Check before you travel: major engineering work is taking place this Christmas.

No trains will run to or from Birmingham New Street station from 24 to 28 December 2026 while Network Rail carry out improvement work, and fewer trains are running on several routes between Christmas and New Year. Please plan ahead, make a reservation and check your journey itinerary carefully this Christmas.

Trains wrap up early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and start later on 27 December and 1 January.

Read more

Festive tickets available now

Heading home to see your loved ones, trip to the Christmas markets, or panto with the kids? Tickets for all travel dates over Christmas and New Year are now on sale, so you can start making plans for the festive period. Buy tickets now.

We’re lifting Peak restrictions

To keep you moving this Christmas and help you save those pennies, we’re lifting our Peak restrictions. That means that all Avanti West Coast services from Friday 18 December to Sunday 3 January inclusive are Off-Peak. Buy an Off-Peak ticket for these dates and get all the flexibility you need – travel at any time.

Planned engineering work

Network Rail are carrying out major upgrade work over the festive period. Click or tap your intended travel date below to find out more. Our journey planner will find you the best way from A to B, even during engineering work.

Want to find out more?

Network Rail will be carrying out vital maintenance and improvement work this Christmas and New Year. This includes the renewal of ageing overhead line equipment at Birmingham New Street which will help provide safer and more reliable journeys. Check out how engineering work will affect other routes and train operators up and down the rail network this Christmas. Read more on the Christmas and New Year 2026/27 Travel Summary.

Last direct Avanti West Coast trains

Due to the start of major engineering work this Christmas and New Year, trains finish much earlier than usual on 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 31 December (New Year’s Eve). Most of the last trains of the day will leave their origin stations before 8pm, with our longest distance routes setting off before 5pm, so be sure to check before you travel and arrive in plenty of time for your train.

The last direct trains to and from our key destinations are listed below. If your destination isn’t listed, just pop your journey details into our journey planner and then try clicking ‘See later trains’ until you find the last one.

Last Avanti West Coast trains on Christmas Eve (24 December)

Last Avanti West Coast trains on New Year’s Eve (31 December)

Luggage, actually

At this busy time of year, it's more important than ever that you only bring luggage onboard that you can manage by yourself.

You can bring a maximum of three items of luggage onboard with you and your largest bag should not exceed 30 x 70 x 90cm in size. To make best use of our onboard luggage storage, it may be best to bring two small cases rather than one large one.

Luggage must be able to be stored safely onboard, never blocking aisles, doorways or seats, and please make sure you can get on and off the train safely with your bags.

Just like on a plane, small bags can be stored under your seat and small/medium suitcases should go in the overhead luggage racks. Our large luggage stacks should be used for cases that won't fit overhead.

First Class treats this Christmas

Our festive First Class menu is coming soon, and you deserve a treat. The Christmas menu will be available onboard from 2 to 24 December 2026 and you can sneak a peek at the treats in store very soon...