Traveling In The Uk On Christmas Day: A Guide

Christmas is a busy time for travel in the UK, with people rushing to be with loved ones for the holidays. This year, transport services are expected to be even busier than usual as Christmas travel is compressed into a smaller window. If you're planning to travel on Christmas Day, it's important to note that there will be limited transport options available. Taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, electric scooter rentals, coaches and Dial-a-Ride services for registered members will be operating. National Express and Megabus will also be running coaches on Christmas Day, but their services will be reduced compared to previous years. If you're travelling by road, you're likely to encounter fewer roadworks, as congestion-causing roadworks have been cleared on motorways and A-roads. However, it's still important to plan ahead and book your travel in advance to secure your preferred mode of transportation.

Rules for Christmas travel in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

England

In England, the rules for Christmas travel depend on the tier system. If you live in a Tier 4 area, you must not visit or leave to see others over Christmas, including on Christmas Day. Travel within Tier 4 areas is limited, and you cannot meet other people indoors unless they are part of your household or support bubble. Outdoors, you can only meet one person from another household.

For Tiers 1-3, on Christmas Day only, you can travel to see your Christmas bubble, depending on the rules of your destination. You cannot travel to or from Tier 4 areas in England or Scotland to form a Christmas bubble. It is advised to stay local where possible and avoid travelling to lower-prevalence areas.

Scotland

In Scotland, non-essential travel to or from local authority areas in Level 3 is prohibited. However, you are permitted to travel within Scotland to meet your Christmas bubble on Christmas Day only. You must travel and return home on the same day.

It is important to note that you must not travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK to meet your Christmas bubble.

Wales

On Christmas Day, you can travel within Wales to see your Christmas bubble, but you must return home on the same day. You cannot travel to or from Scotland or Tier 4 areas in England.

Northern Ireland

You should not travel in or out of Northern Ireland unless it is essential. If you are arriving in Northern Ireland from within the Common Travel Area and plan to stay for at least 24 hours, you must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival, similar to international arrivals.

If you are travelling to or from Northern Ireland to meet your Christmas bubble, you cannot travel to or from Scotland or Tier 4 areas in England. You can only travel to and from Wales on Christmas Day.

Transport options on Christmas Day

Each year, transport options in the UK are limited on 25 December – Christmas Day. In 2024, the only transport running on Christmas Day in London will be taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, electric scooter rental trials (in some boroughs), coaches and Dial-a-Ride (for registered members only).

National Express will be running coaches on Christmas Day, including services from Bradford, Liverpool, Gloucester, Swansea, Plymouth, Poole, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Portsmouth, Leeds, Great Yarmouth, Canterbury, Newcastle, Ipswich, London, and Brighton.

Megabus will also be operating services on Christmas Day.

How to avoid Christmas travel delays

Christmas is a busy time for travel in the UK, with people rushing to see loved ones for the holidays. This can lead to travel delays, especially with reduced capacity on trains, coaches, and planes to allow for social distancing. Here are some tips to help you avoid travel delays during the Christmas period:

Plan ahead

It is essential to plan your journey in advance to avoid last-minute rushes and delays. Check the latest travel advice and timetables for your chosen mode of transport, as there may be service changes and planned works during the Christmas period. Transport for London, for example, usually has service changes and planned works on its network between December 20 and January 5.

Book in advance

As demand for travel is high during Christmas, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance to secure your preferred travel time and avoid disappointment. Some operators may even prevent passengers from boarding without a pre-booked ticket.

Avoid peak travel days

The days leading up to Christmas, especially December 22 and 23, tend to be the busiest on UK roads and public transport. If possible, avoid travelling on these days to reduce the risk of delays.

Consider alternative modes of transport

If you cannot avoid travelling on peak days, consider using alternative modes of transport that may be less busy. For example, while there are usually no train services running on Christmas Day, coaches and taxi services are still operational.

Follow travel advisories and guidelines

Keep yourself updated with the latest travel advisories and guidelines, especially those related to COVID-19 measures. These guidelines may vary depending on the region you are travelling to or from, so check the relevant government websites for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

How to book Christmas travel

Christmas is a busy time for travel in the UK, with many people travelling across the country to spend time with their loved ones. Here are some tips on how to book your Christmas travel:

Plan ahead

It is important to plan your travel in advance, as public transport is expected to be very busy. The government has advised people to "closely consider their journey and plan and book ahead". Many train operators are running at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing, and tickets often need to be booked in advance. Consider signing up for notifications from rail operators to be notified when tickets become available.

Book accommodation early

If you are planning to stay away from home during the Christmas period, it is advisable to book your accommodation early. This is especially important if you are looking to stay in a popular tourist destination or a city with a busy Christmas market, such as Birmingham or York.

Be flexible with your travel dates

Consider travelling on less busy days if possible. Train services are limited on Boxing Day, so you may want to avoid travelling on this day. If you can, try to be flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of lower prices and greater availability.

Consider alternative transport options

If you are unable to secure a train ticket for your desired travel dates, consider alternative options such as travelling by coach or car. National Express, for example, has said it will increase its services in the run-up to Christmas. If you are renting a car, be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Follow government guidelines

When booking your Christmas travel, be sure to follow the latest government guidelines and restrictions. These may vary depending on the region you are travelling to or from. For example, there may be different rules for travel between tiers or between different countries within the UK. Check the government website for the most up-to-date information.

Christmas travel health and safety

Christmas is a busy time for travel, with people rushing across the UK to be with their loved ones. Here are some health and safety tips to keep in mind when travelling during the festive period:

Plan ahead

It is important to plan your journey in advance to avoid busy times and book tickets early to secure your preferred mode of transport. Due to social distancing measures, trains, coaches, and planes are running at reduced capacity, and some operators will prevent passengers from boarding without a pre-booked ticket.

Follow COVID-19 guidelines

To protect yourself and others, adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines. Wear face masks in indoor public venues and on public transport, work from home if possible, and take lateral flow tests before entering venues with large crowds. If you are experiencing any symptoms, stay at home and isolate yourself to prevent the spread of the virus.

Be cautious when travelling

During the festive period, there may be changes to timetables and planned works on the transport network. Stay informed about any updates or disruptions to your chosen mode of transport. If you are driving, be prepared for potential traffic jams and allow for extra time to reach your destination. Take regular breaks during long journeys to stay alert and consider travelling at quieter times if possible.

Follow travel rules

Familiarise yourself with the travel rules and restrictions for your specific location and destination. These rules may differ across the UK, so check the guidelines for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For example, there are specific rules for Tier 4 areas in England that restrict travel to and from these areas.

Stay informed

Keep yourself updated with the latest information from official sources, such as government websites and transport operators' websites. This will help you stay on top of any changes or disruptions to your travel plans. Check for updates on a regular basis, as the information may change frequently.

By following these health and safety tips, you can help ensure that your Christmas travel is as smooth and safe as possible.

Frequently asked questions