Christmas, New Year’s and Boxing Day trains 2024
Last updated: Thursday 18th January 2024 14:00
Guide to Christmas 2024 train travel
Saving 35% with Trainline this festive season? Be merry. Be bright. *
Want to find out when and where trains are running over Christmas and New Year this year? You've come to the right place. Our guide to Christmas 2024 train travel is here to help.
Read on for advice on how to travel cheaply, information on planned engineering works for the 2024-25 Christmas and New Year period, and festive events you can reach by train. For specific info, skip down to the relevant section on the page:
*Average savings made by UK customers from Advance fares, SplitSave and/or Railcard discounts, where available v. equivalent flexible fare without a Railcard or SplitSave. Subject to availability and eligibility. See Trainline T&Cs for further info.
So, when do trains actually run during the Christmas period?
| Day | Date | Travel summary |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Tuesday 24th December 2024 | Train services run as usual but may end a bit earlier on Christmas Eve. |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday 25th December 2024 | No train services run on Christmas Day. |
| Boxing Day | Thursday 26th December 2024 | No train services run on Boxing Day, except for a handful of airport transfer services. |
| New Year's Eve | Tuesday 31st December 2024 | Train services run as usual but may end a bit earlier on New Year's Eve. |
| New Year's Day | Wednesday 1st January 2025 | Train services run as usual but may start a bit later than usual on New Year's Day. |
How to buy cheap train tickets this Christmas
Wherever you’re heading this Christmas, our money-saving tips can help you get there as cheaply as possible.
Book in Advance
Train tickets in the UK normally go on sale around 12 weeks before the departure date, usually at their cheapest price. Buying Advance train tickets is a great way to save those pennies.
Find out more about Advance train tickets.
Sign up to Ticket Alert
Planning ahead? Be the first to know when Advance tickets for your chosen train journey go on sale with our Ticket Alert tool. We'll ping you an email as soon as tickets are available to buy.
Find out more about Ticket Alert.
Use a Railcard
You can save 1/3 of eligible train journeys across the UK with a Railcard – all for just £30 a year! From Railcards for certain ages to groups or people travelling in certain areas, see which one you’re eligible for. Find out more about buying digital Railcards online with us.
Split your tickets
Did you know it’s can be cheaper to split your train journey into sections rather than buying one ticket? Luckily, our clever app feature SplitSave does it all for you!
Find out more about split tickets.
Engineering works over the Christmas period
Network Rail often use the festive period as a chance to perform vital engineering works across the rail. We will keep this page updated with the latest news on planned works and disruptions.
This page will be updated with major engineering works over the festive period as they are announced.
Avanti West Coast
Please continue to check your journey until your travel date. All Avanti West Coast services from Friday 22 December to Sunday 7 January inclusive are classified as Off-Peak - with an Off-Peak ticket you can travel at any time.
Saturday 23 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Trains will stop running earlier than normal on Christmas Eve.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to late night engineering work:
- The 21:45 Wolverhampton to London Euston, and the 22:03 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston services will be diverted resulting in extended journey times.
- The 22:30 and 23:30 London Euston to Wolverhampton services will be diverted, running later throughout to Wolverhampton.
- The 23:00 London Euston to Wolverhampton service will not run.
- The 22:00 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street service will terminate at Crewe. A replacement bus will run between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street, calling at Runcorn.
Thursday 28 December
Due to late night engineering work:
- The 21:45 Wolverhampton to London Euston, and the 22:03 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston services will be diverted resulting in extended journey times.
- The 22:30 and 23:30 London Euston to Wolverhampton services will be diverted, running later throughout to Wolverhampton.
- The 23:00 London Euston to Wolverhampton service will not run.
- The 22:00 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street service will terminate at Crewe. A replacement bus will run between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street, calling at Runcorn.
Friday 29 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Saturday 30 December
After 21:15 engineering work is taking place in the London Euston and Rugby areas. As a result trains will run hourly between:
- London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke-on-Trent
- London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly via Crewe
- London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street
- London Euston and Glasgow Central
- London Euston and Birmingham New Street
- London Euston and Blackpool / Scotland via Birmingham New Street
- Trains to / from Holyhead will run between Holyhead and Crewe only.
Sunday 31 December
Trains will stop running earlier than normal on New Years Eve.
Until 11:00 engineering work is taking place in the London Euston and Rugby areas. As a result trains will run hourly between:
- London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke-on-Trent
- London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly via Crewe
- London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street
- London Euston and Glasgow Central
- London Euston and Birmingham New Street
- London Euston and Blackpool / Scotland via Birmingham New Street
- Trains to / from Holyhead will run between Holyhead and Crewe only.
Monday 1 January
Major engineering work is planned. Avanti West Coast expect rail replacement buses in a number of locations on the West Coast Main Line on 1 January, and significantly extended journey times. Services will start up later than usual, from 07:00 onwards.
Replacement buses will run between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby, and between Preston and Carlisle. A shuttle train service will run between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.
Trains will also run between:
- Rugby and Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke-on-Trent
- Rugby and Manchester Piccadilly via Crewe
- Rugby and Liverpool Lime Street
- Rugby and Preston via Birmingham New Street
- Carlisle and Glasgow Central
- Trains to / from Holyhead will run between Holyhead and Crewe only.
Tuesday 2 January
No changes to train services have been announced.
Caledonian Sleeper
Saturday 23 December
No service as usual on Saturday night.
Sunday 24 December
No service.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Normal service.
Thursday 28 December
Normal service.
Friday 29 December
Normal service, with the exception of the 21:15 London Euston to Fort William service. That train will not call at Glasgow Queen Street, Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch or Corrour. A rail replacement coach service will operate from Kingussie calling at Tulloch, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William.
Saturday 30 December
No service as usual on Saturday night.
Sunday 31 December
No service.
Monday 1 January
No service.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service, with the exception of the 19:50 Fort William to London Euston service. That train will not call at Corrour, Rannoch, Bridge of Orchy, Upper Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Ardlui, Arrochar & Tarbet, Garelochhead, Helensburgh Upper, Dumbarton Central, Dalmuir, Glasgow Queen Street. A rail replacement coach service will operate from Fort William calling at Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge, Tulloch and Kingussie.
CrossCountry
Saturday 23 December
After 20:15 services will be diverted due to engineering work, and will be unable to call at Wakefield Westgate or Leeds. Connecting trains will be available between Sheffield and Wakefield / Leeds, and between York and Leeds.
Sunday 24 December
Services will be diverted due to engineering work, and will be unable to call at Wakefield Westgate or Leeds. Connecting trains will be available between Sheffield and Wakefield / Leeds, and between York and Leeds.
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Ely and Cambridge, and between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Thursday 28 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Ely and Cambridge, and between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Friday 29 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Due to engineering work in the Edinburgh area, no services will operate north or west of Edinburgh.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to late night engineering work in the Plymouth area, the 15:08 Edinburgh to Plymouth service will terminate at Taunton. A replacement bus will run from Taunton to Plymouth.
Elizabeth Line
Saturday 23 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Sunday 24 December
Due to engineering work between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway, no services will operate between these stations.Trains will run between Abbey Wood / Shenfield and London Paddington, and between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow Airport / Reading.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway, no services will operate between these stations.
Trains will run between Abbey Wood / Shenfield and London Paddington, and between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow Airport / Reading.
Thursday 28 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Friday 29 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Saturday 30 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Sunday 31 December
A Sunday service will operate.
Monday 1 January
A Saturday service will operate.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service.
Gatwick Express
Saturday 23 December
Normal service.
Sunday 24 December
Normal service, but with an early shut down from 13:00 onwards. No service after 21:00.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service. Southern will be running a limited Boxing Day service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
Wednesday 27 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Thursday 28 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Friday 29 December
A Saturday service will operate.
Saturday 30 December
Normal service.
Sunday 31 December
Normal service.
Monday 1 January
A Sunday service will operate.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service.
Great Northern
Saturday 23 December
No service changes have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Trains on all routes will finish earlier for Christmas Eve. Trains on all routes will finish by around 21:00, but on some routes this may be much earlier.
Due to engineering work at London Kings Cross the following changes apply:
- Until approximately 10:00, buses will replace trains between Finsbury Park and Potters Bar / Hertford North. No trains or replacement buses will run between London Kings Cross / Moorgate and Finsbury Park. Please use alternative London Underground services and London Bus routes including route 21 for stations to and from Moorgate.
- All day, until the end of service (which will be earlier at around 21:00), buses will replace trains on the following routes between:
- Hitchin and Royston (Calling at all stations)
- Hitchin and Royston (Limited stops)
- Hitchin and St Neots (Calling at all stations)
- Luton Airport Parkway and Stevenage, calling at Hitchin (For alternative Thameslink trains to and from London from Luton Airport Parkway)
- St Albans City and Hitchin, calling at Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn North, Knebworth and Stevenage (For alternative Thameslink trains to and from London from Luton Airport Parkway)
- Potters Bar and Stevenage
- Hertford North and Stevenage
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Great Northern routes.
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Thursday 28 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Great Northern routes.
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Friday 29 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Great Northern routes.
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. An additional direct bus service will operate between Royston and Cambridge North to connect with rail services to / from Kings Lynn.
A revised train service will run between Cambridge and Kings Lynn, and between Royston and London Kings Cross / Brighton.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. An additional direct bus service will operate between Royston and Cambridge North to connect with rail services to / from Kings Lynn.
A revised train service will run between Cambridge and Kings Lynn, and between Royston and London Kings Cross / Brighton.
