China is expected to see 2.36 billion passenger trips nationwide during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday that starts on Wednesday, the Ministry of Transport said.

That would represent a daily average of 295 million trips, a 3.2 percent increase from a year ago.

About 80 percent of these trips will be made by private vehicles.

During peak periods, traffic volume on expressways could surpass 70 million vehicles per day, with new energy vehicles accounting for 14 million, Li Yang, vice minister of transport, told a press conference on Sunday.

In air travel, airlines will handle 19.2 million passenger trips during the holiday, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.6 percent.

There will be a surge in medium- and long-distance travel, Li noted.

While major domestic cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu will see greater popularity than a year ago, more tourists are also expected to travel to international destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries.

"Travel demand, whether for tourism or family visits, will be robust," Li said.

Li said China's transport sector is geared up for the strong demand, and pledged all-out efforts to ensure safe and smooth travel.

Meanwhile, according to the National Immigration Administration, China is expected to record an average of 2 million daily border crossings during the eight-day holiday.

Ports across the country are bracing for a surge in inbound and outbound trips between October 1 and October 8, with traffic peaks projected on October 1 and October 6. (Reporting by Xinhua)