Millions of people will be traveling overseas during the Christmas to New Year period, specifically between December 20 and January 2, according to ABTA - The Travel Association. This period is renowned for being a peak travel season, especially for families with young children.

The most crowded day for departures is expected to be Sunday, December 22, while Christmas Day stands out as the least busy. Travelers are seeking either winter sun or a classic snowy Christmas experience.

Some of the hottest destinations for those craving warmth include the Canary Islands, Southern Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Dubai.

For a more traditional snowy Christmas, popular ski destinations such as France, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia are leading choices. Meanwhile, city breaks for New Year celebrations are drawing travelers to places like Amsterdam, Budapest, Dublin, Paris, Prague, and Vienna.

Travel Statistics for the Christmas Period

A large volume of travelers is set to depart from major airports, with projections indicating: 500,000 from Stansted, 400,000 from Luton, around 500,000 from Manchester, 200,000 from Birmingham, and 175,000 from Bristol. Heathrow anticipates its busiest December ever, with a 21% year-on-year increase in traffic on Christmas Day, despite that being the quietest day during the festive season.

In Scotland, airports like Edinburgh expect their busiest days to fall on the three Fridays: December 20, December 27, and January 3.

Additionally, a considerable number of travelers are opting for ferry services or the Channel Tunnel for their journeys across the English Channel.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA remarked: “Christmas and New Year are among the busiest times of the year for overseas travel with millions heading off to spend quality time with family and friends.

“Holidaymakers are either looking for winter sun or guaranteed snow, along with the chance to relax and enjoy without the burden of cooking and cleaning up after festivities.

“We encourage travelers to plan ahead as public transport and roads will be quite busy. Always allow ample time to reach your departure port, and reach out to ABTA members for travel advice.”