With Christmas right around the corner, millions of Londoners will be planning their journeys to see their loved ones over the festive season, and this year the government’s given us an early present.
What the fare freeze means:
The government have announced they will be freezing train prices, saying this plan will “deliver real savings for millions of commuters”. Railway historian Tim Dunn sees this announcement as welcome step towards rail reform.
He said that previously ‘our government … has chosen to put the cost of travel onto the traveller, not subsidise it by taxpayers’.
The freeze is expected to save rail passengers £600 million between 2026 and 2027, intending to help the public with living costs whilst simultaneously boosting economic growth.
For commuters into London, this could lead to real savings. For example those travelling to London for work 3 days a week with a flexi-season ticket save £315 a year from Milton Keynes.
What’s the catch?
Although there are substantial savings to be made, the freeze only applies in England, and to ‘regulated fares’ like season tickets and peak returns for commuters.
Over half of the country’s train fares are unregulated meaning they not only won’t fall under the freeze, but they could even go up in price in 2026!
And crucially, the freeze won’t take effect until next year, so it won’t help with travel costs this Christmas.
Tim Dunn also notes that 23rd and 24th of December are typically among the busiest days of the year for train travel — and this year will be no exception.
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The real challenges this Christmas: engineering closures
According to Tim, the biggest obstacle for Londoners travelling home this Christmas is not price but widespread engineering works.
He says Waterloo will be one of the central stations that will be affected by closures for much of the Christmas period. Services will begin from Clapham Junction instead, which will affect the central south and southwest of England.
Although it is an inconvenience, he argues it’s only a short-term pain.
(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Tim’s top travel tips
There’s only three and a bit week’s to go until the big day but Tim says there are still plenty of cheap train journeys all over Britain.
He gave City News his four best tips:
1. Book in advance
If you want to leave your shopping last minute that’s up to you, but Tim wouldn’t recommend doing the same with your train tickets.
2. Check engineering works now
Tim stresses this is what could affect you most this Christmas. So, check now, at the beginning of December, to see what works could affect your usual route so you can plan alternatives.
3. Hunt for deals
Similar to booking in advance, take some time hunt for a good bargain the same way you would with a plane ticket.
4. Use railcards and travel with friends
Tim highlighted the significant savings you can unlocking with single or group railcards.
So how will you be getting home this Christmas, are you braving the trains or maybe trying to hitch a ride in Santa’s sleigh?
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StandfirstThe government has announced they will be freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.
With Christmas right around the corner, millions of Londoners will be planning their journeys to see their loved ones over the festive season, and this year the government’s given us an early present.
What the fare freeze means:
The government have announced they will be freezing train prices, saying this plan will “deliver real savings for millions of commuters”. Railway historian Tim Dunn sees this announcement as welcome step towards rail reform.
He said that previously ‘our government … has chosen to put the cost of travel onto the traveller, not subsidise it by taxpayers’.
The freeze is expected to save rail passengers £600 million between 2026 and 2027, intending to help the public with living costs whilst simultaneously boosting economic growth.
For commuters into London, this could lead to real savings. For example those travelling to London for work 3 days a week with a flexi-season ticket save £315 a year from Milton Keynes.
What’s the catch?
Although there are substantial savings to be made, the freeze only applies in England, and to ‘regulated fares’ like season tickets and peak returns for commuters.
Over half of the country’s train fares are unregulated meaning they not only won’t fall under the freeze, but they could even go up in price in 2026!
And crucially, the freeze won’t take effect until next year, so it won’t help with travel costs this Christmas.
Tim Dunn also notes that 23rd and 24th of December are typically among the busiest days of the year for train travel — and this year will be no exception.
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The real challenges this Christmas: engineering closures
According to Tim, the biggest obstacle for Londoners travelling home this Christmas is not price but widespread engineering works.
He says Waterloo will be one of the central stations that will be affected by closures for much of the Christmas period. Services will begin from Clapham Junction instead, which will affect the central south and southwest of England.
Although it is an inconvenience, he argues it’s only a short-term pain.
(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Tim’s top travel tips
There’s only three and a bit week’s to go until the big day but Tim says there are still plenty of cheap train journeys all over Britain.
He gave City News his four best tips:
1. Book in advance
If you want to leave your shopping last minute that’s up to you, but Tim wouldn’t recommend doing the same with your train tickets.
2. Check engineering works now
Tim stresses this is what could affect you most this Christmas. So, check now, at the beginning of December, to see what works could affect your usual route so you can plan alternatives.
3. Hunt for deals
Similar to booking in advance, take some time hunt for a good bargain the same way you would with a plane ticket.
4. Use railcards and travel with friends
Tim highlighted the significant savings you can unlocking with single or group railcards.
So how will you be getting home this Christmas, are you braving the trains or maybe trying to hitch a ride in Santa’s sleigh?
