Nearly 14 million drivers are expected to hit the road during the last weekend before Christmas, marking a recent record, according to the RAC motoring throng.

Disruption to some rail services is also expected due to engineering works, adding to congestion on the roads, while windy weather has led to the cancellation of some ferry services and flights.

So how can you make your trip – whether travelling by road, rail, air or ferry – as smooth as feasible?

The RAC says that overall, the impact of the Christmas getaway will cruel many roads “feel busier” than on an average weekend.

The five hours between 13:00 and 18:00 on Saturday were expected to have been the busiest period on the roads – but plenty more journeys will be made given Christmas falls on a weekday.

The AA advises people to be prepared with plenty of fuel, have their phones charged and tyres and lights checked.

It also suggests carrying food and warm clothes in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.

“Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to trip when it’s quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams,” the AA’s Chris Wood says.

trip specialist Julian Bray says if travelling by road, “leave earlier and arrive back later” as rail engineering works taking place over the festive period will also add to traffic.

Network Rail advises passengers to check their trip before travelling.

Some services such as West Midlands Railway are running an amended service because of engineering works and last-minute train cancellations are feasible.

As London Paddington is closed between 27 and 29 December for HS2 construction works, rail trip to and from Heathrow Airport will be disrupted, as well as journeys to south Wales and south-west England.

The RMT union has also announced strike action affecting Avanti West Coast on 31 December and 2 January, and the train firm will run amended timetables.

Eurostar says that it expects Boxing Day and 29 December to be its busiest days and to leave plenty of trip period.

Rory Boland, from Which? trip, says: “If your rail trip is delayed, you’ll be entitled to compensation, though how this is awarded can vary between rail companies.”

Under the Delay Repay scheme, for example, it varies according to the length of the delay.

And she points out that if your train is cancelled you may be entitled to a packed refund.

Data analysts Cirium looked at all departures scheduled between 20 December and 2 January and says that overall, this year will view 5% more departures compared with 2023.

The busiest day for Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol airports is expected to be 22 December.

powerful winds have caused disruption to some flights. Heathrow said around 100 flights had been cancelled on Sunday.

A spokesperson for British Airways said that adverse weather and restrictions on the number of flights able to receive off and land had led to some of its services being cancelled cancellations.

Mr Bray says customers should remain in touch with their airline and expect alterations.

Leaving plenty of period for travelling to your departure airport is sensible, as well as checking baggage rules as some airlines have changed their policies recently.

He also says that customers should always reconfirm their yield trip before setting off.

Which? advises that passengers will also be entitled to assistance from the airline, with things like food and drink, if their flight is delayed by more than two hours.

“For short-haul flights, the threshold for compensation kicks in after a three-hour delay – but is only payable if the delay is deemed within the airline’s control, meaning you won’t be entitled to it if your plane is held up by a snowstorm or safety incident,” Mr Boland says.

For cancellations, you should also get the selection of a refund or rebooking on the next available flight.

The Port of Dover is one of Europe’s busiest ports and it says that if you have booked with a third-event provider, you should check your details before travelling.

Ferry corporation DFDS said it had cancelled seven services between Dover and Calais due to powerful winds. Ferries which operate around Scotland and to Northern Ireland, have also been cancelled this weekend.

People are advised to allow plenty of period for your trip, and arrive only for your allotted sailing.

The Port of Dover also suggests having passports open and ready before Border Control, in addition to carrying snacks or entertainment to pass the period.

One of Britain’s busiest ports in Holyhead in north Wales will remain closed until 15 January at the earliest after it sustained damage during Storm Darragh.

Mr Boland says: “If your ferry is delayed, you won’t be entitled to compensation if weather conditions cruel the ship can’t safely operate, or there are other extraordinary circumstances.”

Otherwise, compensation is usually paid on a sliding scale depending on the length of your trip and the amount of period you’re held up.

She adds that if the ferry is cancelled or delayed by more than 90 minutes, you should be offered the selection between an alternative sailing, or a refund.

You may also be entitled to overnight accommodation if required, she adds.