Transport for London (TfL) will run most of its services during the festive period but is urging passengers to plan their journeys in advance, as it did last year.

Passengers may use TfL’s Journey Planner or the TfL Go app to keep up-to-date with closures and service changes.

On Christmas Day, there will be no service on most public transport services in London, but Victoria Coach Station, Santander Cycles, rental e-scooters, Dial-a-Ride, taxi and private hire services will be available.

Some parts of the network, including the Elizabeth Line, will remain closed on Boxing Day.

Services will run all night on New Year’s Eve, apart from where there are planned closures. TfL’s published fares will apply. The Mayor will host the annual fireworks display, so the area around Albert Embankment will be very busy and TfL is advising people to avoid the area if they do not have a ticket to the event.

Walking and cycling routes will be available as usual, although road closures in some areas of central London on New Year’s Eve will affect them. Some Santander Cycle docking stations will be out of service, and some bridges will be closed to pedestrians to facilitate the Mayor’s fireworks display.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car is open throughout the festive period with the exception of Christmas Day.

The central London Congestion Charge will be suspended from Monday 25 December to Monday 1 January, and will apply again from Tuesday 2 January 2024. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be suspended on Monday 25 December only, and will apply again from Tuesday 26 December. The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which covers most of Greater London will continue to apply as usual including on Christmas Day.

Winter Wonderland will run at Hyde Park until Tuesday 2 January, and will be a ticketed event. Passengers can avoid the most congested route by travelling to and from the event via Bond Street, which is a fifteen-minute walk away from the park, or Victoria and Paddington, which are a twenty-minute walk away.

Planned closures will affect various TfL routes and lines including the Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Elizabeth line and London Overground. Full details of all planned closures are available here.

TfL and Network Rail will take the opportunity offered by quiet days over Christmas and New Year to carry out improvement works to railway infrastructure. This will include improvements to track, signals and stations, and larger schemes including HS2.

TfL is also reminding passengers that:

• touching in and out using a contactless or Oyster card means they will only pay for the journey they mak
• the Hopper fare allows passengers to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for £1.75.
• planned works could mean there will be diversions along road routes in central London.

Engineering work will also take place on National Rail services, including closures at Fenchurch Street, Kings Cross and Paddington mainline stations. Passengers can check details here.

The Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “During the festive season, London has it all. I encourage everyone to make the most of the capital’s theatres, restaurants and markets – and London’s world class public transport is the best way to easily and safely get around the city. While most of the network remains open over the festive season, there are some planned works taking place, so I advise people to plan ahead and check their journey before they travel.”

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: ”The festive season in London is a magical time. Whether you are coming to gaze at the fabulous Christmas lights, grabbing some gifts for family or loved ones, or making the most of the many pubs, restaurants, theatres and entertainment venues, or attending a sporting event, you can rely on TfL services to help you get there and make the most of your trip.

“The majority of London’s transport network will remain open over the festive season to help everyone make the most of the city, but customers are asked to check before they travel as some essential planned works will be taking place. We will be welcoming everyone with cheer and do all we possibly can to ensure that they can travel safely and smoothly.”