On Trains & Buses

Getting around Merseyside over Christmas and New Year tends to follow a familiar pattern: most of the public transport network winds down sharply on the key bank holidays, while a smaller set of services remains in place to keep essential journeys possible. For anyone planning visits to family, travel to work, or hospital trips, it helps to know in advance what will still be running and when, particularly because the available options differ significantly from a normal weekday.

Across the festive period, Merseytravel brings together information from bus and rail operators and also confirms arrangements for Mersey Ferries. Services can change at short notice, so it remains sensible to check operator updates before travelling, but the published plan provides a clear outline of how the region will be served on each key date.

20^th to 23^rd December: normal services with exceptions

The period leading up to Christmas Eve operates largely to normal patterns. On Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st December, buses and trains run to their usual weekend timetables. Mersey Ferries operate River Explorer Cruises on both days, departing from the Pier Head at 10:00 and then hourly until the last service departs at 15:00, with the final departure from Seacombe at 15:20.

Monday 22^nd and Tuesday 23^rd December see normal weekday bus services across all operators. Merseyrail runs normal weekday services on both the Northern and Wirral lines. City Line services to Manchester, Wigan, Blackpool and Chester operate to their regular Monday-to-Friday timetables. Mersey Ferries provide normal commuter and River Explorer services on both days.

Christmas Eve, 24^th December: early finish across the network

Christmas Eve marks the first significant change to services. Buses generally run to normal timetables but finish early, typically between 17:30 and 20:00 depending on the operator and route. Most commercial operators wind down service progressively through the evening rather than maintaining a full schedule until close of service.

Merseyrail operates normal timetables on both the Northern and Wirral lines until an early evening finish. On the Northern Line, last trains depart around 20:30 to 21:00. The Liverpool Central to Southport service has its last departure at 20:32 from Liverpool Central and 20:03 from Southport. The Hunts Cross service sees last trains at 20:13 from Liverpool Central and 20:21 from Hunts Cross. The Liverpool to Headbolt Lane service finishes with a 20:35 departure from Liverpool Central and 20:11 from Headbolt Lane. Services to Manchester Victoria via Headbolt Lane have their last departure from Manchester at 19:27 and from Liverpool Central at 20:35, though Headbolt Lane to Manchester finishes at 19:48.

On the Wirral Line, the Liverpool to Chester service has last trains at 20:36 from Moorfields and 20:29 from Chester. The Ellesmere Port service finishes at 20:24 from Moorfields and 20:17 from Ellesmere Port. West Kirby services end at 20:31 from Moorfields and 20:01 from West Kirby, while New Brighton sees a last departure of 20:46 from Moorfields and 20:23 from New Brighton. The final cross-river train leaves Moorfields at 20:46, calling at Liverpool Lime Street at 20:48, Liverpool Central at 20:50 and James Street at 20:52 before reaching New Brighton. The Bidston to Wrexham line, operated by Transport for Wales, has its last trains at 20:47 from Bidston and 20:51 from Wrexham Central.

City Line services also finish early. The Liverpool to Manchester service via Warrington Central has last departures at 20:22 from Liverpool and 20:46 from Manchester Oxford Road. The Liverpool to Manchester Piccadilly service via Newton-le-Willows finishes at 20:00 from Liverpool and 19:54 from Manchester. Services to Blackpool see a final departure at 19:39 from Liverpool, with the last Blackpool to Liverpool service at 20:05 and the last from Wigan North Western to Liverpool at 20:52.

There is no ferry service on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day, 25^th December: free bus network only

Christmas Day represents the most restricted day for public transport. No trains run anywhere in the Merseyside area, Mersey Ferries do not operate, and most bus services do not run. Instead, Merseytravel provides a dedicated set of free Christmas Day bus services operated by Stagecoach on selected routes only.