The 06:40 Cambridge to London Kings Cross service will start from Letchworth Garden City. A rail replacement bus service will run between Cambridge and Letchworth Garden City.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. An additional direct bus service will operate between Royston and Cambridge North to connect with rail services to / from Kings Lynn.
A revised train service will run between Cambridge and Kings Lynn, and between Royston and London Kings Cross / Brighton.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to early morning engineering work, until 05:05 buses will replace trains between Stevenage and Cambridge.
Greater Anglia
Saturday 23 December
No changes to services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
On Christmas Eve, an early shutdown of services will apply (except Stansted Express). Trains will cease operation by 22:00, with reductions in service from 19:00.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No Greater Anglia trains will operate on Boxing Day, with the exception of the Stansted Express between London and Stansted Airport.
Wednesday 27 December
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: In connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Hertford East: Saturday timetable.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria train services will operate every 15 minutes. The Southminster branch line shuttle service is also retimed; operating every 45 minutes between Wickford and Southminster.
London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work taking place, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Ipswich - Cambridge: In connection with signalling work taking place at Cambridge, buses will replace trains between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. Connecting trains will operate between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. Due to inaccessible highways, Kennett station cannot be served by replacement buses. Ipswich-Peterborough train services will call additionally at Kennett instead.
Ipswich - Peterborough / Lowestoft / Felixstowe: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments.
Norwich - Cambridge: In connection with signalling work taking place at Cambridge, buses will replace trains between Cambridge North and Cambridge. Connecting trains will operate between Norwich and Cambridge North via Ely.
Thursday 28 December
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: In connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Hertford East: Saturday timetable.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: Saturday timetable. London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria train services will operate every 15 minutes. The Southminster branch line shuttle service is also retimed; operating every 45 minutes between Wickford and Southminster.
London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: Saturday timetable. In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Ipswich - Cambridge: In connection with signalling work taking place at Cambridge, buses will replace trains between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. Connecting trains will operate between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. Due to inaccessible highways, Kennett station cannot be served by replacement buses. Ipswich-Peterborough train services will call additionally at Kennett instead.
Ipswich - Peterborough / Lowestoft / Felixstowe: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments.
Norwich - Cambridge: In connection with signalling work taking place at Cambridge, buses will replace trains between Cambridge North and Cambridge. Connecting trains will operate between Norwich and Cambridge North via Ely.Norwich - Sheringham / Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments.
Friday 29 December
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: In connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Hertford East: Saturday timetable.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria train services will operate every 15 minutes. The Southminster branch line shuttle service is also retimed; operating every 45 minutes between Wickford and Southminster.
London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Ipswich - Cambridge / Peterborough / Lowestoft / Felixstowe: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments.
Norwich - Cambridge / Sheringham / Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments.
Saturday 30 December
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: In connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria train services will operate every 15 minutes. The Southminster branch line shuttle service is also retimed; operating every 45 minutes between Wickford and Southminster.
London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Sunday 31 December
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: In connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: Revised Sunday timetable.
London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Monday 1 January
London Liverpool Street - Cambridge: Sunday timetable. But in connection with construction work for the new Cambridge South station, the line will be closed between Audley End and Cambridge. Replacement bus services will run between Audley End and Cambridge North via Cambridge.
London Liverpool Street - Hertford East: Sunday timetable.
London Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria / Southminster: Revised Sunday timetable. London Liverpool Street - Colchester / Ipswich / Norwich / branches: In connection with construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station, and track maintenance work, the mainline will be closed between Shenfield and Witham. Trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Billericay, replacement buses will run between Billericay and Witham, and train services will run between Witham and Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree.
Ipswich - Cambridge / Peterborough / Lowestoft / Felixstowe: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments and a slightly later start-up of train services.
Norwich - Cambridge / Sheringham / Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft: Normal weekday timetable, with minor amendments and a slightly later start-up of train services.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service. Only reported change involves the 23.28 London Liverpool Street to Cambridge train service, which will be replaced by a bus service between Bishops Stortford and Cambridge.
Hull Trains
Saturday 23 December
Normal service.
Sunday 24 December
A limited service will operate due to engineering works at London Kings Cross. Hull Trains will be diverted and will run to and from London St Pancras International due to the closure of London Kings Cross. Services will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Doncaster, Retford, Grantham or Stevenage.
Hull Trains advise travelling on Friday 22 December or Saturday 23 December instead.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
A near normal service, the 06:26 from Hull and 07:27 from London Kings Cross will not run.
Thursday 28 December
Normal service.
Friday 29 December
Normal service.
Saturday 30 December
Normal service.
Sunday 31 December
Normal service.
Monday 1 January
A near normal service, the 06:26 from Hull and 07:27 from London Kings Cross will not run.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service.
LNER
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
Train services will stop running earlier than normal.
Due to engineering work between London Kings Cross and Peterborough, trains will only operate to and from Peterborough or St Neots and will not call at London Kings Cross. Customers travelling to or from London will need to use replacement buses between St Neots and Bedford, and Thameslink services between Bedford and London.
Due to engineering work between York and Darlington, buses will replace trains between these stations.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Train services will start running earlier than normal.
Thursday 28 December
-
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work, the 21:00 London Kings Cross to Newcastle service will terminate at York. A rail replacement coach service will be provided from York to Northallerton, Darlington, Durham and Newcastle.
Sunday 31 December
On New Years Eve, services will finish earlier than usual. Due to engineering work on Sunday morning, a Newcastle to Darlington shuttle train service will run, with a rail replacement coach service provided between Darlington and York. Services between Leeds, York and London Kings Cross will run to an amended and reduced timetable until 11:00.
Monday 1 January
On New Years Day, services will start later than usual and run to an amended timetable.
On New Years Day, no LNER services will be operating between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Stirling, Aberdeen or Inverness.
Tuesday 2 January
The 07:40 Inverness to London Kings Cross service will start from Perth.
London Overground
Saturday 23 December
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Clapham Junction: Due to engineering work, buses replace trains all day between Canada Water and Clapham Junction.
Sunday 24 December
Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside: A reduced service will operate between Gospel Oak and Barking. No service will operate between Barking and Barking Riverside all day due to engineering work. The last services through will be the 21:30 Gospel Oak to Barking, and 21:30 Barking to Gospel Oak
London Liverpool Street - Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt: Services will finish early on Christmas Eve.
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace / West Croydon / Clapham Junction: Buses replace trains all day between Canada Water and Clapham Junction. From 19:00 a reduced service will operate on these routes, and services will finish earlier than normal.
London Euston - Watford Junction: Until 12:00 all services will run to / from Kilburn High Road instead of London Euston. Services will finish earlier than normal.
Stratford - Richmond / Clapham Junction: A reduced service will operate. After 19:00 the number of services will gradually reduce until 21:30 when there will be no service.
Monday 25 December
All routes: No service.
Tuesday 26 December
Stratford - Richmond / Clapham Junction: From 09:00 until 20:00 a reduced service of one train every 30 minutes will operate between Shepherds Bush and Clapham Junction.
Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside: No service.London Liverpool Street - Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt: No service.
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace / West Croydon: No service.
London Euston - Watford Junction: No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside: No service will operate between Barking and Barking Riverside all day due to engineering work. You can use London Buses.
London Liverpool Street - Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt: Amended Saturday service. However, after approximately 22:25 buses will replace trains between Hackney Downs and Chingford.
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace: Reduced Saturday service.
London Euston - Watford Junction: Reduced Saturday service.
Stratford - Richmond / Clapham Junction: A reduced service will operate between Clapham Junction and Camden Road, and between Richmond and Willesden Junction.
Thursday 28 December
Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside: Saturday style service.
London Liverpool Street - Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt: Amended Saturday service. However, after approximately 22:25 buses will replace trains between Hackney Downs and Chingford.
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace: Reduced Saturday service.
London Euston - Watford Junction: Reduced Saturday service.
Stratford - Richmond / Clapham Junction: A reduced service will operate between Clapham Junction and Camden Road, and between Richmond and Willesden Junction.
Friday 29 December
Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside: Saturday style service.
London Liverpool Street - Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt: Amended Saturday service.
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace / West Croydon: Reduced Saturday service.
London Euston - Watford Junction: Reduced Saturday service.
Saturday 30 December
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Clapham Junction: Due to engineering work, buses replace trains all day between Canada Water and Clapham Junction.
Sunday 31 December
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Clapham Junction: Due to engineering work, buses replace trains all day between Canada Water and Clapham Junction.
Monday 1 January
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Clapham Junction: Due to engineering work, buses replace trains all day between Canada Water and Clapham Junction.
Tuesday 2 January
Highbury & Islington / Dalston Junction - Crystal Palace / West Croydon: There will be an early finish to the service between Highbury & Islington and Surrey Quays. Services will gradually reduce after 19:30 until 22:00 where service will stop between Highbury & Islington and Surrey Quays. Shuttles will run to / from New Cross Gate after 22:00.
Northern
Saturday 23 December
After 20:15, buses will replace trains between Leeds and York via Micklefield due to engineering work.
Sunday 24 December
From 18:00 on Christmas Eve, trains may be cancelled or will terminate short of their normal destination. Most services will be withdrawn by 20:00. Buses will replace trains between Leeds and York via Micklefield all day due to engineering work.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Early morning trains may be cancelled, or will start later than normally advertised, until 08:00.Due to overnight engineering work, between approximately 23:40 (Wednesday night) and 05:00 (Thursday morning) buses will replace trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.
Due to late night engineering work in the Liverpool area:
-
22:47 Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street service will not call at West Allerton, Mossley Hill and Edge Hill. A rail replacement bus service will run between Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Lime Street.
