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Public Transport in London over Christmas and New Year

Here’s a handy guide to service disruptions and reduced transport timetables in London across the festive season

Travelling at Christmas is NOT easy. The festive period always needs that bit of extra planning in London, especially as you’ve got to see one grandma in Essex and another in Yorkshire before the New Year. So we’ve made it easy for you. Here’s what  TfL , the Underground, buses, trams, trains and the Overground are up to this Christmas and New Year. 

Is public transport running in London over Christmas?

The answer is sort of yes and no. Between Friday December 22 and Tuesday January 2, there’s planned work, closures and service changes on the network, so make sure you check before you travel.

On Christmas Eve, for example (December 24 falls on a Sunday this year), services will finish earlier than normal across the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Elizabeth line, London Overground and London trams. This normally means things close around 9pm, but it tends to start being a reduced service from around 7pm. There are also no night bus services on Christmas Eve, so don’t stay in the pub too long and get caught out in the (possibly) rain. 

When are the train strikes over the Christmas period?

There haven’t been any announcements about planned strike action on the network over the Christmas period... yet. But, if the past year is anything to go by keep your eyes peeled and be prepared for your travel plans to change. Check back for updates. 

Is public transport running on Christmas Day?

Everything  stops running on Christmas Day: the tube, buses, TfL Rail, DLR, Overground, trams, river buses, the cable cars and National Rail. The only transport available will be taxis, private hires and Dial-a-Ride. But you can still grab a Santander bike or an electric scooter in the boroughs that have them. 

If you’re driving, note that the Ultra Low Emission Zone won’t operate on Christmas Day, and the Congestion Charge won’t operate from Christmas Day to January 2. 

Are trains, tubes and buses running on Boxing Day?

Tube services resume on Boxing Day, but a chunk of it will still be closed. Buses will also start running from about 5.30am (so you can hit up those Boxing Day sales). The tube and Overground should open at 7am, but parts of the Elizabeth line will be shut that day along with parts of the Overground, so definitely check before you travel. 

Most trains are not running on Boxing Day, with only a select number of airport transfer train services running, like the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express. Network Rail also uses the Christmas period to carry out a lot of its engineering works, so make sure you check back for any announcements. 

Here’s the full list of London bus timetable changes for Christmas 2023, including Boxing Day .

What services are running on New Year’s Eve?

Last year, TfL ran the Night Tube on New Year’s Eve, so that partiers all over the city could get home safe (but you couldn’t beep in for free like previous years, sad face). We’re hoping it’s going to be the same this year, so check back for updates. 

Keep in the know with TfL’s updates here . 

RECOMMENDED: Find some festive fun with our guide to Christmas in London .

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Do trains and buses run on Boxing Day?

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For many, Christmas is a time to stay home, tune in to the Christmas TV and spend time together – which people will be hoping to do more of in 2021 after lockdowns put paid to last year’s get-togethers.

However, life doesn’t stand still for everyone over the festive period and many will be wanting to travel, especially those planning to go and stay with family and friends further afield over the holiday season.

If you’re thinking of taking a local trip, or need to take a longer journey, does public transport run on Boxing Day?

Here’s what you can expect.

Do buses run on Boxing Day?

Buses tend to run most Boxing Days, but on a reduced service.

Across London, TFL buses will run on a Sunday service on Boxing Day.

This includes Night Buses and 24-hour services.

Elsewhere, other bus companies like Arriva will run on a reduced service, though it’s always best to check your local area or route beforehand.

Do trains run on Boxing Day?

Trains will not be running on Boxing Day, with the exception of some airport transfer services, such as the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express.

If you need to travel, Megabus services will be running on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A press release for the company states that they will operate services between Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Bournemouth, among others – as well as running services to Heathrow and Victoria on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Mark Venables, Managing Director of megabus said:  ’After so many families were forced to spend last Christmas apart, and we’ve all dealt with more restrictions this year, we’re determined to help bring as many people together as possible this festive season.

Complying with all current government guidelines, we have over 13,000 seats available for Christmas Day and Boxing Day alone – so we’re really excited to help Brits get around and travel with confidence to see their loved ones this Christmas.’

National Express has also confirmed its coaches will be running on Boxing Day.

For details on whether a specific route will be operating on that day, you can check the live updates page of their website.

MORE : When were Christmas crackers invented and who came up with them?

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Hope for Christmas travel as public transport boosted for 25 and 26 December

Exclusive: coach firms run record christmas day links while train operator restores dozens of boxing day trains, article bookmarked.

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Twenty million Britons who have no access to a car and rely on public transport can look forward to the best provision of Christmas Day travel for decades – thanks to thriving competition between coach companies.

And while no trains run on 25 December, and usually very few operate on Boxing Day, one train operator is promising its most extensive 26 December service for 30 years.

The Independent has identified a surge in the number of long-distance coaches running on Christmas Day. It reflects the general move towards a 24/7 society – and also the growing number of people, both travellers and transport staff, for whom 25 December is not a particularly significant day.

National Express will be running almost 500 journeys across 34 routes on Christmas Day. The highest numbers are between central London and the capital’s airports – with 50 round-trips to and from Heathrow , and almost as many serving Luton and Gatwick.

Coaches from Cambridge, Great Yarmouth and Norwich will call at London Stansted airport en route to London .

New overnight services between Scotland’s two biggest cities and London will be introduced. Travellers can choose from three services from Glasgow and two from Edinburgh on 25 December.

FlixBus will be running an extensive network in Scotland on Christmas Day, connecting Dundee , Glasgow, Edinburgh , Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Stirling and Perth. Cross-border services between London and Scotland, and from Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester to Scotland will also be running as usual.

In England, coaches from Liverpool, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester , Nottingham and Birmingham will run to and from London services running as usual, as well as a couple of Cambridge–London services.

From the West of England and South Wales, airport services to Heathrow and Gatwick will run. And FlixBus will also offer London-Paris services departing from / returning to Victoria Coach Station throughout the day. The Birmingham–London–Brussels route will be running as usual.

Megabus says of its Christmas Day schedule: “We operate over 7,000 miles and serve the majority of our destinations to offer transport choices to our customers.

On Boxing Day the full network will be covered.

Rail services on 26 December are traditionally minimal – but in Scotland, at least, travellers will have the widest range of options for three decades thanks to plans for ScotRail .

