UK holidaymakers heading to Spain warned to allow extra travel time as Britain’s summer getaway begins

Around 3.4 million leisure journeys are expected today as Britain’s busiest summer getaway in four years gets underway. Heavy traffic is forecast on key routes to major airports, with experts urging travellers to leave earlier than usual.

Britain’s busiest summer getaway in four years

The RAC estimates that 14.1 million leisure journeys will be made between Friday and Sunday, making this the highest number of summer getaway trips in four years. Around 3.4 million trips are expected today, with Saturday forecast to be even busier at 3.8 million journeys.

Traffic analysts at INRIX predict delays on several key routes used by airport passengers, including:

M25 around Heathrow and Gatwick
M1 approaching Luton Airport
M60 serving Manchester Airport
M4 towards Heathrow
M5 and connecting routes heading south-west

The Port of Dover expects around 7,500 cars to pass through today, rising to approximately 10,000 on Saturday, with travellers advised to arrive no more than two hours before their booked ferry crossing.

What this means for people flying from the UK to Spain

For passengers travelling to Spain, the biggest challenge may be getting to the airport rather than the flight itself. UK airports are entering one of their busiest periods of the year, with Heathrow marking the start of its peak summer travel season and major airports expecting significantly higher passenger numbers over the coming days.

Combined with heavy motorway traffic, passengers are being encouraged to leave home earlier than usual and follow the arrival guidance provided by their airline to allow sufficient time for check-in, security and boarding.

Travellers should also be aware that, on arrival in Spain and other Schengen countries, passport processing may take longer than normal as the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) continue to be introduced. Airlines, including Ryanair, have previously warned that additional border checks could lead to longer queues at some popular Spanish airports, including Malaga, Alicante and Tenerife South.

What you should do before travelling today

If you’re flying from the UK to Spain this weekend, experts recommend:

Leave home earlier than usual, particularly if using the M25, M1, M4 or M60.
Check live traffic updates before setting off and allow extra time for delays.
Follow your airline’s recommended airport arrival time
Use your airline’s app to monitor flight updates and gate information.
Keep passports and travel documents easily accessible for airport and border checks.
If travelling via Dover, follow the port’s advice and arrive no more than two hours before your booked sailing.

With millions of people travelling over the weekend, allowing extra time both on the road and at the airport could help ensure your summer holiday to Spain gets off to a smoother start.