For those getting on trains over Christmas, the normal rules of travel don’t apply, especially on the most significant days: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Transport for London has stated that “the vast majority” of services will continue to run between December 20 and January 5, but there are some interruptions to expect.
On Christmas Day, most services shut down entirely. If you need to get around the capital on that day, here’s a closer look at what transport is available to you.
Which public transport services are running on Christmas Day?
The only transport running on Christmas Day will be taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, coaches, Dial-a-Ride (for registered members only), and some bus routes run by other operators.
National Rail services are also paused on Christmas Day.
Most major London railway stations close for the holiday on December 25.
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If you’re getting a flight, airport train services will finish early on Christmas Eve and most won’t run at all on Christmas Day.
The only services in action during the festive period are the Stansted Express, operating a revised service between Tottenham Hale and Stansted Airport – stopping at Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford – on Boxing Day, and the London Overground Mildmay line services, operating on Boxing Day between Clapham Junction and Shepherd’s Bush.
Driving in London on Christmas Day
With the lack of public transport – and roads less full of traffic than usual – TfL makes it cheaper to drive in London by removing the Congestion Charge between Christmas Day and January 1 (inclusive.)
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will also not operate on Christmas Day, but the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) remains in place every day of the year.
What’s more, charges for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will not apply on Christmas Day.
