Travelling Over Christmas: What To Expect And How To Plan

Travelling over Christmas can be a fun way to experience the festive season somewhere new. City streets may be bright with lights, with seasonal foods and drinks to try, while places you have visited before can feel completely different at this time of year.

I particularly love Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. The early darkness makes the lights look brighter, and even an ordinary walk can feel festive when the streets are decorated and Christmas markets are open. It is very different from the summer Christmases I grew up with in New Zealand, which is part of what makes it enjoyable.

However, the week around Christmas is not an ordinary week for travel. Flights and trains may be busy in the days leading up to Christmas, while public transport, shops, restaurants, and attractions can become very limited on Christmas Day.

If you haven’t travelled over Christmas before, the changes to transport, opening hours, and food options can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to plan every hour, but it is worth booking important journeys and meals early, checking what will be open, and choosing accommodation that will still be convenient if public transport stops. This guide covers what to expect and how to enjoy travelling over Christmas without feeling overwhelmed.

What Is Travelling Over Christmas Really Like?

Travelling over Christmas can feel busy and quiet at the same time. Airports, train stations, shopping areas, and popular attractions may be crowded before Christmas, but the destination itself can become extremely peaceful once Christmas Day arrives.

The exact experience depends on where you are travelling. In some countries, Christmas Eve is the main family celebration. In others, Christmas Day or Boxing Day carries more importance. Shops may close early and remain shut for several days afterwards.

Perhaps this makes Christmas seem like a bad time to travel. However, some of the best parts are only available at this time of year, including festive markets, decorated streets, seasonal events, and foods you may never have tried before. You should check how Christmas is celebrated locally rather than assuming it will work like Christmas at home.

When Is The Best Time To Travel Over Christmas?

The days immediately before Christmas can feel quite hectic. Many people are trying to reach family at the same time, which can mean busy roads, full trains, crowded airports, and higher prices.

If possible, arrive at least a day before you need to be there. This gives you some room if your flight or luggage is delayed or bad weather affects your journey. It also gives you time to shop and see what is nearby before businesses close.

Travelling on Christmas Day can sometimes feel calmer because fewer people want to spend the day in transit. However, getting to or from the airport may be more difficult than the flight itself. A cheap fare is less useful if the only available transfer is an expensive pre-booked taxi.

The period between Christmas and New Year can be busy in a different way. Tourist attractions, shopping areas, ski destinations, and family-friendly activities may be crowded, while smaller businesses may continue to operate reduced hours. Look at the whole journey before choosing your dates, including how you will reach your accommodation and what will be open when you arrive.

When Should You Book Christmas Travel?

In my experience, it is worth booking Christmas travel as early as your plans allow. I have generally found better flight prices and more choice by booking ahead, while trains, buses, airport transfers, ferries, hire cars, and reserved seats may also fill up sooner than expected.

Where possible, choose a direct journey or one with a comfortable connection time. A route with three changes may save money, but if you are delayed, it could affect the rest of your trip. Flexible tickets can also be worth considering when the price difference is reasonable.

Try not to create plans that depend on every connection running perfectly. If a delay would cause you to miss an expensive meal, event, or onward journey, allow more time or consider travelling the previous day.

Keep booking details, travel insurance information, and important telephone numbers somewhere you can access without the internet. Charge your phone before longer journeys and carry a power bank if you have one. If something does change, decide which plans matter most rather than trying to preserve every part of the original itinerary.

Check baggage rules before booking too. Christmas presents, winter clothing, and food can quickly turn a normal bag into an overweight one. If you’re travelling somewhere cold, don’t underestimate how much heavier your suitcase may become, as I have done before.

Does Public Transport Run On Christmas Day?

Never assume that public transport will follow its normal timetable on Christmas Day. Some cities run a reduced service, while others stop trains, buses, or underground services almost entirely.

Check the official transport website for your destination, paying particular attention to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Save the timetable or take a screenshot so you can still see it without mobile data.

We learnt this the hard way in London. We had not arranged a taxi in advance and ended up walking for around two hours to get back to our accommodation after a delicious Christmas Day lunch. London is usually one of the easiest cities to travel around without a car, but it feels very different when most public transport has stopped.

