Check before you travel this Christmas and New Year. Network Rail are carrying out major upgrade work over the festive period, which can mean longer journey times and replacement buses. This engineering work affects journeys to and from London Euston from 27 December to 4 January, as well as journeys between Scotland and the North West from 1 to 14 January. Find out more and plan your journey below.
Planned engineering work
Network Rail are carrying out major upgrade work over the festive period. Check out the summary below to help plan your journey, or click/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.
Festive tickets available now
Trip to the Christmas markets, panto with the kids or heading home to see your loved ones? 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 to help you save those pennies, we’re lifting our Peak restrictions. That means that all Avanti West Coast services from Friday 19 December to Sunday 4 January inclusive are Off-Peak. Buy an Off-Peak ticket for these dates and get all the flexibility you need – travel at any time.
What ticket type should I choose?
If it’s best value you’re after, Advance fares are for you. You can save up to 70% by booking as soon as tickets are released! Check the calendar above to see which dates have tickets available and which are coming soon. You can set a Ticket Alert if your preferred travel date isn’t available yet and we’ll let you know when our great range of tickets go on sale.
If it’s flexibility you’d prefer, take advantage of our festive Off-Peak travel window and try an Off-Peak Return. As long as tickets are on sale for your outward travel date, you can keep your options open and return within one month. Just click the ‘Anytime’ tab in the return box on our website’s journey planner, or tap ‘Open return’ on our app. When you’re ready to head back, be sure to check before you travel to see confirmed departure times on your route and live updates on any disruption.
First Class treats this Christmas
Our festive First Class menu is here, and you deserve a treat. The Christmas menu will be available onboard from 3 to 24 December 2025. Start your day right with our cinnamon cruffin. Keep yourself going with a warm mince pie. Or go all-out with our ‘all the trimmings’ Christmas curry. Browse First Class tickets now.
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.
