Christmas Travel To Heathrow: A Guide

London's transport system comes to a halt on Christmas Day, with services by buses, trains and the London Underground all suspended. This can cause a lot of hassle for passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport, especially as taxis and ride-sharing apps can be very expensive due to high demand and price surges.

However, there are some options for those travelling to Heathrow on Christmas Day. National Express coaches run throughout the festive season, including Christmas Day, and offer services to Heathrow Airport from various locations in the UK. From London Victoria, you can also get a taxi or Uber to the airport, but these will be more expensive than usual.

Taxi or private hire services

Taxis and private hire services are a convenient way to get to and from Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day. While public transport in London comes to a halt on December 25, taxi and private hire services can help you get to your destination without complications.

Heathrow Taxis

Heathrow Airport offers a taxi service with a dedicated help desk team that monitors flights and reschedules journeys accordingly. This service can be booked via phone or online, and it offers door-to-door pick-up and drop-off in vehicles suited to passenger and luggage numbers.

Black Cabs

Black cabs, or London taxis, are a traditional option for travelling to and from Heathrow Airport. On Christmas Day, black cabs can be found at taxi ranks outside the airport, and you can also use taxi apps like Hailo and Gett to book a ride with a fixed price.

Private Hire Companies

Several private hire companies are located near Heathrow Airport, offering a range of fleets from economy cars to luxury vehicles. Examples of such companies include Avis, Budget, and Hertz. These companies often provide special holiday discounts for those travelling to and from the airport.

Private Chauffeurs

For a more luxurious option, private chauffeur companies like Blacklane and Addison Lee provide a range of vehicles, including luxury sedans and limousines. These companies also typically offer special holiday discounts for travellers heading to Heathrow Airport.

Ride-sharing Services

Ride-sharing services like MiniCabRide offer an affordable alternative to traditional taxi services. They provide various vehicle options, from economy cars to luxury vehicles, and often have special holiday discounts available.

Precautions

When using taxi or private hire services during the Christmas period, it is important to consider potential delays due to weather conditions and increased traffic. It is advisable to pre-book your ride and allow for extra time to ensure a smooth journey.

Coaches

On Christmas Day, National Express offers a special network of routes linking London with 80 different towns, cities, and airports across the UK. One of these routes is:

> London (Victoria) - Heathrow Airport - Coventry - Birmingham - Dudley - Wolverhampton

Another coach operator that runs on Christmas Day is FlixBus, which offers both domestic and international destinations.

Santander Cycles

If you're looking to get to Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day, you may want to consider a taxi or a pre-booked car service, as public transport options like buses, trains, and the London Underground are usually suspended.

Now, for some detailed information about Santander Cycles.

London's Santander Cycles, formerly known as Barclays Cycle Hire, is a self-service bike-sharing scheme for short journeys around the city. With over 12,000 bikes available at around 800 docking stations across London, it's a fun, healthy, and sustainable way to get around. The scheme is sponsored by Santander UK, and the bikes are colloquially known as "Boris Bikes" after former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who was in office when the scheme began.

Using the Cycles

There's no need to book; simply find your nearest docking station, hire a bike, and off you go! You can return the bike to any docking station when you're done. To use the service, you'll need to create an account on the TfL website. You can also download the Santander Cycles app to search for, see, and save live docking stations around London.

Costs and Charges

The pay-as-you-go charge is £1.65 per 30 minutes, or you can pay a monthly membership fee of £20 for unlimited 60-minute rides. There are also annual membership options available. Bicycles must be returned within 24 hours, and failure to do so or returning a damaged bike can result in a charge of up to £300.

E-bikes

In addition to the standard pedal bikes, Santander Cycles also offers electrically assisted e-bikes, which are great for longer journeys. E-bikes are only available to registered users and can be unlocked via the app or with a physical key. The cost is £3.30 per journey for up to 30 minutes for registered users, with an additional £1 supplement for subscribers. All users pay £3.30 for each additional 30 minutes.

Safety and Maintenance

Coverage Area

The coverage area for Santander Cycles includes boroughs north and south of the Thames, including Hammersmith, Camden, Lambeth, Wandsworth, and more. However, the scheme has yet to expand into some areas close to central London, and coverage is notably poor in south-east London and Outer London.

Dial-a-Ride

If you're looking to get to Heathrow on Christmas Day, your options are limited. London's public transport system is closed for the day, so you won't be able to get there by bus, train, or tube. Taxi or private hire cars are your best bet. You could try Uber, but be aware that prices may be higher than usual due to increased demand and limited availability.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, Dial-a-Ride is a service that operates on Christmas Day in London. However, it is only available to registered members. You'll need to sign up in advance and book your journey to ensure a vehicle is available when you need it.

Here's some more information about Dial-a-Ride:

To register for Dial-a-Ride, you will need to provide proof of your disability and address. This can include documents such as a Blue Badge, a letter from your doctor or specialist, or a recent bill or bank statement. You can apply online or by phone, and the process usually takes a few weeks. Once registered, you can book journeys in advance by phone, giving details of your pick-up and drop-off locations and your desired time.

On Christmas Day, Dial-a-Ride will be in high demand, so it's essential to book your journey as early as possible. You can book up to seven days in advance, and it's recommended to do so to secure your slot. The service operates from 7 am to 11 pm, and you can book multiple journeys if needed.

Fares for Dial-a-Ride are affordable and based on the length of your journey. You can pay by cash or pre-paid card, and discounts are available for certain concessions.

So, if you need to get to Heathrow on Christmas Day and meet the eligibility criteria, Dial-a-Ride is a reliable and cost-effective option. Be sure to register and book your journey in advance to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Electric scooter rentals

Electric scooters are available to rent in London, but only in certain boroughs. The boroughs where you can rent an e-scooter are:

• Richmond
• Ealing
• Hammersmith & Fulham
• Kensington & Chelsea
• Canary Wharf
• The City of London

The e-scooter rental scheme is currently being operated by Lime and Voi, but Tier and Dott are also mentioned as operators. To rent an e-scooter, you will need to download the app of one of these operators and complete the registration process, including verifying your age and driving licence. You will also need to complete mandatory in-app education before your first ride.

It is important to note that riding an e-scooter is only legal in the boroughs listed above. If you ride an e-scooter, either rented or your own, in a borough not included in the scheme, you are breaking the law and could face fines and other penalties.

E-scooters are not allowed on Transport for London (TfL) services or in TfL stations, even when folded. This is due to safety concerns, as defective lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters have caused fires on the TfL network.

While e-scooters can be a convenient way to get around, they may not be the best option for travelling to Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day. This is because they are currently only available in certain boroughs, and there are limited options for travelling between boroughs on Christmas Day. Additionally, e-scooters may not be the most practical option for carrying luggage or navigating busy roads.

Therefore, while e-scooters can be a fun and environmentally friendly way to get around London, they may not be the most reliable or convenient option for travelling to Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day. It is important to consider other transportation methods, such as taxis or pre-booked cars, to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Frequently asked questions