Get your Christmas train travel sorted early

You may be one of those people who don’t like to hear the ‘C’ word until the beginning of December, but believe it or not, for others the festive planning is already in full swing!
 

Even if you think it’s a bit early to write your Christmas card list or head into the attic to dig out the tinsel, it might be worth thinking about your Christmas train travel, to ensure you sort out the times and tickets that you need. Trains over Christmas can often be very busy as people make their way to see friends and family all over the country, so booking in advance is often a very sensible idea, and there’s no time like the present (excuse the pun!).

Do trains run on Christmas Day? 

For those looking for Christmas Day trains, this won’t be possible; it is one of the only days of the year when the rail network comes to a complete standstill, with no trains running at all. It’s more or less the same on Boxing Day, with little to no trains operating throughout the UK.

Trains Christmas Eve

Trains run pretty much as usual on Christmas Eve; they just tend to end a little earlier. If you’re planning to travel on Christmas Eve,  we recommend booking your tickets in plenty of time to ensure you get a seat. You can do this through our online journey planner or on the Grand Central app. Read on to find out more about booking your tickets in advance.

Advance fares

Booking in advance has many benefits – mainly getting the times you want at the very best prices. Advance fares are available up to 6 months in advance, which means you can now secure your tickets for the Christmas period.
 

If you are travelling between London and any of our calling points in Yorkshire and the North East, then it’s time to get organised and save money. Figure out where you want to be and when, and let us handle the rest. Limited availability on Advanced fares means that we always recommend booking as far in advance as you possibly can for Christmas trains to ensure complete peace of mind.
 

Find out more about Advance fares online or call our team on 0345 603 4852 to see how much you could save on our Christmas trains.

Group travel

Christmas is often a time for groups of loved ones to get together and celebrate. Whether it’s a staff Christmas party or a family group heading to King’s Cross Station to get to the West End pantomime, there could be a time when you are all travelling together.
 

If there will be nine or more passengers in your group, then you can contact our Group Travel Service to get sorted. We will help you find the best value ticket options and help you to secure the times you need to ensure you arrive with plenty of time. Plan your group train tickets now to avoid disappointment.

Travelling with Children 

Travelling with the kids this Christmas? Whether it’s a full family trip to see a relative over the Christmas period, or a fun festive day out for just you and the kids, travelling by train doesn’t have to be a daunting or stressful experience. We offer assistance on board all our Grand Central trains for those travelling with Children. You can find storage space on board for prams and pushchairs, as well as separate baby changing facilities and accessible toilets. If you are on board one of our trains and need assistance, be sure to ask a member of our team, who will be happy to help. Visit our helpful page for more information on travelling with children on a Grand Central train. It couldn’t be easier

 

Railcards

Many people use Railcards throughout the year to save money when travelling by train. And, now is a perfect time to see if you’re eligible so that you can save money on all your Christmas train journeys.

If you are aged 16-25 or 26-30, you can benefit from 1/3 off tickets with a Railcard and students can get a further 15% off with a valid NUS card, when booking Grand Central Advance tickets. So, whether you are travelling to see your friends in London for the party of the season or getting the train home to see your parents, your travel plans are sorted.

The Two Together Railcard is perfect for couples, siblings or best friends, who love to travel together frequently – especially around Christmas time when you can be together even more than usual. The Family & Friends Railcard is also very useful for discounts, offering up to 1/3 off for up to 4 adults and 60% off for kids on most journeys.

There is also a Senior Railcard discount available to anyone aged 60 or over, and this is just £30 for the year, saving you 1/3  on all off-peak journeys. For even better value, if you’re a regular train user, you can get a 3-year railcard for just £70. Find out more about the Senior Railcard discount today.
 

Be sure to check out our Railcards page to see the full list of options available.

Student discount

In addition to a Railcard discount, students also benefit from an extra 25% off rail travel with Grand Central. That's a total saving of 50% off if you book an advance ticket and also have a Student Railcard! Find out more about our student discount at Grand Central, and don’t forget to bring your student ID and Railcard on board with any tickets purchased using this discount.

Christmas trains 2025

To find out more about trains over Christmas 2025, browse our helpful page with more information on Christmas & New Year Travel this year, complete with timetables and travel tips for catching trains over Christmas 2025.