Everyone travelling at Christmas given '12 week' reminder backed by Martin Lewis' MSE

Everyone travelling at Christmas given '12 week' reminder backed by Martin Lewis' MSE Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert team have also backed this 12-week rule of thumb People in the UK set to travel at Christmas have been urged to remember the "12 -week" rule of thumb. This means that you could nab a ticket for less than you think, provided you time it right. According to Trainline, Europe’s leading train and coach app, there's a simple way to "get cheap Christmas travel for 2026." And all you need to do is prepare. Urging people to "book in advance", it explains: "Train companies in the UK tend to release tickets around 12 weeks before the travel date, usually at their cheapest price. "And, during popular travel times like Christmas, these popular Advance tickets sell out pretty quickly." With this in mind, it suggests people need to start looking now if they are not already. Trainline adds: "Start keeping an eye out around September time to snap up the cheapest deals." In its FAQ section, Trainline notes that while people will be travelling during the festive holiday, Christmas Day itself and the surrounding days may be an issue. Money Saving Expert's 12-week rule Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) also suggests this 12-week rule. In an updated blog on September 22, 2026, it also stresses: "If you're looking to travel during peak periods such as Christmas, New Year or bank holiday weekends, booking as soon as advance tickets go on sale is especially important, as they're likely to sell out faster than usual." Suggesting setting up an alert when tickets go on sale so you don't miss out, MSE further explains that while people probably already know booking early usually means a cheaper fare, advance tickets can disappear faster than seats on a peak-time service. "Normally, to bag yourself a bargain, try to book about 12 weeks before you want to travel", MSE says. It adds: "It's generally best to start looking that far ahead because, contractually, Network Rail, the body that manages the rail network, must have timetables set 12 weeks in advance (though it can be a few weeks later over Christmas and New Year). And so train firms normally put advance fares on sale shortly after. "If you've less time before you travel, it's usually best to book ASAP, as the longer you leave it, the pricier tickets tend to be. Some operators release advance tickets even earlier than 12 weeks prior, though timetables may not be totally finalised. For example, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) often puts them on sale up to 24 weeks ahead for some routes." Will trains run on Christmas Eve 2026? Trainline says: "Most train services shut down early on Christmas Eve, but will run as usual throughout the day." Will trains run on Christmas Day 2026? No. It confirms that there will be "no trains running on Christmas Day 2026." If you need to travel, coach services will be running throughout the festive period. Check coach times and buy tickets for National Express instead, it suggests. Will trains run on Boxing Day 2026? The company confirms that only a "few services will be running on Boxing Day. With the exception of some airport transfer services, such as the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express." Will trains run on New Year's Day 2026? The travel experts note that "train companies usually run an altered service on New Year's Day, with the first trains departing slightly later in the day." Travellers should plan ahead and check whether their specific route will be affected.