Christmas Day Travel

@Gail different country different rules. It's a holiday and they mean HOLIDAY! Been There, Done That so speak from experience. This is what to expect on Christmas Day in London: London Underground No services, all stations closed Buses No daytime or night buses Docklands Light Railway No service Tramlink No service Riverboats No service National Rail No service Gatwick Express Replacement coaches available between Victoria and Gatwick Heathrow Express Replacement coaches available between Heathrow and Paddington
Taxis If you can find an available black cab, add an extra £4 holiday charge to the fare IN answer to the poster's query I would say not easy to get to Dover that day. Nigel?

Sigh-ok I was worried about that. So it sounds like I can get from Heathrow to a hotel at least-maybe?

It is my understanding that ALL public transportation in the UK is shut down on Christmas day. And there is only limited service on Boxing Day (Dec. 26th).

I can't imagine all public transportation is shut down on 12/25. I imagine it would be like in the US, very limited but to me it would be like NYC shutting down subway, bus, trains totally. There are plenty of people on this site who live in UK who would probably be able to help you out, especially Nigel who is font of information and lives in UK. Good luck.

I wouldn't advise anyone to arrive in Britain on Christmas Day unless they had friends or family who could meet them at the airport and provide accommodation and food. Some restaurants will be open, particularly at midday, but generally only for customers who have pre-booked a special Christmas meal. Hotel restaurants near the airport may be open. There may be taxis at Heathrow, but prices will be higher and you could have to wait. There may well be no trains to Dover on 26th December either. Most lines are completely closed over the Christmas period, and it is used for disruptive maintenance like replacing bridges and tracks. For most people in Britain, this is what they are used to and it is not seen as an inconvenience. Public transport is run as a commercial business, and if a journey is not profitable, it doesn't run.

Stephanie Bob is right that pretty much everything in Britain is closed on Christmas Day. But, as Claudia points out, in the last couple of years Heathrow Express has run a skeleton bus service to Paddington, so you should be able to get at least that far. The alternative is a hire car direct to Dover. You'll pay a premium - I would guess it would cost around £250 - but it might still be more convenient than a hotel. Especially since travel on the 26th won't be great. These people have a ready reckoner for estimating journeys, and you could try googling for other companies and mailing for quotes. http://www.promptexecutivehire.co.uk/ Cheers Alan

Thank you for all the information-we will just have to make due with being in London for a few days-never a bad thing. =)

Incidentally Dover was one of the last places in England to have a rail service from London on Christmas Day - back in 1968. Boxing Day services were withdrawn in 1975. The tube ran a very basic Christmas Day service through the 70s but took so little revenue that it wasn't worth having staff at stations to collect or sell fares for the last few years before it was abandoned. The Heathrow and Gatwick expresses have run for 15 years or so, but in many years are substitute buses.

Being in London is NEVER a bad thing so make the best of it. Personally, I've found that walking around on Christmas most enjoyable and relaxing. Truly fun to see families out and about enjoying themselves. New prams. New coats and hats. New toys. Smiling faces. Laughter. Attending an afternoon service, listening to the choir. Christmas lights aglow. It's peaceful. Golden Tours and London Walks have programs on Christmas day. There after more Christmas sales on Boxing Day then there used to be. Many ethnic restaurants open on Christmas Day. You won't starve. Checkout Timeout London on line before you leave or grab a copy at LHR. Always a great resource.

Thanks for the shoutouts but I'm not really needed on this one. The other answers are correct. The Underground runs to a special schedule on Boxing Day, not at all on Christmas Day. I don't think you will find it easy to get to Dover. Claudia has it to a "T". Marco is correct.

i am probably being conservative, but having been in London over Christmas a few times, I would be sure to have Christmas dinner booked, either at my hotel or a nearby restaurant. I would also have some pasties or something else to eat stored in my hotel room otherwise, lots to see just by walking around. enjoy