It’s official: Nothing beats London for Christmas shopping. In new data from Trainline, the busiest train route over the Christmas period last year was Birmingham New Street to London Euston. And, while we should be supporting the Birmingham economy, it’s hard to argue with all that the capital offers—especially when it’s so easy to get to.
On a train ride that can take less than an hour and a half, it’s likely to be just as busy again this year, with other busy routes including links from London to Manchester, Milton Keynes and Edinburgh. So with Christmas fast approaching—it’s a week tomorrow (Thursday, December 18)—here’s when you should be travelling…
When is the best time to travel by train this Christmas?
The Saturday before Christmas (this year, December 20) has been consistently the busiest day to travel for the past two years. Demand is typically highest in the late morning, with the single busiest hour falling between 10am and 11am. Meanwhile, New Year’s Day is the quietest day to travel, a perfect moment to visit family or to return home.
Early mornings and late evenings remain the quietest times to travel over the festive period, with passenger numbers dropping sharply later in the day. On 1 January 2025, for example, the number of passengers travelling fell by more than half between 4-5pm and 5-6pm. Passengers should note, however, that train services typically do not begin until sometime between 5am and 6am.
Sarah Helppi, UK Country Director at Trainline, said: “Christmas is one of the busiest times of year on the rail network, but our data shows there are clear ways for people to travel more smoothly and save money. Booking early and travelling at quieter times of day can make a real difference, helping customers enjoy a stress-free journey this festive season.”
The busiest routes over the Christmas period last year:
- Birmingham New Street ↔ London Euston
- London Euston ↔ Manchester Piccadilly
- London Euston ↔ Milton Keynes Central
- Gatwick Airport ↔ London Victoria
- Edinburgh Waverley ↔ London King’s Cross