Transport for London Confirms Christmas Services

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed which public transport services will run over the festive Christmas and New Year period, spanning from Monday 23 December 2024 until Thursday 2 January 2025.

During this period, TfL aims to keep most of its services running to help customers enjoy the capital’s culture, entertainment, dining, and shopping offerings.

To do so successfully, it is advising passengers to use resources such as the Journey Planner or the TfL Go app to avoid closures and navigate last-minute service changes.

TfL Services at Christmas

There will be no service on most TfL public transport networks on Christmas Day (25 December), while services will be limited on Boxing Day (26 December). This includes the closure of the Elizabeth line until 27 December.

While this announcement significantly affects bus and rail services, TfL notes that Victoria Coach Station, Santander Cycles, rental e-scooters and Dial-a-Ride, along with taxi and private hire services, will remain available.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car will be operational throughout the festive period, except for its closure on Christmas Day.

TfL Services for New Year’s Eve

Aside from planned closures, all-night services will run on New Year’s Eve to help people celebrate safely.

However, customers are advised not to travel to the area in and around the Victoria Embankment unless they have a ticket to the Mayor’s annual fireworks display.

On New Year’s Eve, some roads in central London will be closed, which will impact walking and cycling routes. Some Santander Cycle docking stations will be out of service, and some bridges will be closed to pedestrians due to the fireworks display.

London Congestion Charge and ULEZ

The central London Congestion Charge will be suspended from Wednesday 25 December to Wednesday 1 January. Operations will resume on Thursday 2 January 2025.

Meanwhile, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will continue throughout the festive period, except on Christmas Day.

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which covers most of Greater London, will continue to operate as usual, including on Christmas Day.

Planned Closures and Engineering Work

As usual, TfL and Network Rail are taking advantage of the quieter festive period to carry out essential improvements, including track and signal upgrades and work on major projects like HS2.

During this period, planned works and closures will affect the London Overground, the Elizabeth line and DLR.

In addition, several mainline stations will be affected:

• London Liverpool Street Station: Closed 27 December to 1 January
• London Paddington Station: Closed 27 December to 29 December
• King’s Cross St. Pancras to Luton: Disruptions from 21 December to 29 December on Thameslink and East Midlands Railway

A summary of mainline UK rail services over the Christmas period can be found here.