The Christmas Day bus network runs approximately between midday and early evening, generally from around 11:30 to 19:30 depending on route and direction. Services typically operate every 60 to 90 minutes on most routes. The network is designed around essential movement: it links Liverpool city centre with St Helens, Huyton, Speke and Kirkby, provides access to major hospitals including Whiston, Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen, Alder Hey, Royal Liverpool, Liverpool Women’s and Clatterbridge, and maintains some local mobility in Southport and on the coast. Key Wirral links connect New Brighton, Birkenhead, Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital.

Free services operate on the following routes: 10A (Liverpool to St Helens via Page Moss and Whiston Hospital), 12A (Liverpool to Huyton via West Derby and Stockbridge Village), 21A (Liverpool to Kirkby and Tower Hill circular via Fazakerley), 44 (Formby to Southport to Crossens), 62A (Crosby to Bootle to Aintree University Hospital), 102 (Aintree University Hospital to Croxteth, Alder Hey and Broadgreen Hospital), 201 (Liverpool to Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Speke), 410 (New Brighton to Clatterbridge Hospital via Birkenhead), H1 (Mill Park to New Brighton via Arrowe Park Hospital), and H2/H3 (St Helens circular services via Whiston Hospital and Prescot).

Liverpool city centre acts as the main hub, with services based around Queen Square Bus Station and Liverpool ONE Bus Station. With trains not running, rail stations shown on maps are reference points only rather than interchanges.

Boxing Day, 26^th December: partial network with reduced frequencies

Boxing Day sees a significant reopening of services, though on reduced timetables rather than normal schedules. Many bus operators run Boxing Day timetables with services generally less frequent than weekdays. A wide range of routes operate, including most of the major corridors and hospital links, though frequencies are typically reduced, and some routes may not run at all.

Routes confirmed as operating with reduced Boxing Day timetables include: 1/X1 (Liverpool to Chester and Cheshire Oaks), 10A/10B (Liverpool to St Helens and Huyton), 12/13 (Liverpool to Stockbridge Village), 14/14A (Liverpool to Kirkby), 15 (Liverpool to Huyton), 17A (Liverpool to Aintree University Hospital and Kirkby), 18 (Liverpool to Croxteth Park circular), 19 (Liverpool to Kirkby), 20/21 (Liverpool to Kirkby via Tower Hill and Northwood), 26/27 (Sheil Road circulars), 31/32/33 (Maghull circulars and St Helens to Parr), 34 (St Helens to Newton-le-Willows), 36 (Aintree University Hospital to Maghull circular), 44 (Formby to Crossens), 46 (High Park to Hillside), 47 (Liverpool to Crossens), 49 (Crossens to Woodvale), 52A (Liverpool to Netherton), 53 (Liverpool to Crosby), 55 (Liverpool to Old Roan), 56/58A (Netherton circulars), 62 (Bootle to Penny Lane), 63 (Bootle to Fazakerley Hospital circular), 75 (Liverpool to Halewood), 79 (Liverpool to Netherley), 81 (Bootle to Speke), 82 (Liverpool to Speke and Liverpool South Parkway), 86/86A (Liverpool to Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool John Lennon Airport), 89 (St Helens to Liverpool John Lennon Airport), 102 (Broadgreen Hospital to Aintree University Hospital), 156 (Ashton-in-Makerfield to St Helens), 159 (Walton Park to Aintree University Hospital), 166/188 (Belle Vale and Halewood circulars), 201 (Speke to Royal Liverpool Hospital), 204 (Belle Vale to Liverpool ONE), 320 (St Helens to Ashton-in-Makerfield), 410 (New Brighton to Clatterbridge Hospital), 423 (Seacombe to Liverpool), 432 (New Brighton to Liverpool), 437 (Liverpool to West Kirby), 464 (Liverpool to New Ferry), 471/472 (Liverpool to Heswall), 500 (Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Liverpool circular), 602 (Ashton to Newton Hospital), and 921 (Gillars Green to Omega Boulevard).

