Festive Travel: 4 Tips to Boost your Trip

It might not be the season for sun, sea and sand – but that doesn’t mean to say that winter travel isn’t a thing.

On the contrary, this is proving to be a hugely popular period to travel – and one only has to cast their eyes on the roads around the festive period to see this in its full glory.

Of course, with treacherous conditions and other festive hazards to consider, it pays to be prepared. Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at four essential tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible.

Don’t assume that all attractions are open

Yes, it might be around Christmas, but don’t be under any assumptions about opening times. Put simply, winter can do strange things to UK tourist destinations, and you’ll need to do your research before travelling.

At the same time, there can be pleasant surprises. After all, some attractions might be closed for most of the winter but open their doors when Christmas arrives. With this in mind, it’s always worth checking in advance.

Look out for delays

Again, this might seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people don’t factor in the potential for delays when making their travel plans.

Delays can come in all shapes and sizes, from the classic road closure caused by a car accident to the more mundane (but nonetheless frustrating) problem of bad weather. Whatever the case, it always pays to be prepared and to give yourself some extra time.

We’ve seen some horror winter rush hour stories over the years – and it doesn’t matter where you’re travelling to. It might be an inner-city ride around London, or you might be travelling cross-country to Swindon. Either way, make sure you budget plenty of time for your journeys for both weather and more general reasons.

Make sure you’re stocked up on supplies

This is a big one, particularly if you’re planning on driving. In short, you need to ensure you’re prepared for every eventuality, whether that means having a first-aid kit, a shovel or a bag of sand in the boot of your car.

Again, this might seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people don’t factor in the potential for delays when making their travel plans.

Have a backup plan

This is particularly important if you’re travelling during the festive period. Chances are, you’re not the only person with the same idea, and there might be some competition for hotel rooms or rental cars, especially with rail strikes planned this Christmas.

With this in mind, it always pays to have a backup plan. This might be booking a room in a different town or even just being prepared to camp out in your car if necessary.

Of course, these are just a few essential tips to help you get through the festive period. However, the most important thing to remember is to be prepared and to take things slowly. After all, there’s no rush, and the main thing is to arrive safe and sound.