-
23:28 Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street service will terminate at Warrington Central. A rail replacement bus service will run between Warrington Central and Liverpool Lime Street.
Due to late night engineering work, the 22:51 Preston to Colne service will terminate at Rose Grove. A rail replacement bus service will run between Rose Grove and Colne.
Thursday 28 December
Due to overnight engineering work, between approximately 23:40 (Thursday night) and 05:00 (Friday morning) buses will replace trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport.
Due to late night engineering work in the Liverpool area:
-
22:47 Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street service will not call at West Allerton, Mossley Hill and Edge Hill. A rail replacement bus service will run between Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Lime Street.
-
23:28 Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool Lime Street service will terminate at Warrington Central. A rail replacement bus service will run between Warrington Central and Liverpool Lime Street.
Due to late night engineering work, the 22:51 Preston to Colne service will terminate at Rose Grove. A rail replacement bus service will run between Rose Grove and Colne.
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull via Goole.
Due to engineering work, trains in both directions between Manchester Victoria and Leeds via Dewsbury will be diverted to run via Halifax and Bradford Interchange, and will not call at Brighouse, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley. Buses will be provided between Halifax and Leeds via Dewsbury and Brighouse.
Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
- Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will only run between Bolton and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere.
- Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
- Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
- Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
- Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull via Goole.
Due to engineering work, trains in both directions between Manchester Victoria and Leeds via Dewsbury will be diverted to run via Halifax and Bradford Interchange, and will not call at Brighouse, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley. Buses will be provided between Halifax and Leeds via Dewsbury and Brighouse.
Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
- Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will only run between Bolton and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere.
- Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
- Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
- Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
- Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work, trains in both directions between Manchester Victoria and Leeds via Dewsbury will be diverted to run via Halifax and Bradford Interchange, and will not call at Brighouse, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley. Buses will be provided between Halifax and Leeds via Dewsbury and Brighouse.
Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
- Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will not run.
- Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
- Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
- Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
- Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
- Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.
Tuesday 2 January
-
Southern
Saturday 23 December
Due to late evening engineering work, after approximately 20:00, no Southern trains will run between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction. Please use Southern trains between Clapham Junction and London Victoria, then London Underground between London Victoria and London Euston, and London Northwestern Railway or London Overground trains between London Euston and Watford Junction.
Sunday 24 December
From approximately 17:00 on Christmas Eve, a reduced service will run on all routes, with last trains arriving at their final destinations by 21:00.
Due to overnight engineering work:
- The 00:50 (Sunday morning) Purley to Tattenham Corner train will not run. A replacement bus will run from Purley to Tattenham Corner. Until approximately 08:45 on Sunday morning, Caterham and Tattenham Corner route trains will only run between London Bridge and South Croydon.
- Replacement buses will run between East Croydon and Caterham via Purley and from Purley to Tattenham Corner.
Due to early morning engineering work, until midday on Sunday, no Southern trains will run between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction. Please use Southern trains between Clapham Junction and London Victoria, then London Underground between London Victoria and London Euston, and London Northwestern Railway or London Overground trains between London Euston and Watford Junction.
Due to early morning engineering work, until approximately 08:15 buses will replace trains between Brighton and Lewes.
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Havant and Southampton Central, calling at Cosham, Portchester, Fareham and Swanwick. Trains that usually run between Brighton and Southampton Central will be diverted after Havant to run to and from Portsmouth Harbour.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
A limited Southern service will run on the following routes only on Boxing Day:
- From 05:00 until 08:30, and from 21:00 until 23:00 (times are approximate):
- Two trains will run per hour between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, calling at Clapham Junction and East Croydon.
- From 08:30 until 21:00 (times are approximate):
- One train will run per hour between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, calling at Clapham Junction and East Croydon.
- One train will run per hour between London Victoria and Brighton calling at Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath.
- Two trains will run per hour between London Victoria and Sutton via Selhurst and West Croydon calling at Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham, Streatham Common, Norbury, Thornton Heath, Selhurst, West Croydon, Waddon, Wallington and Carshalton Beeches.
- Two trains will run per hour between London Victoria and East Croydon via Crystal Palace calling at Battersea Park, Clapham Junction, Balham, Streatham Hill, West Norwood, Gypsy Hill, Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction.
Other routes, and the above routes at other times, will have no service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Havant and Southampton Central, calling at Cosham, Portchester, Fareham and Swanwick. Trains that usually run between Brighton and Southampton Central will be diverted after Havant to run to and from Portsmouth Harbour.
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Oxted and Uckfield.
Due to engineering work between Crystal Palace and West Croydon:
- Buses will replace trains between Crystal Palace and West Croydon via Norwood Junction.
- A reduced service will run between London Victoria and Crystal Palace, please use the trains that run between London Victoria and London Bridge.Trains on the Purley and Tattenham Corner routes will only run between Purley and Caterham / Tattenham Corner.
- Please use alternative trains between Purley and London Bridge.
- Trains between London Bridge / London Victoria and Epsom / Dorking / Horsham will run to a reduced timetable. Tickets will be accepted on South Western Railway trains between Epsom and Dorking.
- Trains which usually run between Reigate and London Victoria will only run between Reigate and Redhill, please use alternative trains between Redhill and London.T
- rains between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction will not run. Tickets will be accepted on London Trams between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction. Please use alternative trains between London Bridge and East Croydon.
Due to late night engineering work between Brighton and Worthing:
- From approximately 23:30, trains from London Victoria to Worthing / Chichester will be diverted to run to Brighton. Buses will replace trains between Brighton and Worthing / Chichester.
- The 23:34 and 00:04 (Thursday morning) Brighton to West Worthing trains will not run. Replacement buses will run from Brighton to West Worthing.
- The 22:40 Portsmouth to Brighton train will terminate at Littlehampton. A replacement bus will run from Littlehampton to Brighton, departing at 23:44 and calling at all stations.
Due to late night engineering work between Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace:
- The 23:56 London Bridge to Selhurst train will depart later at 00:01 and run later. A replacement bus will connect from this train at Tulse Hill and run to Norwood Junction via Crystal Palace.
- The 00:01 (Thursday morning) London Bridge to Norwood Junction train will not run.
- The 00:10 and 00:40 (Thursday morning) London Victoria to Norwood Junction trains will terminate at Streatham Hill. A replacement bus will run from Streatham Hill to Norwood Junction via Crystal Palace.
Thursday 28 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Havant and Southampton Central, calling at Cosham, Portchester, Fareham and Swanwick. Trains that usually run between Brighton and Southampton Central will be diverted after Havant to run to and from Portsmouth Harbour.
Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Oxted and Uckfield.
Due to engineering work between Crystal Palace and West Croydon:
-
Buses will replace trains between Crystal Palace and West Croydon via Norwood Junction. A reduced service will run between London Victoria and Crystal Palace, please use the trains that run between London Victoria and London Bridge.
-
Trains on the Purley and Tattenham Corner routes will only run between Purley and Caterham / Tattenham Corner. Please use alternative trains between Purley and London Bridge.
-
Trains between London Bridge / London Victoria and Epsom / Dorking / Horsham will run to a reduced timetable. Tickets will be accepted on South Western Railway trains between Epsom and Dorking.
-
Trains which usually run between Reigate and London Victoria will only run between Reigate and Redhill, please use alternative trains between Redhill and London.
-
Trains between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction will not run. Tickets will be accepted on London Trams between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction. Please use alternative trains between London Bridge and East Croydon.
Due to late night engineering work between Brighton and Worthing:
-
From approximately 23:30, trains from London Victoria to Worthing / Chichester will be diverted to run to Brighton. Buses will replace trains between Brighton and Worthing / Chichester.
-
The 23:34 and 00:04 (Friday morning) Brighton to West Worthing trains will not run. Replacement buses will run from Brighton to West Worthing.
-
The 22:40 Portsmouth to Brighton train will terminate at Littlehampton. A replacement bus will run from Littlehampton to Brighton, departing at 23:44 and calling at all stations.
Due to late night engineering work between Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace:
-
The 23:56 London Bridge to Selhurst train will depart later at 00:01 and run later. A replacement bus will connect from this train at Tulse Hill and run to Norwood Junction via Crystal Palace.
-
The 00:01 (Friday morning) London Bridge to Norwood Junction train will not run.
-
The 00:10 and 00:40 (Friday morning) London Victoria to Norwood Junction trains will terminate at Streatham Hill. A replacement bus will run from Streatham Hill to Norwood Junction via Crystal Palace.
Friday 29 December
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, buses will replace trains between Havant and Southampton Central, calling at Cosham, Portchester, Fareham and Swanwick. Trains that usually run between Brighton and Southampton Central will be diverted after Havant to run to and from Portsmouth Harbour.
Saturday 30 December
Due to late night engineering work between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction, from 20:10 no trains will run between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction. You can use London Overground, London Underground and London Northwestern Railway services.
Sunday 31 December
Due to early morning engineering work between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction, until 12:00 no trains will run between Shepherds Bush and Watford Junction. You can use London Overground, London Underground and London Northwestern Railway services.
Due to early morning engineering work between Southampton Central and Fareham, the 07:30 Southampton Central to Brighton service will start from Fareham at 07:54. An earlier rail replacement bus service will run between Southampton Central and Fareham.
Due to early morning engineering work, until 08:15 buses will replace trains between Lewes and Brighton. Services between London Victoria and Brighton via Hove will be diverted between Preston Park and Brighton, with extended journey times.
