Do People Usually Travel On Christmas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As of September 9, 2021,

the most popular travel day before Christmas is Wednesday, December 22, and the most popular travel day after Christmas is Tuesday, December 28

. Again, travelers are likely taking advantage of work-from-home policies to travel more flexibly.

What percent of people travel for Christmas?

“Nearly

13%

of all American adults will travel by plane to their Christmas gathering or destination. This figure represents almost 33 million people.

Is it good to travel on Christmas Day?

Best Departure Dates Best Return Dates Tuesday, December 21 Wednesday, December 29

How many people travel around Christmas?


More than 109 million people

— an almost 34% increase from 2020 — will travel 50 miles or more as they hit the road, board airplanes or take other transportation out of town between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. That dramatic bounce-back — 27.7 million more people traveling — will bring this year's numbers to 92% of 2019 levels.

Whats the biggest travel day of the year?

(NewsNation Now) — The

Wednesday before Thanksgiving

is typically the busiest travel day of the year, and Americans are heading out in record numbers. People who are prepared are going to be better off, whether it's going to the airport two hours early or getting on the road while it's still dark.

Is January 1st a big travel day?

The least busy days, which makes them the

best travel days

, are December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1.

Is Christmas Day a busy air travel day?

It would be helpful to know whch airport you're flying from but in general,

I would expect airports to no busier on Dec 25th than usual

and many airports in countries that celebrate Christmas will be quiet (and some closed altogether).

What are the busiest travel days for Christmas?

Since Christmas doesn't always fall on the same day of the week, the most popular travel days can fluctuate from one year to the next. But, typically,

December 23

is the busiest travel day leading up to the itself, while the Sunday afterward is usually the most popular day for return travel.

Are flights cheap on Christmas Day?

Based on Hipmunk's historical data,

departing on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve makes for the most inexpensive flights

, with median round-trip prices for domestic flights under $400. Most people choose to depart earlier, with 68% of people booking flights departing between December 21-23.

How many Americans will travel for Christmas in 2021?

Total Automobile 2021 Forecast

109.5 million

100.1 million
2020 Actual 81.7 million 78.5 million 2019 Actual 119.3 million 108 million Change (2019 to 2021) -8.2% -7.3%

Is January 2nd a big travel day?

23, to be the busiest pre-holiday dates for national and local travel, while

Sunday, Jan. 2, and Monday, Jan. 3, are anticipated to be the busiest days for post-holiday travel

. However, a representative for the agency said passengers should expect “sustained high travel volumes” through the end of the year.

Should I travel on holidays during the Covid-19 pandemic?


Do NOT travel if…


You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test

. You had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine. Do not travel until a full 5 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19. It is best to avoid travel for a full 10 days after your last exposure.

How many people are expected to travel this year?


6.4 million

travelers are expected to fly during the holiday season This will represent a 184% increase from 2020 and bring the 2021 volume to 87% of 2019 levels. travel during the year-end holidays—27.7 million more than 2020 and just under 10 million fewer than 2019.

Where can you travel at Christmas?

  • Iceland. Iceland is the perfect holiday destination for travellers in search of Christmas spirit. …
  • The Rhine, Germany. …
  • Germany. …
  • Barbados. …
  • Courchevel, France. …
  • Edinburgh, Scotland. …
  • Salzburg, Austria. …
  • Finnish Lapland.

Is Christmas day a good day to travel by car?


Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, is going to be the best day to hit the road

. Most travelers have arrived at their destination by this time after enduring the often grueling traffic of Christmas Eve.

Is traffic usually bad the day after Christmas?

In fact, CityLab released a report last year stating that

traffic congestion was lower on Christmas Day than on both the day before and the day after the holiday

. Once you've determined the best day to embark on your Christmas holiday vacation, make sure that your vehicle is ready to make the journey.

Is December 17 a busy travel day?

Anna Brown, PR Manager for Expedia, tells Elite Daily the busiest travel day for Christmas 2021 will be Thursday, Dec. 23, according to flight demand.

The second busiest day is shaping up to be Friday, Dec. 17

.

Is Dec 22 a busy travel day?


The busiest upcoming days locally are expected to be Dec. 22

and Dec. 23, according to the TSA. For those returning home, it is Jan.

What's the least crowded day to fly?

The basic rule about choosing the best day of the week to fly is

Tuesday or Wednesday

. They not only tend to be the cheapest days to fly but less busy as well. Since there are fewer people who would like to fly mid-week, Tuesday and Wednesday are also the best days to fly standby.

Is New Year's Eve a big travel day?

New Year's Eve is another

high-traffic day for airlines

. Not everyone watching the ball drop in Times Square is a local New Yorker, and drunken drivers are a known hazard to New Year's Eve-related travel everywhere.

Is Christmas Eve a good day to fly?

As per usual, the cheapest day to fly is on Christmas Day itself. While many may prefer not to cut into the festivities by traveling on the holiday,

it can be a great way to save

—especially for families that do the majority of celebrating on Christmas Eve.

What is the best day to drive after Christmas?

Most Popular Travel Days for Christmas in 2021

As of September 9, 2021, the most popular travel day before Christmas is Wednesday, December 22, and the most popular travel day after Christmas is

Tuesday, December 28

. Again, travelers are likely taking advantage of work-from-home policies to travel more flexibly.

What is the best time to travel on Christmas Eve?

According to their data, for Thursday, Dec. 23, traffic will be the heaviest from noon to 6 p.m. so the best time to hit the road is after 7 p.m. The worst time to travel on Christmas Eve., Friday, Dec. 24, is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. whereas the best time to travel is

anytime before 1 p.m.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.