Mass transit options on Christmas Day London

Correct, there is no public transport in London or most other places in th UK on Christmas Day. No buses, tubes or National Rail services, zilch. You probably got a cheap flight as the British know better than trying to travel on Christmas Day :-)

The only options are:
A) Taxi from the taxi rank.
B) A "mini-cab" (pre-booked car with driver).
Both are liable to be very expensive (your estimate of £80+ sounds believable, possibly more), and difficult to find. If you are looking for a "mini cab", book one ASAP. There are plenty of posts on this forum recommending mini cab firms in London.

P.S. It's called "Public Transport" in English, "Mass transit" is an Americanism which may not be understood.

P.P.S. Uber has been banned, they are currently running temporarily until the court case, so they could stop any day,
Have you arranged accommodation and where to eat? Most restaurants will be closed or pre-bookings only.

Depending on how many days you have, you might consider spending your first night in an attractive town near Heathrow--somewhere that can be reached via a much less expensive taxi ride. Then you could take a train into London early the next day. Your arrival day is usually not terribly productive due to sleep-deprivation and jetlag, so spending it in a smaller city might not cause you to miss too much. Obviously, this assumes you are within the free-cancellation period for your London hotel and can drop the first night at no charge.

You could consider Windsor, but obviously it would be important to assure that you will find at least one food source open there on Christmas Day.

Bite the bullet and book a mini cab. Also give some thought to where you will eat. Many restaurants will be closed. Your London hotel may be able to help you with this if you contact them early enough, like right away.

If you can redo your hotel reservations, the Premier Inn at LHR Terminal 4 really is within walking distance of that terminal, and is showing £46 for a cancelable rate and £31 for a prepaid no refunds rate for December 25-26. It's a soulless concrete box, but seems to get good reviews for being clean and quiet, and there are going to be food options nearby, even if it's only the 'landside' section of the airport.

I stayed at that Premier Inn in mid-September, and it was fine. I think it's quite new. I do not know whether it will be the case on Christmas Day, but I was told the food concession in the lobby (which might have been a Pret a Manger--something like that, anyway) was open 24 hours a day. I had no need to take advantage of it and didn't pay much attention; it may have just had pre-prepared sandwiches, salads and sweets.

London is a great city and don't be put off that the true spirit of Christmas is respected in the UK. London shuts down so people can be with family and friends. IMHO It's rather endearing to experience. Enjoy the quiet. People watch, meander.

Follow the advice given and book your mini cab NOW.

Over the years more and more restaurants have begun to serve on Christmas Dat. Here's a link that describes 51 of them. https://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/london-restaurants-open-on-christmas-day?cid=email--NEWSLETTER--LON_NEWSLETTER_171123--1401218984--23-Nov-2017--CTA&UID=14231507486

You can also go see a movie.

As I've noted before I use Timeout as a travel resource and encourage others to do so as well

I'm in London now and had it not been for my weekly newsletter I wouldn't have heard or known about a program called the Classical Spectacular which was held at Royal Albert Hall. When I read about it in early October I researched on line and secured a ticket in the stalls for 19/11/17.... ( get used to this date presentation...day 1st, then month...so to us yanks...11/19/2017). That was the evening I arrived in London following a few days in Lyme Regis.

Best show I've seen in years. Truly a wonderful first night back in a city that continues to intrigue me..

If weather is clear on Christmas Day, after you've checked in and gotten settled, start walking. You might even consider using one of the pay bikes to get around. Ask at the front desk where the closest bike racks are. Would be a fun way to roam.

Try Parker Cars or Blackberry Cars, they are recommended on this and other travel forums.

"P.S. It's called "Public Transport" in English, "Mass transit" is an Americanism which may not be understood."

Sounds a bit Dr Who to me.:-)

Thanks to everyone who replied! I booked a minicab, and am looking to book a restaurant that will be open and serving on Christmas Day. Thanks again!

Excellent, gregtree. Keep googling Time Out London for ideas for Christmas Day, and a list of restaurants open, etc.

Two great friends who replied to my original post have suggested Time Out London. I will pick one of these up at LHR when I land. I wonder if anyone knows if I could pick one up in the US before then, to get a jump start on research. I suppose I can always just spend some time researching on their website.

There's a website: TimeOut London

TheatreMonkey is a good information source for London theatre.

OK!

I have a suggestion that some might find amazing. Have you heard of blablacar.com? I swear it's not a shady company...

You fill out a profile and you get lifts with others who are going your way./supply lifts to others that are looking. I suggested it recently to a friend, steven (English) who doesn't drive any more (he's an elderly retired professor and play write). The 2 young men that offered him a lift (it's a lift - do NOT say "ride" as that has - ehem! - sexual overtones) were wanna-be play writes, themselves! Steven had a wonderful few hours in the car with these young men, and he is hooked!

Also - re: restaurants closed. Not so - anywhere in England, at any major holiday, the Indian restaurants are open and booming. Some of the best Indian food in the world is in London!! Try it!

Susan
ExPat living in Ireland