Travelling With Us This Christmas

Christmas travel 2026

There will be some changes to train services throughout December, over the festive period and into the New Year, while Network Rail carries out essential improvement work across the network.

Most days, trains will run as normal, but some journeys may be affected – so please check before you travel using your journey planner for the most accurate information.

There will be no trains on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, and services will finish earlier on Thursday 24 December and start later on Sunday 27 December.

Services are expected to be busy, particularly on routes to and from major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Please allow extra time for your journey and check Journey Check or National Rail Enquiries for live updates.

Plan ahead this Christmas

If you’re travelling over the festive period, we recommend planning your journey in advance and checking again before you travel. Trains are likely to be busier than usual in the run-up to Christmas and New Year, so please allow extra time for your journey.

Planned engineering work taking place between the 18  December 2026 and 31 January 2027 are listed below:

• Sunday 20 December - Transpennine Route Upgrade engineering work between Stalybridge, Huddersfield and Mirfield
• Thursday 24 December: Between Sheffield and Scunthorpe – rail replacement buses will replace trains between Sheffield and Scunthorpe
• Christmas Eve (24 December)- services will finish earlier than usual
• Christmas Day/Boxing Day (25/26 December)- no services
• Sunday 27 December – services will start later than usual
• Sunday 27 December to Sunday 31 January - Transpennine Route Upgrade engineering work between Stalybridge, Huddersfield and Dewsbury from 27 December to 31 January, with some services diverted and rail replacement buses in operation.
• Friday 1 January: Between Carlisle and Edinburgh- rail replacement buses will replace trains between Carlisle and Edinburgh

For more information on this engineering work, please visit our planned engineering works page.

Please note other train operating companies may be affected during this period, please check National Rail Enquiries for more information.

Christmas travel FAQs

Are trains running on Christmas Day?
No. There are no train services on Friday 25 December.

Are trains running on Boxing Day?
No. There are no train services on Saturday 26 December.

Will trains be busy over Christmas?
Services are expected to be busy over the festive period, particularly on routes to and from major cities. Please plan ahead, allow extra time and check your journey before travelling.

Are trains running over New Year?
Yes. Our usual timetable will operate over New Year. Please check your journey before travelling.

Will engineering work affect my journey?
Network Rail is carrying out essential improvement work at several locations over Christmas and New Year. Check our planned engineering works page for the latest information.