London Christmas 2025 Transport Guide: Closures & Services
London’s public transport network faces significant changes and disruptions over Christmas and New Year 2025. A primary “definition” of the festive period is the complete shutdown of all Transport for London (TfL) services – including Tubes, buses, trains, trams, Elizabeth line, Overground, DLR, river boats, and cable car – on Christmas Day, December 25th. Services are also expected to finish early on Christmas Eve. Beyond Christmas Day, minor part-closures are anticipated on some TfL Tube, Overground, and DLR lines due to engineering works, although these are described as less severe than in previous years.
A notable “benefit” for drivers is the suspension of the Congestion Charge from December 25th to January 1st, and the ULEZ charge specifically on Christmas Day. However, the LEZ charge and new Blackwall/Silvertown Tunnel fees remain active on all other days. National Rail services present more substantial “risks” and disruptions, with no trains running anywhere on Christmas Day and limited services on Boxing Day. Major engineering works will impact key stations: Waterloo will have no trains on December 27-28th, with services terminating at Clapham Junction. Queenstown Road station closes from December 25th to January 4th, and Vauxhall from December 25-30th and January 1st (though open on New Year’s Eve). Liverpool Street station is entirely closed for National Rail services from December 25th to January 1st due to tunnel and roof works, redirecting Greater Anglia and Overground services. Services on the West Coast Main Line (Euston) and Southeastern trains at Victoria will also see amendments.
Airport travel will be affected, with Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line disruptions on Boxing Day, and amended services for Gatwick Express and Southern trains. Stansted Express services will be rerouted or terminate early for much of the period. For New Year’s Eve, a “benefit” is that most Tube lines, Elizabeth line, DLR, trams, and parts of the Overground will offer special overnight services, and buses will run a Saturday night schedule on 24-hour routes, though central London diversions are expected. Crucially, free travel on New Year’s Eve is no longer offered. As of early December 2025, no train strikes are planned. Travellers are strongly advised to check specific service updates directly with operators before travelling.
