BEIJING, China — China is facing one of its biggest holiday travel surges on record, with authorities expecting approximately 2.13 billion cross-regional trips during the seven-day National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7.
That works out to more than 300 million trips a day, with Oct. 1 projected to be the busiest day at roughly 340 million trips as millions of people travel by road, rail and air.
The unprecedented travel volume is putting China’s transport network under intense pressure as families return home, tourists head to popular destinations and more travelers take advantage of the extended break.
Rail Network Faces Historic Passenger Demand
China’s railway system is preparing for exceptionally heavy passenger flows.
China State Railway Group expects around 284 million passenger trips during the broader railway travel period from Sept. 23 through Oct. 8.
On Oct. 1 alone, railways were expected to carry 24.8 million passengers, prompting operators to deploy 2,324 additional trains.
Authorities have also added about 700 overnight high-speed services on major routes including Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Harbin. Major railway hubs such as Wuhan and Nanchang have prepared for round-the-clock operations.
Roads Will Carry the Biggest Share
Despite the massive rail operation, roads are expected to handle the overwhelming majority of holiday journeys.
More than 90% of cross-regional trips are expected to be made by road. Authorities projected approximately 71 million vehicle trips on Oct. 1 alone, creating the potential for severe congestion on major highways and around popular tourist destinations.
China has also expanded its transport-management measures, including the use of AI-based tools to help monitor congestion and manage traffic around heavily visited areas.
Airlines Prepare for Millions of Passengers
China’s aviation sector is also preparing for a major passenger surge.
From Sept. 25 through Oct. 7, civil aviation authorities expect airlines to transport about 31.19 million passengers, averaging roughly 2.4 million passengers a day—an increase of about 3.6%.
International travel is also gaining momentum. Reuters reported that Chinese travelers are booking longer trips and going farther abroad during this year’s holiday period.
Some Travelers Can Stretch the Holiday to 13 Days
This year’s calendar is adding another layer to the travel boom.
The seven-day National Day holiday follows the Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept. 25, and workers who strategically combine public holidays with annual leave can create breaks lasting as long as 13 days.
That has encouraged some travelers to plan longer domestic and international trips rather than limiting themselves to short Golden Week getaways.
Record Travel Does Not Necessarily Mean Record Spending
The enormous travel numbers come with an important economic question: Will people spend as much as they travel?
Reuters reported that China’s prolonged slowdown in consumer spending could limit the economic payoff from the record travel volume. Although travelers are taking longer journeys, analysts say many remain cautious about how much money they spend.
During the 2025 Golden Week, average spending per trip fell to a three-year low of about 911 yuan, according to Reuters calculations based on government data.
That creates an unusual picture for China’s tourism industry: record movement of people, but more cautious spending per traveler.
China’s Biggest Holiday Travel Test
The 2026 National Day holiday is therefore becoming more than a traditional travel rush.
With 2.13 billion trips expected, millions of additional train and flight services operating, and highways carrying the vast majority of journeys, China’s transport infrastructure is facing a huge test of capacity and coordination.
For travelers, the Golden Week story is unfolding on an enormous scale—but the bigger question may emerge after the crowds return home: whether record mobility will translate into the stronger consumer spending that China’s economy has been seeking.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
