Guide to Christmas 2024 train travel
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:
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.
Major engineering works taking place over Christmas and New Year
Planned engineering work will be taking place on several routes over Christmas and New Year. For more details on individual engineering works updates, visit our train engineering works page.
London Liverpool Street station closed
London Liverpool Street station will be closed for 8 days between 25th December 2024 and 2nd January 2025. During this time Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains will depart from Stratford and London Overground services will terminate at London Fields.
London Paddington station closed
London Paddington station will be closed for 3 days from 27th December to 29th December 2024. Some GWR trains will run to London Euston, but the majority of trains will terminate at Reading or Ealing Broadway. Customers will be diverted to the Elizabeth line to complete their journey.
Thameslink and East Midlands Railway
Due to planned engineering works north of London St Pancras International station between 21st December and 29th December 2024, there will be no East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains running between St Pancras and Bedford and no Thameslink services between St Pancras and Harpenden.
Crewe station engineering works (West Coast Main Line)
No trains will pass through Crewe on Friday 27th December. There will be no direct service to Liverpool and there will be a reduced service to Manchester from Saturday 28th December until Friday 3rd January.
Disruption information by train operating company
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, broken down by train operating company.
Avanti West Coast
Caledonian Sleeper
CrossCountry
Elizabeth Line
Gatwick Express
Great Northern
Greater Anglia
Hull Trains
LNER
London Overground
Northern
Southern
Stansted Express
Thameslink
TransPennine Express
c2c
Chiltern Railways
East Midlands Railway
Grand Central
Great Western Railway
Heathrow Express
Island Line
London Northwestern Railway
Lumo
Merseyrail
ScotRail
Southeastern
South Western Railway
Transport for Wales
West Midlands Railway
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.
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 31 routes on 25th December.
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? 21st November 2024 to 5th January 2025
- Where? Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Each year, London’s biggest Royal Park transforms into a winter wonderland! For the last 17 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 22nd November 2024 and 4th January 2025
- 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 fifth year, the Castle of Light 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? 16th November 2024 to 19th January 2025
- 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? 1st November to 24th December 2024
- 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? 13th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
- 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? 15th November 2024 to 1st January 2025
- 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 to enjoy the story of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan as you follow Tinkerbell through the Palace's State rooms for Neverland in the Palace. 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? 22nd November to 22nd December 2024
- 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? 23rd November 2024 to 5th January 2025
- 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? 29th November to 31st December 2024
- 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? 14th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
- Where? Cardiff Castle Grounds, Cardiff, CF10 3RB
Back for 2024, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is bigger and better than ever before! Running from the 14th November until the 5th January, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is split between two picturesque locations. At Cardiff Castle, you can try your hand at ice skating and explore the ice walk running through the castle. Then, head to the City Hall Lawn to sample some food and drink at the Sur La Piste alpine bar, down a (chilly) tipple at the themed frozen Ice Bar and ride on the Giant Wheel.
- 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?
Will trains run on Christmas Day 2024?
Will trains run on Boxing Day 2024?
Will trains run on New Year's Day 2025?
Book your Christmas train travel today
Ready to book your tickets home for Christmas? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
Find out more about train travel in the UK this Christmas
Advance
*Average savings on advance fares booked at least one day before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.
OTD
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