advance – to secure the best fares and allocated seating, be sure to book your tickets in advance. Remember, more people will be traveling to see loved ones over Christmas, so carriages will be busier than usual.