For many, Christmas is a time to stay home, tune in to the Christmas TV and spend time together – but thousands will still need to travel during the festive period.
Life doesn’t stay still even over Christmas, and many will want to travel, especially those planning to go and stay with family and friends further afield over the holiday season.
If you’re thinking of taking a local trip, or need to take a longer journey, does public transport run on Boxing Day?
Here is our roundup of what you can expect on the railways and the bus network over the coming days.
Buses tend to run most Boxing Days, but on a reduced schedule.
Across London, all TfL buses will run on a Sunday service on Boxing Day which is on Thursday, December 26.
This includes Night Buses and 24-hour services.
Elsewhere, other bus companies like Arriva will run on a reduced service, though it’s always best to check your local area or route beforehand.
National Express said its coaches run on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but it is worth checking your route and availability before travelling.
Most trains will not be running on Boxing Day, with the exception of some airport transfer services, such as the Stansted Express, Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line.
However, train operators and Network Rail running Britain’s rail infrastructure take the opportunity over the Christmas period to carry out maintenance works.
This year, the works will close several train stations such as London Liverpool Street. It will be shut from Christmas Day until January 2.
When the UK’s busiest station is closed, Stansted Airport trains will run on Boxing Day every 30 minutes between Tottenham Hale and Stansted Airport.
For details on whether a specific route will be operating on that day, you can check the live updates page of their website.
The Tube will run on a reduced Sunday service like the buses, while some Overground lines have no service.
The Suffragette, Lioness, Liberty and Weaver lines will have no service.
Windrush line has a reduced service running between 7am and 11pm, while the Mildmay line has a reduced service running between 9am and 10pm.
The Elizabeth line will have no service either, while the DLR runs a special service with a late start at 8.30am and no trains on the Bank-Shadwell stretch.
This story was first published in December 2021.
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