Christmas travel: Are London Underground services and buses running over the holidays?

No public transport is available on Christmas Day (Martin Keene/PA)
PA Wire

Reduced services on public transport to and around London will run over the Christmas holiday period as travellers are warned to plan ahead.

Central London will see its usual influx of commuters for the Christmas and News Year’s festivities but with restricted travel options across the city.

Normal Covid travel rules will still apply including mandatory face masks on all public transport and in indoor public spaces, unless exempt.

­­Is public transport running over Christmas?

On Christmas day there is no public transport available across London. There are no night buses on Christmas Eve as public transport slows to a stop from early evening.

Reduced service of buses, trams, London Underground and London Overground trains will follow on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1). As Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on Saturday and Sunday in 2021 there will be additional bank holidays on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December with fewer options for travel.

TfL networks are also offering no free travel on New Year’s Eve.

What Tube lines will be affected?

All TfL and London Underground lines will be closed on Christmas Day.

On Sunday December 26 there is part closure of the Metropolitan, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines with bus replacement services available. Planned engineering works and service disruptions will also be found across the Piccadilly line affecting travel to and from Heathrow Airport.

After 9.45pm on Christmas Eve (December 24), there will be no service on any London Overground route. Reduced services will follow until the new year.

TfL Rail has early closure on Christmas Eve and no service on Christmas Day. From Sunday, December 26 to to Tuesday, December 28 there will be reduced services.

What alternative transport can I use?

On Christmas Day options are limited to walking, taxis, coaches, Dial-a-Ride for registered members, Santander bikes and electric scooter renter trials in some London Boroughs.

Taxis and private hire services may cost more on Christmas and Boxing Day and have extended waits.

TfL Rail will run night trains on New Year’s Eve available between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, and Paddington and Hayes & Harlington/Reading.

Airport transfer services will run on Boxing Day, such as the Stansted Express still running but no Heathrow Express Services running on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2021. Replacement coaches for the Piccadilly line will also be available to and from Hammersmith.

Driving your own car is always an option and on Christmas Day congestion and ULEZ charges do not apply. LEZ applies all year round (including Christmas Day).

Check the latest travel information over the christmas period here.

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