First departures on Boxing Day typically begin between 08:00 and 10:00, with last services generally between 18:00 and 20:00 depending on route. Frequencies vary considerably by route, with some running every 20 to 30 minutes and others every 60 minutes.

Merseyrail operates a special Boxing Day service rather than a normal timetable, with trains calling only at selected main stations. On the Northern Line, services run between Liverpool Central and Southport, Liverpool South Parkway to Southport, Liverpool Central to Headbolt Lane via Kirkby, and Headbolt Lane to Liverpool Central. Trains generally operate every 30 minutes on these routes, with first trains around 09:40 to 10:00 and last trains around 19:00 to 19:40.

On the Wirral Line, services operate between Liverpool Central and New Brighton, Liverpool Central and West Kirby, and Liverpool Central and Hooton. Again, frequencies are approximately every 30 minutes, with first trains around 09:40 to 10:00 and last services around 19:30 to 19:50. Stations served are limited to the major interchange points only.

City Line services do not run on Boxing Day.

There is no ferry service on Boxing Day.

27^th and 28^th December: normal weekend services

Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th December see a return to normal weekend service patterns across the bus network. Most routes operate to their usual Saturday or Sunday timetables depending on the day. Merseyrail runs normal Saturday and Sunday services on all lines.

There is no ferry service on 27^th or 28^th December, though this is part of the normal closure pattern rather than a festive restriction.

29^th and 30^th December: normal weekday services

On Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th December, services operate to normal weekday timetables across buses, trains and ferries. Mersey Ferries run River Explorer Cruises only, with no commuter service. Cruises depart from the Pier Head at 10:00 and then hourly until the last service departs at 15:00, with the final departure from Seacombe at 15:20.

New Year’s Eve, 31^st December: early finish

New Year’s Eve follows a similar pattern to Christmas Eve, with normal services during the day but an early finish in the evening. Most bus operators run to normal timetables with services finishing early, typically between 17:30 and 20:00 depending on operator and route.

Merseyrail operates normal timetables until an early evening finish. On the Northern Line, last train times mirror those of Christmas Eve. The Liverpool Central to Southport service has its last departure at 20:32 from Liverpool Central and 20:03 from Southport. The Hunts Cross service sees last trains at 20:13 from Liverpool Central and 20:21 from Hunts Cross. The Liverpool to Headbolt Lane service finishes with a 20:35 departure from Liverpool Central and 20:11 from Headbolt Lane. Services to Manchester Victoria via Headbolt Lane have their last departure from Manchester at 19:27 and from Liverpool Central at 20:35, though Headbolt Lane to Manchester finishes at 18:46 on New Year’s Eve, earlier than Christmas Eve.

Wirral Line last trains match Christmas Eve timings. The Liverpool to Chester service has last trains at 20:36 from Moorfields and 20:29 from Chester. The Ellesmere Port service finishes at 20:24 from Moorfields and 20:17 from Ellesmere Port. West Kirby services end at 20:31 from Moorfields and 20:01 from West Kirby, while New Brighton sees a last departure of 20:46 from Moorfields and 20:23 from New Brighton. The final cross-river train again leaves Moorfields at 20:46.

City Line services finish early following the same pattern as Christmas Eve, with last departures around 19:30 to 20:30 depending on the route.

Mersey Ferries run River Explorer Cruises only, with no commuter service. The operating pattern matches 29^th and 30^th December, with departures from the Pier Head at 10:00 and then hourly until 15:00.

New Year’s Day, 1^st January 2026: Sunday service pattern

New Year’s Day operates to a Sunday service pattern rather than a normal weekday or complete shutdown. Many bus routes run, but to reduced Sunday frequencies and timings. The range of routes operating is extensive and similar to Boxing Day, though specific departure times and frequencies follow Sunday rather than Boxing Day patterns.

