Transport for London - Your festive travel advice

 

Transport for London

Weekend travel information   Dear Mr Grantham, If you are heading out over the festive period, there are lots of ways to get around the city. The vast majority of our services will be running to help you make the most of London. The information in this email could change, so please check before you travel or use TfL Go to plan your journey.

Christmas and New Year services

From Saturday 20 December 2025 until Monday 5 January 2026, the vast majority of our services will be running. However, some services will be affected by planned works and service changes: On Christmas Eve, services will finish earlier than normal on London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR and London Trams On Christmas Day, there will be no service on the bus, Tube and rail networks. The only transport running will be taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, e-scooters, coaches and Dial-a-Ride (for registered members only) On Boxing Day, there will be no Night Tube or Night Overground service, and no service on the Elizabeth line or most of the London Overground network, except for the Mildmay and Windrush lines On New Year's Eve, most services will continue to run all night on all lines except the Waterloo & City line, which will run until 02:40. Normal TfL fares will apply on New Year's Eve For further information on service changes, visit our Christmas and New Year travel page.

No national rail service to/from London Waterloo or Liverpool Street

Over the festive period, there will be no national rail services to/from the following stations due to Network Rail engineering works.  Liverpool Street From Thursday 25 December until Thursday 1 January, the Liverpool Street mainline station will be closed. For more information, visit the National Rail website.  London Waterloo On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December, there will be no national rail services to/from London Waterloo.  Reduced services will run from Monday 29 December until Sunday 4 January. For more information, visit the National Rail website.

London Underground

On Boxing Day, there will be no Friday Night Tube services on any lines.

Northern line Monday 22 December Colindale station will be closed until early afternoon Additional bus services will run between 06:00 and 10:00. This is while we complete safety works to open a new step-free entrance at the station.

Metropolitan line Friday 26 December No service between Rickmansworth and Amersham/Chesham Use local or rail replacement bus routes. This is due to infrastructure work.

Piccadilly line The following closures are due to planned engineering work. Wednesday 24 December until Sunday 4 January No service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge Use the Metropolitan line.  Friday 2 into Saturday 3 January No Friday Night Tube service between King's Cross and Cockfosters Use Night Tube or Night Bus routes. Rail replacement buses will run. Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January  No service between Wood Green and Cockfosters, including during Saturday Night Tube Use local or rail replacement bus routes. Monday 5 January until mid-March 2026 Southgate station will be exit-only Use local bus routes to connect with nearby Piccadilly line stations (Arnos Grove, Oakwood or Cockfosters), or to Palmers Green for national rail services towards Finsbury Park or Moorgate. This is while we carry out planned maintenance work on one of the two escalators.

London Overground

- - - Liberty line Friday 26 December No service between Romford and Upminster Use local bus routes. This is due to Network Rail track work.

- - - Lioness line The following closures are due to Network Rail maintenance work. Sunday 21 December No service between Euston and Kilburn High Road until 12:00 and after 20:30 Use Tube services or local bus routes.  Friday 26 December No service on the entire line Use Tube services or local bus routes.

- - - Mildmay line The following closures are due to Network Rail maintenance work. Sunday 21 December No service between Camden Road and Stratford after 22:15 Use Tube services or local/replacement bus routes. Friday 26 December No service between Stratford and Richmond/Shepherd's Bush Services will continue to run between Shepherd's Bush and Clapham Junction. Use Tube services or local/replacement bus routes. Saturday 27 December until Sunday 4 January No service between Camden Road and Richmond/Shepherd's Bush Services will continue to run between Shepherd's Bush and Clapham Junction. Use the District line between Richmond and Gunnersbury, and local bus routes 220 or 228 between Willesden Junction and Shepherd's Bush. Rail replacement buses will run between Camden Road and Gunnersbury. Wednesday 31 December  On New Year's Eve, overnight services will run between Clapham Junction and Shepherd's Bush, and between Willesden Junction and Stratford via Queen's Park Normal TfL fares will apply. Tuesday 6 until Thursday 8 January No westbound service from Stratford to Camden Road after 23:45 each night Use Tube services or local bus routes. Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 January No eastbound service from Willesden Junction to Stratford after 23:00 each night Use Tube services or local bus routes.

- - - Suffragette line The following closures are due to Network Rail maintenance work. Friday 26 December No service on the entire line Use Tube services or local bus routes. Thursday 1 January No service between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside until 08:45 Use Tube services or local bus routes. Use local bus route EL1 between Barking and Barking Riverside.

