Four major London train stations will face closures and disruption this Christmas

It’s time to start considering your Christmas and New Year plans. Will you stay in the Big Smoke? Spend advent with your partner’s family in Scotland? Or catch a last-minute train to be with your loved ones in some other city? 

Whatever you do, you might want to decide sooner rather than later. Getting a train in and out of London over the festive period is rarely straightforward. National Rail likes to take advantage of the fact that most Brits stay in one place over Christmas, so it schedules engineering works during that time to minimise disruption.

Of course, there are still plenty of people who will have to adjust their travel plans because of the closures and reduced services. So, here’s a look at what’s going on at London’s major train stations over the festive period. 

London train station closures for Christmas 2026

Liverpool Street

Like all other train stations across the country, Liverpool Street will be shut on December 25 and 26. Then, no trains will run between Liverpool Street and Shenfield from Sunday December 27 until Sunday January 3, due to engineering work in the Forest Gate area.

Elizabeth line services will also be affected but National Rail has promised that alternative travel arrangements will be in place. 

Paddington

As usual, train services will finish early on Christmas Eve and Paddington will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Watch out for changes to train services between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport, the west of England, south Wales and the Thames Valley from Sunday December 27 until Sunday January 3. Great Western Railway trains won’t be running at all during that period due to major engineering work at Dolphin Junction near Slough. 

Euston

Euston won’t be closed beyond Christmas Day and Boxing Day but there will be reduced services from Sunday December 27 up to Sunday January 3 and London Northwestern Railway trains will run to amended times. Anyone travelling to the West Midlands, north west England or Scotland is advised to check their journey ahead of time. 

Charing Cross

There’ll be no Southeastern trains from Charing Cross on Friday January 1, Saturday January 2 or Sunday January 3. Most services will be diverted to London Victoria, with a limited service from London Bridge.

Other London rail station closures Christmas 2026

• All stations are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 
• London Waterloo: reduced and amended timetable on Sunday December 27 and Monday December 28
• London Waterloo East: no Southeastern trains on Sunday December 27 and Monday December 28
• London Cannon Street: no Southeastern trains on Sunday December 27 and Monday December 28

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