Monday 1 January
Due to late night engineering work in the Balham area, the 23:17 London Bridge to East Croydon service will divert after Tulse Hill and run via Norwood Junction. A rail replacement bus service will run between Tulse Hill and East Croydon via Selhurst. Also, the 23:40 London Victoria to Sutton service will terminate at Selhurst. A rail replacement bus service will run between Selhurst and Sutton.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to late night engineering work in the Balham area, the 23:17 London Bridge to East Croydon service will divert after Tulse Hill and run via Norwood Junction. A rail replacement bus service will run between Tulse Hill and East Croydon via Selhurst. Also, the 23:40 London Victoria to Sutton service will terminate at Selhurst. A rail replacement bus service will run between Selhurst and Sutton.
Due to late night engineering work, after 22:15 buses will replace trains between Lewes and Eastbourne.
Due to late night engineering work, after 23:10 buses will replace trains between Redhill and Reigate.
Stansted Express
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
-
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
Due to engineering work taking place at London Liverpool Street station, the Stansted Express will operate between Tottenham Hale and Stansted Airport, running every 30 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 35 minutes. Trains will call at Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford en-route.
London Underground will be operating services between central London and Tottenham Hale on the Victoria line.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to planned early morning and late night maintenance work between Tottenham Hale and Cheshunt:
- 04:40 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport train will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale Station, instead the train will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters Station.
- 23:25 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, and the 22:45, 23:00, 23:14 Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street trains will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale Station, instead these trains will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters Station.
Thursday 28 December
Due to planned early morning and late night maintenance work between Tottenham Hale and Cheshunt:
- 04:40 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport train will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale station, instead the train will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters station.
- 23:25 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, and the 22:45, 23:00, 23:14 Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street trains will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale station, instead these trains will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters station.
Friday 29 December
Due to planned early morning maintenance work between Tottenham Hale and Cheshunt:
- 04:40 London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport train will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale station, instead the train will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters station.
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
Due to planned maintenance between Tottenham Hale and Cheshunt stations, until 08:15 trains will no longer stop at Tottenham Hale station, instead these trains will be diverted to stop at Seven Sisters station.
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
Thameslink
Saturday 23 December
No service changes have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Trains on all routes will finish earlier for Christmas Eve. Trains on all routes will finish by around 21:00, but on some routes this may be much earlier.
Due to engineering work at London Kings Cross the following changes apply:
- Until approximately 10:00, buses will replace trains between Finsbury Park and Potters Bar / Hertford North. No trains or replacement buses will run between London Kings Cross / Moorgate and Finsbury Park. Please use alternative London Underground services and London Bus routes including route 21 for stations to and from Moorgate.
- All day, until the end of service (which will be earlier at around 21:00), buses will replace trains on the following routes between:
- Hitchin and Royston (Calling at all stations)
- Hitchin and Royston (Limited stops)
- Hitchin and St Neots (Calling at all stations)
- Luton Airport Parkway and Stevenage, calling at Hitchin (For alternative Thameslink trains to and from London from Luton Airport Parkway)
- St Albans City and Hitchin, calling at Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn North, Knebworth and Stevenage (For alternative Thameslink trains to and from London from Luton Airport Parkway)
- Potters Bar and Stevenage
- Hertford North and Stevenage
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Thameslink routes.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Thursday 28 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Thameslink routes.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Friday 29 December
An amended and reduced service will run on all Thameslink routes.
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Due to overnight engineering work between Earlswood and Three Bridges, from 23:45 on Saturday until 08:40 on Sunday no trains will call at Earlswood or Salfords. Rail replacement buses will run between Redhill and Horley, calling at Earlswood and Salfords.
Due to late night engineering between Hitchin and Peterborough, the 23:11 Horsham to Peterborough service will terminate at Hitchin. A rail replacement bus service will run from Hitchin to Peterborough.
Due to overnight engineering work between Luton and Bedford, from 23:59 on Saturday until 08:05 on Sunday, buses replace trains between Luton and Bedford.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, services to / from Orpington / Sevenoaks will be diverted to start / terminate at London Blackfriars instead of London Victoria.
Due to early morning engineering work between Haywards Heath and Brighton, until 08:15 buses will replace trains between Haywards Heath and Brighton. You can also use Southern train services via Hove at no additional cost.
Due to overnight engineering work between Earlswood and Three Bridges, until 08:40 on Sunday morning, and between 23:45 on Sunday until 04:00 on Monday, no trains will call at Earlswood or Salfords. Rail replacement buses will run between Redhill and Horley, calling at Earlswood and Salfords.
Due to overnight engineering work between Hitchin and Peterborough, the 00:18 (Sun) London Kings Cross to Peterborough service will depart London Kings Cross at 00:08 and run to a revised timetable. The 05:45 and 06:45 Peterborough to London Kings Cross services will depart Peterborough a few minutes earlier than usual and run to a revised timetable.
Due to overnight engineering work between Luton and Bedford, until 08:05 on Sunday buses replace trains between Luton and Bedford.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work in the Cambridge area, buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge. Trains between London and Royston will run to an amended timetable.
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, services to / from Orpington / Sevenoaks will be diverted to start / terminate at London Blackfriars instead of London Victoria.
Due to overnight engineering work between Earlswood and Three Bridges, until 04:00 no trains will call at Earlswood or Salfords. Rail replacement buses will run between Redhill and Horley, calling at Earlswood and Salfords.
Due to late night engineering work between Herne Hill and Streatham, the 22:37 St Albans to Sutton and the 22:54 Luton to Sutton services will terminate at Herne Hill. You should use London Buses to complete your journey at no additional cost.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to early morning engineering work between Herne Hill and Streatham, the 05:46 Sutton to St Albans (via Hackbridge) and the 05:49 Sutton to St Albans (via Wimbledon) services will start from Elephant & Castle. You should use London Buses to complete your journey at no additional cost.
Due to early morning engineering work, until 05:05 buses will replace trains between Stevenage and Cambridge.Due to early morning engineering work, the 05:20 West Hampstead Thameslink to Rainham service will start from London St Pancras International. You should use alternative Thameslink services between West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras International.
TransPennine Express
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
Trains will stop running earlier than normal. Due to engineering work, trains will be diverted between Leeds and York extending journey times by up to 20 minutes.
Due to engineering work, there will be no direct trains between York and Newcastle /Saltburn:
- Buses will replace all trains between York and Saltburn from 15:00 onwards calling at Thirsk, Northallerton, Yarm, Thornaby, Middlesbrough and Redcar Central.
- Train services will operate between Northallerton and Newcastle.
- If you are travelling between York and Newcastle, you will need to use replacement bus services between York and Northallerton where you can change for the onward train service.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Trains will start running later than normal.
Thursday 28 December
-
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work, trains between Manchester and Scotland will start / terminate at Preston. Buses replace trains between Manchester stations and Preston.
Due to engineering work, trains between Manchester stations and Hull / Scarborough will be replaced by buses between Huddersfield and Leeds.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work, trains between Manchester and Scotland will start / terminate at Preston. Buses replace trains between Manchester stations and Preston.
Due to engineering work, trains between Manchester stations and Hull / Scarborough will be replaced by buses between Huddersfield and Leeds.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work, services between Manchester and Scotland will be amended as follows:
- An hourly train service will operate between Manchester and Preston.
- Replacement buses will operate between Preston and Carlisle
- A two hourly train service will operate between Carlisle and Glasgow Central.
- Replacement buses will operate between Carlisle and Edinburgh calling at Lockerbie.
Tuesday 2 January
-
c2c
Saturday 23 December
No changes have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Services on all c2c routes will finish earlier than normal on Christmas Eve.
Due to engineering work between Barking and Grays via Rainham, replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham and Purfleet.
Due to engineering work between London Fenchurch Street and Upminster, services will start / terminate at Upminster. You can use the following services at no additional cost:
- London Underground District Line services between Tower Hill and Upminster
- London Bus routes EL2 and 287 between Barking, Dagenham Dock and Rainham
- Docklands Light Railway between Tower Gateway, Limehouse and West Ham
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work between Barking and Grays via Rainham, replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham and Purfleet.
Due to engineering work between London Fenchurch Street and Upminster, services will start / terminate at Upminster. You can use the following services at no additional cost:
- London Underground District Line services between Tower Hill and Upminster
- London Bus routes EL2 and 287 between Barking, Dagenham Dock and Rainham
- Docklands Light Railway between Tower Gateway, Limehouse and West Ham
Thursday 28 December
A reduced service will operate.
Friday 29 December
A reduced service will operate.
Saturday 30 December
No changes have been announced.
Sunday 31 December
No changes have been announced.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work:
- Until 14:25, Limehouse to Upminster and Barking to Grays via Rainham will be closed. c2c services will start / terminate at Upminster, and rail replacement buses will run between Grays, Purfleet, Rainham and Upminster.
- From 14:25 to 23:30, Limehouse to Upminster will be closed. c2c services to / from London Fenchurch Street will be diverted to run via Stratford. Shuttle train services will run between Upminster and Grays via Ockendon, and between Upminster and Pitsea via Laindon.
- From 23:30, lines between London Fenchurch Street and Upminster via West Ham will be closed. c2c train services will start / terminate at Barking / Upminster.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service until 23:30.
After 23:30, due to engineering work, trains that usually run to / from London Fenchurch Street will be diverted to run to / from London Liverpool Street. London Liverpool Street is just a short distance from London Fenchurch Street.
Shuttle train services will run between Upminster and Grays via Ockenden. You can use valid tickets on London Underground Jubilee line / Docklands Light Railway services between Stratford and West Ham, or on Docklands Light Railway services between Tower Gateway / Limehouse / Stratford.
