Do Buses Run In London On Christmas Day
Picture this: it’s Christmas morning in London. You’ve just demolished a Quality Street tin, your uncle is arguing about the turkey, and you suddenly realize you’ve forgotten...
Picture this: it’s Christmas morning in London. You’ve just demolished a Quality Street tin, your uncle is arguing about the turkey, and you suddenly realize you’ve forgotten the emergency prosecco. Your only hope? The big red bus. But does that glorious double-decker actually rumble through the deserted streets on December 25th? The short answer is: yes, but with a twist that would make Ebenezer Scrooge do a double-take.
Let’s get the big surprise out of the way first. Most London buses do not run on Christmas Day. In fact, the entire network essentially takes a holiday nap. For decades, the capital’s red fleet parked itself in the depot, leaving only a skeleton crew of night buses and a few random routes to keep things interesting.
But then, in 2026, something magical happened. Transport for London (TfL) decided to be a bit of a Christmas miracle. They started running a free bus service on Christmas Day. Yes, you read that correctly: free. No tapping, no contactless, no digging for change in the bottom of your festive handbag.
However—and this is where the humor kicks in—it’s not like your normal bus service. TfL usually runs about 8,500 buses on a regular weekday. On Christmas Day? You’re looking at a hilarious 60 to 80 buses total. That’s like expecting a full orchestra and getting a kazoo and a triangle. But it’s a very determined kazoo.
These super-limited buses are specifically for people who need to get to hospital, to visit elderly relatives, or to escape a particularly aggressive game of Monopoly. You won’t find a packed 73 to Stoke Newington. Instead, you’ll get a handful of routes like the 24, 25, 27, 43, 7, and the 148. These are the VIPs of Christmas transport.
And let’s talk about the experience of riding one of these. Imagine a bus that is emptier than the ghost of Christmas past. You might be the only passenger. The driver will probably wave at you with a mince pie in one hand. Don’t be shocked if the bus plays “Jingle Bells” instead of the “Next stop” announcement. It’s a weird, wonderful, and surreal journey.
What to Do in London on Christmas Day 2026 | Love and London
Now, for the surprising facts. Did you know that Christmas Day is the only day of the year when the Tube shuts down completely? Not even the Piccadilly line runs to Heathrow. So, the bus really is your only non-Uber option. And here’s a cracker joke for you: some routes, like the 24 (which goes to Hampstead Heath), run a service roughly every 30 minutes. That’s a very long wait if you’re freezing in a reindeer jumper.
What about the drivers? They’re heroes, obviously. But they also volunteer for the shift. TfL pays them a premium, but let’s be honest, the real reward is seeing the sheer confusion on a tourist’s face when the bus doesn’t turn up for 45 minutes. One driver told a local paper that the quietest bus he ever drove was on Christmas morning—he picked up three people in seven hours. That’s a bus with more empty seats than a Tory party conference.
If you’re planning to use the service, you need a battle plan. Check the TfL website on Christmas Eve because they sometimes update the list of running routes at the last minute. Do not rely on Google Maps. Google Maps on Christmas Day is like a drunk uncle at a wedding: full of confidence, but completely wrong.
Does London Have Public Transport On Christmas Day? – FNUYV
And a final surprising fact: the service is completely free on Christmas Day, but it doesn’t accept Oyster cards or contactless. You just board and say “Merry Christmas.” The driver might even offer you a chocolate. This is not a drill. I’m not sure if that’s policy or just British goodwill, but I’ve seen it happen.
So, do buses run in London on Christmas Day? Sort of. They run like a drowsy reindeer with one leg tied to a sleigh. They exist, but barely. If you need one, plan ahead, bring a flask of hot chocolate, and don’t expect to catch the 24. As one Londoner put it: “A bus on Christmas Day is like a unicorn—beautiful, rare, and you’re not sure if you dreamed it.”
In summary: yes, a few buses run. They are free. They are slow. And they are the most wonderfully British thing you’ll ever experience. Just don’t rely on them to rescue your family from a dry turkey. That’s what taxis are for. And gin.