If you will need a taxi, find out whether it must be booked in advance and whether a Christmas surcharge applies. Ask your hotel or host for local advice rather than relying on a taxi app being available when you need it.

Our guide to using public transport abroad can also help you prepare for unfamiliar routes, tickets, and local transport systems.

Where Should You Stay Over Christmas?

Location matters more than usual when transport and businesses are operating reduced hours. A cheaper hotel on the edge of the city may become inconvenient if there are no buses, taxis, restaurants, or supermarkets nearby.

Before booking, look at what you could comfortably reach on foot. Check whether reception will be staffed, whether food will be available, and whether the hotel, hostel, or apartment has somewhere comfortable to spend time when other places are closed.

An apartment may give you more space and the option to cook, while a hotel or hostel can offer more atmosphere and company. Contact the accommodation directly if its Christmas arrangements are unclear.

I love staying in a luxury hotel over Christmas because they often make the stay feel like part of the celebration. Having both worked in and stayed at five-star hotels, I know how much the decorations, Christmas meals, and thoughtful little extras can add to the occasion. I usually book somewhere luxurious for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, then move to a cheaper hotel for the remaining nights. It gives me the special Christmas experience without paying luxury-hotel prices for the whole trip.

Is House Sitting Over Christmas A Good Option?

A platform I have used, TrustedHousesitters, can be a great alternative to a hotel when Christmas accommodation is expensive. You stay in someone’s home in exchange for caring for their pets, which can save a considerable amount of money. Having a pet around provides some company, while access to a kitchen and living room can make the stay feel more like a home away from home.

Some hosts may even leave their Christmas decorations up. We recently completed a house sit in Denver during autumn, and the decorations throughout the house were amazing. They made the stay feel much more connected to the season, and a decorated home could have the same effect at Christmas. Our full TrustedHousesitters review explains how the exchange works, what it costs, and who it suits.

Where Can You Eat On Christmas Day While Travelling?

Food can be one of the best parts of travelling over Christmas, especially when you get to try something you would never normally eat at home. However, it is also one of the easiest things to leave too late.

Restaurants offering Christmas lunch or dinner may require reservations and use a set menu. Check the price as well as the food, as festive menus can be considerably more expensive than the restaurant’s usual offering. If you have dietary requirements, contact the restaurant because Christmas menus may offer fewer alternatives.

If you plan to cook, shop earlier than you think you need to. Buy breakfast, snacks, drinks, and something for the following morning as well as your main meal. It doesn’t have to resemble a traditional family Christmas dinner. A favourite meal, local food, or something more indulgent than your usual travel dinner can still make the day feel special.

Keep a few snacks with you on longer travel days too. Airport and station food outlets may close early, sell out, or have long queues.

Are Christmas Markets And Attractions Open On Christmas Day? 

It is easy to assume that Christmas markets will remain open throughout Christmas, but some finish several days before Christmas Day. Others close briefly and reopen afterwards.

Check the dates for anything you particularly want to visit, including markets, light displays, museums, theatres, tours, ice rinks, and seasonal events. Use current information from the attraction or organiser rather than relying on an article from a previous year.

Book anything you would genuinely be disappointed to miss, but leave some free time for walking around and enjoying the atmosphere. Normally busy streets may be quiet on Christmas Day, while the decorations remain lit, allowing you to see a different side of the destination. Just check the weather and know how you will return to your accommodation.

What Weather Should You Expect When Travelling Over Christmas?

A Northern Hemisphere Christmas often means cold weather, early sunsets, rain, snow, or icy footpaths. The darkness can be part of the appeal because Christmas lights stand out more, but it also reduces the daylight available for sightseeing.

Plan outdoor activities for earlier in the day and keep evenings for lights, meals, markets, or indoor events. Pack shoes that can handle wet or slippery streets, along with warm socks and layers you can remove inside warm shops and restaurants.

Allow more driving time if you are hiring a car. A journey that looks straightforward on a map may take longer in snow, heavy rain, holiday traffic, or early darkness. Check whether your route crosses mountain roads and whether winter tyres or chains may be required.

Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere brings different considerations. Hot weather, strong sun, busy beaches, and summer holiday traffic may shape the trip instead. Wherever you are travelling, plan for the actual conditions rather than the version of Christmas you see at the movies.

How To Avoid Getting Exhausted While Travelling Over Christmas

Christmas travel can involve early departures, long queues, irregular meals, poor sleep, and several hours of staying alert. If you are also crossing time zones, you may arrive feeling tired at the exact moment everyone else is ready to celebrate.

Try not to place the most important part of the trip immediately after arrival. A quiet evening, an easy meal, or a short walk can give you time to settle before the main celebrations begin.

If you are taking a long flight, our guide to staying healthy on long-haul flights covers movement, hydration, food, and rest during the journey. If time zones are involved, it can also help to have a realistic plan for recovering from jet lag.

Your first days don’t need to revolve around recovery, but you want enough energy left to enjoy the meal, market, family visit, or destination you travelled for.

How To Travel With Family Or Friends At Christmas

Travelling over Christmas often involves more people, more luggage, and more opinions than an ordinary trip. Everyone may have a slightly different idea of what should happen, when you should leave, and which traditions matter most.

Talk about practical details before the journey. Decide who is booking transport, what time everyone needs to be ready, how costs will be divided, and which plans are fixed. These conversations are easier before the trip than when you arrive jet-lagged and a bit snappy. 

It can also help to give people some time apart. You don’t have to visit every attraction, attend every gathering, or spend the entire holiday together. Our guide to travelling with other people has more advice on balancing shared plans with individual needs.

If you will be on your own, spending Christmas alone while travelling can still be enjoyable. It is worth planning where you will eat, how much company you want, and what will make the day feel like Christmas to you.

Christmas Travel Checklist: What To Check Before You Go

Before travelling over Christmas, check:

• Your flight, car, train, bus, or ferry booking
• Airport or station transport for the exact day and time
• Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day timetables
• Accommodation check-in arrangements
• Restaurant reservations and supermarket opening hours
• Christmas market and attraction dates
• Local weather and road conditions
• Travel insurance and cancellation terms
• Mobile data, charging options, and offline booking details
• Any gifts, medication, or essential items that may be difficult to replace

You don’t need every meal and activity arranged. Focus on the things that will become difficult to solve once businesses close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Christmas A Good Time To Travel?

Christmas can be an amazing time to travel if you enjoy festive events, seasonal food, decorations, and experiencing different traditions. However, prices may be higher, transport can be busy, and many businesses close or reduce their hours around Christmas Day.

Is It Cheaper To Travel On Christmas Day?

Christmas Day fares can occasionally be lower than those on the busiest dates immediately before Christmas, but this is not guaranteed. Check the total cost of the journey, including airport transfers, food, baggage, and any extra accommodation you may need.

Does Public Transport Run On Christmas Day?

This depends on the destination. Some places offer a reduced service, while others have little or no public transport. Check official local timetables and arrange airport transfers or taxis in advance where necessary.

How Early Should I Book Christmas Travel?

Book as soon as your dates are reasonably certain, particularly if you need a specific route, direct flight, train reservation, rental car, or central accommodation. The cheapest and most convenient options often disappear first.

What Should I Do If My Christmas Travel Is Delayed?

Check your transport provider for updates, contact your accommodation if you will arrive late, and keep receipts for unexpected expenses. Focus first on reaching safe accommodation rather than trying to preserve every activity in your original itinerary.

Is Travelling Over Christmas Worth It?

For me, the little things make travelling over Christmas worth the extra planning. I love trying different hot drinks, walking through streets filled with Christmas lights, and visiting attractions or shops that have gone all-out on decorating.

Part of the fun is seeing what other people do differently. Christmas dinner might happen on Christmas Eve, you may try a festive food you have never heard of, or find something you want to add to your own celebrations in the future.

Confirm your transport, food, and important opening hours, then leave some time to enjoy where you are. With some advance planning, travelling over Christmas can become one of the most memorable parts of the festive season.

For more practical guidance on looking after your energy and wellbeing while travelling, explore our Wellbeing guides or return to Nomadic Balance.