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Tips for travelling at Christmas 2025
We all know that Christmastime is one of the busiest times of year for train travel. Be sure to plan ahead with tickets on sale for the Christmas and New Years period now.
Handy Christmas tips for travel
Limit your luggage
As Christmas is a busy period, please only bring what you can carry as there is limited space onboard.
Label your luggage with your contact information and make frequent checks on your bags, especially if you're not sitting near them.
More about luggage
Be Seat Sure
If your ticket doesn't have a seat reservation (like an Off-Peak or flexible return), you can make one for free, even if you didn't book your ticket with LNER. Avoid being stuck on your feet whilst you’re travelling!
Make a seat reservation
Travelling with children
Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, so please take extra care when journeying with your children. Keep a close eye on them while in stations and onboard trains. For a more comfortable and stress-free experience, why not visit our Family Lounge at London King's Cross or our brand-new Family Lounge at York, opening on December 16th? We’re here to make your travels a little easier this festive season!
Travelling with children at Christmas
Book assisted travel
If you need assistance at the station and help boarding our trains, our colleagues are here to help. Book Passenger Assist up to two hours before you travel using our live Web Chat between 09:00 and 17:00, or by calling 0800 0223720 outside of these hours.
Book Passenger Assist
Travelling with pets
It’s important to plan ahead to ensure a smooth journey when travelling with your pet. With the festive season being one of the busiest times of the year, it’s essential to keep your pet secure and comfortable. Whether in a carrier or on a lead, ensure they are safe and calm, especially in crowded stations or on busy trains. Please be considerate of other passengers and help your pet stay relaxed amid the holiday bustle. A little extra care can make all the difference in creating a stress-free journey for both of you!
Travelling with pets at Christmas
Christmas feast on the go
Whether you’re travelling in First Class or Standard, you can enjoy delicious festive foods delivered straight to your seat. Check out our Christmas menu for December.
Our onboard menu
Check before you travel
LNER does not have any major engineering work planned this Christmas. However, there will be some changes to our usual timetable over the festive period, including services finishing earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Please check your full journey before you travel, including connections with other operators.
Find out the latest
Get £5 off tickets
Join LNER Perks and import your LNER ticket (no matter where you booked it) and earn 2% credit, plus get £5 credit just for joining. Think of it as a stocking filler to yourself!
Join LNER Perks
LNER Assistant
Find out information personalised to your journey, direct to your phone with LNER Assistant.
Do you want to know which platform your train departs from? If there are delays due to weather conditions? A reminder of your seat reservation before you depart? This is where LNER Assistant can help. Get from A to B stress-free with live journey updates every step of the way.Get LNER Assistant
Christmas engineering affecting other operators
While our route is open as normal this Christmas, major work means that there will be no trains to or from London St Pancras between 21 and 29 December. London Liverpool Street is also closed between 25 December and 1 January. This means that LNER trains will be extra busy over the festive period. Please check the NRE website for full details of engineering work taking place.
NRE Engineering
Saturday day trip to York?
Boasting unbeatable shopping, restaurants and of course the Christmas market, York makes for the perfect day trip.
Please note that if you’re travelling through York on a Saturday evening after a day exploring the city, the station has a no alcohol policy from 18:00 until 01:00.
York station
Download a festive film before you travel
Discover the top searched Christmas films to download before you travel, perfect for setting the festive mood as you take the train home for Christmas!
Christmas film recommendations
Limit your luggage
As Christmas is a busy period, please only bring what you can carry as there is limited space onboard.
Label your luggage with your contact information and make frequent checks on your bags, especially if you're not sitting near them.
More about luggageBe Seat Sure
If your ticket doesn't have a seat reservation (like an Off-Peak or flexible return), you can make one for free, even if you didn't book your ticket with LNER. Avoid being stuck on your feet whilst you’re travelling!
Make a seat reservationTravelling with children
Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, so please take extra care when journeying with your children. Keep a close eye on them while in stations and onboard trains. For a more comfortable and stress-free experience, why not visit our Family Lounge at London King's Cross or our brand-new Family Lounge at York, opening on December 16th? We’re here to make your travels a little easier this festive season!
Travelling with children at ChristmasBook assisted travel
If you need assistance at the station and help boarding our trains, our colleagues are here to help. Book Passenger Assist up to two hours before you travel using our live Web Chat between 09:00 and 17:00, or by calling 0800 0223720 outside of these hours.