Chiltern Railways
Saturday 23 December
A normal Saturday service is planned to run.
Sunday 24 December
Chiltern Railways services between London Marylebone and Oxford are expected to be busy as they will be the only direct services between London and Oxford. London Paddington will be affected by engineering works.
A normal Sunday service is planned to run during the day until mid-afternoon. Services will finish earlier than normal.
Last trains from London:
- To Birmingham – 20:00
- To Oxford – 20:12
- To Banbury – 20:42
- To Aylesbury (via High Wycombe) – 21:20
- To Aylesbury (via Amersham) – 20:57
Last trains to London:
- From Birmingham – 20:17
- From Oxford – 20:41
- From Aylesbury (via High Wycombe) – 20:33
- From Aylesbury (via Amersham) – 19:45
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
Chiltern Railways will be running a special service on Boxing Day, calling at principal stations between London Marylebone and Oxford Parkway. Trains will run twice an hour between approximately 08:00 and 22:00. Please see First & Last train information below and use the journey planner for detailed timings from individual stations.
Stations served will be London Marylebone, Wembley Stadium, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Haddenham & Thame Parkway, Bicester Village and Oxford Parkway.
First & Last Trains:
- First Northbound
- 08:00 London Marylebone - Oxford Parkway (non-stop to Bicester Village)
- 08:10 London Marylebone - Oxford Parkway (calling at all stations detailed above)
- Last Northbound
- 19:10 London Marylebone - Oxford Parkway
- 19:40 London Marylebone - Bicester Village
- 20:10 London Marylebone – Princes Risborough
- 20:30 London Marylebone - High Wycombe - Princes Risborough (non-stop to High Wycombe)
- First Southbound
- 08:40 Princes Risborough - High Wycombe - London Marylebone (non-stop from High Wycombe)
- 09:02 Princes Risborough - London Marylebone (calling at all intermediate stations detailed above)
- 09:10 Bicester Village - London Marylebone (calling at all intermediate stations detailed above)
- 09:25 Oxford Parkway - London Marylebone (calling at all stations detailed above)
- Last Southbound
- 20:25 Oxford Parkway - London Marylebone (calling at all stations detailed above)
- 21:05 Bicester Village - London Marylebone (non-stop)
Journey Planners for Chiltern Railways services on Boxing Day have been updated. Please be aware that very few other National Rail services will be running on Boxing Day.
Wednesday 27 December
Chiltern Railways services between London Marylebone and Oxford are expected to be busy as they will be the only direct services between London and Oxford. London Paddington will be affected by engineering works.
No services will run on the London Marylebone / Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham Route). Buses will replace trains between Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Amersham (in both directions) for connection at Amersham with London Underground Metropolitan Line services.
An amended weekday timetable will operate across the rest of the network, with strengthened services to / from Oxford and additional services during the day between London Marylebone and Bicester Village.
No trains will call at Sudbury Hill Harrow or Sudbury & Harrow Road.
Thursday 28 December
A slightly reduced and amended weekday timetable will operate today.
No trains will call at Sudbury Hill Harrow or Sudbury & Harrow Road.
Friday 29 December
A slightly reduced and amended weekday timetable will operate today.
No trains will call at Sudbury Hill Harrow or Sudbury & Harrow Road.
Saturday 30 December
A normal Saturday timetable will run today.
Sunday 31 December
A normal Sunday service will operate except for:
- No trains will run between London Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham) due to maintenance work at Stoke Mandeville.
- Additional late night trains will run from London Marylebone as detailed below.
- Buses will run Aylesbury Vale Parkway – Aylesbury – Stoke Mandeville – Wendover – Great Missenden – Amersham – Beaconsfield (in both directions) for connections with train services to / from London Marylebone.
- Additional late-night services from London Marylebone:
- 00:30 to High Wycombe
- 00:45 to Oxford
- 00:50 to Banbury
- 01:10 to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe)
- 01:35 to Oxford
- 01:40 to Banbury
- 02:00 to Aylesbury (via High Wycombe)
Monday 1 January
A slightly reduced and amended weekday timetable will operate today except for:
- Services will start running later than normal.
- No trains will run between London Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham) due to maintenance work at Stoke Mandeville.
- No trains will call at Sudbury Hill Harrow or Sudbury & Harrow Road.Due to a heavily reduced train service running between Birmingham and London Euston, most trains between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone will be formed of more carriages than usual. This means that buses will replace trains for most of the day at Kings Sutton, Warwick, Hatton and Lapworth.
- Bus Services operating:
- Banbury – Kings Sutton – Bicester North (for Kings Sutton only)
- Dorridge –Lapworth –Hatton – Warwick Parkway (for Hatton and Lapworth only)
- Leamington – Warwick – Warwick Parkway (for Warwick only)
- Aylesbury Vale Parkway – Aylesbury – Stoke Mandeville – Wendover – Great Missenden – Amersham – Beaconsfield (for connections to / from London Marylebone)
Tuesday 2 January
A normal timetable will operate.
East Midlands Railway
Saturday 23 December
No changes to services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
A reduced service will operate due to the early shutdown on Christmas Eve. Please check your journey will be possible.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to the late start-up after Christmas, trains will start up from 07:00.
Due to engineering work, the lines will be closed between Kettering and Leicester. As a result:
Buses will replace trains between:
- Kettering and Leicester via Market Harborough.
- Wellingborough and Leicester.
- Wellingborough and Corby
An amended train service will run between:
- London St Pancras International and Wellingborough.
- Corby and Sheffield.
- Leicester and Nottingham.
- Leicester and Sheffield.
Thursday 28 December
Due to early morning engineering work between Corby and Kettering the following changes will be made:
- 04:32 Corby to London St Pancras International service will not run.
- 05:37 Corby to London St Pancras International service will start from Wellingborough at 05:53. A replacement bus will run from Corby to Wellingborough.
- 05:45 London St Pancras International to Corby service will be retimed to start at 06:08. It will run later throughout, and will terminate at Kettering. A replacement bus will run from Kettering to Corby.
- 06:17 London St Pancras International to Corby service will start from Kettering at 07:22. A replacement bus will run from London St Pancras International to Kettering.
- 07:09 Corby to London St Pancras International service will start from Kettering at 07:21. A replacement bus will run between Corby and Kettering.
Friday 29 December
Due to early morning engineering work between Corby and Kettering the following changes will be made:
- 04:32 Corby to London St Pancras International service will not run.
- 05:45 London St Pancras International to Corby service will not run.
- 06:17 London St Pancras International to Corby service will start from Kettering at 07:22. A replacement bus will run from London St Pancras International to Kettering.
Saturday 30 December
No changes to services have been announced.
Sunday 31 December
An amended service will operate all day between London St Pancras International and Sheffield.
Due to engineering work until mid-afternoon between Edale and Sheffield, before 15:30 trains will run between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly, and between Sheffield and Nottingham / Norwich. Replacement buses will run between Stockport and Sheffield. Between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport, you should use alternative train services.
Monday 1 January
Due to late night engineering work between Kettering and Corby, trains may be retimed and the following changes will be made:
- 22:47 London St Pancras International to Corby train will terminate at Kettering instead of Corby. Please note that a connecting bus will run between Kettering and Corby.
- 23:54 London St Pancras International to Corby train will depart from London St Pancras International at 23:59 and will terminate at Kettering instead of Corby. Please note that a connecting bus will run between Kettering and Corby.
Due to late night engineering work between Leicester and Nottingham, the 22:52 Leicester to Nottingham service will start at 22:59, and will run non-stop to Loughborough, not calling at Syston or Sileby. A bus will run between Leicester and Loughborough via Syston and Sileby, running earlier than usual in order to connect with the train at Loughborough.
Due to late night engineering work between Lincoln and Peterborough the following changes apply:
- 20:49 Doncaster to Peterborough service will terminate at Sleaford. A replacement bus will run from Sleaford to Peterborough.
- 23:11 Peterborough to Lincoln service will be replaced by a bus throughout.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to early morning and late night engineering work between Kettering and Corby, trains may be retimed and the following changes will be made:
- 04:32 Corby to London St Pancras International train will depart from Kettering at 04:40 and run as scheduled from Kettering onwards. A connecting bus will run between Corby and Kettering.
- 05:37 Corby to London St Pancras International train will depart from Kettering at 05:45 and run as scheduled from Kettering onwards. A connecting bus will run between Corby and Kettering.
- 06:10 Corby to London St Pancras International train will depart from Kettering at 06:18 and run as scheduled from Kettering onwards. A connecting bus will run between Corby and Kettering.
- 22:47 London St Pancras International to Corby train will terminate at Kettering instead of Corby. Please note that a connecting bus will run between Kettering and Corby.
- 23:54 London St Pancras International to Corby train will depart from London St Pancras International at 23:59 and will terminate at Kettering instead of Corby. Please note that a connecting bus will run between Kettering and Corby.
Due to late night engineering work between Leicester and Nottingham, the 22:52 Leicester to Nottingham service will start at 22:59, and will run non-stop to Loughborough, not calling at Syston or Sileby. A bus will run between Leicester and Loughborough via Syston and Sileby, running earlier than usual in order to connect with the train at Loughborough.
Due to late night engineering work between Lincoln and Peterborough the following changes apply:
- 20:49 Doncaster to Peterborough service will terminate at Sleaford. A replacement bus will run from Sleaford to Peterborough.
- 23:11 Peterborough to Lincoln service will be replaced by a bus throughout.
