Don’t leave Christmas to chance, book your train travel early

Pam

1 Jun 20248 min read

Every year the same story plays out: December creeps up, trains fill up, and prices shoot up. If you’ve ever found yourself paying double for a seat next to the luggage rack or standing all the way to your destination, this one’s for you.

Image credit: Vladimir Srajber | Pexels

Here’s everything you need to know to make Christmas rail travel painless, affordable, and maybe even enjoyable.

1. The Early Bird Really Does Save

Train operators release Advance tickets several weeks ahead. These are usually the cheapest fares available. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Book early and you’ll often save 30 to 60 percent on the same journey.

Trains around Christmas week get snapped up first. Demand peaks on the last working day before Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve. If you can, book those journeys as soon as timetables open.

2. Know Your Travel Dates Before You Book

If your plans are flexible, you’ll have more luck. Check when the main Christmas engineering works take place, especially on major routes like London to the North West, Bristol, or Scotland.

Most operators publish their Christmas timetables by late October, so it’s worth setting a reminder to double-check before buying your tickets.

The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.

Download the app

The TrainSplit app helps you find better fares by splitting your tickets. Available on iOS and Android, just search for TrainSplit in your app store and start saving today!

3. Split Tickets, Save Money

Split tickets aren’t a gimmick; they’re one of the simplest ways to cut fares without changing trains. Tools like TrainSplit automatically find the best combinations and make sure your connections are valid. The savings can be huge, especially on long-distance routes.

For example, a London to Edinburgh return in December can cost £409.60 on the National Rail website, but with split tickets found on TrainSplit, the same journey comes to just £90.80. A screenshot comparison shows the difference clearly.

TrainSplit vs national rail

Screenshot source: TrainSplit.com

Prices accurate as of 9 October 2025 and subject to availability at the time of booking. Fares may vary depending on time of search, operator, and journey restrictions. Savings shown are illustrative and may not apply to all routes or travel dates. Train fares fluctuate dynamically and are subject to change without notice.

4. Avoid Peak Times if You Can

If you can travel a day earlier or later, do it. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon trains are usually cheaper and quieter than the early rush or evening crush.

Check off-peak restrictions carefully though. Some tickets that look flexible may not be valid on every service.

5. Keep an Eye on Service Updates

Christmas is the railway’s big maintenance window. Network Rail often schedules major engineering work between Christmas Eve and early January. Services can start later or finish earlier than usual.

Before you travel, check:

The operator’s website for planned disruption.
Your route on National Rail Enquiries.
Whether replacement buses are running and how long they take.

A quick check now saves hours of stress later.

6. Go Digital, but Prepare for Gaps

Eticket
Image credit: Jacob Lund | Canva Pro

E-tickets are convenient, but they rely on your phone behaving. Download your e-tickets in advance, and carry a portable charger. You never want to be the person holding up the queue because your battery died at the barriers.

7. Travel Light and Smart

It’s Christmas, so there will be gifts, food, and bags of random stuff you swore you wouldn’t bring. Keep it manageable.

Pack one sturdy bag instead of multiple smaller ones.
Label your luggage.
Avoid bulky wrapping; paper tears easily in overhead racks.
Bring snacks and water, especially if you’re travelling through meal times.

8. Reserve Seats (Where Possible)

Many train operators let you reserve a seat for free when booking, and it’s worth doing if the option’s available. It guarantees a spot, which makes a big difference on long or busy journeys.

Not all operators offer numbered seats, and during busy periods some trains may be declassified, meaning all seats become standard class and reservations don’t apply. If that happens, try to board early, especially at major stations or at the train’s starting point.

9. Travel Insurance Isn’t Just for Flights

If you’re travelling long distance or connecting to a flight, it’s worth buying separate travel insurance that includes rail cover. Many standard travel policies protect you against delays, cancellations, or missed connections caused by disruption, but not all do.

It’s not something we sell, but it’s worth sorting out yourself for extra peace of mind, especially if your trip involves multiple connections.

10. Double-Check Connections and Last Trains

Christmas timetables often mean last trains leave earlier than usual, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There will be no National Rail services on Christmas Day, and on Boxing Day, only a handful of operators run very limited services.

