Winter train travel tips

The run up to Christmas is a wonderful and exciting time for many of us. But, with this excitement comes a blast of cold weather and unfavourable travel conditions – which could well impact our journeys to work and from our homes.

Although the British weather is largely unpredictable, if it does look like we are expecting a spell of disruptive weather, there are precautions you can take to try and lessen the impact on your day to day life and keep safe when travelling.

If you are travelling by train in the lead up to Christmas, then take a look at our winter travel tips so that you are as well prepared as you can be.

Check for snow and ice warnings

Our British winters generally feature a lot of snow and ice around December to March. This can cause issues for trains with the danger of steel lines freezing or snow and ice becoming lodged on the tracks. Although we plan ahead to minimise disruptions, severe weather conditions may mean that special measures need to be taken, which could affect your journey.

If you have train travel plans in place and the weather looks like it might take a turn for the worst, you can check our disruptions page of the website, which will list all known issues across all our Grand Central services. Be sure to check the night before your journey if you are travelling early morning, or in the few hours before your departure time for any updates. You can also download the Grand Central app for live updates from all train companies on your phone.

Dress up warm

It goes without saying really, but if you are planning to travel by train in the heart of winter, then you will want to wrap up warm. Standing on the platform and changing trains can be chilly business so pop on a thick coat, scarf and gloves to ensure you stay snug.

If you think you might get too warm mid-way through your journey, then wear layers so that you can remove and replace items depending on your body temperature.

Take care on the station

Icy conditions can be dangerous, especially on train platforms and station carparks. Make sure you wear shoes with a good grip that can cope with frosty grounds, and never run on a platform as there could be hidden black ice which you can’t see.

Also, be careful coming back to your car in the carpark after a long journey as your car may have frozen over and will need de-icing before you start your onward journey. Make sure you carry de-icer in the boot of the car throughout the winter period so that you are well prepared.

Keep nourished

When it’s cold and dark, our bodies tend to lose energy quicker, meaning we become more tired and our immune systems become more susceptible to bugs and viruses. Stay well by keeping yourself hydrated when travelling as well as eating healthy and nutritious snacks along the way.

A flask of hot vegetable soup will keep you warm and fulfilled for your journey, and items containing vitamin D like oranges, mangoes and pineapples will all help to give your immune system a boost to help ward off those nasties in the air.

Bring extras for your winter train journeys

Winter brings with it plenty of celebrations, from Christmas parties to festive markets and seasonal events, which means train stations usually wind up being busier than usual. To keep your trip stress-free, we recommend arriving at the station with plenty of time to spare. A warm drink is always a good idea on a chilly day, and packing some entertainment, like a book or headphones, will help pass the time if weather-related delays occur.

For those who like to be extra prepared, a power bank can be a worthy addition to your bag, ensuring your phone stays charged and you’re able to stay in touch with the people you need to throughout your journey. A little preparation goes a long way, helping you to relax and enjoy the ride. And don’t forget to look out the window - frosted trees and snow-dusted landscapes make winter train journeys especially scenic.

Christmas in London

As you can imagine, Christmas train travel in London can be incredibly busy, so if you’re catching one of our Grand Central trains to or from the capital, be prepared for a busier train journey than usual. To make your trip as smooth as possible, we recommend booking tickets in advance, arriving at the station early, and navigating the crowds sensibly. 

The same goes for when you’re on the train itself - if you have time to wait at your seat to let people get off the train before you, we’d recommend doing so for a calmer experience. Once you arrive, our Christmas in London blog provides an excellent festive round-up of all of the best places to visit across the city.

Winter train timetable

You might be wondering when the winter train timetable starts. Grand Central typically publishes its winter train timetable in December, giving you plenty of time to plan ahead. During this period, some services may run at different times, especially around Christmas and New Year. To make sure your journey is as smooth as possible, we recommend checking the latest updates before you travel and keeping an eye on our dedicated Christmas train travel updates to plan your journey with ease.

Wherever you are heading this winter, we wish you safe and happy travels. Find out more about travelling with Grand Central.