How to get around London over the festive period

Travelling into, out of or around London at Christmastime isn’t easy. The festive period always needs that bit of extra forward planning in the capital, not just because public transport services are usually much more restricted but also because you’ve got to see one grandma in Essex and another in Berkshire before the New Year.

So we’ve made it easy for you. Here’s what TfL, the Underground, buses, trams, trains and the Overground are up to this Christmas and New Year. 

Is public transport running in London over Christmas?

The answer is sort of yes and no. Between Friday December 20 and Tuesday January 5, many services should be running as usual but there’s also planned work, closures and service changes on the network. Make sure you check before you travel.

On Christmas Eve, for example (December 24 falls on a Tuesday this year), services will finish earlier than normal across the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Elizabeth line, London Overground and London trams. This normally means things close around 10pm, but it tends to start being a reduced service from around 7pm.

There are also no night bus services on Christmas Eve, so don’t stay in the pub too long and get caught out in the (possible, probable) rain. 

Closures and maintenance work over the Christmas period

On top of the usual closures, this festive season will see extra disruption at key London travel hubs – though these concern rail services rather than the tube. 

Liverpool Street and Paddington will be closed over the Christmas period (December 25 to January 2 for Liverpool Street, December 24-28 for Paddington). Victoria won’t have Southeastern services from December 23 to January 2, and King’s Cross will be closed on December 24. 

You can find up-to-date disruption information on the Network Rail website here and you can find TfL status updates here.

When are the train strikes over the Christmas period?

Following the November strike announcement, there hasn’t been any news about planned industrial action on the network over the Christmas period… yet. But, if the past two years are anything to go by keep your eyes peeled and be prepared for your travel plans to change. Check back for updates. 

Is public transport running on Christmas Day?

Everything stops running on Christmas Day: the tube, buses, TfL Rail, DLR, Overground, trams, river buses, the cable cars and National Rail. The only transport available will be taxis, private hires and Dial-a-Ride. But you can still grab a Santander bike or an electric scooter in the boroughs that have them. 

If you’re driving, note that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) won’t operate on Christmas Day, and the Congestion Charge won’t operate from Christmas Day to January 2. The normal Low Emission Zone (LEZ), however, will be operating. 

Are trains, tubes and buses running on Boxing Day?

Tube services resume on Boxing Day, but a chunk of it will still be closed. Buses will also start running from about 5.30am (so you can hit up those Boxing Day sales). The tube and Overground should open at 7am, but the Elizabeth line will be shut that day. Overground services will be hit by the Liverpool Street closure, terminating at London Fields.

Most trains are not running on Boxing Day, with only a select number of airport transfer train services running, like the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express. Network Rail also uses the Christmas period to carry out a lot of its engineering works, so make sure you check back for any announcements. 

What services are running on New Year’s Eve?

TfL is expected to run the Night Tube on New Year’s Eve, so that partiers all over the city can get home safe (but like previous years, you won’t be able to beep in for free, sad face). We’re hoping it’s going to be the same this year, so check back for updates. 

Keep in the know with TfL’s updates here. 

RECOMMENDED: Find some festive fun with our guide to Christmas in London.