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There will be no buses, Tubes or Overground trains running in London on Christmas Day, as all public transport shuts down for the holiday – a tradition that’s continued for more than 40 years.
London’s buses, Tubes, and Overground trains will once again be brought to a standstill on Christmas Day, as public transport in the capital takes its traditional festive break. No Christmas Day bus service will operate in 2025, leaving taxis, minicabs, and cycle hire schemes as the main ways to get around. Travellers are being urged to plan ahead, with most of London’s roads and stations quieter than usual, but regular bus services not due to return until Boxing Day.
Christmas Day Bus Service No TfL Buses or Tubes on 25 December
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that there will be no London buses running on Christmas Day, and the entire Tube and Overground network will also be closed. It is a tradition that sees the capital’s usually bustling transit system take a rare day off, in line with decades of practice.
The only way to get around the city on 25 December will be by taxi, private hire car, Santander Cycles, or in some areas, rental e-scooters. A handful of coach services will operate on certain high demand long distance routes, such as connections to major airports, but these are not part of the local Christmas Day Bus Service within London.
Christmas Day Bus Service for Essential Workers and Travellers Plan Ahead
The shutdown will present particular challenges for essential workers and anyone needing to travel for family or care reasons. NHS and hospitality staff, as well as anyone landing at London airports, are being advised to check options and book cabs early. Fares are likely to surge due to high demand and limited availability.
Local families and visitors are being encouraged to consider walking or cycling, as spontaneously hailing a cab on Christmas Day can be nearly impossible.
Holiday Period Disruptions Affecting Christmas Day Bus Service
Most TfL services will operate as normal either side of Christmas Day, but from Saturday 20 December until Monday 5 January, a number of schedule changes, maintenance works, and station closures are expected. Full timetables will be announced as the holiday approaches but passengers are urged to double check their journeys in advance.
TfL is recommending all passengers make use of the TfL Go live map app and journey planner to keep abreast of real time updates, and to watch out for special travel bulletins and diversions, especially around New Year’s Eve.
Driving Options on Christmas Day When No Bus Service Runs
On 25 December, the Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone ULEZ will both be lifted, while the separate Low Emission Zone remains in effect throughout the holidays. Regular Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges will also be paused for the day, but drivers should check for local restrictions and closures, especially around central London. For more on how the Congestion Charge impacts drivers, see our article on Uber Drivers Hit Hard as London Congestion Charge Rises to £18.
Boxing Day and New Years Eve Changes After the Christmas Day Bus Service Suspension
Services will start running again on Boxing Day 26 December, but only a limited number of bus routes and rail lines will be operational. There will be no Night Tube or Night Overground services on 26 December. On New Years Eve, public transport will run through the night to support revellers, though some closures and crowd control measures will still be in place, particularly in the central area.
Enjoying London Without the Christmas Day Bus Service
While the travel freeze frustrates some, it does offer a once a year opportunity to explore London’s famous sights on foot or by bike, without the usual crowds or traffic. City icons like Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster will be unusually quiet just remember to plan an alternative route home.
What You Need to Know About the Christmas Day Bus Service
• No TfL buses or trains run on Christmas Day 25 December
• Only taxis, private hire, Santander Cycles, and some long distance coaches will be available
• Boxing Day services will be limited; check timetables for all routes before travelling
• Congestion Charge and ULEZ are suspended for the day, but LEZ still applies
• Use TfL’s official travel tools for live updates and journey advice
For the latest updates, commuters and holidaymakers are encouraged to check the official TfL website or National Rail website as Christmas approaches.
Do not leave your travel plans to the last minute and get ready for the rarest sight of all a silent traffic free London on Christmas Day.
