It’s the most wonderful time of the year, where festive jumpers and flaming desserts are everywhere. As Christmas draws closer, many of us are making plans to go back home, head on a much-needed winter break or are simply just travelling around a lot, which means that public transport and roads are likely to be extremely busy.
This is one of the busiest times of the year, so stress is inevitable, but we all want a stress-free Christmas. If you don’t want anything to ruin your festive spirit, then here are 4 travel tips for this Christmas season.
Plan, then plan some more
You’ll have a far more relaxed trip if you plan and book your transport in advance. Many rail services reduce their timetables, so if you want to make sure your travel plans go without a hitch, then book as early as possible to make sure that you can get on the train you want.
Airlines also tend to increase their prices over Christmas, so if you want to avoid incurring any price hikes then Google Flights can help you find the best airfares. When it comes to road travel, be sure to leave as much time as possible to allow for delay or bad weather. Avoid rush hour if you can and use the AA’s traffic news section to find out about any accidents or delays along your route.
Pack with care
If you’re transporting gifts with you on your travels, then you should be mindful of the different import and customs regulations for your destination and be careful not to exceed your given allowance. Try to avoid wrapping gifts if you can, because if customs officers wish to inspect them further, then they will remove all wrapping.
If you’re travelling hand-luggage only, then remember that different airlines allow different amounts of liquids, so check with them beforehand. Things such as professional makeup, bath and shower gels, and perfumes all need to be under 50mls and in a clear, sealed bag.
Know your limits
Many of us enjoy a drink or two over Christmas, but if you’re planning on travelling before or after you’ve had a few drinks, then you need to bear the legal limits in mind. We all know that drink driving is both illegal and highly dangerous, so do not get behind the wheel if you have had more than the recommended amount.
Of course, we all have different tolerance levels, so this is also important to remember. If you plan on travelling in the morning and have had a few drinks the night before, then you may still be well over the legal driving limit. Overall, if you’re driving, it’s best to avoid any alcohol. Airlines are also strict on alcohol consumption and transporting drunk passengers, so try not to have one too many whilst waiting for your flight.
Be clever about the weather
Not looking at the weather forecast before you travel is a storm waiting to happen. Decembers tend to be relatively mild in the UK, but there have been years where unusual weather has occurred, resulting in snow, ice, fog and wind – all of which can put your travel plans into jeopardy.
Whilst you can’t control the weather, it is important that you prepare for it in the lead-up to your departure. Allow plenty of time before you set off, regularly check weather apps and prepare for the worst. If you are travelling by car, you might want to pack a weather kit if you get stuck in traffic and include things such as a blanket, flask of hot drink, snacks, de-freezer for your windscreen and warm clothes, such as socks and jumpers.