Traditionally services on Boxing Day have been restricted to a very small number, mainly in the Glasgow area. On 26 December 2023, though, trains will also run to and from Perth, Dunblane and Glenrothes, and between Bathgate and Edinburgh.

Scotland’s transport minister, Fiona Hyslop, said: “We would encourage everyone to consider the train for all their festive journeys, particularly where they can take advantage of off-peak fares all day, every day.”

No ScotRail trains will run on 1 January 2024.

In England, very few trains will be running on Boxing Day.

The Independent has identified these options:

• London Victoria-Gatwick Airport-Brighton plus some South London services (Southern)
• Tottenham Hale-Stansted Airport (Greater Anglia, with connections on London Underground)
• London Marylebone-Oxford Parkway (Chiltern)
• Clapham Junction-Stratford (London Overground)
• Merseyrail: “Special service for some stations” including Aintree for the Boxing Day race meeting

Very few domestic flights will operate. Those that do are mainly to connect with international services at London Heathrow.

British Airways is operating three flights each way between Edinburgh and Heathrow, and four each way serving Glasgow.

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Boxing day train strikes and Border Force walkouts leave thousands facing travel chaos amid cold weather

Industrial action and snow and ice are likely to cause travel disruption as shoppers and aeroplane passengers venture out on boxing day.

Snow, ice and strikes have caused travel disruption for thousands of Boxing Day travellers in parts of the UK.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across Scotland and for ice in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, roads have seen traffic buildups as consumers unable to travel by train drive to see friends and relatives, watch football matches and visit shopping areas instead. In some places motorway traffic crawled along at 15mph.

National Express and Megabus coach services have also been in high demand as people attempt to reach their destinations via alternative modes of transport.

The AA said it expected 15.2 million cars to travel on UK roads on Boxing Day.

A spokesperson warned that traffic was “likely to build around shopping centres as lots of people seek a bargain in the sales, meanwhile football fans will travel to see their teams”.

Delays built up as early as 10am, with “some serious delays on the M25 and the M6” by noon, a spokesperson said.

He added: “We expected heavy traffic but when you see it in reality, where the traffic information is talking about traffic moving at 20mph and 15mph, it just indicates unpleasant traffic conditions for anyone travelling on those particular motorways.”

Congestion on the A303 around Stonehenge has been blamed on people heading back from Christmas Day celebrations and sporting events.

Footfall at retail sites across the UK was up by half on Boxing Day morning compared with last year, early indications suggest.

Industry analyst Springboard said data up until midday on Monday showed footfall was higher across all three key destination types compared with the same period in 2021.

Footfall on high streets is up by 59.4. per cent, in shopping centres by 46.6 per cent, and in retail parks by 33.7 per cent, Springboard said.

In central London, where bargain hunters hitting the roads around Oxford Circus faced diversions after a manhole collapsed, it was more than double that of last year – up by 139.2 per cent.

But Boxing Day footfall this year has failed to reach pre-pandemic levels, remaining 30.5 per cent lower than in 2019, and sales are expected to dip as shoppers spend less in their hunt for post-Christmas bargains amid the cost of living crisis.

The average shopper is expected to buy £229 worth of items in the sales period after Christmas, down from £18 in 2021, according to research by Barclaycard Payments.

While many football fans were predicted to use the roads to travel to watch games on 26 December – including those in the Premier League, which returned on Boxing Day following a six-week break for the World Cup with seven matches across the country between 12.30pm and 10pm due to the final kick-off at 8pm – the ongoing strike action could affect supporters on further festive match days.

A reduced number of rail services usually run on Boxing Day but no trains are running because of industrial action.

Railways operated by Network Rail, whose workers are striking over pay, jobs and conditions, are closed today, along with Merseyrail, Southern and Northern.

Many of the trains that typically run on 26 December tend to be airport transfer services, which this year are impacted by strikes and scheduled maintenance work.

Passengers with plans to travel from the UK’s busiest airport have not been able to use the Heathrow Express to reach it as the service is closed due to planned upgrade work.

Both Stansted Express and Gatwick express are closed due to industrial action.

In Scotland, railways are also closed as Network Rail Scotland signallers and maintenance staff, who are in safety-critical roles, strike.

Trains are not expected to run earlier than 7.15am on Tuesday 27 December due to signal boxes across the country opening at different times throughout the day following the walkouts.

As well as possible queues on the roads, passengers could experience longer waits at airports as the Border Force strike continues .

Industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union is set to continue until the end of the year, excluding 27 December.

While the tube is not directly impacted by the RMT strikes, some services may be affected and several lines are operating a reduced capacity.

There is no service on the Elizabeth Line and London Overground.

While a reduced service is running on the Circle line.

Anyone using the District line will have to navigate part closures.

No service is expected all day between Wimbledon and Parsons Green, Richmond and Turnham Green, and Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. And until 2 January there is no service between Earls Court and Kensington Olympia via the District line.

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In the Scottish Highlands, temperatures are forecasted to drop to -4°C, while temperatures of around 4°C are expected in Northern Ireland.

The Met Office has advised anyone venturing out for a Boxing Day walk to beware of potential blizzard conditions.

It said: “Snowfall and strong winds could lead to blizzard conditions across some of our Scottish mountain ranges today. Make sure to read our dedicated mountain forecasts for the latest information before heading out.”

The forecast for various popular walking trails warns of mountain weather hazards including severe chill effect and poor visibility.

Both a severe chill effect and poor visibility hazard warnings are in place for the Peak District, Snowdonia, Yorkshire Dales, where wind is forecasted to significantly lower the “feels-like” temperature.

Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia, the Met Office warned.

While poor visibility, significantly less than 50 metres in all directions in some cases, will make route finding conditions challenging.

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Boxing Day shoppers will have to brave travel disruption as more rail strikes begin

As well as a run-down on the industrial action that could affect your shopping plans, we share some tips from Which? on how to make sure you're getting a bargain.

Monday 26 December 2022 02:12, UK

Anyone seeking a Boxing Day bargain may find themselves stuck in traffic jams, as rail strikes force more cars on to the roads on one of the year's busiest shopping days.

There are usually hundreds of trains on 26 December, but Britain's railways will be closed due to a walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union.

Airport services such as the Stansted Express, Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express are often very popular on Boxing Day, as people head away or return after Christmas Day - but they will now also have to rely on the roads.

And to add to the congestion, tens of thousands of football fans will be trying to get to the first Premier League games since the season took a break for the World Cup.

