Get your elves in a row
Yes, we know. Christmas already? But hear us out. Booking your Christmas train early could mean more money left for presents, parties and the emergency tubs of chocolate.
So, book ahead and you could save an average of 61%* with Advance tickets. It also means you'll have more choice before everyone starts making a dash for the same festive journeys.
Still waiting to find out who's free? When work finishes? Whether Christmas is at yours, theirs or somehow both? Add Trainline Flex* when you book. If your plans change, you can get up to 100% of your ticket price back.
Your Christmas plans don't need to be perfect before you book. Get the train sorted now and give future-you one less thing to think about.
*Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.
*Cancellation must be made at least 2 hours before scheduled departure via the Trainline app. Applies to ticket price only - cost of insurance add-on and booking fees are excluded. UK domestic advance fares only. UK customers only. Insurance provided by CoverGenius.
Guide to Christmas 2026 train travel
Planning to travel by train this Christmas and New Year? You’re in the right place.
Our Christmas 2026 Train Travel Guide has everything you need to know — from service updates and engineering works to money-saving tips and festive events you can reach by train.
Read on for key travel advice, or jump straight to the section that’s most relevant to you below.
So, when do trains actually run during the Christmas period?
| Day | Date | Travel summary |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Thursday 24th December 2026 | Train services run as usual but may end a bit earlier on Christmas Eve. |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25th December 2026 | No train services run on Christmas Day. |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26th December 2026 | Almost no train services run on Boxing Day, except for a handful of airport transfer services. |
| New Year's Eve | Thursday 31st December 2026 | Train services run as usual but may end a bit earlier on New Year's Eve. |
| New Year's Day | Friday 1st January 2027 | 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 £35 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 Paddington (HS2 Alignment Works)
27th December – 29th December 2026
Engineering works for the new High Speed 2 Old Oak Common super-hub mean no trains will run to or from London Paddington across these dates. Heathrow Express services will be fully suspended and Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will be forced to terminate early at Ealing Broadway or divert into London Euston.
London Waterloo & Clapham Junction Track Renewals
25th December 2026 – 28th December 2026
Significant track renewals near Queenstown Road will severely disrupt access into London Waterloo, meaning no trains can enter or leave during this initial four-day window. A heavily reduced timetable will be in place on the wider South Western Railway network until 4th January 2027.
Leeds to York Route Modernisation
25th December 2026 – 3rd January 2027
Track, power supply and signalling upgrades for the Transpennine Route Upgrade will result in a total line closure between Leeds and York at Church Fenton. TransPennine Express and Northern services will face diversions or replacement bus operations for over a week.
Birmingham New Street (West Coast Main Line)
24th – 28th December 2026
No trains will run to or from Birmingham New Street during this five-day block due to a station infrastructure upgrade. Passengers must expect heavily extended journey times and rely on dedicated rail-replacement buses.
London Liverpool Street Mainline Closure
25th December 2026 – 2nd January 2027
Crucial track renewals inside the Bishopsgate Tunnel will stop all mainline rail services at London Liverpool Street. Commuters should look for alternative London Underground or local bus routes during this week-long closure.
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.
This year, Chiltern Railways are running train services between Oxford Parkway and London Marylebone on Boxing Day. There'll be two trains every hour from 8am onwards. Perfect for those Boxing Day sales! Check our Journey Planner for up-to-date information.
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.
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? 19th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
- 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 20th November 2026 and 3rd January 2027
- 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? 14th November 2026 to 17th January 2027
- 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? 5th November to 24th December 2026
- 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? 18th November 2026 to 10th January 2027
- 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? Friday 13th November 2026 to Sunday 3rd January 2027 (Note: The Christmas Market runs until 20th December 2026 only)
- 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? Friday 20th November to Tuesday 22nd December 2026
- 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? Saturday 21st November 2026 to Sunday 3rd January 2027
- 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? Friday 27th November to Thursday 31st December 2026 (Selected evenings)
- 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? Thursday 12th November 2026 to Sunday 3rd January 2027 (Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
- Where? Cardiff Castle Grounds, Cardiff, CF10 3RB
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, Avanti West Coast, GWR and CrossCountry highly recommend you book a seat reservation in advance during busy travel periods. You'll get a seat reservation automatically with an Advance ticket (where offered), though for flexible fares you may need to book a seat directly with the operator.
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.
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 2026?
Will trains run on Christmas Day 2026?
Will trains run on Boxing Day 2026?
Will trains run on New Year's Day 2026?
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
*Refund subject to conditions. UK based customers only. Valid for in-app purchases only, if a lower price than the price on Trainline is found for on the day purchase for the same train (same journey and restrictions, date and time, class, train operator, number and type of passengers and Railcard(s) used if applicable excluding contactless fares) departing from the UK. Subject to contacting us within 5 days of booking with photo evidence containing the information listed. Refund to means of payment used for booking.