Brits to spend £1.2 billion on Christmas exodus

Brits will spend a collective £1.2 billion travelling to see friends and family over Christmas, according to research from the Santander 123 cashback credit card.

The findings reveal that three quarters of adults (73 per cent) will travel to see their loved ones over Christmas, when the nation will see over 36 million people on its roads, railways and airways.

Of the £1.2 billion to be spent on travel, two thirds (65 per cent or £776 million) will go on petrol or diesel, as most people opt to take their own vehicles. £134 million or 11 per cent will be spent on train fares, £85 million (7 per cent) on bus journeys, and over £64 million (5 per cent) on air fares.

Easily the biggest strain on public transport will come from Londoners. One pound in every four spent (25 per cent) by Londoners on travel will be spent on train fares, compared to a national average of just 11 per cent. 15 per cent of Londoners' travel spend will go on buses (compared to a national average of 7 per cent) and 12 per cent will go on air fares (compared to 5 per cent nationally).

However, one in eight hard-up Britons (12 per cent) will avoid travelling to see friends or family over Christmas in a bid to reduce their outgoings.

Alan Mathewson, CEO of Santander Cards, said: "Britain's roads and railways look set to be crammed with Christmas travellers again this year, many of whom will spend a lot of money on transport costs which have increased significantly since last year. Those travelling a long distance should look to save money where possible, by taking advantage of offers such as the 3 per cent cashback paid by our 123 credit card in petrol stations, National Rail and Transport for London and booking as far in advance as possible."

Santander's ‘123 World'

The Santander 123 Cashback Credit Card is one of a series of great initiatives from Santander designed to reward customers and help them save money. The card pays up to 3% cashback on household spend and has paid over £10 million in cashback to customers since its launch in September 2011. In addition Santander also offers its unique ‘123 Current Account' which pays cashback on all utilities, council tax, Santander mortgage payments and communications direct debits set up on a customer's account, as well as paying in-credit interest on balances up to £20,000. Santander is also driving down the cost of car insurance and offering to beat car insurance renewal premiums by 20% for Santander 123 current account or credit card customers or by 10% for all other Santander customers.

Santander provides a simple to use online calculator which customers can personalise to their own household bills and spending to see how much they could save in a year.

For more information, visit santander.co.uk.