The AA said it expects 15.2 million cars on the UK roads on Boxing Day and, for those unwilling or unable to drive themselves, National Express and Megabus have both reported high demand for their services.

Even if you shop online, you could still face difficulties - Royal Mail has no more strikes planned at the moment, but the union's pay dispute is still unresolved, so there is the possibility of more industrial action soon.

Read more: Who is striking, and when will they happen?

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Many people will not shop at all today - high inflation, mortgage and rental costs, and crippling energy prices have left many households with little money to spare.

Research by Barclaycard Payments found that the average shopper plans to buy £229 worth of items in the post-Christmas sales period - that's £18 less than the same time last year.

Some 42% say they will be looking for personal technology items, with food and drink also expected to be popular.

Harshna Cayley, head of online payments at Barclaycard Payments, said: "The rising cost of living and inflationary pressures have naturally had an impact on the amount being spent in the post-Christmas sales this year.

"Having said that, retailers can take confidence knowing that shoppers still plan to make the most of the deals and discounts on offer."

The guide to getting a Boxing Day bargain

Reena Sewraz, from Which?, says there are ways to keep costs down no matter what you're in the market for.

Make sure deals are genuine:

Some special offers may not be as special as they appear.

Use price-tracking websites to check the history of a price.

Shop around.

Avoid fake reviews:

Be wary of fake, paid-for or misleading user reviews when shopping online.

Red flags include multiple reviews posted around the same time, overwhelming praise, the same phrases popping up in many reviews.

You can sometimes get a more balanced view of a product if you ignore the five-star ratings and check the four, three and two-star reviews.

Be cautious about 'buy now, pay later':

It can encourage overspending and leave you with debt.

Take the time to read and understand the terms and conditions – they might not be the same at every shop.

Earn cashback:

Websites such as Quidco and TopCashback allow shoppers to claim cash back from their purchases.

But you need to purchase your item through the cashback website and it could take some time for the money to reach your account.

It’s still important to compare upfront costs – even the most generous cashback offer may not compensate for a high price.

Watch out for unsafe products and scams:

Which? has found problems with illegal Christmas lights that don't meet Electrical Equipment (Safety) regulations, baby carriers that don't meet safety standards and dangerous children's toys.

Online scams are also rife – be very careful about unsolicited texts, emails and calls from people who may be fraudsters trying to take advantage of uncertainty and the increase in online shopping.

A common one is the message that claims you need to pay an "unpaid shipping fee" with a link to a page where you'll be told to enter your details - so they can be used by a fraudster.

Always check a message is authentic before you click on any links – if you have doubts, contact the retailer using the details on their website.

Know your rights:

Check a store's returns policy before you buy something. Bear in mind that you have more rights when you shop online than you do in-store.

What to expect in the Boxing Day travel sales from Tui, British Airways, Jet2 and more

Savvy sunseekers could save hundreds on their next summer getaway

• 21:00, 14 Dec 2023
• Updated 12:08, 22 Dec 2023

If the chilly Christmas weather has got you down, how about booking a break in the sun to look forward to?

January is historically the busiest month for holiday bookings as sunseekers take advantage of cut-price deals by planning their holiday getaways early in the year. With sales in full swing on flights, holidays and hotels, the deals can be top-notch with discounted prices and plenty of added extras including low deposits, free child places and upgrades.

While we are still waiting to hear confirmation on exactly what kind of deals we can expect to see go live on Boxing Day, previous discounts should give us a good idea.

READ MORE: Christmas comes early with this £99 mystery holiday deal to the Maldives, Bali and more

We'll keep you up to date as the deals start to drop, but before you book your holiday day, keep in mind that cheaper deals could be coming.

British Airways

British Airways is one of the first out of the blocks this Christmas, having launched their big annual sale on December, 20.

The flag carrier is offering discounts on flights and holiday packages across the globe, including cut-price seats on selected routes to Europe and seven-night holiday packages to holiday hotspots including Malta , Algarve and Malaga starting from just £249 per person .

There are also return flights to New York from £356, Orlando from £386 and San Francisco from £415, as well as a range of Avios offers in place for customers to reduce the price of their ticket even further.

Find out more about the British Airways and British Airways Holiday deals here .

Booking.com

Last year Booking.com offered 15% off selected stays as part of their Boxing Day deals. For Black Friday however, they ramped that up to an impressive 30% off accommodation.

We would expect to see somewhere between the two in this year's Boxing Day sales.

When it comes to flying with easyJet , passengers can expect to see money off deals on thousands of flights across Europe and beyond, including seats for less than £20 one way.

In previous years, the budget brand has dropped their Boxing Day deals as early as December, 23, with up to £200 off beach holidays , city breaks and more.

For Black Friday 2022 EasyJet almost broke the internet by offering over 60,000 seats under £25. While it would be brilliant to see those types of deals appearing on Boxing Day, we'll have to keep our eyes peeled to see what discounts await.

Another great website that offers awesome deals on travel and accommodation, Expedia offered up to 30% off selected stays last year.

We would hope to see the same again in 2023.

First Choice

First Choice regularly runs promotions and discounts throughout the year. In preparation for the big rush of summer bookings that take place after Christmas , the travel agent is expected to offer the usual incentives including free child places, low-cost deposits, payment options and money off holiday spends.

During the Black Friday sales, First Choice offered up to £250 off holidays costing more than £2500 and reduced the price of thousands of getaways, starting from as little as £190 per person.

This Christmas we would expect to see more of the same, with great deals to be found on short-haul beach breaks to long-haul adventures in Orlando, Florida, Mexico and more.

Can't wait until Boxing Day to book? First Choice has some super cheap deals on last-minute winter sun holidays departing in January. Prices start from as little as £194 per person for seven nights in Turkey .

Budget airline Jet2 and Jet2Holidays have already introduced some brilliant winter deals with 10% off flights departing between now and March 31, while holidaymakers could save between £100 and £220 on their winter hols. They are also making it easier to pay with pay monthly and pay in three options available.

Last year, the popular travel agent added an extra exciting element to their seasonal specials by running their ‘Bid for a Break’ campaign on Boxing Day. Giving holidaymakers the chance to pay just a few pence for a 5-star, all-inclusive holiday for just a few pence, customers should download the Jet2 mobile app, make their bid and cross their fingers that it is the lowest unique bid to win.

It would be great to see those sort of deals appear once again this year.