Book Passenger AssistTravelling with pets
It’s important to plan ahead to ensure a smooth journey when travelling with your pet. With the festive season being one of the busiest times of the year, it’s essential to keep your pet secure and comfortable. Whether in a carrier or on a lead, ensure they are safe and calm, especially in crowded stations or on busy trains. Please be considerate of other passengers and help your pet stay relaxed amid the holiday bustle. A little extra care can make all the difference in creating a stress-free journey for both of you!
Travelling with pets at ChristmasChristmas feast on the go
Whether you’re travelling in First Class or Standard, you can enjoy delicious festive foods delivered straight to your seat. Check out our Christmas menu for December.
Our onboard menuCheck before you travel
LNER does not have any major engineering work planned this Christmas. However, there will be some changes to our usual timetable over the festive period, including services finishing earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Please check your full journey before you travel, including connections with other operators.
Find out the latestGet £5 off tickets
Join LNER Perks and import your LNER ticket (no matter where you booked it) and earn 2% credit, plus get £5 credit just for joining. Think of it as a stocking filler to yourself!
Join LNER PerksLNER Assistant
Find out information personalised to your journey, direct to your phone with LNER Assistant.
Do you want to know which platform your train departs from? If there are delays due to weather conditions? A reminder of your seat reservation before you depart? This is where LNER Assistant can help. Get from A to B stress-free with live journey updates every step of the way.Get LNER AssistantChristmas engineering affecting other operators
While our route is open as normal this Christmas, major work means that there will be no trains to or from London St Pancras between 21 and 29 December. London Liverpool Street is also closed between 25 December and 1 January. This means that LNER trains will be extra busy over the festive period. Please check the NRE website for full details of engineering work taking place.
NRE EngineeringSaturday day trip to York?
Boasting unbeatable shopping, restaurants and of course the Christmas market, York makes for the perfect day trip.
Please note that if you’re travelling through York on a Saturday evening after a day exploring the city, the station has a no alcohol policy from 18:00 until 01:00.
York stationDownload a festive film before you travel
Discover the top searched Christmas films to download before you travel, perfect for setting the festive mood as you take the train home for Christmas!
Christmas film recommendations
Date & time
Passengers
And Christmas tips for when you’re off the train!
The light idea
Purchase some smart plugs to control your Christmas lights from your phone (rather than crawling under the tree every night!)
Easy Christmas decor
Grab a big glass jar. Fill the bottom half with sugar for snow, then bury little trees, tiny toys and other decorations. Voila! Your very own unique Christmas scene.
Go proper shopping
Yes, online shopping is convenient, but there’s something magical about shops in the run up to Christmas. Pretty lights, festive music, and the joy of choosing gifts by hand. So hop on one of our trains for a Christmas shopping day out!
Christmas pud pyrotechnics
Warm up the brandy before pouring on your Christmas pudding and setting it alight, it burns better and is more spectacular.
Present wrapping pranks
For a silly Christmas joke, why not wrap some presents to look like something else entirely? Get creative and let your imagination run wild! Top tip: make sure what’s inside is better than the joke wrapping!
Reindeer chocolate how-to!
Melt a bar of chocolate onto greaseproof paper. Add broken pretzels or Curly Wurlys for antlers, red smarties for noses and marshmallows for eyes – or whatever you have to hand! Let set, eat and enjoy.
The light idea
Purchase some smart plugs to control your Christmas lights from your phone (rather than crawling under the tree every night!)
Easy Christmas decor
Grab a big glass jar. Fill the bottom half with sugar for snow, then bury little trees, tiny toys and other decorations. Voila! Your very own unique Christmas scene.
Go proper shopping
Yes, online shopping is convenient, but there’s something magical about shops in the run up to Christmas. Pretty lights, festive music, and the joy of choosing gifts by hand. So hop on one of our trains for a Christmas shopping day out!
Christmas pud pyrotechnics
Warm up the brandy before pouring on your Christmas pudding and setting it alight, it burns better and is more spectacular.
Present wrapping pranks
For a silly Christmas joke, why not wrap some presents to look like something else entirely? Get creative and let your imagination run wild! Top tip: make sure what’s inside is better than the joke wrapping!