Grand Central
Saturday 23 December
Due to engineering work, the 17:30 Sunderland to London Kings Cross service will not run.
Sunday 24 December
Due to engineering work between London Kings Cross and Peterborough, no Grand Central services will run.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work, the 08:27 London Kings Cross to Sunderland service will not run.
Thursday 28 December
No changes to services have been announced.
Friday 29 December
No changes to services have been announced.
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work, trains that usually run to / from Bradford Interchange will be amended to run to / from Halifax. These trains will not call at Brighouse or Mirfield. Replacement buses will run between Halifax and Bradford Interchange.
Due to engineering work, the 06:45 Sunderland to London Kings Cross and the 11:27 London Kings Cross to Sunderland services will not run.
Sunday 31 December
The 15:59 Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross and the 19:27 London Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange services will not run.
The 14:14 and 19:14 Sunderland to London Kings Cross services, and the 18:23 London Kings Cross to Sunderland service will not run.
Due to engineering work, trains that usually run to / from Bradford Interchange will be amended to run to / from Halifax. These trains will not call at Brighouse or Mirfield. Replacement buses will run between Halifax and Bradford Interchange.
Monday 1 January
No service.
Tuesday 2 January
The 08:27 London Kings Cross to Sunderland service will not run.
Great Western Railway
The Night Riviera Sleeper: The last sleeper services to operate before Christmas will be on Friday 22 December. The first services after Christmas will be on Sunday 31 December.
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
Station construction work at Old Oak Common for HS2 will affect train services to and from London Paddington. The lines will be closed between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway.
Please travel on different days if possible, otherwise alternative routes to and from London are available on the dates affected.
Long-distance services will start and terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington.
Other trains will be running between Reading and Ealing Broadway, where train services will be operating:
- District/Central line services between Ealing Broadway and central London
- Elizabeth line services between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow Airport
- Alternatively, South Western Railway trains will be running between Reading and London Waterloo, plus Chiltern Railways trains will be running between Oxford and London Marylebone.
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, trains will be diverted between St Denys and Fareham, not calling at Southampton Central. They will call additionally at Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. Rail replacement buses will run between Eastleigh and Southampton Central.Due to Sunday morning engineering work in the Westbury area, there will be some amendments to trains through the area.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Station construction work at Old Oak Common for HS2 will affect train services to and from London Paddington. The lines will be closed between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway.
Please travel on different days if possible, otherwise alternative routes to and from London are available on the dates affected.
Long-distance services will start and terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington.
Other trains will be running between Reading and Ealing Broadway, where train services will be operating:
- District/Central line services between Ealing Broadway and central London
- Elizabeth line services between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow Airport
- Alternatively, South Western Railway trains will be running between Reading and London Waterloo, plus Chiltern Railways trains will be running between Oxford and London Marylebone.
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, trains will be diverted between St Denys and Fareham, not calling at Southampton Central. They will call additionally at Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. Rail replacement buses will run between Eastleigh and Southampton Central.
Thursday 28 December
Changes will be made to some services:
- A few morning peak time trains to London Paddington will not run.
- The 06:00 London Paddington to Penzance service will start from Bristol Temple Meads.
- Some trains to / from Cardiff Central / Swansea / Carmarthen will be amended to start up to 5 minutes earlier than usual.
- The service between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway will be reduced to an hourly frequency. An hourly service will also run between Reading and Didcot Parkway, providing 2 trains per hour between Reading and Didcot Parkway.
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, trains will be diverted between St Denys and Fareham, not calling at Southampton Central. They will call additionally at Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. Rail replacement buses will run between Eastleigh and Southampton Central.
Friday 29 December
Changes will be made to some services:
- A few morning peak time trains to London Paddington will not run.
- The 06:00 London Paddington to Penzance service will start from Bristol Temple Meads.
- Some trains to / from Cardiff Central / Swansea / Carmarthen will be amended to start up to 5 minutes earlier than usual.
- The service between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway will be reduced to an hourly frequency. An hourly service will also run between Reading and Didcot Parkway, providing 2 trains per hour between Reading and Didcot Parkway
Due to engineering work in the Southampton area, trains will be diverted between St Denys and Fareham, not calling at Southampton Central. They will call additionally at Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. Rail replacement buses will run between Eastleigh and Southampton Central.
Saturday 30 December
Due to late night engineering work in the Redhill area, the 23:34 Reading to Gatwick Airport service will terminate at Redhill. A rail connection will be available from Redhill to Gatwick Airport.
Due to late night engineering work between Maidenhead and Twyford the following changes apply:
- 23:45 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington service will not call at Burnham or Taplow. A replacement bus will run between Slough and Burnham / Taplow, connecting with the train.
- 00:34 (Sunday) London Paddington to Reading service will not call at Burnham or Taplow. A replacement bus will run between Slough and Burnham / Taplow, connecting with the train.
Due to late night engineering work in the Severn Tunnel Junction area:
- 16:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central will divert after Filton Abbey Wood to terminate Bristol Parkway. Rail connection from Bristol Parkway to Newport and Cardiff Central. Customers for Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction change at Bristol Temple Meads.
- 20:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central will terminate Bristol Temple Meads. Road transport from Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood, Patchway, setting down only at Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport and Cardiff Central.
- 21:59 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads will not run and will be replaced by road transport from Cardiff Central, picking up only at Newport and Severn Tunnel Junction, then calling Patchway before setting down only at Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Temple Meads.
- 22:47 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads will not run and will be replaced by road transport, picking up only at Newport, then fast to Bristol Temple Meads.
Sunday 31 December
Due to early morning engineering work in the Redhill area, the 06:12 Gatwick Airport to Reading service will start from Redhill. Earlier rail connections are available between Gatwick Airport and Redhill.
Due to engineering work between Maidenhead and Twyford the following trains will not call at Burnham:
- 06:20 Reading to London Paddington.
- 06:38 London Paddington to Reading
- 23:53 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington.
- Replacement buses will run between Slough and Burnham, connecting with trains.
Due to engineering work in the Severn Tunnel Junction area the following changes will be made:
- Until 12:30, trains between London Paddington and Swansea / Carmarthen will divert between Swindon and Newport (via Gloucester - not calling). The trains will not call at Bristol Parkway. Road transport will operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport (fast) taking 45 minutes.
- Until 14:25, trains between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour / Taunton (some beyond) will be amended.
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
Heathrow Express
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
There will be no Heathrow Express trains between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express are advising that you seek alternative travel methods to and from Heathrow Airport.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
There will be no Heathrow Express trains between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express are advising that you seek alternative travel methods to and from Heathrow Airport.
Wednesday 27 December
There will be no Heathrow Express trains between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express are advising that you seek alternative travel methods to and from Heathrow Airport.
Thursday 28 December
-
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
-
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
Island Line
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
-
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
-
Wednesday 27 December
-
Thursday 28 December
-
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
-
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
London Northwestern Railway
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
After 17:00 services will operate to an amended timetable at reduced frequency, and will close down earlier than normal.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to a late start after the Christmas break:
- The 05:51 Watford Junction to St.Albans Abbey and 06:09 St.Albans Abbey to Watford Junction services will not run.
- The 03:30 Milton Keynes Central to London Euston and 04:14 Northampton to London Euston services will not run.
Thursday 28 December
Due to late night engineering work between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey:
- The 22:45 Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey service will not run. A rail replacement bus service will operate - departing from Watford Junction at 22:45, Watford North at 22:50, Garston at 23:00, Bricket Wood at 23:11, How Wood at 23:17, Park Street at 23:23, arriving at St.Albans Abbey at 23:28.
- The 23:08 St Albans Abbey to Watford Junction service will not run. A rail replacement bus service will operate - departing from St.Albans Abbey at 22:42, Park Street at 22:48, How Wood at 22:54, Bricket Wood at 23:00, Garston at 23:11, Watford North at 23:21, arriving at Watford Junction at 23:25.
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
-
Monday 1 January
London Northwestern Railway services will run to a special timetable based on a Sunday service frequency on the following routes.
- London Euston - Milton Keynes Central / Northampton - Birmingham International (buses operate between Birmingham International & Birmingham Moor Street due to engineering work)
- Birmingham New Street - Crewe - Liverpool Lime Street
- Watford Junction - St.Albans Abbey.
- No service will operate on the Bedford - Bletchley route.
Tuesday 2 January
-
Lumo
Saturday 23 December
Normal service.
Sunday 24 December
Due to engineering work near London, all Lumo services will operate between Newcastle and Edinburgh only. The 18:54 departure from Edinburgh will be cancelled in full, the 22:10 departure from Newcastle will be cancelled in full.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Normal service, apart from the 05:48 departure from London Kings Cross and the 06:23 departure from Edinburgh which will be cancelled in full.
Thursday 28 December
Near normal service.
Friday 29 December
Near normal service.
Saturday 30 December
Near normal service.
Sunday 31 December
Near normal service.
Monday 1 January
Normal service.
Tuesday 2 January
Normal service.
Merseyrail
Saturday 23 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Train services will close down early on Christmas Eve.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
A special service will operate for some stations between approximately 09:00 and 19:00. As part of this, trains will call at Aintree station for the Boxing Day race meeting.
Wednesday 27 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Thursday 28 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Friday 29 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Saturday 30 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Sunday 31 December
Train services will close down early on New Years Eve.
Monday 1 January
A Sunday service will operate.
Tuesday 2 January
No changes to train services have been announced.
