As millions across the UK gear up for festive reunions, new data from the digital rail platform Trainline reveals the best and worst times to travel by train this Christmas and New Year. The analysis pinpoints peak crowding and offers savvy advice for smoother, cheaper journeys.
Navigating the Festive Rush: Peak Days and Times
According to Trainline's figures, the Saturday before Christmas has been the single busiest day for rail travel for the past two years. Commuters are strongly advised to steer clear of the late-morning scramble, with the busiest hour last year falling between 10am and 11am on Saturday, 21 December.
In contrast, New Year's Day emerges as the quietest day for trains, perfect for those planning a last-minute visit or a relaxed return home after the celebrations. The data shows a dramatic drop in passenger numbers as the day progresses on 1 January 2025, with traveller counts more than halving between 4-5pm and 5-6pm.
Early mornings and late evenings remain the calmest periods to travel throughout the festive season, though passengers should note services typically start between 5am and 6am.
UK's Busiest Festive Rail Routes Revealed
To help travellers plan effectively, Trainline has identified the most in-demand routes over the Christmas period. Last year, these included key intercity links such as Birmingham to London Euston, Manchester to London Euston, and Edinburgh to London King's Cross. The commuter route from Milton Keynes to London Euston also featured highly.
Unsurprisingly, the Gatwick Airport to London Victoria line experienced a significant surge in passenger numbers, reflecting seasonal air travel connections.
Top Tips for Saving Money and Reducing Stress
Trainline has compiled essential advice to cut costs and avoid holiday travel headaches. Their primary recommendation is to book Advance tickets as soon as possible, as limited numbers are available on popular routes during the break.
Further money-saving strategies include:
- Using a digital Railcard, which can save up to a third on fares.
- Utilising SplitSave technology, which automatically finds cheaper combinations by splitting a journey into multiple tickets.
- Looking out for seasonal offers like Family Travelcards and the Kids for a Quid scheme.
- Groups of three to nine people can save up to 34% with GroupSave on eligible Off-Peak services.
For disrupted journeys, the Trainline app offers features like Travel Forecast for delay warnings and Train Swap for easy rebooking.
Meanwhile, analytics firm Inrix warns road users to expect severe delays, predicting Britain's busiest-ever festive getaway with 37.5 million car trips. Major routes are forecast to be particularly gridlocked on Friday as holiday traffic meets commuter rush.