Routes confirmed as operating with Sunday-style timetables include the same broad range as Boxing Day: 10A/10B, 12, 14, 15, 18, 26/27, 31/32/33, 34, 36, 44, 46, 47, 49, 52A, 53, 55, 56/58A, 62, 63, 75, 79, 81, 82, 86/86A, 89, 102, 156, 159, 166/188, 201, 204, 320, 410, 423, 432, 437, 464, 471/472, 500, 602, and 921.

Merseyrail operates a Sunday service on all lines. On the Northern Line, services between Liverpool Central and Ormskirk operate with a complex pattern, with some trains running every 30 minutes and others hourly depending on the time of day. Services generally start around 09:30 to 10:00 and continue until around 19:00 to 19:30. The Wirral Line similarly follows Sunday frequencies, with trains every 30 minutes on the main routes to New Brighton, West Kirby and Hooton.

City Line services operate to Sunday timetables where applicable, with Transport for Wales and Northern services running reduced frequencies.

There is no ferry service on New Year’s Day.

2^nd to 4^th January: gradual return to normal

Friday 2^nd January sees the return of normal weekday services across buses and trains. Merseyrail resumes normal Monday-to-Friday timetables on all lines. Bus operators return to standard weekday schedules. Mersey Ferries resume normal commuter and River Explorer services.

On Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th January, services operate to normal weekend timetables. River Explorer Cruises run on both days, departing from the Pier Head at 10:00 and then hourly until the last service departs at 15:00, with the final departure from Seacombe at 15:20.

Planning journeys in a restricted network

The main practical message from the festive timetable is that transport availability varies significantly by date. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day represent the most restricted days, with Christmas Day requiring careful attention to the limited free bus network. Boxing Day and New Year’s Day offer more options but with reduced frequencies. The days either side of the key holidays see early finishes rather than full closures.

With trains not running on Christmas Day and services limited on other key dates, journeys that might normally be straightforward can require more planning. Hospital access remains prioritised throughout, but general travel, particularly cross-city or between towns, becomes more constrained. As services may be subject to late changes, updates via Merseytravel, individual operator websites and National Rail Enquiries remain the most reliable way to confirm arrangements before setting out.

The festive period brings its familiar mix of altered timetables and special services across Scotland’s coach network. Scottish Citylink has now published its schedule of services for the 2025-26 festive period, detailing operations from 24^th December through 5^th January. From overnight New Year services to Boxing Day Highland connections, here is what travellers can expect during this traditionally disrupted fortnight.

Christmas Eve Services

Christmas Eve services will operate to normal timetables during the day, with early evening finishes on most routes. The flagship Glasgow-Edinburgh service will conclude with final departures at 20:00 from Glasgow, whilst Edinburgh offers multiple late options with departures at 21:15, 21:45 and 22:15.

Route 902 (Glasgow-Edinburgh Airport via Livingston) experiences significant evening disruption, with the 19:45 Glasgow departure terminating at Livingston rather than continuing to the airport. Additionally, the 21:45 Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport service, the 21:40 Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow service and the 23:45 Glasgow to Chapelhall service all do not operate.

Highland routes maintain normal service throughout the day, with standard evening finish times. Cross-border services to Belfast see selective cancellations, with the 16:20 and 18:20 departures from Glasgow to Stranraer not operating. However, an additional 14:20 service from Glasgow to Stranraer provides extra capacity for those needing to connect with earlier ferry sailings.

On the Saltire Cross network connecting Edinburgh, Glasgow and the north-east, several late evening M-series departures are withdrawn. From Edinburgh, cancelled services include numerous M92 Aberdeen departures (07:35, 16:35, 18:35, 21:25 and 23:25) and certain M90 services to Perth and Inverness. From Glasgow, the evening M9 Aberdeen services from 15:40 onwards do not operate.

Christmas Day Operations

On Christmas Day, a special service will operate on the Glasgow-Edinburgh route 900, with hourly departures from Glasgow between 08:30 and 20:30, and from Edinburgh between 10:15 and 22:15, with no other routes in operation. Special fare conditions apply because these services are classified as premium services. Thus, standard concessionary travel passes, open return tickets and multi-journey tickets are not valid and neither are regular child, student and other promotional discounts.