ScotRail
Saturday 23 December
-
Sunday 24 December
-
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
-
Wednesday 27 December
-
Thursday 28 December
-
Friday 29 December
-
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
-
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
Southeastern
Saturday 23 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley. Stopping services which only run between London Victoria and Gillingham will not run.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Charing Cross, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. Trains which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will stop additionally at St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
- Additional trains will run between London Blackfriars and Oprington via Denmark Hill, Lewisham and Bromley South.
Sunday 24 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Cannon Street, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley. Stopping services which only run between London Victoria and Gillingham will not run.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Charing Cross, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. Trains which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will stop additionally at St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
- Additional trains will run between London Blackfriars and Orpington via Denmark Hill, Lewisham and Bromley South.
Thursday 28 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley. Stopping services which only run between London Victoria and Gillingham will not run.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Charing Cross, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. Trains which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will stop additionally at St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
- Additional trains will run between London Blackfriars and Orpington via Denmark Hill, Lewisham and Bromley South.
Friday 29 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley. Stopping services which only run between London Victoria and Gillingham will not run.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Charing Cross, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. Trains which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will stop additionally at St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
- Additional trains will run between London Blackfriars and Orpington via Denmark Hill, Lewisham and Bromley South.
Saturday 30 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley. Stopping services which only run between London Victoria and Gillingham will not run.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Charing Cross, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. Trains which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will stop additionally at St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
Sunday 31 December
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Cannon Street, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
Monday 1 January
Due to engineering work at London Victoria, the following changes will be made:
- Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray / Swanley.
- Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International will not run, because of further engineering work between Otford & Ashford. If you are travelling to or from stations on the Maidstone East line, you will need to use alternative trains between London Charing Cross and Sevenoaks to connect with replacement buses between Sevenoaks and Maidstone East.
- Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
- Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath.
Due to engineering work between Folkestone Central and Dover Priory the following changes will be made:High Speed via Ashford International:
- Trains between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate via Dover Priory will only run between London St Pancras International and Folkestone Central. Additional trains will run between Dover Priory and Ramsgate.
- Paddock Wood Line: Trains between London Charing Cross and Dover Priory via Tonbridge will only run between London Charing Cross and Folkestone Central. Accessible buses will run between Folkestone Central and Dover Priory.
Tuesday 2 January
Due to late night engineering work:
- From 23:25 until the end of service, accessible buses replace trains between Dartford and Gravesend.
- The 23:20 and 23:50 London St Pancras International to Faversham services will be replaced by accessible buses between Ebbsfleet International, Gillingham and Faversham.
- From 23:25 until the end of service, accessible buses replace trains between Ashford International and Dover Priory.
- The 23:07 London St Pancracas International to Ramsgate via Dover service will be replaced by buses between Ashford International and Dover Priory, Ramsgate and Margate.
- From approximately 23:15, trains will not be able to stop at Lewisham. Trains via Bexleyheath will not run or will be diverted to run via Sidcup, and trains will be unable to run between Lewisham and Hayes.
South Western Railway
Saturday 23 December
No service changes have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
A Sunday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work, with services finishing at around 22:00.
Due to engineering work, the lines in the Southampton Central area will be closed all day. As a result:
- London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Airport Parkway.
- London Waterloo to Poole/Portsmouth via Eastleigh services will be revised and will call additionally at Farnborough.
- A revised service will run between Brockenhurst, Bournemouth and Poole.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Southampton Central and Brockenhurst.
- Buses will run between Eastleigh and Brockenhurst via Southampton Central.
- Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central services will be revised and will run between Salisbury and Romsey only. Buses will run between Romsey and Eastleigh via Southampton Central.
- Southampton Central to Portsmouth stopping services will not run.
- Buses will run between Southampton Central and Fareham. A revised service will run between Fareham and Portsmouth.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
A Saturday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work.
Due to engineering work in the Queenstown Road area, the following changes will be made:
- Services from London Waterloo to Windsor, Weybridge (via Staines) and Reading will depart London Waterloo earlier.
- London Waterloo to Weymouth services will be revised to run hourly and will terminate at Southampton Airport Parkway due to other engineering work.
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Guildford services will be revised with some services starting from Woking.
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh services will depart London Waterloo earlier.
- London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will depart London Waterloo earlier.
- London Waterloo to Salisbury stopping services will start from Basingstoke.
- London Waterloo to Basingstoke stopping services will be revised to run hourly.
- London Waterloo to Chessington South services will be revised to run hourly.
- London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Kingston services will be revised and will run between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction via Wimbledon and Kingston only.
- London Waterloo to Shepperton services will be revised to run hourly.
- London Waterloo to Alton services will be revised to run hourly.
- London Waterloo to Guildford via Cobham services will be revised to run hourly.
- London Waterloo to Woking stopping services will be revised.
Due to engineering work, the lines in the Southampton Central area will be closed all day. As a result:
- London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Airport Parkway. These services will call additionally at Basingstoke.
- Winchester to Southampton Central stopping services will not run.
- A revised service will run between Brockenhurst, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Southampton Central and Brockenhurst.
- Buses will run between Eastleigh and Brockenhurst via Southampton Central.
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh services will be revised and will call additionally at Shawford.
- Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central services will be revised and will run between Salisbury and Romsey only. Buses will run between Romsey and Eastleigh via Southampton Central.
- Southampton Central to Portsmouth stopping services will not run.
- Buses will run between Southampton Central and Fareham. A revised service will run between Fareham and Portsmouth.
Thursday 28 December
A Saturday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work.
Due to engineering work, the lines in the Southampton Central area will be closed all day. As a result:
- London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Airport Parkway. These services will call additionally at Basingstoke.
- Winchester to Southampton Central stopping services will not run.
- A revised service will run between Brockenhurst, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
- Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Southampton Central and Brockenhurst.
- Buses will run between Eastleigh and Brockenhurst via Southampton Central.London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh services will be revised and will call additionally at Shawford.
- Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central services will be revised and will run between Salisbury and Romsey only. Buses will run between Romsey and Eastleigh via Southampton Central.
- Southampton Central to Portsmouth stopping services will not run.
- Buses will run between Southampton Central and Fareham. A revised service will run between Fareham and Portsmouth.
Friday 29 December
A Saturday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work.
Due to engineering work, the lines in the Southampton Central area will be closed all day. As a result:
-
London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Airport Parkway. These services will call additionally at Basingstoke.
-
Winchester to Southampton Central stopping services will not run.
-
A revised service will run between Brockenhurst, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
-
Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.
-
Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Southampton Central and Brockenhurst.
-
Buses will run between Eastleigh and Brockenhurst via Southampton Central.
-
London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh services will be revised and will call additionally at Shawford.
-
Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central services will be revised and will run between Salisbury and Romsey only. Buses will run between Romsey and Eastleigh via Southampton Central.
-
Southampton Central to Portsmouth stopping services will not run.
-
Buses will run between Southampton Central and Fareham. A revised service will run between Fareham and Portsmouth.
Saturday 30 December
The Saturday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work.
Due to engineering work closing the lines between Guildford and Petersfield:
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Guildford services will terminate at Guildford.
- Buses will run between Guildford and Petersfield via Haslemere. A revised service will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour.
Sunday 31 December
The Sunday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work. Additional overnight departures from London Waterloo will also be running.
Due to engineering work closing the lines between Guildford and Petersfield:
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Guildford services will terminate at Guildford.
- Buses will run between Guildford and Petersfield via Haslemere. A revised service will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour.
Monday 1 January
A Sunday timetable will operate, subject to engineering work.
Due to engineering work closing the lines between Guildford and Petersfield:
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Guildford services will terminate at Guildford.
- Buses will run between Guildford and Petersfield via Haslemere. A revised service will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour.
Tuesday 2 January
No service changes have been announced.
Transport for Wales
The long-term engineering work between Pontypridd and Treherbert will continue throughout the festive period. On the days when trains would be running, buses will replace trains between Pontypridd and Treherbert.
Saturday 23 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
Services will finish earlier than normal, please check your journey.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service.
Wednesday 27 December
Due to late evening engineering work, the 22:15 Maesteg to Gloucester service will terminate at Severn Tunnel Junction. A replacement bus service will run forward to Gloucester.
Thursday 28 December
Due to late evening engineering work, the 22:15 Maesteg to Gloucester service will terminate at Severn Tunnel Junction. A replacement bus service will run forward to Gloucester.
Friday 29 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Saturday 30 December
-
Sunday 31 December
-
Monday 1 January
-
Tuesday 2 January
-
West Midlands Railway
Saturday 23 December
No changes to train services have been announced.
Sunday 24 December
After 17:00 services will operate to an amended timetable at reduced frequency, and will close down earlier than normal.
Monday 25 December
No service.
Tuesday 26 December
No service
Wednesday 27 December
Trains between Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill / Worcester Foregate Street / Great Malvern will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Trains between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Due to a late start after the Christmas break, the 05:46 Four Oaks to Redditch service will start from Birmingham New Street (at 06:15).
Thursday 28 December
Trains between Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill / Worcester Foregate Street / Great Malvern will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Trains between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Friday 29 December
Trains between Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill / Worcester Foregate Street / Great Malvern will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Trains between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street will operate to an amended timetable with some morning and evening peak services not running.
Saturday 30 December
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Sunday 31 December
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Monday 1 January
West Midlands Railway services will run to a special timetable based on a Sunday service frequency on the following routes.
- Hereford / Worcester Foregate Street - Birmingham New Street
- Shrewsbury - Birmingham New Street
- Birmingham New Street - Longbridge / Redditch / Bromsgrove (buses operate between Lichfield Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street)
- Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street
- Worcester Foregate Street / Kidderminster – Dorridge / Leamington Spa / Whitlocks End / Stratford-upon-Avon (via Birmingham Snow Hill)
- Leamington Spa - Coventry - Nuneaton
- Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town.
