Don’t leave Christmas to chance, book your train travel early

Every year the same story plays out: December creeps up, trains fill up, and prices shoot up. If you’ve ever found yourself paying double for a seat next to the luggage rack or standing all the way to your destination, this one’s for you.

Image credit: Vladimir Srajber | Pexels

Here’s everything you need to know to make Christmas rail travel painless, affordable, and maybe even enjoyable.

1. The Early Bird Really Does Save

Train operators release Advance tickets several weeks ahead. These are usually the cheapest fares available. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Book early and you’ll often save 30 to 60 percent on the same journey.

Trains around Christmas week get snapped up first. Demand peaks on the last working day before Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve. If you can, book those journeys as soon as timetables open.

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2. Know Your Travel Dates Before You Book

If your plans are flexible, you’ll have more luck. Check when the main Christmas engineering works take place, especially on major routes like London to the North West, Bristol, or Scotland.

Most operators publish their Christmas timetables by late October, so it’s worth setting a reminder to double-check before buying your tickets.

The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.

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The TrainSplit app helps you find better fares by splitting your tickets. Available on iOS and Android, just search for TrainSplit in your app store and start saving today!

3. Split Tickets, Save Money

Split tickets aren’t a gimmick; they’re one of the simplest ways to cut fares without changing trains. Tools like TrainSplit automatically find the best combinations and make sure your connections are valid. The savings can be huge, especially on long-distance routes.

For example, a London to Edinburgh return in December can cost £409.60 on the National Rail website, but with split tickets found on TrainSplit, the same journey comes to just £90.80. A screenshot comparison shows the difference clearly.

Screenshot source: TrainSplit.com

Prices accurate as of 9 October 2025 and subject to availability at the time of booking. Fares may vary depending on time of search, operator, and journey restrictions. Savings shown are illustrative and may not apply to all routes or travel dates. Train fares fluctuate dynamically and are subject to change without notice.

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4. Avoid Peak Times if You Can

If you can travel a day earlier or later, do it. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon trains are usually cheaper and quieter than the early rush or evening crush.

Check off-peak restrictions carefully though. Some tickets that look flexible may not be valid on every service.

5. Keep an Eye on Service Updates

Christmas is the railway’s big maintenance window. Network Rail often schedules major engineering work between Christmas Eve and early January. Services can start later or finish earlier than usual.

Before you travel, check:

• The operator’s website for planned disruption.

• Your route on National Rail Enquiries.

• Whether replacement buses are running and how long they take.

A quick check now saves hours of stress later.

6. Go Digital, but Prepare for Gaps

Image credit: Jacob Lund | Canva Pro

E-tickets are convenient, but they rely on your phone behaving. Download your e-tickets in advance, and carry a portable charger. You never want to be the person holding up the queue because your battery died at the barriers.

7. Travel Light and Smart

It’s Christmas, so there will be gifts, food, and bags of random stuff you swore you wouldn’t bring. Keep it manageable.

• Pack one sturdy bag instead of multiple smaller ones.

• Label your luggage.

• Avoid bulky wrapping; paper tears easily in overhead racks.

• Bring snacks and water, especially if you’re travelling through meal times.

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8. Reserve Seats (Where Possible)

Many train operators let you reserve a seat for free when booking, and it’s worth doing if the option’s available. It guarantees a spot, which makes a big difference on long or busy journeys.

Not all operators offer numbered seats, and during busy periods some trains may be declassified, meaning all seats become standard class and reservations don’t apply. If that happens, try to board early, especially at major stations or at the train’s starting point.

9. Travel Insurance Isn’t Just for Flights

If you’re travelling long distance or connecting to a flight, it’s worth buying separate travel insurance that includes rail cover. Many standard travel policies protect you against delays, cancellations, or missed connections caused by disruption, but not all do.

It’s not something we sell, but it’s worth sorting out yourself for extra peace of mind, especially if your trip involves multiple connections.

10. Double-Check Connections and Last Trains

Christmas timetables often mean last trains leave earlier than usual, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There will be no National Rail services on Christmas Day, and on Boxing Day, only a handful of operators run very limited services.

If you’re travelling late on Christmas Eve, plan carefully, miss that last train, and you might not be going anywhere until the 27th. When possible, travel a day or two earlier and double-check your connections. Even a short delay earlier in the day can disrupt your whole journey.

11. Make the Journey Part of the Experience

Christmas train travel doesn’t have to be stressful. Load up a playlist, grab a mince pie at the station, and let someone else deal with the driving. Trains drop you right into the heart of most cities, and many stations are lit up and festive this time of year.

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More Splits, More Savings! Find cheaper train tickets by splitting your fares with the TrainSplit app. Download now on iOS or Android—search for TrainSplit in your app store.

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12. Quick Checklist Before You Travel

• Tickets booked and downloaded

• Seat reservations confirmed

• Travel updates checked

• Bags labelled and packed

• Charger and snacks ready

• Backup route noted

In Short

Book early. Check everything twice. Keep your expectations realistic. And if you can, build in a little time to enjoy the journey instead of rushing through it.

Because when you plan ahead, the trip to see family or friends can be just as memorable as the celebration itself.

Image credit: Todor Tsvetkov | Getty Images Signature