With Christmas just three weeks away, London North Eastern Railway is getting ready for thousands of customers who will be travelling during the Festive period.

Most importantly, it is advising people to plan ahead and reserve a seat.

This is one of the company’s busiest times of the year, and it will have an additional 60 staff from across its business to provide support for colleagues working at stations.

Tickets for Christmas travel were released in mid-September, since when bookings for the period from 20th to 24th December 2024 are up by 67 per cent compared with the same period last year, and overall, more than 120,000 bookings have already been made for the Christmas period, with the most popular days for travelling being Saturday, 21st December and Friday, 27th December, with the most popular journeys being from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley.

From Wednesday, 11th December, menus will take on a festive feel, with customers in First Class enjoying complimentary service, whilst customers travelling in Standard can use the ‘Let’s Eat At Your Seat’ service to order refreshments for delivery directly to their seat. Members of LNER Perks loyalty programme can also take advantage of a boosted 25 per cent at seat service discount during December 2024.

The Christmas menu First Class includes a vegetarian chestnut and stuffing ‘sausage’ roll paired with Christmas ketchup, and overnight oats with orange and cranberries.

Also, back on the menu is the popular cheese and Christmas slaw sandwich, which can be followed by a chocolate and hazelnut dessert pot.

Inevitably, space is at a premium on trains at this time of year, and if possible, customers should only bring what they can carry.

For customers with extra luggage, London North Eastern Railway is working with the shipping specialist Sherpr to provide a new Luggage Buddy service where a courier service will arrange to collect a customer’s luggage and deliver it directly to the customer’s final destination.

London North Eastern Railway stations have been adorned with Christmas trees and decorations, and the LNER mascot, Eleanor, features in an Advent Calendar full of surprises when she arrives at stations wearing her favourite Christmas jumper to spread cheer.

On-board the train, a new podcast, Routes, hosted by Clara Amfo, has festive stories told by big name guests. For young children, Christmas activity packs full of puzzles, stickers and games will be available on board trains from Friday, 20 December.

“The Christmas period is an exciting time for LNER and our customers. Our plans in place for the festive period mean that our customers can travel with confidence and have some festive fun along the way. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers, both those who’ve travelled with us before and those joining us for the first time at this special time of year.”

Colette Casey, London North Eastern Railway Customer Experience Director