Transport in London over Christmas and New Year's Eve

Tube, DLR, buses and trams

Travel on the Tube, DLR, buses and trams will be free from 11.45pm on New Year’s Eve to 4.30am on New Year’s Day. London Overground Services will also be free from 11:45pm until last train times. Tube, DLR, tram and selected National Rail services in Greater London will run all night but some Tube stations will be closed. Night and 24 hour bus routes will run as normal, but there will be a reduction in services leaving central London from 5pm to 3am on New Year's Day.

Remember, you can now view live bus departures from any stop with Tfl's Live Bus Departures board.

Cycle Hire Scheme

Some docking stations will be temporarily out of service at various times throughout the holiday period. Last year there was a big spike in the use of Boris bikes on Christmas Day, when they were the only means of public transport available.

Taxis

To book a licensed black cab call One-Number Taxi (0871 871 8710) or one of the other booking numbers listed on TfL's taxi page. Note that charges will apply. You can also book a taxi using Twitter: see @tweetalondoncab or email tweetalondoncab@googlemail.com. Alternatively, there's always the on-the-hoof tactic of hailing a cab in the street.

There is an additional £4 charge for journeys made between 8pm on Christmas Eve and 6am on December 27, as well as between 8pm on New Year's Eve and 6am on January 2 2012.

Trains

© Scott Wishart

There are generally no trains on the rail network on Christmas Day with a significantly reduced service in operation on Boxing Day. National Rail will operate modified timetables with additional late night departures and a limited number of routes will operate until about 5am on New Year's Eve. Trains on Christmas Eve and the preceding days are likely to be very busy. Book your ticket in advance if you can. National Rail has timetables and tickets.

Congestion Charge

Congestion charge sign

The C-charge is suspended between Christmas Eve and January 2 inclusive.

Coaches

National Express Coach

Everyone wants to get home for Christmas; so, as with the trains, advance planning is key. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, many coach operators will reduce services from early evening, with last departures from Victoria Coach station leaving at around 9pm and 8pm respectively.

National Express (08717 818178; Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) has no services on Christmas Day.

Megabus (0900 1600900; Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from mobiles and some other networks may be higher) has already announced that it will run some services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, linking London and 16 towns and cities in England and Wales.