Christmas Eve 2025 is shaping up to be a record-breaker for travel across the United Kingdom, with experts from the RAC, the Civil Aviation Authority, and leading airports all forecasting the busiest festive getaway in over a decade. For millions, the journey home or abroad for the holidays is expected to be marked by packed roads, bustling terminals, and, in some cases, frustrating delays. Whether by car, plane, train, coach, or ferry, travelers are bracing for one of the most intense travel periods since records began, according to reports compiled by The Independent and the BBC.
On the roads, the RAC estimates that some 4.2 million getaway journeys will be made on December 24, the highest figure since the Covid pandemic. Nick Mullender, team leader for RAC's mobile servicing and repairs, told the BBC, "2025 was looking to be the busiest getaway period since our records began in 2013," adding that this year’s Christmas Eve would eclipse previous years as the single busiest day. The worst time to travel, the RAC warns, will be between 1pm and 7pm, when major routes will bear the brunt of last-minute travelers eager to reach their destinations before Christmas Day.
Key congestion hotspots are expected on the M4 from the M5 junction near Bristol to Cardiff, the M5 south of Bristol and near the M6 junction in the West Midlands, the M6 through the West Midlands from the M42 junction to Wolverhampton, and the M60 around Manchester near the Trafford Centre. The clockwise northern and western sections of the M25 are also flagged as trouble spots from mid-morning, while the M5 north from Gloucestershire towards the West Midlands will likely see major delays later in the afternoon.
Adding to the road woes, the AA has highlighted a significant closure: the M27 in Hampshire will be shut in both directions between junctions 9 and 11 from 8pm on December 24 until 4am on January 4, 2026, to allow for major works at Junction 10. This closure will disrupt journeys between Southampton and Portsmouth, with drivers advised to check tyres, oil, and coolant, and to brace for delays and an uptick in breakdowns as winter weather sets in.
For those taking to the skies, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) projects that more than 335,000 passengers will fly in the UK on Christmas Eve—the most ever recorded on that date since records began in 1972, and a 5% increase over last year. Aviation analysts at Cirium report that between December 19 and January 4, a staggering 42,046 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports, offering a total of 7.8 million seats. That’s over 100 take-offs per hour, with departures up 2% and available seats up 4% compared to the same period in 2024.
London Heathrow, the nation’s busiest hub, is anticipating its most crowded Christmas season to date. Manchester Airport expects around 75,000 passengers and 208 departing flights on December 24 alone, with Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin topping the list of most popular destinations. Heathrow will see 152,000 passengers pass through its terminals on Christmas Day, while EasyJet plans to operate 558 flights on December 25 as part of its busiest festive season ever. Stansted, by contrast, expects a quieter Christmas Day.
Despite the sheer volume of travelers, minimal disruption is expected at airports, though there have been some notable hiccups. An EasyJet flight from Tenerife to Manchester scheduled for December 23 was cancelled due to a technical issue, with most passengers rebooked on flights arriving late on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways passenger Karl Touzalin endured a two-day delay returning to Manchester after his flight was cancelled and the replacement departed 18 hours late. According to The Independent, Delta flight DL3 from New York JFK to London Heathrow will also arrive six hours late on Christmas Eve, causing a knock-on effect for the return journey.
Security remains tight at airports, with passengers warned about inadvertently packing banned items such as Christmas crackers and snow globes. In addition, UK passport holders have reported lengthy waits at Schengen area borders, with one traveler describing a 120-minute queue at Lyon passport control on December 22. As the festive rush peaks, travelers are advised to allow extra time for check-in and security, especially for flights to Europe.
The railways, traditionally a lifeline for holiday travelers, are also feeling the strain. On December 23, the East Coast Main Line was blocked between York and Newcastle due to a signalling problem, causing delays of over two hours. LNER responded by honoring tickets dated December 23 for travel on December 24, but warned that services would be reduced and trains packed. On Christmas Eve, a signalling fault at Rugby led to the cancellation of at least six Avanti West Coast intercity trains, with disruption expected until 11am. CrossCountry services faced cancellations and reduced capacity due to staff shortages, and the operator apologized for the inconvenience, stating, "CrossCountry colleagues are working hard to keep people moving this Christmas Eve – though as normal, services will finish earlier than usual."
Indeed, last trains on Christmas Eve depart earlier than usual, with the final services from London to cities such as Manchester and Glasgow leaving as early as 4:30pm. The latest last train is from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street, departing at 11:58pm. On Christmas Day itself, no trains run in the UK except for shuttles between terminals at London Heathrow. Boxing Day sees only a handful of services, including ScotRail, Chiltern, and Southern routes, while Eurostar will operate multiple departures from London St Pancras International.
After the holiday, rail travelers face further challenges. London Waterloo station will be closed from December 24 to December 28, while the West Coast Main Line will be shut between Milton Keynes and Rugby until January 5 for junction replacement. From December 31 to January 15, the stretch between Preston and Carlisle will also be closed, with a shuttle service via the scenic Settle and Carlisle Railway. No trains will run on the main line between Leeds and York until January 3, 2026.
With rail options limited, coach operators like National Express and Flixbus are stepping in, offering hundreds of extra services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to cater to those affected by rail closures. National Express alone is running to 96 destinations on December 25. Most local bus services will be closed on Christmas Day, but there are exceptions, such as Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight and limited routes in Edinburgh, Brighton, Thames Valley, and Crawley.
On the water, the Port of Dover is urging drivers not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled ferry, reassuring that missed departures due to congestion will be rebooked free of charge. The final ferry before Christmas leaves Dover for Calais at 3:05pm on December 24, with the port closing until the first Boxing Day sailing at 9:10am. In Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne has cancelled four sailings between Oban and the Isle of Mull on Christmas Eve due to technical issues, and no vessels will operate on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
For millions across the UK, this Christmas getaway is a test of patience and planning. With record numbers on the move and a web of closures, delays, and diversions, travelers are relying on up-to-the-minute information—and a little holiday cheer—to reach their destinations. As the season’s journeys unfold, all eyes are on the roads, rails, and runways, hoping for smooth arrivals and festive reunions.
