ScotRail has revealed its plans for Christmas and New Year train services, highlighting that it will provide more trains on Boxing Day than in previous years.

Last year, Scotland’s rail operator increased its Boxing Day services, and this year, it is increasing them further.

In previous years, ScotRail has only operated train services in the Strathclyde area on Boxing Day, but this year is extending that and running more trains.

As in 2023, services will run to and from Perth, Alloa, Dunblane, and between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Additionally, this year, train services will also run from Edinburgh to Dundee / Leven and between Dundee and Arbroath. ScotRail points out that this will provide more options for more passengers to travel by rail to visit friends and family across Scotland.

December services

ScotRail will introduce a new timetable on Sunday, 15 December. It describes most of the timetable changes as “minor”, but urges passengers to check their regular journeys in advance.

As it did last year, the operator will run enhanced services at weekends in the run-up to Christmas, including extra late-night trains adding carriages to trains.

Christmas and New Year

On both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the last trains of the day will depart earlier than on the usual timetable. Although a normal service will operate between Friday, 27 December, and Monday, 30 December inclusive, on other days, different timetables will apply.

As usual, no trains will run on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Check before travelling

ScotRail is encouraging passengers to plan ahead and check their journeys, using the ScotRail app or website, which has full information on the Christmas timetable.

“This is always a special time of year for people whether they’re visiting family and friends, shopping, or going on nights out, so we are delighted to be able to provide extra seats and extra services for customers to do that.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director