Tuesday 2 January
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Are trains running on Christmas Day?
No trains run in the UK on Christmas Day. However, there will be some National Express coaches running to help you get home to those all-important roast dinners and mince pies.
You can buy coach tickets with us online or in our app, and with prices generally being cheaper than train tickets, it's a great way to save money especially if you're feeling the pinch this Christmas!
Are trains running on Boxing Day?
A very limited number of services usually run on Boxing Day. Use our Journey Planner to check whether your train is running.
Usually the only trains that run on Boxing Day are a handful of airport transfer services, such as the Stansted Express.
Are trains running over the New Year's period?
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve trains will be in operation on most lines, although the last train may be a little earlier than usual, with some services terminating earlier in the day. Use our Journey Planner to organise your trip, so that you don’t miss out on the celebrations!
New Year’s Day
Don’t forget, train drivers are people too, and they have a right to celebrate and ring in the new year! With that being said, expect some train services to start running a little later in the day than usual on New Year’s Day. You know what to do, check your journey on our website well in advance or purchase coach tickets if you need to leave a little earlier.
LNER and Avanti West Coast Christmas train tickets now on sale!
You can now book your LNER and Avanti West Coast tickets for the festive season. It's expected to be busy this year, so book your tickets as soon as possible to get a spot on that all-important train ride home.
Why not travel by coach this Christmas?
Looking to travel on Christmas Day but found out that no trains are running? We've got an alternative: travel by coach!
If you need to travel on Christmas Day, you can hop on a National Express coach. They'll be operating 24 routes on 25th December, with 432 services in total running throughout the day.
What's more, you can buy your National Express coach tickets with Trainline! Pop your trip details into our Journey Planner and see whether you can travel by coach this Christmas.
10 of the best Christmas events to attend and how to get there by train
This winter, Christmas events will take place up and down the country! From festive markets to winter walks, there’s no shortage of things to do this Christmas. With so many events to choose from, we’ve put together a list of the best to events to attend this Christmas – and obviously, how to get there by train!
1. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
- When? 17th November 2023 to 1st January 2024
- Where? Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Each year, London’s biggest Royal Park transforms into a winter wonderland! For the last 16 years, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland has been London’s must-attend Christmas event. Set in the heart of London, Winter Wonderland offers a wide variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, food, drinks and more. Take a ride on the Giant Observation Wheel, skate on the ice rink and shop at the traditional Christmas Market. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is a fantastic day out for the whole family!
- How to get there: Travel by train to London. Then, you can take the London Underground to either Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch.
2. Castle of Light: A Kingdom of Colours at Edinburgh Castle
- When? Various dates between 24th November & 3rd January 2024
- Where? Edinburgh Castle, The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Hosted in the historic walls of Edinburgh Castle, perched above the city’s skyline, the Castle of Light is an immersive light trail. Returning for its fourth year, the Castle of Light’s new theme, Magic and Mystery, is bursting with colour and illumination. Wander through a sea of twinkling lights and vibrant displays. The trail guides you through 800 years of fascinating history, showcasing the castle as a “defender of the nation”.
- How to get there: Travel by train to Edinburgh. From Edinburgh Waverley station, you’re just a 10-minute walk from the castle.
Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter
3. Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- When? 11th November 2023 to 14th January 2024
- Where? Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
This year, you can celebrate a truly magical festive season with Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Winter has arrived at Hogwarts, as the studio tour gets a festive makeover. As you wander through the iconic film sets, you’ll see Christmas Trees in the Great Hall, Christmas decorations in the Gryffindor Common Room and a dusting of snow on the cobblestones of Diagon Alley.
- How to get there: Take the train to Watford Junction. From there, shuttle buses run to the Studio Tour every 30 minutes. The shuttle bus journey takes around 15 minutes and is included as part of your entry ticket.
4. Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham City Centre
- When? 2nd November to 24th December 2023
- Where? Victoria Square, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 1BD
Every winter, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is a hugely popular event with locals and tourists. Set in the city centre, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the biggest German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. At the market, you can shop for gifts at the stalls, eat bratwursts and drink a traditional weissbier. You can also take a ride on the big wheel or take a skate on the ice rink.
- How to get there: Jump on the train to Birmingham. You can walk to Victoria Square from Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street or Birmingham Snow Hill.
5. Christmas at Kew at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- When? 15th November 2023 to 7th January 2024
- Where? Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Situated in southwest London, Kew Gardens is the capital’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest botanical collection in the world. Each Christmas, the gardens are transformed into a magical winter light trail. As you wander through the gardens, you’ll discover sparkling tunnels, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in colour. Along the way, you’ll even get a chance to say hello to Father Christmas and grab some food from the street food vendors.
- How to get there: Hop on the train to Kew Bridge. From here, you’re a short walk from Elizabeth Gate, one of the entrances to the gardens.
6. Christmas at Blenheim Palace
- When? 17th November 2023 to 2nd January 2024
- Where? Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL
Famed as the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is one of England’s largest and greatest country houses. Known as one of the highlights of the UK’s festive calendar, Christmas at Blenheim Palace welcomes visitors to explore the after-dark illuminated trail in the picture-perfect gardens. This year, visitors are invited into the Palace rooms to enjoy the story of Sleeping Beauty with a contemporary twist. That’s not all, you’ll also find the Christmas Market in the Great Court with various craft traders housed in wooden chalets.
- How to get there: Take the train to Oxford Parkway and then the bus to Blenheim Palace.
7. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market in Winchester City Centre
- When? 17th November to 21st December 2023
- Where? Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS
Hosted in the shadow of the towering spire, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in the UK and Europe. Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, spectacular location and high-quality exhibitors, this Christmas Market is not to be missed! As you wander through the market, you’ll smell mulled wine, hear Christmas carols and see the wooden chalets inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink, as well as a traditional Nativity Scene.
- How to get there: Travel by train to Winchester. From the station, you’re a 15-minute walk from Winchester Cathedral.
8. Christmas at Warwick Castle
- When? 25th November 2023 to 7th January 2024
- Where? Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH
Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle is an imposing fortress and a brilliant day out for the whole family! At Christmas, the castle is a truly magical destination, with twinkling trees and dazzling decorations. During your visit, you can make memories with Santa and Mrs Claus, ice skate on the open-air rink and follow the illuminated light trail.
- How to get there: Jump on the train to Warwick. From here, you’re a short walk from Warwick Castle.
9. Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt National Arboretum, Gloucestershire
- When? 24th November to 23rd December 2023
- Where? Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Boasting over 600 acres and home to 3,000 species of trees, Westonbirt is one of the finest arboretums in the world. This Christmas, Westonbirt invite you to explore their brand-new illuminated trail. On the way, you’ll find magic around every corner with the diverse collection of trees decorated in glimmering lights. Keep an eye out for Father Christmas along the way, as well as the Christmas Village, with food, drink and traditional fairground rides.
- How to get there: Take the train from London to Stroud. Then, take the bus to the arboretum.
10. Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland in Cardiff City Centre
- When? 23rd November 2023 to 1st January 2024
- Where? Cardiff Castle Grounds, Cardiff, CF10 3RB
Back for 2023, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is bigger and better than ever before! Running from the 23rd November until the 1st January, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is split between two picturesque locations. At Cardiff Castle, you can try your hand at ice skating, have a drink at the ice bar or explore the ice walk running through the castle. Then, head to the City Hall Lawn to sample some food and drink, ride on the Giant Wheel and have your photo taken on the ski gondolas.
- How to get there: Travel by train to Cardiff Central. From here, you’re a short walk from Cardiff Castle and the City Hall Lawn.
Train travel advice
We want to help make your train journey this Christmas as smooth and safe as possible. Our top travel recommendations for taking the train this festival season include:
Seat reservations
Some train operators like LNER won't allow you to travel without a seat reservation, whilst others like Avanti West Coast, GWR and CrossCountry highly recommend you book one in advance. Seat reservations are always available with us when you need them.
Digital tickets
Go contactless with digital tickets to bypass the queues and ticket machines. Digital tickets are available on most UK routes and can be scanned directly from your phone, no need to print.
Download our app
Get up-to-date journey information before you travel, and on the go, with our app. Find live train times, platform information and track your train all in one place.
Limit your luggage
Bring only what you can carry as there is likely to be limited space on board the train. Due to social distancing restrictions, staff may not be able to assist you and your luggage on and off the train.
Book assisted travel
If you need assistance, you can book assisted travel up to six hours before the journey.
Arrive early
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the station and board the train. Remember – the doors can close up to 2 minutes before departure.
Plan ahead
Please note that over the Christmas holidays, Network Rail will perform vital engineering works. To keep an eye on the planned works and disruptions, head over to our Future Engineering Work page.
Bike reservations
If you're planning to travel with your bike, you may need to make a reservation before your journey. Check our bikes on trains page to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will trains run on Christmas Eve 2024?
Most train services shut down early on Christmas Eve, but will run as usual throughout the day.
Will trains run on Christmas Day 2024?
There will be no trains running on Christmas Day 2024. However, if you do need to travel, coach services will be running throughout the festive period. Check coach times and buy tickets for National Express instead.
Will trains run on Boxing Day 2024?
Very few services will be running on Boxing Day, with the exception of some airport transfer services, such as the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express.
Will trains run on New Year's Day 2025?
Train companies usually run an altered service on New Year's Day, with the first trains departing slightly later in the day. Use our Journey Planner to check whether your specific route will be affected.
Book your Christmas train travel today
Ready to book your tickets home for Christmas? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!