November 7th 2024.
The holiday season is a time for celebration and spending time with loved ones, but it can also bring along its fair share of stress, especially when it comes to travelling home for Christmas. The thought of crowded trains, sweltering heat, and the constant struggle to find a seat can be overwhelming. However, if you plan ahead and book your tickets in advance, you can avoid all the chaos and enjoy a stress-free journey.
Trainline recently conducted a study on advanced bookings for Christmas travel in 2024 and has revealed the busiest and quietest days to travel. According to their data, Saturday December 21st is expected to be the busiest day for train travel, followed by Monday 23rd. So, if you're planning to train it home for Christmas, you might want to steer clear of these days and avoid the last-minute rush.
Surprisingly, the quietest day is said to be Christmas Eve, which falls on a Tuesday this year. By this time, most people have already gathered with their loved ones, making it a less popular day for travel. If you can't travel on Christmas Eve, the next quietest day is Sunday 22nd December.
Some may think that travelling on Christmas Day would be the ultimate hack to beat the crowds. However, it's important to note that no train services run on December 25th. But, if you do need to travel, National Express coach services will still be available, with 31 routes operating on Christmas Day. Also, there will be no train services on Boxing Day, except for a limited number of airport transfer services.
New Year's Eve celebrations will also affect train services, with the last service running earlier than usual. Additionally, trains will start running later in the day on New Year's Day. To avoid the chaos and higher fares, Trainline recommends booking your tickets well in advance. According to their data, you could save up to 29% on the cost of travel by booking early. As the Christmas rush approaches, these savings drop to an average of 13%.
Sakshi Anand, UK general manager for Trainline, urges people to start planning their journeys home for Christmas now. By booking your tickets in advance, you not only save money but also secure a spot on your desired train. This is especially important as major engineering works will take place during the Christmas and New Year period.
London Liverpool station will be closed for eight days between 25th December and 2nd January, and London Paddington station will be closed for three days between 27th and 29th December. There will also be no East Midlands Railway trains running between London St Pancras International Station and Bedford from 21st to 29th December. Additionally, Crewe Station will be closed on 27th December, with no direct service to Liverpool and a reduced service to Manchester from 28th December to 3rd January.
So, if you're planning to travel during the holiday season, it's best to plan ahead and book your tickets in advance. This not only saves you from the stress and chaos of last-minute travel but also helps you save money. Do you have any travel plans for Christmas? Share your story with us by emailing [email address]. Happy holidays!
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