Public Transport in London Over Christmas and New Year

Planning a trip to or from London over the festive period? Wondering which trains, tubes and buses are running in the city over Christmas and New Year? Here’s what you need to know

If you are expecting to use public transport in London between Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025, you’ll need to be aware of the changing schedules. As well as a series of national holidays during this period which see most Transport for London (TfL) services either reduced or stopped altogether, there’ll be planned engineering works across a number of Tube and bus lines which may affect your journeys.

Keep reading for key info about public transport in London during the Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as advice on travel alternatives and updates on National Rail services and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges.

Tube schedules for Christmas and New Year 2024

According to the TfL website, we can expect planned work, closures and service changes to affect Tube journeys between Fri 20th December 2024 and Sun 5th January 2025.

There will be a reduced Tube service on Christmas Eve (Tues 24th December) 2024 from around 8pm and no Tube service on Christmas Day (Weds 25th December) 2024.

On Boxing Day (Thurs 26th December) 2024, Tubes will be running a reduced Sunday service. There will be no Elizabeth Line running on Boxing Day and a reduced service on the Overground.

On New Year’s Eve (Tues 31st December) 2024, Tubes will be running all night (except Waterloo & City line and District line to Kensington Olympia) but travel won’t be free. Bear in mind that, because of the New Year’s Eve fireworks, many Central London stations will be busier than usual and may be exit or interchange only.

On New Year’s Day (Weds 1st January) 2025, Tubes (except Waterloo & City line and District line to Kensington Olympia), the Overground and the Elizabeth Line will be running a reduced weekend service.

Will there be any public transport in London on Christmas Day 2024?

Most public transport services won’t run on Christmas Day 2024. Here’s a full list of services that will not be running on Weds 25th December 2024:

  • Tube
  • Buses (including Night Buses)
  • London Overground (including Night Overground)
  • Elizabeth line
  • DLR
  • Trams
  • River
  • IFS Cloud Cable Car
  • National Rail
  • Woolwich Ferry

If you need to travel around the city on Christmas Day, it’s advised you book a taxi in advance. You can also opt for a Santander Cycle or an electric scooter rental (only available in certain boroughs).

Information about national rail services in London over Christmas and New Year

According to the National Rail website, there will be engineering works and upgrades taking place over Christmas and New Year. This will cause disruption on many routes between Sat 21st December 2024 and Sun 5th January 2025. This includes works on Thameslink routes between London St Pancras International and Bedford (from Sat 21st – Sun 29th December 2024); HS2 work affecting Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express routes to and from Paddington (from Fri 27th – Sun 29th December 2024); and improvement works at Liverpool Street Station where the station will be closed, affecting c2c, Elizabeth line, London Overground, Great Anglia and Stansted Express services (from Fri 27th December – Weds 1st January 2025).

There may also be short-notice disruptions, so it’s advised that you check your journey before travelling.

Find more information on specific National Rail journeys to and from London this Christmas and New Year below:

Will there be Tube or train strikes over Christmas and New Year?

At the time of writing, staff on the Elizabeth line (who are members of the RMT union), have voted to strike on New Year’s Eve (Tues 31st December) 2024. Control room staff will walk out from 9pm, so although Lizzie line trains will still be running, there are likely to be delays so leave extra time to get to your NYE parties.

Will ULEZ be affected over Christmas and New Year 2024?

Yes, according to the TfL website, you won’t be charged to usual fee if you drive into the ULEZ on Christmas Day (Weds 25th December) 2024. Plus, you won’t have to pay the Congestion Charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day bank holiday (inclusive).

For more information, check the TfL website.

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