Boxing Day and Return to Service

Boxing Day sees the resumption of services across the network, though with modified schedules. The Glasgow-Edinburgh service begins early, with first departures at 04:00 from Glasgow and 05:45 from Edinburgh. Highland services include three return journeys between Glasgow and Fort William/Skye, departing Glasgow at 08:00, 11:20 and 16:20. A special Glasgow-Oban service operates with one return journey, leaving Glasgow at 12:15 and returning from Oban at 18:20. Regular service patterns resume between 27^th and 30^th December.

New Year’s Eve Arrangements

New Year’s Eve (31^st December) mirrors Christmas Eve arrangements, with services operating normally during the day before early evening finishes. The Glasgow-Edinburgh route 900 provides multiple evening options from Glasgow at 20:00, 21:30 and 22:30, whilst Edinburgh maintains its late departures at 21:15, 21:45 and 22:15.

Route 902 encounters similar disruption to Christmas Eve, with the 19:45 Glasgow service again terminating at Livingston, and the same evening cancellations applying. The cross-border Belfast services also follow the Christmas Eve pattern, with the 16:20 Glasgow to Stranraer service cancelled, though the additional 14:20 departure again provides alternative capacity.

The Saltire Cross network sees extensive evening cancellations matching those on Christmas Eve, particularly affecting services from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and from Glasgow to Aberdeen after mid-afternoon.

New Year’s Day Enhanced Services

New Year’s Day features an enhanced service on the Glasgow-Edinburgh corridor, with route 900 operating half-hourly during the day and hourly during overnight hours. The first departures are at 01:00 from Glasgow and 00:45 from Edinburgh, with services continuing through the night. The timetable includes late departures at 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 22:00 and 23:59 from Glasgow. Airport services run hourly on New Year’s Day, with buses from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport operating between 09:15 and 18:15, and return services from 10:30 to 19:30.

The intercity network maintains significant coverage on New Year’s Day, with regular services connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh with Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. Detailed special timetables operate across the M-series routes serving these corridors throughout the day.

Service Resumption Pattern

Sunday service levels apply on 26^th-27^th December and 2^nd-3^rd January across most of the network. Regular service resumes between 28^th-30^th December and returns permanently from 4^th January onwards.

Route-Specific Alterations

Several routes have specific alterations during the festive period beyond those on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Route 909 (Edinburgh-Stirling-Dunblane) withdraws its 19:30 Dunblane to Edinburgh and 22:20 Edinburgh to Stirling services on both 24^th and 31^st December, with additional Boxing Day cancellations of the 06:20 Stirling to Edinburgh departure.

The Inverness-Portree corridor sees a consistent midday service gap between 26^th December and 4^th January, with the 13:15 and 13:00 departures not operating. Route 926 (Glasgow-Campbeltown) runs a single return journey on Boxing Day and 2^nd January, with only the 09:10 from Glasgow and 17:00 from Campbeltown operating.

The Inverness-Ullapool route (961) similarly operates just one return journey on Boxing Day, with the 15:10 from Inverness and 17:00 from Ullapool being the sole services. Route 913 (Edinburgh-Fort William) does not operate at all on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day or 2^nd January.

Overview

Everything runs as normal until Christmas Eve when most routes operate albeit with specific evening journeys cancelled. After a complete stop on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the weekend returns to normal Saturday and Sunday patterns, before the network moves into a more complicated late-December and early-January schedule. New Year’s Eve resembles that late-December pattern but also includes additional journey cancellations like on Christmas Eve, then New Year’s Day brings another full shutdown before a final day of mixed arrangements on 2^nd January. From 3^rd January, normal timetables resume.

Normal Service Days

On Monday 22^nd December and Tuesday 23^rd December, normal weekday timetables operate on all route, which this means that anyone travelling to work, college or appointments can plan as they would on a typical Monday or Tuesday. During the weekend immediately following Christmas, Saturday 27^th December and Sunday 28^th December, reverts to normal patterns for those days.