Reindeer chocolate how-to!
Melt a bar of chocolate onto greaseproof paper. Add broken pretzels or Curly Wurlys for antlers, red smarties for noses and marshmallows for eyes – or whatever you have to hand! Let set, eat and enjoy.
The UK’s Favourite Christmas Films to Enjoy on Your Train Journey
With Christmas fast approaching, we know you'll be searching for your favourite festive film. Here’s a look at the top-searched Christmas films this season – perfect to enjoy on your train journey by downloading them before getting on your LNER train!
Elf
With Elf drawing 165,000 monthly searches, it’s clear that Buddy the Elf remains a beloved holiday icon. Families and solo travellers alike can cosy up on their train journey with Buddy’s endless Christmas cheer. Buddy’s heartwarming antics will be sure to brighten up your trip – whether you’re off to a bustling Christmas market or heading home for the holidays with LNER.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy/rent on Amazon from £3.49.
Love Actually
Also searched 165,000 times monthly, Love Actually remains a quintessential holiday pick. With its iconic London scenes and romantic holiday spirit, this classic is perfect for LNER journeys across the east coast of the UK. Pop in your headphones, settle in, and let this heartwarming film fill your ride with festive joy.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy/rent on Amazon from £2.49.
Die Hard
Proving that Christmas films don’t have to be traditional, Die Hard attracts 90,500 monthly searches. It’s an ideal pick for thrill-seekers, especially on a longer journey. Enjoy the action-packed holiday favourite while your train glides through the wintery countryside.
Where to watch: Watch with a Disney+ subscription, or purchase on Amazon from £9.99.
The Holiday
With 74,000 monthly searches, The Holiday brings iconic cosy English village charm to the screen – perfect if your journey takes you through picturesque countryside. Let this romantic favourite set the mood as you travel, bringing the film’s festive vibes to life.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy from Apple TV from £3.49.
A Christmas Carol
Rounding up the list with 40,500 monthly searches, A Christmas Carol is the perfect classic for the holiday season. With adaptations for every taste, this timeless story can add a bit of holiday spirit to your journey, whether you’re travelling through historic towns or big cities. No bah humbugs here!
Where to watch: Watch with a Disney+ subscription, or buy/rent from Youtube from £3.49.
Elf
With Elf drawing 165,000 monthly searches, it’s clear that Buddy the Elf remains a beloved holiday icon. Families and solo travellers alike can cosy up on their train journey with Buddy’s endless Christmas cheer. Buddy’s heartwarming antics will be sure to brighten up your trip – whether you’re off to a bustling Christmas market or heading home for the holidays with LNER.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy/rent on Amazon from £3.49.
Love Actually
Also searched 165,000 times monthly, Love Actually remains a quintessential holiday pick. With its iconic London scenes and romantic holiday spirit, this classic is perfect for LNER journeys across the east coast of the UK. Pop in your headphones, settle in, and let this heartwarming film fill your ride with festive joy.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy/rent on Amazon from £2.49.
Die Hard
Proving that Christmas films don’t have to be traditional, Die Hard attracts 90,500 monthly searches. It’s an ideal pick for thrill-seekers, especially on a longer journey. Enjoy the action-packed holiday favourite while your train glides through the wintery countryside.
Where to watch: Watch with a Disney+ subscription, or purchase on Amazon from £9.99.
The Holiday
With 74,000 monthly searches, The Holiday brings iconic cosy English village charm to the screen – perfect if your journey takes you through picturesque countryside. Let this romantic favourite set the mood as you travel, bringing the film’s festive vibes to life.
Where to watch: Watch with a NOW TV movie subscription, or buy from Apple TV from £3.49.
A Christmas Carol
Rounding up the list with 40,500 monthly searches, A Christmas Carol is the perfect classic for the holiday season. With adaptations for every taste, this timeless story can add a bit of holiday spirit to your journey, whether you’re travelling through historic towns or big cities. No bah humbugs here!
Where to watch: Watch with a Disney+ subscription, or buy/rent from Youtube from £3.49.
Ready to get in the Christmas spirit?
Find the best Christmas markets and Christmas events our route has to offer.
From pantos and shows to mulled wine and markets. There's something for all the family. Make travelling easy with LNER this Christmas.