Lastminute.com

As a purveyor of cheap deals all year round you may not expect much from Lastminute.com in the Boxing Day sales but last year they pulled it out of the bag with some impressive flash sales from Christmas through to January.

As the name would suggest, most of the best deals can be found on getaways departing shortly.

Loveholidays

Online travel agent Loveholidays has built its reputation on providing super cheap holiday deals, opening up the world to holidaymakers on all budgets.

As part of its previous winter sale discounts, passengers could enjoy an additional 15% off selected hotels in destinations such as Corfu, Majorca, the Canary Islands and the Algarve.

While Ryanair seems to have lots of "sales" throughout the year, some of their best deals can be found in the winter sale.

Always one to watch out for, previous years have seen some cracking deals such as 10 million seats on offer for as little as £29.99, and buy one get half price deals for cheaper adventures with your bestie.

Black Friday with Ryanair was full of fun too with different deals dropping over a series of days to entice flyers to buy. Previously, we have even seen a BOGOF deal that saw two passengers take to the skies for the price of just one ticket, with the best deals focusing on winter and springtime departures.

Speaking of winter sun, Ryanair is currently offering 10% off selected flights to some of our favourite holiday hotspots including flights to Spain, Italy and Portugal from just £14.99

Secret Escapes

Members-only website Secret Escapes offers long-haul holidays at low prices. With offers regularly updated, there are likely to be even more discounts available over the Christmas and New Year period.

Thomas Cook

Last year Thomas Cook offered some heavily discounted deals with hundreds of pounds off trips to destinations including Mexico, Barbados, the Canary Islands and Egypt. Deals were available on holidays throughout the year, with the sale prices ending on January, 31.

For Black Friday, Thomas Cook broke out some impressive deals offering as much as 30% off last-minute getaways, summer holidays for 2024, city breaks and long-haul adventures.

The TUI Live Happy sale is now live with £100 off spend of £1000 and £250 off bookings costing more than £2500 on summer holidays across Europe and beyond. Customers who sign up for a myTUI account here , could alternatively choose to save £300 on selected long-haul holidays using a unique code.

Selected holidays can be booked with £0 deposits, with the cost of the getaway spread across monthly Direct Debits. TUI is also promising to offer more 'Kids Go Free' places than ever before, even in the school holidays, helping to make dream holidays more affordable.

This year's sale also offers up to £300 off selected Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises , depending on departure date and destination.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has launched some big deals in their seasonal sale.

One of their finest offerings includes £60 per adult and £45 per child off prices to Orlando when you book between 18th December '23 - 31st March '24, for travel in 2024 - a saving of £210 for a family of 4. There are also good deals on flights with London to New York for £376 and London to Miami from £412 .

While Virgin will offer many similar deals to their flag-carrying rival, British Airways, they also have some unique routes to delicious destinations such as Havana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic also offers non-stop routes from Manchester to Florida, New York, Barbados and Jamaica, making them more attractive to travellers from the north of England.

As another low-cost flight provider, Wizz Air usually fights off the competition by offering cheap deals in December and January.

In its "Pink Friday" promotion, the airline offered different deals every day for a week in 2022, delivering discounts on over 3 million seats flying to various destinations including Tenerife, Rome and Portugal.

Deal site Wowcher offers a wide range of cheap city breaks , holidays and mystery travel deals . Already great value for money, they traditionally slash prices even further on Boxing Day and into January.

Well suited to flexible travellers, you could grab a weekend away for as little as £99 per person. Sign up for the site and keep your eyes peeled.

Bargain buys for travellers in the Boxing Day sales

If you've already got your holiday sorted, the Boxing Day sales are the perfect time to find big deals on luggage and other travel essentials.

While there are many brands to choose from, some of the best deals we expect to see on suitcases and travel bags are likely to be delivered by the following retailers

• American Tourister
• House of Fraser
• Luggage Superstore
• Marks and Spencer

Online marketplace Amazon is also expected to have lots of lovely deals available for savvy travellers including reduced prices on suitcases , carry-on bags , travel tech , gadgets and so much more.

How to avoid being scammed in the Boxing Day travel sales

It can be very easy to get all over-excited about the idea of a cheap travel deal. To avoid being scammed stay safe and be wary of deals that look too good to be true.

The most common types of booking fraud are:

• Holiday Accommodation: Holidaymakers are conned by scammers setting up fake websites, hacking into legitimate accounts and posting fake adverts on websites and social media.
• Airline tickets: Customers believe they are booking a flight but are sent fake tickets or pay for a ticket that never turns up.

Before you hand over your hard-earned money on Boxing Day, make sure you consider the following:

Is the website legitimate?

Before you part with a single penny, do your research to ensure that the website is safe and legitimate. Many scammers make their fraudulent websites look so similar to big-name brands that you wouldn't even notice at first glance.

Ensure that the spelling is correct and that the domain names haven't been changed - such as going from co.uk to .org or other tell-tale giveaways. You should also check that there is an address and a working phone number as a lack of contact details could indicate a scam.

Read the reviews

Some companies pay people to write online reviews for them so never assume that lots of great feedback means any website is a safe bet. By asking Google to bring up reviews from across the internet you will be able to see more measured opinions and read about other people's experiences.

Look out for the ABTA or ATOL logo

Check to see that the company is ABTA or ATOL-protected before you book to ensure that you will be protected financially should anything happen.

According to the Money Saving Expert website "with ATOL, you can check it's legitimate by finding the reference number on it - this is usually four to five digits long and it may include a 'T' at the start - and then inserting this or the name of the travel company into the free ATOL database . Make sure you get an ATOL certificate when you book a protected trip.

"The process is the same for ABTA as it is for ATOL, so you just need to input the five-digit reference number or the company's name into the ABTA database ."

Protect how you pay

The safest way to pay for a holiday is by using a debit or credit card as they offer their own forms of protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Any company that asks for a payment to be made directly into a bank account or by a wire transfer could very likely be a scam.

MORE ON Boxing Day

Guide to Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year train travel in the UK

The majority of trains will not be operating on Christmas Day or Boxing Day

• 14:09, 13 DEC 2021
• Updated 16:22, 13 DEC 2021

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With Christmas just weeks away, Brits will be travelling around the country to meet up with friends and family.

While remaining mindful of Covid, some might have to use public transport to get themselves from A to B.

However, people have been reminded to check their travel plans ahead of time as trains will be disrupted over the holidays.