- Weaver - Weaver line The following closures are due to Network Rail maintenance work. Sunday 21 December No service between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town, Cheshunt and Chingford until 10:15 Use Tube services or local/replacement bus routes. Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December No service between Hackney Downs and Enfield Town/Cheshunt after 22:45 each night Use Tube services or local/replacement bus routes. Friday 26 December No service on the entire line Use Tube services or local bus routes. Saturday 27 December until Thursday 1 January No service between Liverpool Street and London Fields A reduced service will run on the rest of the line. Use the Victoria line for travel to/from central London, or local bus routes. Wednesday 31 December On New Year's Eve, overnight services will run between London Fields and Chingford, Enfield Town and Cheshunt Normal TfL fares will apply.

- Windrush - Windrush line The following closures are due to Network Rail maintenance work. Friday 26 December No service between Sydenham and Crystal Palace, and between Surrey Quays and New Cross/Clapham Junction A Sunday timetable will run between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon only. Use Tube services or local bus routes. No Friday Night Overground service Use Night Tube services or local Night Bus routes. Friday 26 until Wednesday 31 December No service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction Use Tube or national rail services, or local bus routes. Rail replacement buses will run between Canada Water and Clapham Junction. Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December No service between Sydenham and West Croydon after 22:15 each night Use Southern Railway services or local bus routes. Wednesday 31 December On New Year's Eve, overnight services will run between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon/Crystal Palace Overnight services will not run to/from Clapham Junction or New Cross. Normal TfL fares will apply. Thursday 1 January No service between Sydenham and West Croydon after 23:00 Use local bus routes or Southern Railway services. Monday 5 until Thursday 8 January No service between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace/West Croydon after 23:30 each night Use Tram services or local bus routes. A Southern Railway replacement bus will depart from London Bridge to Streatham Hill (via Crystal Palace) at 23:58, and to East Croydon (via Norwood Junction) at 00:35.

Elizabeth line

The following closures are due to planned engineering work and Network Rail maintenance work. Friday 26 December No service on the entire line Use alternative Tube services or local bus routes. Saturday 27 until Monday 29 December Reduced service between West Drayton and Maidenhead Saturday 27 December until Thursday 1 January No service between Liverpool Street national rail platforms and Stratford Elizabeth line services will continue to run between Paddington and Stratford via Whitechapel. Wednesday 31 December A reduced Saturday service will run on the entire line, but services will continue to run all night Normal TfL fares will apply. Sunday 4 January No service between West Drayton and Maidenhead until 11:45 Use Tube services or local bus routes.

DLR

The following closures are due to third party engineering works. Until Sunday 4 January Two-carriage trains will be running between Bank and Lewisham This is to reduce the mileage and protect the existing trains, ensuring that a good service level can be maintained at busier times, as we work to return the new trains back into service. Allow more time for your journey. Sunday 21 and Friday 26 December, and Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January No service between Tower Gateway and Shadwell Use local bus routes.

Buses and roads

Bus journeys will be affected by the following changes over the weekend. A bus strike will affect some bus routes in southwest, west and northwest London.

