TfL Tube, Overground and buses over Christmas in London 2023: Will TfL services run over the festive period?

Transport for London (TfL) has said it will keep most of its services running throughout the festive period but is advising customers to plan journeys ahead.

Over the Christmas and New Year period between December 23 and January 2 2024 most TfL public transport will be open, except for Christmas Day.

However there will be some planned works and closures which will impact various TfL routes and lines including the Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines, DLR, Elizabeth line and London Overground.

The central London Congestion Charge will not operate from Monday December 25 to Monday January 1 and will be back in operation from Tuesday January 2 2024.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will also not operate on Christmas day.

TfL and Network Rail say they will take the opportunity to make improvements to rail networks during the festive period as services are typically quieter.

These works include improvements to track, signals and stations as well as bigger schemes including HS2. 

"The majority of London's transport network will remain open over the festive season to help everyone make the most of the city, but customers are asked to check before they travel as some essential planned works will be taking place,” said Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner.

“We will be welcoming everyone with cheer and do all we possibly can to ensure that they can travel safely and smoothly."

Here is the full list of planned TfL closures from December 23 to January 2.

Saturday December 23

DLR: Saturday services with no services between Canary Wharf and Westferry/Poplar 

Elizabeth line: Normal Saturday service 

London Buses: Normal Saturday service 

London Overground: Normal service with no services between Clapham Junction and Surrey Quays 

London Trams: Normal Saturday service 

London Underground: Normal service on all lines except the Waterloo & City line which will have no service 

Sunday December 24

DLR: A Sunday service will operate with a 22.30pm finish 

Elizabeth line: A reduced service with no service between Ealing Broadway and Paddington  

London Buses: A Sunday service will operate on all day routes but no Night Bus services will operate into Christmas Day 

London Trams: Normal Sunday service 

London Overground: A reduced service on all routes with no service from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and Barking to Barking Riverside 

London Underground: A modified Sunday timetable across all lines 

Monday December 25

No service on the majority of the network 

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

Dial-a-Ride: Will operate for pre-booked journeys only 

Ultra Low Emission Zone: Not in operation  

Victoria Coach station: Will be open for a limited number of services across the UK. Please refer to individual coach company websites for full details - Coach companies - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) 

Tuesday December 26

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: A normal service but first trains start from 08:30. No service from Canary Wharf to Westferry/Poplar  

Elizabeth line: No service on the whole line 

London Buses:  Sunday service on all day routes with a Sunday night service into Wednesday morning. There are no night services in the early hours of Tuesday morning 

London Trams: Sunday service 

London Overground: A reduced service with operate from Clapham Junction to Shepherds Bush, and from New Cross Gate to Crystal Palace. No services on all other London Overground routes   

London Underground:  A modified Sunday timetable all lines.  No service from Queens Park to Harrow & Wealdstone. No services will operate on the Waterloo & City line or to Kensington Olympia on the District line 

Ultra Low Emission Zone: Back to normal operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

Wednesday December 27

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Saturday service. No service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Poplar/Canary Wharf 

Elizabeth line: A reduced service with no service between Ealing Broadway and Paddington 

London Buses: Saturday service on all day routes and normal midweek night services 

London Overground: A reduced service on all routes. No services from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays, Highbury & Islington to New Cross/New Cross Gate, Sydenham to West Croydon and Barking to Barking Riverside 

London Trams: Saturday service 

London Underground: A Saturday service on all lines including an adjusted weekday timetable on the Waterloo & City line. No service will operate to Kensington Olympia on the District line 

Thursday December 28

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Saturday service. No service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Poplar/Canary Wharf 

Elizabeth line: Saturday service  

London Buses: Saturday service on all day routes with normal midweek night services 

London Overground: A reduced service with no service from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays, Highbury & Islington to New Cross/New Cross Gate and Sydenham to West Croydon 

London Trams: Saturday service  

London Underground: Saturday service on all lines including an adjusted weekday timetable on the Waterloo & City line. No service will operate to Kensington Olympia on the District line 

Friday December 29

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Saturday service. No service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Poplar/Canary Wharf  

Elizabeth line: Saturday service  

London Buses: A Saturday service on all day bus routes with normal Friday night services 

London Overground: A reduced service with no service from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and Highbury & Islington to New Cross/New Cross Gate  

London Trams: Saturday service  

London Underground: Saturday service and Night Tube services will operate.  No service will operate to Kensington Olympia on the District line 

Saturday December 30

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Saturday service. No service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Poplar/Canary Wharf  

Elizabeth line: Saturday service 

London Buses: Saturday service on all day routes with normal night services 

London Overground: Saturday service with no service between Clapham Junction and Surrey Quays 

London Trams: Saturday service  

London Underground: Saturday service and normal Night Tube. No services will operate on the Waterloo & City line or to Kensington Olympia on the District line 

Sunday December 31

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Sunday service and special all-night service with trains every 15 minutes on all routes 

Elizabeth line: Normal service with a special overnight service. 

London Buses: A Sunday night service will operate on all 24-hour and night routes, with certain routes operating at enhanced frequencies and a small number of additional day routes operating overnight 

London Trams: Sunday with an all-night service operating every 30 minutes from Wimbledon to Beckenham Junction and Wimbledon to New Addington 

London Overground: Normal service during the day with no service from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays. A special overnight timetable operates on some routes 

London Underground: Special timetables with normal Saturday start of service followed by New Year’s Eve all night running on all lines. No services will operate on the Waterloo & City line or to Kensington Olympia on the District line.

Monday January 1

Congestion Charge zone: Not in operation 

DLR: Saturday service  

Elizabeth line: Saturday service 

London Buses: Sunday service on all day bus routes, with a Sunday night service 

London Trams: Sunday service 

London Overground: Amended timetable on all routes with no service from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays 

London Underground: Special New Year's Day service on all lines 

Congestion Charge zone: Back to normal operation between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and between 12pm and 6pm Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.