Our sister site, 2Chill , has created a guide showing what trains will be running over the Christmas and New Year period.

If you’re using public transport this festive season, remember to protect yourself and those around you by wearing a mask.

Transport for Wales

December 23 and 24: Train services will be running however there is some changes due to overnight engineering work

Christmas Day: No train services

Boxing Day: No train services

December 27 - January 3: Train services will be running however there is some changes due to overnight engineering work

Northern services

December 23: Normal service, subject to some late night changes due to engineering work

Christmas Eve: Details will be published when available

Christmas Day: No service

Boxing Day: No trains will operate across the network, expect a limited service between Liverpool Lime Street and St Helens Central

December 27: Some early-morning trains will not run, or will start forward of their usual origin

December 28- January 3: Engineering work in the Leeds area means routes will be affected

London North Eastern Railway

Trains will operate as normal expect:

Christmas Day: No trains

Boxing Day: No trains

East Midlands Railway

December 23: Normal service

Christmas Eve: Services will finish much earlier than normal on Christmas Eve, with very few trains running after 9pm

Christmas Day: No trains will be running

Boxing Day: No trains will be running

December 27 - January 1: Regional services will be operating as normal but only three trains per hour will run to / from London

January 2: Reduced Sunday strike timetable is planned with two trains per hour will run to / from London

January 3: A Saturday service will operate with three trains per hour will run to / from London

• Most Recent

What to do on Boxing Day in London

What to do on Boxing Day in London, 26th of December, is a question you will ask yourself if you plan to spend a few days in London over the Christmas holidays.

Attractions, shops and public transport have different opening times or may close entirely on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so it’s essential to remember this when planning your itinerary.

Due to the many questions we have received in the last few years about shops’ and attractions’ opening times in London during these dates, I have written this article to easily have this very useful information at hand.

In 2023, Boxing Day falls on a Tuesday, and it is a bank holiday in the UK. Although it’s a public holiday, many shops are open to kick off the Christmas sales, so it can almost feel like a typical day in London. Most restaurants, cafes and tourist attractions will also be open on this day.

Some tourist attractions in London close completely from December 24th to 26th, such as the Tower of London and the British Museum . Therefore, if you plan on visiting any attractions during these dates, I recommend checking the opening hours to avoid disappointment.

Opening times for London Attractions on Boxing Day

Sightseeing Bus :   The London Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus will operate normally on Boxing Day, including the Thames River Cruise.

London Eye : The London Eye will open from 10 am to 8.30 pm on the 26th of December.

Tower of London: The Tower of London will be closed on the 26th of December.

Sea Life Aquarium : The London Sea Life Aquarium will be open on the 26th of December from 10 am to 6 pm.

Westminster Abbey : Westminster Abbey will be open for sightseeing on the 26th of December from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm. (TBC)

Winter Wonderland: Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park will be open on the 26th of December.

St Paul’s Cathedral : St Paul’s Cathedral will be open for sightseeing on the 26th of December from 9.00 am, with the last entry at 4 pm.

Harry Potter Studios: Harry Potter Studios in London will be closed on the 26th of December.

London Zoo : London Zoo in Regent´s Park will open on December 26th from 10 am to 4 pm, with the last entry at 3 pm.

Opening times for London Museums on Boxing Day

Most museums in London will be closed on Boxing Day, such as the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the London Transport Museum, the Science Museum, the HMS Belfast and the National Gallery. Madame Tussauds will open on Boxing Day from 10.30 am to 5 pm, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum will open on Boxing Day from 9.30 am.

> Find out more: London Museums

Musicals and shows on Boxing Day in London

Most musicals in London and Christmas shows will have performances on Boxing Day.  Find out more here: Best Musicals in London and Christmas shows in London .

The Ice skating show at the O2, Disney On Ice , will open on Boxing Day,

Ice Skating Rinks in London opening times on Boxing Day

London’s ice skating rinks will also open on Boxing Day.

> Find out more: Ice Skating Rinks

Where to eat on Boxing Day in London

If you want to book a restaurant for dinner on Boxing Day in London, I would personally recommend some of our favourite restaurants, such as Sarastro for a unique experience, Bill’s for a good meal, a restaurant we love to dine at on weekends, or we would also recommend checking out Maggie Jones’s and the Poule Au Pot. You can also make it a super special night by dining in one of the best restaurants with a view in London .

> Find out more : Where to Eat in London .

Public transport on Boxing Day in London

If you are spending Christmas in London, make sure to check the timetables on Transport For London’s website. In summary, there will be reduced service from the 26th to the 31st of December starting at 8.30 am on Boxing Day.

27th of December in London

As Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Tuesday 27th is a substitute day this year. But in London, all museums and attractions are open as normal.

Related Posts

Christmas in london, christmas markets in london, christmas in london with kids, christmas shows in london: musicals, pantomimes, theatre and circus.

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Boxing Day 2024 in the United Kingdom

Boxing Day in the United Kingdom is the day after Christmas Day and falls on December 26. Traditionally, it was a day when employers distributed money, food, cloth (material) or other valuable goods to their employees. In modern times, it is an important day for sporting events and the start of the post-Christmas sales.

Is Boxing Day a Public Holiday?

Boxing Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Boxing Day is a good day for relaxing and playing with Christmas gifts.

©iStockphoto.com/urbazon

What Do People Do?

For many people Boxing Day is a time to recover from the excesses of Christmas Day and an opportunity to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. Some people choose to go for a walk in the countryside, while others flock to the post-Christmas sales that often begin on Boxing Day. Some people even spend part of the night and early morning queuing to get into the stores when the best bargains are still available.

Boxing Day is also an important day for sporting events. Traditionally, fox hunting was a popular sport in the upper class. Pictures of hunters on horseback dressed in red coats and surrounded by hunting dogs are often seen as symbolic of Boxing Day. Nowadays, fox hunting is outlawed. Horse racing and football (soccer) are now popular sports.

Public Life

Boxing Day is a bank holiday. If Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the following Monday is a bank holiday. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the following Monday and Tuesday are bank holidays. All schools and many organizations are closed in this period. Some may close for the whole week between Christmas and New Year.

Many stores are open and start their post-Christmas sales on Boxing Day. Public transport services may run on special timetables. Many people travel to visit family or friends in this period, so bus, plane and train services can be very busy.

