UK travellers are heading to their Christmas destinations by air, sea, road and rail as the busy holiday period begins.

However gales, blizzards and snow drifts have led to road closures in parts of the country and anyone travelling by car is being told to expect a 25% increase on their journey time.

Thousands of rail passengers face delays to their journeys between Christmas and New Year due to major engineering works.

A record 1.8 million Britons are due to travel abroad to escape the severe weather with the Canary Islands and southern Spain said to be the most popular winter sun destinations.

Where will you be travelling to over the Christmas season? Has the bad weather in the UK affected your plans? Send us your stories.

This debate is closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

If you have any good winter travel photos send them to [email protected]

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

How would you people feel if like us, you have to shovel snow from your driveways and paths surrounding your house from November to May. Stop whining at your dusting of snow and remember in April/May when you are drinking cider in your back gardens we will still be shovelling the white stuff!
Sue, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I'm a driver but prefer to cycle to work, particularly on the Milton Keynes redway system. Sadly the redways aren't treated at all. After falling off in the ice last year I've decided to take my car during the cold snaps. It's safer. Come on councils - consider pedestrians and cyclists. We need looking after too. The redways (paths) are solid ice at times. If you encourage us off the roads it'll help the congestion!
Maria, Milton Keynes

Actually I would like to complain about the lack of snow in London. I think its appalling we have not had a major snow storm which would have in turn messed up the trains which would have meant that I could have stayed in bed this morning instead of coming into work on Christmas eve. Grrr.
Paul, London

Much as everyone likes to complain about our failure to react to snow there is one simple reason - we don't get it very often Mark Davies, London, UK

Much as everyone likes to complain about our failure to react to snow there is one simple reason - we don't get it very often. It is not cost-effective for us to have vast fleets of snow ploughs or for everyone to have snow tyres for a couple of days every few years. I have worked in countries that apparently know how to deal with snow - the US is always presented as a country that can keep going through the worst snow falls. However if you go to an area where they don't get regular snow then there are as bad as we are. When I worked in Dallas a couple of flakes would shut the city down for days. Virginia was had massive problems last year when they had a particularly high snow fall - they had to wait for days whilst they imported snow ploughs from other states.
Mark Davies, London, UK

Do a police type check whenever you drive but especially in bad weather.

P - Petrol
O - Oil
W - water (radiator and washer)
E - electrics (lights, horn, heater, fan etc. Spare bulbs)
R - rubber (tyres and wipers. Spare OK?)
Richard, UK

In the back of my car I have.... sleeping bag, folding shovel, 5kg salt, stove + fuel, water and food for three days. Total cost - ?60 from army surplus. If you can afford a car then you can afford this. ?40 for a set of good snowchains that will get my car over 8000ft alpine passes in February. It's not a massive 4WD either - it's an ordinary Ford Focus. There is no excuse for not being prepared for getting caught in the snow and those who moan about "the authorities" not doing enough should look a little closer to home.
Chris Street, Warwick UK

As an Englishman living here in the Grampian region of Scotland, I do not understand the typical Scots attitude towards the way we English cope with the snow. Last year we were snowed in for over a week in the Dufftown area of Scotland because the local council did not bother clearing or gritting our road. From past experience, the English local authorities cope with clearing snow far better than the Scottish authorities.
Peter Worth, English in Scotland

Our weather is too unpredictable, that's the problem. You go to work with clear bright skies in the morning, after hearing for the umpteenth time that month that snow is a 'possibility' - so when it does snow heavily, you are expected to have a flask of hot tea, something to eat, blanket etc. all for a journey that usually only takes you 30 mins, but now takes two hours because we've been caught out.
Sandy, UK

So all those who laughed when I bought a 4X4..Ha ha need a lift past the puddle?
Nic , Devon

It was touch and go whether or not we would have got through without going off the road R Steward, UK

As a southerner and not used to a lot of snow, I found it quite exciting staying at the mother-in-laws in Lancashire over the Christmas in real snow. Driving back one year going through Solihull and on towards Oxford we experienced very heavy snow on the road. It was touch and go whether or not we would have got through without going off the road. We did get through (with young children on board) thankfully but I was most impressed with the idyllic thick snow Christmas card scene all around in that particular area!
R Steward, UK

My boss deducted a days pay from everyone because they couldn't get into work, but he said since he could, he didn't see why everyone else couldn't. He owns a land rover with all the kit.
Boris, UK

Time for one of those public information films: "When there is snow or ice on the road, slow down, do not attempt to weave in and out of the motorway lanes, do not attempt Dukes of Hazard style sharp turns and other fancy manoeuvres".
Nick Stutley, UK

I live in Leeds but commute weekly to London on the train. Quite honestly, I think I'd be quicker commuting on my horse. Someone sort out the railways when it snows.
Russell Bush, Leeds, UK

