Sky-high travel costs prevent a fifth from seeing loved ones over Christmas

More than one in five UK residents (22%) have previously had to forgo visiting friends or family over Christmas due to spiralling travel costs, new research has revealed.*

The figures highlight the impact extortionate travel fees are having on the nation’s festive plans, with many being completely priced out of seeing loved ones.

The figures come from a new survey by MyVoucherCodes, which asked the nation about its Christmas travel plans. It found that Londoners are especially likely to miss out.

More than a third (39%) of those in the capital stated that they have had to make this difficult choice at least once in the past - the highest percentage in the UK.

According to the popular voucher code site, UK residents will spend an average of £108.41 travelling to visit loved ones over the festive period, equal to approximately £5 billion nationwide.**

Costs are to be particularly high for Londoners, who are expected to spend an average of £170.64 visiting friends and family, indicating this is the reason why they are most likely to opt against travelling.

Younger groups are also expected to be among the largest spenders on Christmas travel. Under-25s will pay an average of £156 visiting loved ones this year - over £100 more than over-65s, who are forecast to spend just £44 on average.

Under-25s are also most likely to rely on public transport, with just 46% saying they will travel by car - the lowest percentage in the UK. This indicates that public transport fees are responsible for their especially high travel costs.

Overall, most of those travelling said they will visit loved ones via car over Christmas (71%). Just under a quarter (23%) said they will get a train, while around one in 10 (13%) are planning to take a coach or bus.

Sarah-Jane Outten, shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said:

“Nobody should have to miss out on seeing those they care about over Christmas, especially because of finances. If travel fees are proving to be an issue, here’s my top tips for keeping costs down.

• Use Alternative Modes of Transport - Switching transport methods can often help to bring fees down. For instance, coaches are usually cheaper than trains, so they’re a good alternative if you don’t mind your journey taking a bit longer.
• Use Discount Codes - Check if there are any voucher codes available that can give you a discount. It only takes seconds to make this check and it could save you a good chunk on your fare, so it’s well worth doing.
• Travel at Quieter Times - Explore if you can travel during periods that aren’t as busy. Off-peak and super off-peak tickets can really help to keep prices low.
• Set Up Alerts and Book Early - Booking as early as possible always helps to keep prices low. Some operators even let you set up alerts as soon as tickets become available, so be sure to check for these.
• Compare Petrol Prices - There are plenty of free tools online that let you check the fuel prices at the various petrol stations in your area. Try to take a look at these before setting off to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your fuel.”