Background and symbols

There are a number of stories behind the origin of the term “Boxing Day”. It used to be customary for employers to give their employees or servants a gift of money or food in a small box on this day. This is still customary for people who deliver letters or newspapers, although the gift may be given before Christmas Day. In feudal times, the lord of the manor would gather all those who worked on his land together on this day and distribute boxes of practical goods, such as agricultural tools, food, and cloth. This was payment for the work that they had done throughout the year.

Other stories relate to servants being allowed to take a portion of the food left over from the Christmas celebrations in a box to their families and the distribution of alms from the Church collection box to poor parishioners. These traditions have evolved into the Christmas hampers that many large employers distribute, although these are now often distributed in the week before Christmas.

Boxing Day Observances

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know .

Elsewhere on timeanddate.com

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day. It is not a public holiday in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a holiday that traditionally celebrates Jesus Christ's birth. It is on December 25 in the United Kingdom.

St. George's Day

St George's Day in England is a celebration of Saint George, a Christian martyr and soldier in the Roman army.

First day of Passover

Passover marks the Israelites' liberation from slavery and their exodus from Egypt around 3000 years ago.

12 Boxing Day Walks In And Around London

Epping forest, essex.

Once home to a royal hunting ground in Tudor times, Epping Forest straddles the border between London and Essex, with more than 6,000 acres of vast woodland and bursting with wildlife. It’s a great choice for a Boxing Day walk as the woodland area looks beautiful on a cold, crisp day. There are a few routes to follow, but one of the most scenic has to be the Oak Trail which starts at Theydon Bois underground station. From there, the signposted route is easy to follow and passes through beautiful surroundings, including fields, babblings brooks and a deer sanctuary.    Visit VisitEppingForest.org

Hascombe Hill, Surrey

Hascombe Hill in Surrey is a 90-minute drive from London, but its postcard views are well worth the journey. There are a few routes to take in the dense woodland area, but one of the prettiest is the Hascombe Hill Circular trail. The signposted 4.2km loop starts at Log Bench, before continuing towards Hill Corner. There are several places to stop where you’ll be able to see as far as the South Downs, but for some of the best views, look out for the sculptural seating along the path. Hascombe Hill is a great place for dogs, so be sure to bring your four-legged friend along, too.    Visit AllTrails.co.uk

Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire

If you’re after a more challenging trail, head to the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire. Just over an hour’s drive from London, the area is home to one of the most stunning vistas in the south east, which looks particularly beautiful during the winter. For a crisp Boxing Day walk that can be completed in a few hours, follow the trail from Rickmansworth to Chesham. Look out for historical ruins along the way, as well as local wildlife such as water voles and robins.   Visit VisitChilterns.co.uk

Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Just over an hour’s drive from London, Hatchlands Park is a beautiful National Trust property in Guildford. Although the manor house is currently closed, you can still head on a lovely Boxing Day walk around the 400 acres of rolling parkland and woodland. There are three main walking routes to choose from, but one of the best is the Wix Wood walk which takes an hour to complete. Along the route, there’s a children’s adventure area and a beautiful bluebell valley. Follow the signposts and watch out for roaming cows along the way. 

Visit NationalTrust.org

Petworth Park, West Sussex

Petwork Park is a little further afield, but it’s well worth the journey if you want a longer Boxing Day walk. With 700 acres of woodland and lush lawns to explore, a lovely walking route to take is the Petworth Circular Trail. The trail, which is clearly marked, passes beautiful views of the South Downs and one of the largest deer parks in England. At the end of the circular walk, you’ll pass the historic Petworth House, (a stunning 17th-century Grade I listed country property). If you’ve got little ones in tow, they can follow a Peter Rabbit activity trail around the estate to find Peter and his friends.    Visit NationalTrust.org

Bourne Wood, Surrey

Bourne Wood is a huge open heathland in Farnham, Surrey. The wood is also an iconic filming location, where scenes from Gladiator , Robin Hood and the Harry Potter series were filmed. Once you’ve made the 90-minute drive from London, set out on one of the walking trails for a leisurely Boxing Day stroll. The routes aren’t waymarked, but the paths are clear. Bourne Wood looks especially majestic in the morning, so set off early for a beautiful frosty walk.    Visit ForestryEngland.uk

Greys Court, Oxfordshire 

Located near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, Greys Court has some of the most picturesque view in the south east. Visitors can appreciate the National Trust property bedecked in Christmas decorations, before heading on a scenic walk around the gardens, which will be open to visitors on Boxing Day. Walk around the impressive gardens, or for a longer route, continue to the Chiltern Hills, just a short drive away.    Visit NationalTrust.org

Box Hill, Surrey

Explore the Surrey Hills on a walking tour of Box Hill. Forming part of the North Downs, the historic area can be reached in just over an hour’s drive from London. Head to the hills on Boxing Day morning and follow the Hilltop Stroll – an easy route than can be completed in 30 minutes. At the top, you’ll see panoramic views of the hills where you can stop for a takeaway drink at the small indoor café. Box Hill is particularly popular with dog walkers, so make it a family affair and bring your pup along, too.   Visit NationalTrust.org

Blackheath Common, London

Just a short distance from Greenwich Park, Blackheath Common is a beautiful green space in south east London. The area, which dates back to the middle ages, is steeped in history, but today, it’s a World Heritage Site. From Point Hill, you can spot parts of Essex and Kent in the distance, and there are a number of vantage points which run along the Thames, too. There isn’t a set trail to follow, so it’s best to do a bit of exploring.    Visit RoyalGreenwich.co.uk

Leith Hill, Surrey

Located in the picturesque town of Dorking in Surrey, Leith Hill has a great selection of walking routes for those looking for a country stroll. There are several routes to choose from, but one of our favourites is the Woodland Trail, which takes around two hours to complete. It’s quite steep in parts, so it’s best to wear proper walking shoes. If you’re up for a challenge, make an afternoon of it and climb the 78 steps of  Leith Hill Tower  for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.    Visit NationalTrust.co.uk

Richmond Park, London

Once a deer hunting park in the 17th century, Richmond Park is London’s largest royal green space. For a scenic route the whole family will enjoy, Richmond Park to Ham House is a circular walk that takes around 90 minutes to complete – passing through Pembroke Lodge Gardens and Petersham Meadows, there are plenty of scenic stops along the way. For a longer walk, follow the Tamsin Trail, a guided perimeter of the park which can be completed in four hours.    Visit RoyalParks.org

Hampstead Heath, London

For a brisk Boxing Day walk, there are several walking routes to take on Hampstead Heath, but the Hampstead Heath Circular Trail has the best scenery. Starting at Parliament Hill, follow the path past the ponds to Millfield Lane. From there, the route continues to Poets Lane (named after Coleridge and Keats who frequented the area), Kenwood House, and the ancient Wylde Wood. Via Golders Hill Park, make your way to the summit of Hampstead Heath, before finishing at Pryors Field. The trail is popular with families, so head here on Boxing Day morning to avoid the crowds. 

