UK Easter Exodus: Over 2 Million Travelers Bracing for Getaway Amid Disruptions
Over two million UK residents are set to travel abroad during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, according to reports published on April 2, 2026. This surge in international travel signifies a significant shift in travel patterns, with holidaymakers favoring European destinations due to ongoing Middle East conflicts and new border procedures.
However, the Easter exodus is expected despite significant travel disruptions. These include the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) at passport control, which mandates fingerprinting and photographic scans for UK citizens. In addition, travelers will have to contend with rail engineering works affecting over 270 projects across the country, including a six-day shutdown of the West Coast Main Line.
Both the RAC and AA predict extensive road congestion, with nearly 21 million leisure journeys expected between Thursday and Monday. This is set to make it the busiest Easter weekend on UK roads since 2022. Despite rising fuel costs—with diesel reaching 184.2p per litre and petrol at 153.7p per litre due to disruptions in global oil supply routes—demand remains strong.
The Port of Dover expects 37,000 cars to pass through during the Easter period, with peak travel times between 5am and 2pm on Good Friday.
Source: Hotel News Resource