Train passengers are being warned they will pay over the odds for booking tickets at the wrong time this Christmas.
Passengers are urged to book their train travel in the first week of November or face paying 29% more on ticket fares.
New data from Trainline reveals that Saturday, December 21 will be the busiest day for train travel this festive season, followed by Monday, December 23, when thousands of passengers are expected to flock to train stations.
As such, booking your train well in advance is recommended to avoid the Christmas travel chaos and pricier fares.
Trainline says now is the best time to book to make the most of the cheaper prices before they sell out, adding that some routes have greater savings than others.
The train company said passengers can save up to 29% off fares on the popular London Euston to Birmingham New Street route by booking now, while those travelling from Euston to Glasgow Central can save up to 27%.
Sakshi Anand, UK general manager for Trainline, said: “This is the perfect time for people to start planning their journeys home for Christmas.
“By acting now and booking their tickets in advance, travellers can make great savings on their festive trip home and beat the rush to get a spot on their desired train”.
Train tickets in the UK normally go on sale around 12 weeks before the departure date and usually at their cheapest price, so buying in advance can result in big savings.
Trainline says passengers can save an average of 61% by booking early – and with just eight weeks to go until Christmas, now is the perfect time to book.
Passengers should also be aware that train services don’t run as frequently over the festive period and planned engineering work is due to take place on several routes over Christmas and New Year, so it’s worth bearing this in mind when planning your travel.
Train services will run as usual on Christmas Eve but may end slightly earlier than normal, and no trains will run on Christmas Day. No trains will run on Boxing Day, except for a handful of airport transport services.
As for New Year’s Eve, services will be running but may end a bit earlier, while on New Year’s Day services may start a bit later than normal.
Major engineering works will also be taking place at the following stations over Christmas and New Year which may cause disruption to travel:
London Liverpool Street station
Closed for eight days between December 25, 2024 and January 2, 2025. During this time Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains will depart from Stratford and London Overground services will terminate at London Fields.
London Paddington station
Closed for three days from December 27 to 29, 2024. Some GWR trains will run to London Euston, but the majority of trains will terminate at Reading or Ealing Broadway. Passengers will be diverted to the Elizabeth line to complete their journey.
Thameslink and East Midlands Railway
Due to planned engineering works north of London St Pancras International station between December 21 and 29, 2024, no East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains will run between St Pancras and Bedford and no Thameslink services between St Pancras and Harpenden.
Crewe station closed (West Coast Main Line)
Between December 27, 2024 and January 3, 2025, Crewe station will be closed. There will be reduced services between London and Liverpool and Manchester during this period.