Visit HampsteadHeath.net

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We have a hotel booked in Holborn and were planning to travel by train to York from Kings Cross on the morning of the 26th. I now believe there are no trains on this day . I have seen that there is a National Express coach departing at 16.30 on the 26th. Do you think this is the only option? Megabus doesn't have a timetable out for this period yet, is it possible they could be operating an earlier service?

And then would Uber be the best option to get from Holborn to the Victoria Coach Station ?

Also if anyone has some suggestions of a nice traditional looking pub for Christmas Day lunch or dinner, that would be wonderful too! :)

For Xmas day there will be places open but again it may be another month before it's certain which ones. Covent Garden is walkable and usually has a decent selection of places. The main meal is traditionally eaten at lunchtime and places that do open may close in the evenings.

It’s not that trains don’t run n Boxing Day, but the much reduced demand means that the time between Christmas and New Year is often chosen as the time to do otherwise highly disruptive work on the railway.

It might be worth checking with National Rail nearer the time - see their page here

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/228478.aspx

Individual train operators should update their schedules, mainly around engineering works.

In previous years however very limited trains have run on 26th.

The National Express coach would be a good bet. See if Megabus schedule something else nearer the time.

I have also checked Flixbus but they don't list York as a destination.

I wouldn't expect ANY pub to be open on Christmas day. There will be a few restaurants open, especially those in hotels. You should be able to find one that will be serving traditional English Christmas dinner.

All of the Pubs where I live always open Christmas Day until 2pm

Totally agree taurean, all the pubs in our area are open lunchtime on Xmas Day.

And I heard recently that one or two are opening in the evening to allow for those who want to escape and have a quiet time!!

pubs in residential areas traditionally open from noon to 3pm on Christmas Day. these would be for drinks rather than food.

I think you should search for pubs in a few weeks to see if any offer Christmas Day food.

a taxi on Boxing Day from Holborn to Victoria should be straight forward.

a coach to York maybe less so. could you hire a car ?

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The experts: travel agents on 20 ways to book a sustainable and sensational summer holiday

Keen to get away? Here is how to find a great deal, pick the perfect destination and support the local community

A holiday should be relaxing, but booking one can be a fraught experience, with days lost to endless scrolling, comparing reviews and prices. How can you be sure you are getting a good deal? Travel agents share their tips for the most affordable, sustainable and memorable trips.

1. Book like an agent

“Everybody views themselves as a travel agent and they can be up to a point,” says Paul Sharp from Newcastle upon Tyne, who operates as part of the Travel Counsellors network and has 30 years’ experience in the industry. He says the rise of budget airlines and online booking have led to people feeling confident about organising trips themselves. What is the one thing we should know when doing so? “It is a false economy to book things separately because you have no protection,” Sharp says. He gives the example of someone planning a trip to South Africa to watch rugby, who booked flights with the airline and hotels directly and rugby tickets elsewhere. The game was cancelled but the flights and hotel were non-refundable. If they had been booked together, the trip would have been covered under package travel regulations. “Book with a company you trust and know – there are a lot of sites that crop up and you don’t really know their provenance,” he says.

2. Be an early bird

“Planning in advance is always going to be better value,” says Helen Youngman , an independent travel agent and partner at 360 Private Travel , based near Norwich. “Late deals do exist, but a lot of hotels use ‘dynamic pricing’, which means prices increase as availability goes down. Flights are only going to increase in price the closer you get to the departure date because the fuller the flight gets, the more expensive it will be.” Sharp adds: “Don’t hang on for a last-minute deal because you could end up disappointed. Scheduled flights tend to be available about 11 months in advance, so that is the best time to book. Also, at that stage, a lot of hotels and accommodation providers will have early-bird specials.”

3. If you do book late, be flexible

Jessica Bollinger, who works in the Bristol branch of Danish travel agent Kilroy , which specialises in youth and adventure holidays, agrees that late deals are now something of a myth. “They are not unheard of, but with a last-minute deal there are certain things you’re not going to get. So you have to be really open-minded as to where you’re going to go,” she says.

4. Avoid peak season

The cheapest time to travel is always outside the school holidays, says Youngman, with Christmas and new year the most expensive times. Can you get a good deal if you fly on Christmas or New Year’s Day itself? Sometimes, she says, “but a lot of people are catching on to that trick”. If you have to go in the school holidays, be open to going somewhere off the beaten track. “Being clever about destinations is a good plan,” says Youngman. “In Europe, look farther east at places such as Montenegro, Albania and Georgia. And Morocco is a good summer destination for families.”

5. Midweek can be more affordable

“Midweek can be cheaper, it just depends on availability,” says Youngman. “A Thursday to Monday trip is going to be slightly more expensive than Monday to Friday, but all travel fares are based on availability, so the further in advance you can book, the better.”

6. Take out travel insurance when you book

A lot of people sort out their insurance at the airport, says Sharp, but it is best to do it as soon as you have booked your trip. He says: “Travel insurance doesn’t just cover you if you lose a bag or are poorly while you are away. It also covers you should you need to cancel for an insurable reason before you travel.” This includes illness or a bereavement.

7. On solo trips, consider a group tour

If you are travelling alone, “pretty much anywhere is possible”, says Youngman. “Embarking on your first solo trip can be daunting, which is why small group tours are an amazing way to travel with like-minded people. Some companies I work with are doing specialist female-only tours with visits to female entrepreneurs, co-operatives, makers and bakers. Small group tours are great because they handle all the logistics, include really immersive experiences and are safe. They pick you up from the airport, and from that point onwards, you’re travelling with other people and you’ve got an expert guide.”