Light checks compulsory checks prior to winter, spare bulbs carried, Snow chains, Fire extinguishers, first aid kit warning triangle and Bad / cold weather advice sheet brilliant Idea, compulsory for car manufacturers to have them in the cars as standard fitted items on sale of any vehicle new or second hand. Catch the rest on MOTs' would go a long way in combating the chaos the snow rains on UK.
Mitch, Darwen, Lancs

No matter the weather, I am sure most people will still be expected to turn up for work or face the consequences. Maybe our jobs are better offshore
Doug, UK

Usual 'Southern Nancys' complaining about a bit of 'bad' weather. Get a grip....you would think the south of England is colder than Greenland the way they go on.
C, Scotland

One snowflake of the wrong type landing unexpectedly on road, rail or runway is headline news John M, Lyne Meads

We live with the weather in this country and often talk about it as if it were one of our best friends. It's a myth to claim that snow doesn't affect other countries in the same way. I've lived in Germany, Switzerland and the USA and sudden snowfalls there caused chaos. The difference there was that it didn't make headline news, snow was cleared without fuss and people started to travel normally again. Here, in the UK, one snowflake of the wrong type landing unexpectedly on road, rail or runway is headline news.
John M, Lyne Meads, UK

I'm a highways engineer and I can tell you now that road salt only works down to temperatures of -6C. Any lower than that and its useless. It's also useless in snow and ice (it will only melt the little bit of snow around the salt grain) unless there is traffic there to work the stuff into a mixture. When it's snowing, work from home, build snowmen, have snowball fights with the neighbours. Enjoy the winter!!
Chris, Grimsby, UK

I got married on Saturday, and I arrived on time! This was despite heavy snow and traffic jams. Well done Stirling Council for keeping the roads clear! Keep up the good work, please.
Leah, Callander, Scotland

Almost all other European countries have a legal requirement for vehicles to have snow chains. And it makes a lot of difference. Instead of becoming a major disaster, 20 cm of snow in one day become a minor annoyance. Frankly, I do not understand why Britain continues to be the only country to stubbornly persist in not having a mandatory requirement for snow chains, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and spare light bulbs. It will save thousands of lives millions of pounds of public money each year.
Anon, Cambridge

It doesn't happen often enough to be worth spending money on the infrastructure necessary to mitigate the problem Guy Chapman, Reading, UK

Why do we get caught out by bad weather? Simple. It doesn't happen often enough or for long enough to be worth spending money on the infrastructure necessary to mitigate the problem. Gritting lorries stand idle for much of the year - and I'm sure we'd have headlines complaining about the appalling waste of money if councils bought snowploughs and blowers. Every now and then it snows. It takes a while to get the roads clear. Big deal.
Guy Chapman, Reading, UK

Bad weather causing travel chaos, snow-drifts, lack of grit lorries etc. I caught the train to work this morning and the delay, albeit short, was caused by - no not the weather but - a lack of trains! Come on get a grip!
Liz, Wales

I am not a driver and have to point out the plight of the pedestrian. The government is trying to get people out of their cars and onto public transport - but we have no gritters 'working' the pavements to help us!! - It is a nightmare for me to get to my bus stop in the morning when it's icy. After saying that, I do love the snow though!
N Clark, Nottingham

We had 60 cm of snow overnight yesterday here in Southern Finland, with 18 mps winds. All public transport ran on time this morning, no cars slid off the roads, no-one was more than a few minutes late for work and no-one complained that we had got the wrong kind of snow. Face the facts, UK: it's winter. During the winter, it may snow. Deal with it.
John Lewis, Finland

Thanks to the geniuses and heroes of the met office & police we were prepared for severe weather trouble, and we sure got it: It really was quite chilly today, and it rained a little!
Steve, Kent, UK

For those of us who do the M25 commute everyday, this time of the year is fantastic... Today, my during time was halved!
Barry, Watford, Herts

The roads round our way have been gritted every night for the past six weeks in readiness for the frost, ice and snow that normally turns up EVERY WINTER, EVERY YEAR! Why is it that many councils just aren't prepared as well as others. Reading the comment from the person in Edinburgh who has every right to complain - um, doesn't it always snow in Scotland? Of all people to not listen to the weather forecast it's the councils who have the most snow in the country!
Jamie, Soham, Cambs

So far this year we haven't been blessed with snow, but hopefully it'll arrive soon. The best way to prevent "Traffic Chaos" is to make winter/snow driving part of the driving test. That way, those who can't cope with it can be given Summer-only licenses, leaving the rest of us to drive sensibly in snow.
Bryn Roberts, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Last January I was in Edmonton, Alberta. I arrived to -31 C and there was three feet of snow when I left. In the UK, a few centimetres of snow is enough to animate our weather presenters, but in much of the world, -4 C in December is not considered cold! Just be grateful we're able to enjoy the beauty of snow in spite of climate change.
Adele, Surrey

I think it'll be best to take a bucket for emergency loo breaks Maria, England

This Christmas, I will be going to my parent's house via ... THE DREADED M25!!! Yes I am crazy I know. The motorway is bad enough as it is with out adding the Christmas rush. I think it'll be best to take a bucket for emergency loo breaks as the M25 so clearly does not have enough service stations.
Maria, England