Bus strikes From 05:00 on Monday 22 until end of service on Wednesday 24 December, planned strike action will affect seven bus routes across southwest, west and northwest London.  Additionally, on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January 2026, planned strike action will affect 13 bus routes across east and northeast London.  Visit our website for more information, including a full list of the affected routes.  Plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and  check before you travel. Festive Road User Charging operating hours If you're planning to drive in London during the festive period, remember that the central London Congestion Charge will not operate from Thursday 25 December 2025 until Thursday 1 January 2026 (inclusive).  The Ultra Low Emission Zone, which operates across all London boroughs except the M25, will not operate on Thursday 25 December only. The Low Emission Zone, which covers most of Greater London, will continue to operate as usual, including on Thursday 25 December. Find out more information about the hours of operation, daily charges, if you need to pay and how to pay. There may be some planned road works so plan ahead and check before you travel. Thursday 18 December 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026 Events at entertainment venues, stadiums and local areas Key events taking place include: Thursday 18 December ExCeL Arena - exhibition event (09:00 until 22:00) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:00 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) The O2 - music event (18:30 until 22:45) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (19:30 until 22:00) Selhurst Park - Crystal Palace football match (20:00 until 22:00) Friday 19 December ExCeL Arena - exhibition event (09:00 until 22:00) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Hammersmith Apollo - performance event (18:30 until 22:00) The O2 - music event (18:30 until 22:30) O2 Brixton Academy - music event (19:00 until 23:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (19:30 until 22:00) Wembley Arena - performance event (19:30 until 23:00) Saturday 20 December ExCeL Arena - exhibition event (09:00 until 22:00) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (11:00 until 13:30, 15:00 until 17:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Hammersmith Apollo - performance event (13:30 until 17:00) Twickenham Stadium - Harlequins rugby match (15:05 until 19:45) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - Tottenham Hotspur football match (17:30 until 19:30) The O2 - music event (18:30 until 22:30) Sunday 21 December ExCeL Arena - exhibition event (09:00 until 22:00) Hammersmith Apollo - performance event (10:00 until 13:30) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (11:00 until 14:00, 15:00 until 17:00, 19:30 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) The O2 - music event (17:00 until 22:30) Wembley Arena - music event (19:00 until 22:30) Monday 22 December ExCeL Arena - exhibition event (09:00 until 22:00) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (11:00 until 14:00, 15:00 until 18:00, 19:30 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Craven Cottage - Fulham football match (20:00 until 22:00) Tuesday 23 December Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (11:00 until 13:30, 15:00 until 17:30, 19:30 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Emirates Stadium - Arsenal football match (20:00 until 22:00, extra time and penalties are possible) Wednesday 24 December Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The Royal Albert Hall - performance event (11:00 until 13:30, 15:00 until 17:30, 19:30 until 22:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Friday 26 December Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) The O2 - performance event (13:30 until 16:00, 17:30 until 20:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Saturday 27 December Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) The O2 - performance event (13:30 until 16:00, 17:30 until 20:00) London Stadium - West Ham football match (15:00 until 17:00) Emirates Stadium - Arsenal football match (15:00 until 17:00) Gtech Community Stadium - Brentford football match (15:00 until 17:00) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Stamford Bridge - Chelsea football match (17:30 until 19:30) Sunday 28 December The O2 - performance event (09:30 until 12:00, 13:30 until 16:00, 17:30 until 20:00) Hyde Park - commercial event (10:00 until 22:00) Alexandra Palace - sporting event (12:30 until 16:30, 19:00 until 23:00) Selhurst Park - Crystal Palace football match (16:30 until 18:30) Kew Gardens - cultural event (16:30 until 22:00) Increased footfall and traffic levels are expected before and after each event, with some venues implementing local road closures to safely manage pedestrian and vehicle movements. Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 December Croydon From 16:00 until 23:00 each day, London Road will be closed for a commercial event in Croydon Town Centre. An increase in pedestrians is expected. Sunday 21 December North Greenwich Bus Station From 20:00 on Sunday 21 December until 02:00 the following morning, stops B and C at North Greenwich Bus Station will be closed for maintenance works.  Use stop F at North Greenwich Station/Millennium Way for routes 108, 129, 188 and 422 towards Lewisham, Tottenham Court Road and Bexleyheath.  Use stop G at North Greenwich Station/Millennium Way for routes 108, 129 and 486 towards Stratford, Gallions Reach and Bexleyheath. Wednesday 31 December Central London From 14:00 until 06:00 the following morning, some roads in central London will be closed in a phased manner for the New Year's Eve fireworks event. Road closures will be in place between Lambeth Bridge to the west and Southwark Bridge to the east, as well as all roads between The Mall, Strand and Fleet Street to the north, and Lambeth Palace Road and York Road to the south. The area around Lambeth North, The Cut and Blackfriars Bridge will be closed to traffic from 17:00. Extensive bus diversions impacting approximately 85 bus routes will also be in place during these closures, with bus hubs in place at Victoria, Green Park, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Elephant & Castle. There will also be changes to the way some central London Underground stations operate before and after the event to manage customers safely and prevent overcrowding. Visit our website for more information. Thursday 1 January Central London From 03:00 until 18:00, road closures will be in place from Green Park to Parliament Square via Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, St James's Street, Pall Mall, Whitehall and Westminster. This is for an annual parade, taking place between 12:00 and 16:30. Large crowds are expected.

Santander Cycles

Santander Cycles are available for hire across the Christmas and New Year period.

The following docking stations are suspended this weekend:  BBC White City, White City - until Saturday 20 December

Find out how to hire a Santander Cycle. See the latest update on docking station availability. We are sorry if your journeys this weekend are affected by any of these issues.