The festive season in the UK brings excitement but also major travel challenges. With Christmas Eve and Christmas Day falling on weekdays this year, millions will rely on public transport to visit family and friends. However, services will be significantly reduced, and passengers must plan ahead.
Train Services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Train services across the UK will experience significant disruptions during the festive period. Most train operators will reduce their services, with no trains running on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve services will generally end early, with most trains ceasing operation by 6 p.m.
- No trains on Christmas Day: All train operators in the UK will suspend services on Christmas Day, so passengers must find alternative transport.
- Early finish on Christmas Eve: Train services will end by 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Operators like Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, and Southeastern will stop running by that time.
- Engineering Works: Planned engineering works will also affect certain routes, particularly those into and out of London, which may lead to additional delays.
You can check whether your train will be running by referring to the following operators:
- Avanti West Coast
- c2c
- Caledonian Sleeper
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Elizabeth Line
- Gatwick Express
- Grand Central
- Great Northern
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- Heathrow Express
- Hull Trains
- Island Line
- LNER
- London Northwestern Railway
- London Overground
- Lumo
- Merseyrail
- Northern
- ScotRail
- South Western Railway
- Southeastern
- Southern
- Stansted Express
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
- Transport for Wales
- West Midlands Railway
Bus Services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Bus services will also be reduced during the holiday period, and the specifics will vary by region.
- Christmas Day Bus Services: Most buses across the UK will be suspended, except for limited services operated by National Express. These will connect major cities, though availability may be scarce.
- Christmas Eve Bus Services: Buses will typically run until the early evening. Some areas will stop services as early as 6 p.m., so passengers should check local schedules.
Road Travel Predictions
Alongside public transport reductions, road travel is also expected to be challenging. The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) has projected significant numbers of car journeys during the festive period:
- Christmas Eve Traffic: The RAC estimates that 3.8 million people will drive on Christmas Eve, likely due to pre-holiday travel and the need to return home before Christmas Day.
- Christmas Day Traffic: 3.5 million people are expected to travel by car on Christmas Day. Although road congestion typically decreases, some traffic will still occur, particularly in busy areas.
- Boxing Day Traffic: Boxing Day will see the highest number of car journeys, with an estimated 4.4 million people expected to travel. This surge is largely driven by post-Christmas sales and gatherings.
Challenges for Drivers
Drivers planning to travel during the holiday period should be aware of potential challenges:
- Congestion : Christmas Eve and ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ (the Saturday before Christmas) are expected to have some of the worst traffic. Drivers are advised to travel outside peak hours to avoid delays.
- Planned Rail Strikes : Rail strikes may result in additional road congestion as many commuters will opt to drive instead of taking the train. Ongoing engineering works on key routes into London and the South West will further exacerbate traffic conditions.
Travel Summary Table
The table below provides a quick overview of the transport services available on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day :
| Transport Type | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | Boxing Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Limited services, ending by 6 p.m. | No services | N/A |
| Bus | Reduced services, check local operators | National Express running select routes | N/A |
| Car (Christmas Eve) | 3.8 million expected | N/A | N/A |
| Car (Christmas Day) | N/A | 3.5 million expected | N/A |
| Car (Boxing Day) | N/A | N/A | 4.4 million expected |
Travel Alternatives and Planning
To avoid the stress of road and rail congestion, some alternative travel options are available. National Express will provide limited bus services on Christmas Day, ensuring some connections between major cities. However, availability will be limited, so passengers should book in advance if possible.
It is crucial for travellers to regularly check timetables for updates, as strike action and ongoing engineering works could further disrupt both train and bus services. Early planning will ensure a smoother journey, particularly during this high-traffic period.
