Have you planned your big Christmas getaway? Whether you’re staying with family or friends or enjoying a much-needed staycation, there is so much to consider.
One thing that nobody likes to talk about over Christmas is the expense of getting where you need to go. Whether travelling by plane, train or automobile (yes, we know that’s a Thanksgiving film…) it’s worth planning ahead to find the most cost-effective option.
Public transport is one option, while borrowing a car or sharing a drive with a loved one is another (just remember to cover yourself with temporary car insurance). There are also many other aspects of the great Christmas getaway to consider before you head off on your travels.
Will the weather hold out or will treacherous conditions result in heavy traffic or packed trains?
Public transport this Christmas
If there’s one thing that the British public like to talk about (besides the weather), it’s the cost of train travel. The prices of buses and coaches can be lower than trains and are also a valid option if you don’t want to drive home for Christmas.
With set timetables and routes, you’ll know exactly when you have to leave via public transport and won’t have to deal with the stress of driving or finding somewhere to park.
Although public transport is a more economically friendly option, you’ll have to keep up with the news from whichever company you’re travelling with before. This is due to the prospect of strikes, reduced services, overcrowding and delays. What you can carry in one go is all you can take as well…
Driving home for Christmas
Driving your own car or borrowing one and adding on some temporary car insurance to enjoy comprehensive cover is another option. Driving yourself means you can travel on your own terms and transport many more gifts with you – ideal if you have a larger family in multiple locations and love to give presents.
Before setting off on your drive, you’ll have to plan your route and consider parking, petrol prices and any toll roads as these can all have a significant financial impact. With temporary car insurance, you can cover yourself for any time from one hour to 28 days.
Fancy a day trip while back home? Tempcover It for a day!
Cost comparison: public transport v car travel this Christmas
The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has revealed Edinburgh, Aberdeen and York as the UK’s most festive destinations of 2024. To give you an idea of how much it will cost to get to each of these locations, Tempcover has looked at the cost of public transport or petrol to them*.
We’ve also added our average rate of £16.50 for a 24-hour temporary car insurance policy to the car journey:
London to Edinburgh
- Train: £97.30
- Coach: £45.99
- Car: £71.46 (fuel), £16.50 (temporary car insurance) = £87.96
London to Aberdeen
- Train: £156.10
- Coach: £56.69
- Car: £93.79 (fuel), £16.50 (temporary car insurance) = £110.29
London to York
- Train: £45.60
- Coach: £33
- Car: £34.96, £16.50 (temporary car insurance) = £51.46
Other things to consider when travelling this Christmas
There are often group offers on public transport, which may work out as a more cost-effective journey if you’re not travelling alone. You’ll also have to look at what you need to do once you’ve arrived at your destination.
If it’s in a rural area, you may have to look into local bus routes or get a taxi. If you’re getting a lift, you could use temporary car insurance to return the favour and share driving later on over the holidays.
How to travel over Christmas
As is so often the case, the best travel choice comes down to your individual needs. Do you want to avoid driving in wintry conditions and let someone else get you where you need to go? Or are you keen to be in control of when you leave and when you can stop? Are you concerned about the environmental impact of your journey and how long it takes?
Before heading off on your Christmas journey, plan appropriately. Research the various routes you can take and whether they suit your needs. If you’re taking out temporary car insurance to get around, remember you can arrange it 30 days in advance.
*Prices correct as of Thursday 28 November 2024.
- Cheapest prices for single train journeys from London to Edinburgh, Aberdeen and York on Saturday 21 December 2024 taken from trainline.com on Thursday 28 November 2024.
- Cheapest prices for single coach journeys from London to Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Saturday 21 December 2024 taken from megabus.com on Thursday 28 November. Cheapest price for single coach journey from London to York on Saturday 21 December 2024 taken from trainline.com on Thursday 28 November.
- Total fuel cost calculated from the mileage calculator (using UK average fuel consumption of 36mpg and fuel cost of 135.57 pence per litre) on RAC.co.uk on Thursday 28 November. Car journeys have the average 24-hour Tempcover policy price based on Tempcover data stating 10% of customers paid £16.50 or less for 24 hours of private car cover in September 2024.