8. Have a daily budget

“We advise setting a daily limit for yourself while travelling and then multiplying that number by the days you are away to get the amount to save for your spending money,” says Bollinger. “When you work it out like this, it makes a lot more sense in people’s minds, especially young people who don’t have much budgeting experience. It also keeps you accountable to yourself, so you don’t blow everything right at the beginning and then have nothing left for the end.” To stick to a tight budget, she says: “Cook food as you go along and use public transport instead of tourist buses – this will really help you save money.”

9. Consider all-inclusive options

“If you are going to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in the hotel, I recommend upgrading to an all-inclusive option if possible,” says Youngman, “especially if you’d like a cocktail or two and you’re grazing throughout the day. Otherwise it can all add up and when you check out it costs a fortune.” With active holidays such as skiing or safaris, she adds: “If you have the option to choose an all-inclusive package that includes the activities, food and drink, that is usually a more cost-effective way of travelling. Because sometimes they will really sting you on the extras and it will be more expensive.”

10. Work your way around the world

“A working holiday is a great way to fund your trip,” says Bollinger, who helps people book travel to Australia, New Zealand and Canada by organising working holidays so they can extend their stay. “A lot of jobs will be hospitality-related, but if you go to a more rural spot you can do farm work, and if you have qualifications already, sometimes those can be used. Working holidays in Canada are often at ski resorts near Vancouver, so you get the added benefit of being in a beautiful place to take advantage of the winter sports.”

11. Travel as sustainably as possible

“You can get to most places in Europe by train , so if you are open to slowing down and having a more relaxed itinerary, not only are you travelling more sustainably, but you have more time to absorb the culture surrounding you,” says Youngman. “Be good to the environment you are travelling to see.” She stresses the importance of limiting flights as much as possible, especially internally, and avoiding indirect long-haul options. “We highly recommend ‘open-jaw flights’, which means you fly into one destination and out of another, to limit the number of flights,” says Bollinger. “We also promote travelling for longer in one destination as opposed to trying to go to many in a short time, and travelling overland when possible, instead of taking multiple flights.”

12. Offset carbon emissions with a reputable company

When considering carbon from flights, says Thomas Power of Pura Aventura , a B Corp sustainable travel company in Brighton: “Don’t believe the airline schemes, or anyone else who promises you absolution for a few quid. While 85% of offset schemes may be worthless, there are high-quality carbon credits starting at about £20 a tonne.” These can be bought to compensate for CO 2 emissions. Companies such as “ C Level ​ ​help you at least take positive action to balance your impact”, says Power.

13. Think of responsible travel as a ‘fair exchange’

When travelling, says Power, consider: “What are we giving and what are we receiving? Is it a fair exchange? Is somebody getting something in return for what I am receiving in this transaction?” This applies to everything from “taking a cruise to Venice and not giving anything to the city, to going camping in Sussex and getting a supermarket delivery to your tent instead of going to the village shop or buying eggs from the house down the road”. This concept of “fair exchange” can be beneficial for everyone, he says, by giving you access to unique experiences. “In terms of the economy, the less money that leaves the village, town or city, the better,” he says.

14. Embrace the great outdoors

If you camp out “you are closer to nature than any other accommodation option”, says Brodie Farrow, of the online camping and touring travel agent Pitchup . There are many benefits to this, she says: “It is really good for mental health. It is also a much more sustainable option: the carbon footprints of outdoor holidays tend to be much lower than hotel stays, as people travel by car rather than flying and it promotes local produce and low-impact activities such as hiking in the surrounding area. The accommodation or pitches are much less carbon intensive than hotels, too. And you have a positive impact on the community that you are visiting: camping attracts a higher number of customers at a lower cost than hotels do, which can help to underpin the viability of local facilities such as the shop, the bar and takeaway, and that benefits the wider community.”

15. If you are camping-phobic, glamp

“There really is something for everyone,” says Farrow. “You can get glamping accommodation with four-poster beds if you prefer camping in luxury, or you can go really wild and remote, with no facilities, out on your own and back to nature. I think you would be hard-pressed to say that there is nothing that appeals.” Although glamping has become a fairly pricey option, she says: “Some types are much cheaper than others. You can get some ‘pod-only’ camping accommodation, where you bring your own bedding, starting from £15 a night.”

16. If the weather is terrible …

… And you are under canvas, “try to keep your bedroom a wet-gear-free zone”, says Farrow. “Store and dry wet stuff in your porch area rather than in your bedroom compartment. Protect your equipment by putting it in plastic bags or dry bags. Don’t let anything touch your tent walls or you will have soggy socks.” For activities, she suggests, “swimming in the sea, because you are wet already, or going to the pub”. If you are disappointed by the weather on a non-camping holiday, “as annoying as it is, try to embrace it”, says Sharp. Many people come back from their holidays exhausted because they try to see and do everything when they’re away. Instead, he says: “Have a lie-in, ask local people which is the best restaurant for a long, lazy lunch and, most of all, relax and recharge your batteries – it’s a holiday after all.”

17. For best value destinations, try …

“Go for Belgrade over Berlin,” says Youngman. “It has an underground culture scene very similar to Berlin 20 years ago.” For backpackers, Bollinger suggests: “Some places in Central America can be really affordable. Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala are good options for someone wanting to think outside the box.” Sharp says there are more affordable options in “Cyprus, Bulgaria, Turkey and Egypt, compared with Spain and the Balearics, which are becoming increasingly expensive due to cost of living increases”. If you are looking for a staycation, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cornwall are some of the most popular UK locations on Pitchup, says Farrow, which can inflate the price. Locations such as Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Wight are cheaper.

18. For a trip of a lifetime that doesn’t cost the earth …

“North Macedonia is just amazing,” says Youngman. “Ohrid has beautiful cobbled streets, Ottoman architecture , fantastic food and wine and you can visit the most biodiverse lake in Europe.” Farrow says: “I camped at the foot of Ben Nevis last year before hiking up it. The weather was terrible but it was worth it for the unreal views.” While Bollinger’s most memorable trip was “Interrailing in Europe and finding a way to do things on my own. It was before smartphones, so it was a very interesting experience and built up my confidence in travelling.”

19. If in doubt, follow local people

“Live like a local person by taking local buses and eating in local spots,” says Bollinger. “It is going to save you money, and will also let you experience life in a different way.” Power adds: “People want to go to Peru but they never come back talking about Machu Picchu, they come back talking about the people they met. Buy local and connections will happen for you. In the absence of interaction with your host community, the things you see are just wallpaper.”

20. And remember: you get what you pay for

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” says Sharp.

• The experts

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