Do the Trains Still Run on Christmas Day? Your Complete 2025 Guide to UK Christmas Train Travel

Do the Trains Still Run on Christmas Day? Your Complete 2025 Guide to UK Christmas Train Travel

If you are planning festive travel this year, you are probably asking the same essential question as thousands of others: Do the trains still run on Christmas Day?
The short answer is no — almost all UK rail services stop completely on 25 December. But that doesn’t mean you are stuck. Whether you're visiting family, catching a flight, or heading to a Christmas event, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Christmas Day travel, what runs, what does not, and the smartest alternatives available.

At comparetheairportparking.com, we help travellers plan ahead during the UK’s busiest winter period. Here is your complete, clear and up-to-date guide for Christmas 2025.

Do Trains Run on Christmas Day 2025?

No, UK train services do not operate on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day is the only date in the British rail calendar where the entire national network shuts down. Train operators, station staff, and engineering teams all pause operations, while Network Rail also uses the holiday for significant maintenance projects.

The only exceptions:
A very small number of airport transfer services, but these are typically coach-only, not trains. For example, some Stansted Airport coach connections operate, but rail links remain closed.

So, if your plan includes rail travel on 25 December, you will need an alternative option — and the earlier you plan, the better.

What About Christmas Eve and Boxing Day?

While trains do not run on Christmas Day itself, the surrounding days have their own important differences:

Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December 2025

Trains run, but services begin to wind down earlier in the evening. Many last departures leave mid-afternoon, especially long-distance services.

Boxing Day – Friday 26 December 2025

Another day with no nationwide train timetable. Only a handful of airport express-style services typically operate, and even these depend on yearly updates.

If you're travelling to or from an airport on the 26th, plan well in advance — many travellers book early morning routes and local transport may be limited.

Why Are There No Trains on Christmas Day?

Several practical and operational reasons explain the UK-wide shutdown:

1. Network Rail maintenance – Christmas Day is the least disruptive time for large engineering projects affecting major lines.

2. Staff availability – Train crews, station staff, and controllers are entitled to the holiday.

3. Low demand – Historical data shows minimal demand on 25 December.

4. Operational cost vs benefit – Running services would be disproportionately expensive compared to expected passenger volume.

For these reasons, the closures are consistent nationwide every year, making Christmas Day the one day you can reliably expect zero trains.

Your Best Alternatives: How to Travel on Christmas Day

Because the rail network fully closes, travellers rely on the following:

1. Coach Services

Several National Express and airport coach routes continue running. This includes connections to major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted.
Coaches are also more budget-friendly than last-minute trains.

2. Airport Parking

If you are flying on Christmas Day, driving yourself is the most reliable option.
Pre-booked airport parking is not only cheaper, but ensures you avoid:

• unavailable trains

• cancelled local buses

• expensive last-minute taxi fares

• holiday surge pricing on ride-share services

At comparetheairportparking.com, you can search and compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet, and on-site airport parking options across all major UK airports.

3. Taxis or Ride-Hailing

Some taxi firms operate reduced schedules on Christmas Day, but fares may be significantly higher. Always pre-book.

4. Car Hire

Some airport locations offer Christmas Day pick-ups, though availability varies.

Engineering Works to Expect Over Christmas & New Year 2025

Christmas and New Year are traditionally the busiest period for planned engineering upgrades. Expect partial closures, diversions, or replacement buses on routes such as:

• Milton Keynes – Rugby (25 Dec–5 Jan)

• Preston – Carlisle (31 Dec–15 Jan)

• Leeds – York (25 Dec–26 Jan)

• Cambridge – Stansted Airport (25 Dec–5 Jan)

• London Liverpool Street (15 Dec–1 Jan)

• London Waterloo (25 Dec–4 Jan)

These works are significant and can affect journeys both before and after Christmas Day itself.

Travelling to Christmas Events? What to Expect

UK Christmas events—from Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park to Christmas at Kew and festive markets across Birmingham, Winchester, and Edinburgh—remain extremely popular.
However, if your visit falls on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, you must plan without relying on trains.

Most events close on Christmas Day, but for the ones operating (or for hotel stays near events):

• check event schedules

• confirm public transport options

• pre-book parking where available

• consider coach or taxi alternatives

Tips for Smooth Christmas Travel When Trains Are Not Running

To make your journey efficient and stress-free:

1. Book airport parking early — prices rise sharply in December.

2. Check coach schedules — especially if you need early-morning airport transfers.

3. Allow extra time for holiday traffic.

4. Travel light if possible — coaches and taxis have limited luggage space.

5. Download digital tickets for flights, parking, or coaches in advance.

Final Word: Plan Ahead for Christmas Day Travel

If you need to travel on Christmas Day 2025, rail will not be an option.
Your best strategy is to plan ahead with reliable alternatives—especially airport parking, coach travel, or pre-booked transfers.

To secure the best deals and guaranteed spaces during the busiest period of the year, compare options now at:

comparetheairportparking.com