Arriving in London Christmas Day 2025 - Advice for transport and provisions

National Express always run a frequent Christmas Day bus from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station.
However this is at premium prices due to the overtime paid to the drivers. A taxi may actually be as cost efficient for 4, although they too charge pre!mum rates.

No public transportation on Christmas Day--the tube, buses, trams, etc.

From Heathrow your choices are the National Express bus, a taxi, or a pre-arranged car service.

With the car service, you know the price when you book. They will meet you as you exit customs and drive you to your Airbnb. Two companies mentioned on this fourm are Blackberry Cars and Just Airports.

Uber is also a possibility but I'm sure they will be very busy and pricey.

As for food, all major stores will be closed. Some restaurants will be open especially those considered with cuisine from countries where the major religion is not Christianity---China, Japan, India, Middle East and the like.

Many pubs are open and have a special Christmas menu. Reservations are usually needed.

You might find a "corner shop" open near you where you can get some snacks and the basics. But plan to do any real food shopping the next day.

When you know where you will be staying, we can probably give you suggestions.

Rick has a whole section in his guide about dealing with the winter holidays, check it out

Check with the Airbnb proprietor about having food delivered before your arrival. Marks & Spencer with some notice can put together some basics to get you through Christmas Day and the next morning.

You mention a few days trips - it's worth bearing in mind that the Christmas to New Year period is when many of the rail companies undertake major engineering work, hence some lines may be restricted or shut down. It's a difficult period to travel, but it can be done with some advance planning. Ideally, wait until later in the year to arrange any day trips, once the works calendar is sorted.

Any chance you can switch and go to Paris first then London? I don't know the answer for sure but perhaps Paris has more transportation available Christmas than London.