If you’re planning to travel into London this festive season, here’s everything you need to know about transport and driving charges during Christmas and New Year.
The £15-a-day Congestion Charge for driving in Central London will be suspended between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. However, the £12.50-a-day Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) will remain in effect throughout the festive period, except on Christmas Day.
The Ulez, which was controversially expanded last year to cover all of London’s boroughs, applies to vehicles that do not meet specific emissions standards. Petrol cars must generally be registered after 2005 and diesel cars after 2015 to avoid the fee. Drivers in non-compliant vehicles risk a £180 penalty charge notice if payment is not made by midnight on the third day after entering the zone.
For heavy vehicles like lorries, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will also remain in operation during the holidays, requiring vehicles to meet emissions standards or face charges of up to £300 per day.
Public transport will see significant changes over the festive period. There will be no services running on Christmas Day, and a limited schedule will operate on Boxing Day. On Christmas Eve, buses will run as usual, but there will be no night services or 24-hour routes into Christmas Day.
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that most Underground lines, trams, the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, and Overground services will run all night on New Year’s Eve, though the Waterloo & City line will not. Special bus services will operate on New Year’s Eve, with some day routes extended into the night. Free Tube travel, a tradition dating back to 2000, was discontinued during the pandemic in 2020 and has not been reinstated.
Alternative transport options, such as Santander Cycles, rental e-scooters, and Dial-a-Ride services, will be available throughout the festive season, including on Christmas Day. The IFS Cloud Cable Car will remain open every day except Christmas Day.
New Year’s Eve will also see road closures in parts of Central London as the Mayor’s annual fireworks display returns. If you plan to visit the event, remember that access to the Victoria Embankment area is ticketed. Some Santander Cycle docking stations and bridges will be out of service due to road and pedestrian restrictions.
Planned engineering works will cause disruptions on both National Rail and TfL services. Major closures include Liverpool Street Station from December 27 to January 1, Paddington Station from December 27 to 29, and King’s Cross to Luton services on Thameslink and East Midlands Railway from December 21 to 29. TfL will also close sections of the Piccadilly line between King’s Cross St Pancras and Cockfosters on January 4 and 5 to prepare for new trains. Travellers are advised to check their journeys before setting out, as timetables will vary.
TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, Claire Mann, said "This festive period, we are once again excited to help Londoners and visitors experience all the entertainment, culture, bars, and restaurants and shops that the capital has to offer. TfL's services are the best way to easily and safely get around the city.
"The majority of the transport network will continue to operate over the festive period, ensuring that all customers can travel across London in affordable and green ways. We ask that customers check before they travel as planned works are taking place."