If you’re travelling late on Christmas Eve, plan carefully, miss that last train, and you might not be going anywhere until the 27th. When possible, travel a day or two earlier and double-check your connections. Even a short delay earlier in the day can disrupt your whole journey.

11. Make the Journey Part of the Experience

Christmas train travel doesn’t have to be stressful. Load up a playlist, grab a mince pie at the station, and let someone else deal with the driving. Trains drop you right into the heart of most cities, and many stations are lit up and festive this time of year.

More Splits, More Savings! Find cheaper train tickets by splitting your fares with the TrainSplit app. Download now on iOS or Android—search for TrainSplit in your app store.

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12. Quick Checklist Before You Travel

Tickets booked and downloaded
Seat reservations confirmed
Travel updates checked
Bags labelled and packed
Charger and snacks ready
Backup route noted

In Short

Book early. Check everything twice. Keep your expectations realistic. And if you can, build in a little time to enjoy the journey instead of rushing through it.

Because when you plan ahead, the trip to see family or friends can be just as memorable as the celebration itself.

Image credit: Todor Tsvetkov | Getty Images Signature

Festive service at-a-glance (check before you travel)

No National Rail services on Christmas Day.
Boxing Day: most routes closed; a few operators run very limited services.
Timetables & engineering work: Christmas/New Year is a major maintenance window; final timetables are confirmed closer to the time. Always recheck your journey in the week and again on the day.
Plan & check: Use National Rail Journey Planner and the operator’s site for live updates.
Latest booking horizons: Advance tickets and seat reservations usually open up to ~12 weeks out, but holiday engineering work can shorten this—release dates vary by operator.

Santa
Image credit: Yuganov Konstantin | Canva Pro

Useful links:

Christmas & New Year travel summary: link to National Rail’s festive page.
Advance booking dates (by operator): link to National Rail’s booking horizons page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Christmas train timetables get released?

Most UK train operators publish their Christmas timetables by late October. It’s best to check again in November before booking to confirm any changes or cancellations. For the latest details, visit the National Rail Christmas & New Year Travel Summary.

Are trains running on Christmas Day?

No, there are no National Rail services on Christmas Day. Only a few airport or local transport options may operate, so plan to travel before or after.

What about Boxing Day trains?

Most train operators don’t run services on Boxing Day, though a limited number may operate between major cities. Always check before you travel.

When’s the best time to book Christmas train tickets?

Book as soon as Advance tickets are released — usually 8–12 weeks before travel. Fares rise sharply as seats sell out. You can check release dates on the National Rail Advance Booking Dates page.

Do split tickets work over Christmas?

Yes. Split tickets can still save money on most routes, even during peak Christmas travel — just make sure all legs are valid for your chosen trains.

Can I get a refund if my Christmas train is cancelled?

If your service is cancelled, you’re entitled to a full refund or can travel on an alternative service. Always check your operator’s disruption policy.

Should I buy travel insurance for UK train travel?

Yes, especially for long-distance journeys or flight connections. Buy a separate policy that includes rail cover for peace of mind.

Do I need to reserve a seat?

It’s highly recommended during the festive period. Some operators may declassify seats on busy trains, but a reservation helps guarantee a spot if available.

Can I travel with gifts or large luggage?

Yes, but pack light and avoid bulky wrapping. Space is limited on trains during Christmas, so one sturdy bag works best.

Will engineering work affect my Christmas travel?

Yes. Christmas and New Year are major maintenance periods. Expect earlier last trains, longer journeys, or replacement buses. Always recheck your journey close to your travel date.

How can I check if my train is running?

Use the National Rail Journey Planner or your operator’s website for real-time updates before you set off.

Save Even More with a Digital Railcard

If you’re booking Christmas travel, don’t forget your Railcard. A digital Railcard from TrainSplit can save you up to a third on most fares and takes just a few minutes to set up. No paperwork, no plastic card, and no waiting around, it’s ready to use straight from your phone.

Add it to your TrainSplit app before you travel, and you’ll have everything you need in one place: tickets, discounts, and peace of mind.

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