Christmas Eve (24^th December)

Christmas Eve, which falls on Wednesday 24^th December, is where the first significant changes appear. The overall framing is that normal weekday timetables operate on all routes, but there are two important exceptions and a series of specific journeys that do not run.

The exceptions are that no buses operate on services 11 or 22. For regular users of those corridors, this is a full-day suspension rather than an early finish, so alternative arrangements are needed throughout the day.

Beyond those two routes, the main Christmas Eve pattern is about trimming later journeys, a common approach as evening travel demand reduces, and staff availability can be more constrained.

Service 8 loses journeys from Wistaston Green at 19:40, 20:40 and 21:40 and also from Sydney at 20:10, 21:10 and 22:10, while service 8A does not run the 20:40 journey from Hanley.

Service 9 does not operate journeys from Biddulph at 19:18 and 19:48.

Service 12 is affected in both directions, with journeys from Leighton Hospital at 19:25 and 20:30 not running and journeys from Shavington at 19:54 and 20:59 not running.

Service 16 does not run the 19:30 journey from Hanley and the 20:15 journey from Leek.

On service 24, the 20:52 journey from Norton and the 22:08 journey from Trentham Lakes do not run, while on service 27A the 21:21 journey from Bentilee and the 22:08 journey from Trentham Lakes do not run.

Service 31 does not run the 19:08 journey from Crewe, service 32 does not run the 19:13 journey from Uttoxeter and service 85 does not run the 19:40 journey from Newcastle.

Some of the most notable reductions on Christmas Eve are on longer cross-town and interurban routes where later departures can be important for shift workers and evening social travel.

Service 37 does not run from Sandbach at 20:04, 21:04, 22:04 and 23:04 and from Northwich at 19:00, 20:05, 21:05, 22:05 and 23:05.

Service 38 does not run from Crewe at 19:45, 20:35, 21:35 and 23:05 and from Macclesfield at 19:15, 20:20, 21:50 and 22:50.

Service 41 does not run from Chester at 19:00 and from Whitchurch at 19:12.

Service 42 does not run from Congleton at 18:45 and from Leighton Hospital at 20:15.

Service 84X does not run from Crewe at 18:58, 19:58 and 20:58 and from Nantwich at 19:31, 20:31 and 21:31.

Taken together, these changes mean that while daytime travel is broadly weekday-normal, evening options narrow, sometimes earlier than passengers might assume if they simply look at a standard Wednesday timetable.

Christmas and Boxing Day Shutdown

After Christmas Eve, the network moves into its clearest cut-and-dried phase. On Thursday 25^th December (Christmas Day) and Friday 26^th December (Boxing Day), no buses operate. This is a full network shutdown with no route exceptions. Anyone needing to travel on either day will need to look at other ways of getting around in places where no other operator is running services, including walking or cycling where possible.

Late December Mixed Operations

The more intricate part begins on Monday 29^th December and Tuesday 30^th December. On these days, normal weekday timetables operate, but only on services 27, 33, 35, 47, 48, 96, 316, 318, 319 and N1. That group, running as a standard weekday, is important for those whose work continues between Christmas and New Year or for anyone making regular weekday trips such as medical appointments. Alongside that, there is a clear set of routes that do not operate at all: no buses run on services 6, 32, 32A, 34 and 150.

For all other routes not already named, Saturday timetables operate. This pattern of weekday on some routes, Saturday on many routes and no service on a few can catch passengers out if they assume an all-or-nothing bank holiday pattern. It makes checking the right timetable for a specific route essential, particularly where Saturday services are less frequent or start later than weekday ones.

New Year’s Eve (31^st December)

New Year’s Eve, Wednesday 31^st December, broadly follows the same structure as 29^th and 30^th December but with additional constraints. Normal weekday timetables operate on services 27, 33, 35, 47, 48, 96, 316, 318, 319 and N1, matching the late-December approach, while Saturday timetables operate on all other routes.