Why are our local authorities surprised and so underprepared every year? Have they not worked out that winter usually arrives after the season we call Autumn?
Rich, Edinburgh

It's WINTER everyone - you can't expect not to be affected by it - quit moaning! In summer when it was really hot, people moaned on and on about how hot it was and how hot the tube/office/cars etc. Now it's cold, and you still moan! So what if every single bit of road is not gritted - so what if there are occasional tube delays - chill out - Summers coming?!
Beth, London, England

Driving back from Bedford to Milton Keynes last night, it was nice to see all of the roads had been heavily gritted, ready for the deluge of snow and ice. Did we get any snow? Not a flake....
Anita, Bucks, UK

Winter driving is stressful so I use the dog sled! Enjoy the fun for the few days while you've got it! I live in the Great White North and after a couple of months of snow, the "pleasure" wears off!
Ian Payne, St. Albert Canada

Why does everyone blame someone else for the delays, we've had these delays for years and things are really not going to get much better... They say the reports were there and we all knew that it was going to be cold or snow, so Why not just get out of bed a bit earlier and deal with it..... Personally I LOVE the snow for me it's the start to the winter... BRING ON THE SNOW!!
N MacLeod, Edinburgh

At the merest hint of a frost, Luton council send the gritters out. Money well spent in my opinion.
jolly K, Luton, England

It was icy and very cold this morning Helen, Lincolnshire, UK

I travel daily on a very busy stretch of the A1 and the only thing that gets to me about this weather is other drivers who think they are invincible. It was icy and very cold this morning. However, the number of people driving nose to tail with not even space for an old style mini in between them at 90mph was astounding. I would like to see some of these people stopped and cautioned by the traffic police as yes speed kills but so does driving like this.
Helen, Lincolnshire, UK

Basic supplies my (Scottish) mother always taught me to keep in the car include a roll of black by-liners (instant waterproofing for bodies or feet), a couple of old newspapers (scrunched up and stuffed down your shirt for extra warmth), a couple of blankets, a dustpan and brush set (to brush snow off the windscreen, and to dig around the exhaust to keep it clear), and last - but not least - a brightly coloured rag to tie around the car aerial.
Shiz, Cheshire, UK

I had to abandon a trip to the theatre on Saturday as the roads in the city were impassable. Cars and buses slipping out of control. The Met office had given plenty of warning yet most of the city streets were left ungritted and salted.
Joseph Harrower, Edinburgh, Scotland

Amazing! I had possibly the most trouble free, clear and enjoyable drive last night from Tooting in South London to my parents' village of Gringley-on-the-Hill in South Yorkshire. Not a jam in sight; no snow, sleet or rain. 200 miles of driving nirvana.
Paul, London, UK

I drive but most of the time I'm a pedestrian, and I'd like to say that after several frosts and instances of black ice I haven't seen one grain of salt on the roads and pavements. Where are the gritters?
Mark, Cardiff, Wales

How difficult can it be to keep the main roads clear??? Donald, Aberdeen, UK

I was not surprised to wake up and find several inches of snow lying on the ground. The weather forecasts had predicted this. I was pleased to see a convoy of grit-lorries out on the road early morning, it was a shame they forgot to switch on the spraying mechanism. How difficult can it be to keep the main roads clear???
Donald, Aberdeen, UK

My 70 mile morning drive to work was a doddle. Lovely empty motorways. Shame it's not always like that. Happy Christmas!
Mark, Bicester, England

London, December 2003. Waterloo and City line suspended. Parts of the Central line suspended. Northern line subject to delays due to work on the signals. The extreme weather hasn't even reached us yet. In case those responsible for roads and railways hadn't noticed it's December, and it's cold. It might snow. It's been this way for thousands of years. I'd also like to give them 12 months advance warning that one year from now it will be December again, and it might just be cold then as well.
John B, UK

I have driven 28,000 miles in the last year from Lancashire to Dundee, Scotland at the weekends. The sheer lunacy of some drivers during bad weather conditions scares me. This weekend between Perth and Stirling drivers, including juggernauts, were driving in excess of 60 mph. I got flashed by these lunatics because I was being semi-sensible by driving at 30 mph in atrocious conditions. In future I'll stay at home and not drive at all and enjoy my time with the family.
Mitch, Darwen, Lancs

Has anyone responsible for Britain's transport infrastructure bothered to find out how they cope with these things in central and northern Europe? Having experienced two German winters and one Hungarian one I can tell everybody that they have hardly any of this chaos in hideous weather, and they get it every year!!
Pete, Cambridge, England

Yes, the rail engineering works (despite having not started yet!) have caused complete chaos for me and my partner. His father arrived to stay with us 4 days earlier than he normally does so our patience is being stretched to the limit!
Anon, UK

Here we go again - it's winter, a slight bit of bad weather and suddenly it's TRAVEL CHAOS! Why are we always caught out? It's not as though we didn't know winter was here!
Richard Speight, Barnsley, UK