Do tubes run on Boxing Day?

Yes, most London Underground (Tube) lines operate on Boxing Day (December 26), but they run a reduced service, typically starting around 7 AM. It is not a full service; expect Sunday-level frequency and potential partial closures due to engineering works. The Elizabeth line and some Overground services do not run.

Are London trains running on Boxing Day?

Yes, some London trains run on Boxing Day (December 26th), but it's a very limited service with most lines shut, especially National Rail, due to engineering works; expect reduced Sunday-level service on some Tube/bus routes and special, limited services on specific operators like Chiltern Railways (Marylebone-Oxford) and Southern (Victoria-Gatwick/Brighton/Sutton). Major lines like the Elizabeth line are typically closed, and you must check National Rail's website or Transport for London (TfL)'s Journey Planner for exact times before traveling.
 

Do tubes run on 26th December?

Between 20 Dec 2025 and 5 Jan 2026, most TfL services will run as usual, but there are some key changes: ✅ Christmas Eve (24 Dec): Reduced service after 8pm ❌ Christmas Day (25 Dec): No services (except taxi & private hire) 📦 Boxing Day (26 Dec): No Night Tube or Night Overground 🎆 New Year's Eve (31 Dec): Some ...

Is anything open on Boxing Day in London?

Yes, London is open on Boxing Day (December 26th), but it's a public holiday, so services are reduced; many shops, attractions, and restaurants open with shorter hours or for specific sales, while public transport runs a limited timetable, with no services on Christmas Day but a Sunday/reduced service on Boxing Day. Expect busy shopping districts, open pubs, some attractions like ice rinks and the London Eye, but plan for closures and reduced transport, checking specific times for TFL and National Rail. 

Is everything closed on December 25 in London?

There will be no public transport on the 25th, most places will be closed, make sure you book somewhere to eat, mainly pubs, restaurants or hotels. All supermarkets will be closed, you may find a small shop open.

How to take The Tube in London 🚇

Is there a tube on 25 December?

A guide to TfL services over Christmas. You won't be riding one of these on 25 December. As usual, no TfL services run on Christmas Day. That's buses, Tubes, trains, trams, Elizabeth line, Overground, DLR, river boats, cable car, the works.

Is Tube available on Boxing Day?

As usual, there will be no service on the majority of public transport on Christmas Day and no services on some parts of the network on Boxing Day, including the Elizabeth line. A Sunday service will operate on the London Underground, London Buses and on London Trams.

What should I do on Boxing Day in London?

On Boxing Day in London, you can embrace the sales on Oxford Street, enjoy festive ice skating at rinks like Somerset House, catch a West End show, explore Christmas markets (if still open), take a winter walk through parks or to see lights, visit museums like the British Museum, or relax in a traditional pub with a roaring fire, but always check opening times as they vary. 

Is 25 and 26 December a public holiday?

UK bank holidays between 2025 and 2026

There are two remaining bank holiday dates in 2025: 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day. 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day.

Do taxis run on Christmas Day?

Yes, taxis generally run on Christmas Day, but with significantly reduced availability, higher holiday rates (often double or more), and a strong recommendation to book well in advance, as they become the primary transport option when public transit shuts down. Expect fewer drivers, higher demand, and premium pricing, so pre-booking is essential to ensure you get a ride, according to www.eaglecarsuk.com and www.supremetaxis.co.uk/christmas-taxi-service-in-oxfordshire/. 

Are the tubes 24 hours today?

The Night Tube offers a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. If you purchase via visitlondon.com, we will receive commission which supports our work creating jobs for Londoners. The Night Tube runs 24 hours at the weekend on some lines.

Is Christmas Eve a busy travel day?

Yes, Christmas Eve is a very busy travel day, especially in the afternoon and evening, with millions driving, flying, and taking trains as people rush to reach family and celebrations, making roads congested and airports crowded, although Christmas Day itself can sometimes be less busy for flights if you're already there. 

Will London be busy on Boxing Day?

There are good sales that start on the 26th, and many stores open early. There can be big crowds, so brace yourself. Additionally, some museums and attractions reopen on Boxing Day, many tours start to run again, and the city begins to show signs of post-Christmas life.

Do tubes run at 3am?

Yes, the London Tube (Night Tube) runs at 3 AM, but only on Friday and Saturday nights on specific lines (Central, Victoria, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly) as a 24-hour service, with other nights ending around midnight. Standard service stops for most lines around midnight during the week, with some exceptions for Night Tube lines offering continuous service from Friday morning to late Sunday night.

Do buses run on Boxing Day in the UK?

Yes, buses generally run on Boxing Day in the UK, but it's always a reduced, special timetable, with many services starting later (around 9 am) and some routes potentially closed, especially outside major cities where it's a quieter day for transport than Christmas Day itself. Expect significant variations by operator and location, so checking the specific company's festive schedule online is essential before you travel, as it's not a normal service day.
 

Is anything in London open on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day Shopping in London

Most shops are open early, thus it is an ideal shopping day when the bargain hunters want to experience the colourful atmosphere in the London shopping world.

Why do Brits call it Boxing Day?

Boxing Day (December 26th) gets its name from the tradition of giving "Christmas boxes" – containers of gifts, bonuses, or leftover food – to servants and tradespeople who worked on Christmas Day, allowing them the next day off to visit their families. Another theory links it to church alms boxes, which collected donations for the poor during Advent and were opened on St. Stephen's Day (Dec 26th) for distribution. The name has nothing to do with the sport of boxing, though sporting events like football matches became popular on the holiday later.
 

Will everything be open on Boxing Day?

No, not everything will be open on Boxing Day (December 26th); many major retailers, especially supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and M&S, close to give staff a break, while others (like Tesco, Asda, Primark) open with reduced hours, so you must check individual store hours online before you go shopping. Entertainment venues, pubs, and parks usually remain open, but it's best to verify specific times. 

Are trains running as normal on Boxing Day?

Services on all routes will finish earlier than normal on Christmas Eve, generally winding down from 21:00. Trains will not run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Are there any trains in London on Boxing Day?

On Boxing Day most train operators will have no service - however, there will be a very limited train service operated by a small number of train operators (Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express).

Is 111 available on Boxing Day?

GP practices will be closed during the Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day bank holidays and people should use NHS 111 for health advice instead. Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for a range of minor conditions and may be operating reduced opening hours during the festive period.

What happens if you don't take decorations down by 12th night?

The tradition that it is bad luck to keep decorations up after Twelfth Night and the Epiphany is a modern invention, although it may derive from the medieval notion that decorations left up after Candlemas eve would become possessed by goblins!

What is the superstition for January 6th?

6 January is celebrated as the feast of Epiphany, which begins the Epiphanytide season. A superstition in English-speaking countries suggests it is unlucky to remove Christmas decorations before Twelfth Night (or to leave them up after Twelfth Night).