Oxford Street is buzzing, Liberty is lit up and you’re slowly but surely ticking off your shopping list: ah yes, it’s Christmas in London! If you’re helping to make the capital a festive place this year, rest assured that Transport for London – with its more affordable off-peak fares – is open and ready for business. From Monday December 23 to Thursday January 2, most of TfL’s services will be running (excluding Christmas Day). And, for the first time ever, parts of the London Overground network will be open on Boxing Day (December 26).
To make your travelling as easy as can be, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to festive travel arrangements in the city. So that’s less time worrying about how you’re going to get to the party and more time, umm, partying.
For even more up-to-date information, search TfL Christmas Travel.
Oh, and one last thing: for a limited time, you can get 20 percent off an annual Santander Cycles membership. It’s part of Time Out and TfL’s 12 Offers of Christmas: read on to find out more about this, and all the other great offers available.
Remember: if you’re drinking, drink responsibly, and take care of yourself and others when travelling home.
Check before you travel this festive season.
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The Bakerloo, Jubilee, Central, Victoria lines and the DLR are open!
Whether you’re rushing out to get a last-minute gift, meeting mates at an outdoor ice rink or simply looking to enjoy one of the major museum exhibitions open this winter, most of the tube lines will be open. For the first year ever, this includes parts of the London Overground network on Boxing Day 2019. Trains will be running from Highbury & Islington to West Croydon and Clapham Junction to Hackney Wick but we advise you to check before you travel for service times. The Metropolitan, District, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines and TfL Rail are open all days except Christmas Day and Sunday December 29.If you’re looking for some hand-picked suggestions for things to do, have a read of the Cultural TfL Map where you’ll find more than 800 Time Out-recommended experiences, all within a short walking distance of TfL stations.
![Buses at Christmas]()
Photograph: Sung Kuk Kim
There will be some travel changes
As always, don’t forget to check the TfL website before leaving the house. There are some scheduled closures and planned works happening over the festive period. You can find out more by visiting TfL Christmas Travel.
There will be no services running on Christmas Day
TfL’s network will be closed on Christmas Day, but rest assured Santander Cycles will be open throughout the day (in case you fancy a post-lunch bike ride, perhaps). Dial-a-Ride services (for registered members only) will also be operational, plus taxi, private hire and coaches from Victoria Coach Station.
![Fireworks at New Year's Eve]()
Photograph: Stewart Marsden
Public transport is free and open all night on New Year’s Eve
Save your pennies for January: NYE travel is free on TfL! From 11.45pm to 4.30am you can travel for free on bus, tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services. Just be aware that because of the ticketed fireworks, bus routes in central London will be re-routed from 2pm onwards on December 31, and from 2pm some bridges will be closed to pedestrians. Underground stations near the event and in other busy areas of London will also run differently so please plan accordingly and have a great new year! Please remember that carrying and drinking from open containers of alcohol is not allowed on public transport services. Take care when travelling after drinking alcohol.
Photograph: Sung Kuk Kim
Photograph: Stewart Marsden
