Christmas week brings multiple bank holidays: 25 and 26 December in England and Wales, 25 and 26 December plus 2 January in Scotland, and 1 January across the UK. These dates alter public services, timetables and some payments. The Scottish Government confirms 2 January 2026 as a national holiday. Plan on the basis that most routine services will not operate on those days and some on the eves will reduce hours.
Road traffic is expected to be exceptionally heavy. The RAC forecasts a record 37.5 million leisure trips in the week to Thursday 25 December, with particularly busy periods on Saturday 20 December and on Christmas Eve. Drivers should allow extra time, check local conditions, and avoid peak periods where possible.
One major planned closure will affect Hampshire: the M27 will shut in both directions between junctions 9 (Whiteley) and 11 (Fareham) from 20:00 on Wednesday 24 December until 04:00 on Sunday 4 January. Diversions will run via the A27; queues are likely during the day.
On the railways, services finish earlier than usual on Wednesday 24 December. There are no National Rail trains on Christmas Day and only a very limited Boxing Day service on selected operators including Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express. Passengers should check journey planners repeatedly as timetables update.
Engineering works will reshape travel into and out of London. Network Rail is closing London Liverpool Street to trains for eight days from Thursday 25 December to Thursday 1 January for tunnel and station works; services are diverted to Stratford or other terminals. At London Waterloo, no trains run to or from the station on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December, with a reduced timetable from Monday 29 December to Sunday 4 January.
Transport for London services will wind down earlier than normal on Christmas Eve and will not run on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, there is no Elizabeth line service and parts of London Overground and the Tube operate reduced or no service. TfL will run through the night on New Year’s Eve; check operator channels before travel.
Road user charging in London changes over the period. The Congestion Charge does not apply from 25 December through the New Year’s Day bank holiday inclusive. ULEZ and the LEZ continue to operate every day of the year except that ULEZ is suspended on Christmas Day only. The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels user charge applies 06:00–22:00 daily but is not charged on Christmas Day.
Cross‑Channel ferries will pause at Dover: the port closes at 15:30 on Christmas Eve and reopens at 07:30 on Boxing Day. Operators advise arriving only within normal check‑in windows and allowing for queues at peak times.
Air travel remains busy. The UK Civil Aviation Authority expects around 460,000 passengers on Friday 19 December, the peak day, and about 160,000 travellers on Christmas Day itself, higher than last year. Passengers should confirm flight status and airport transport options in advance. Planned industrial action at London Luton by DHL staff handling easyJet operations is scheduled 03:00 on 19–22 December and 03:00 on 26–29 December; easyJet says it aims to operate but disruption is possible.
Coaches fill some gaps. National Express has added around 45,000 seats between 20 December and 4 January and will run 355 Christmas Day services serving 96 locations, including routes to major airports. Pre‑booking is recommended due to high demand.
Primary care availability changes over bank holidays. Most GP surgeries close on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January (and 2 January in Scotland). NHS 111 is available 24/7 online and by phone and can arrange urgent prescriptions; use 999 only for life‑threatening emergencies such as signs of a heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties.
Community pharmacy cover operates on a rota basis; many pharmacies are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day but at least one should be open locally. Use the NHS pharmacy finder for confirmed opening times and rely on pharmacist advice for minor illnesses.
Benefit payment timing will also shift. Universal Credit may be paid early if it is due between Thursday 25 December 2025 and Friday 2 January 2026; in practice, payments due on bank holidays are usually made the working day before. Child Benefit follows separate holiday schedules published by HMRC. If a payment does not arrive, contact the office that pays the benefit.
For most households and travellers the practical window to act is now. Check live information before setting out, expect diversions around the M27 closure, allow for London rail blockades, and factor London charging rules into any car trips. For health needs over the holidays, start with NHS 111 online or by phone and keep 999 for genuine emergencies.