However, the list of routes not operating expands compared with 29^th and 30^th December. No buses operate on services 6, 11, 22, 32, 32A, 34 and 150. The inclusion of services 11 and 22 in this no-service group echoes the Christmas Eve position for those routes, reinforcing that they are not running on that day.

New Year’s Eve also brings a second set of journey-level reductions, similar in style to Christmas Eve, which effectively means that some routes running to a Saturday timetable lose some later journeys.

Service 8 again does not run from Wistaston Green at 19:40, 20:40 and 21:40 and from Sydney at 20:10, 21:10 and 22:10, while service 8A again does not run the 20:40 journey from Hanley.

Service 9 does not run from Biddulph at 19:48.

Service 12 does not run from Leighton Hospital at 19:25 and 20:25 and from Shavington at 19:54 and 20:54.

Service 16 does not run from Hanley at 19:30 and from Leek at 20:15.

Service 24 does not run from Norton at 20:52 and from Trentham Lakes at 22:08, and service 27A does not run from Bentilee at 21:21 and from Trentham Lakes at 22:08.

Service 31 does not run the 19:08 journey from Crewe.

On service 37, the New Year’s Eve reductions mirror the late-evening pattern but with slightly different detail from the Christmas Eve list. Journeys from Sandbach at 20:04, 21:04, 22:04 and 23:04 do not run, while journeys from Northwich at 19:20, 20:05, 21:05, 22:05 and 23:05 do not run and there is also a journey from Winsford at 19:25 that does not run.

Service 38 again loses multiple evening trips, with journeys from Crewe at 19:45, 20:35, 21:35 and 23:05 not running and journeys from Macclesfield at 19:15, 20:20, 21:50 and 22:50 not running.

Service 41 does not run from Chester at 19:00 and from Whitchurch at 19:12.

Service 84X does not run from Crewe at 18:58, 19:58 and 20:58 and from Nantwich at 19:31, 20:31 and 21:31.

Service 85 does not run from Newcastle at 19:40.

Although the day often involves later travel for celebrations, these reductions mean the network does not provide a late-night uplift and instead finishes earlier on a selection of routes, so return journeys may need particular attention.

New Year’s Day (1^st January)

New Year’s Day, Thursday 1^st January, is another complete stop, with no buses operating. As with Christmas Day and Boxing Day, this is a network-wide shutdown rather than a modified timetable, making the overall message simple but with the travel impact being significant for anyone working on the day or trying to reach any rail and coach services that do operate.

Return to Near-Normality (2^nd January)

Friday 2^nd January then reprises the late-December weekday mix. Normal weekday timetables operate on services 27, 33, 35, 47, 48, 96, 316, 318, 319 and N1. No buses operate on services 6, 32, 32A, 34 and 150. Saturday timetables operate on all other routes. For passengers, this means that even though the calendar has moved into January, the network does not yet fully return to standard weekday operation across the board. That waits until after Saturday 3^rd January, when normal timetables resume.

Here is a guide that navigates the intricate changes to Edinburgh and Lothian’s public transport network during the festive period from Christmas 2025 through to early January 2026. The bus and tram services operate under a series of distinct arrangements rather than following a single pattern, with variations across different operators, special provisions for key dates such as Christmas Day and Hogmanay, and the introduction of dedicated overnight services for New Year celebrations. What follows below breaks down the specific arrangements for Lothian Buses, East Coast Buses, Lothian Country and Edinburgh Trams, providing date-by-date clarity on what to expect and how to plan journeys effectively during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Different Networks

The bus and tram network changes substantially over the festive period. There is no single timetable that covers everything. Instead, different operators run separate arrangements and there are special ones for Hogmanay itself too:

• Lothian Buses covers city services, Airlink 100 and city NightBuses
• East Coast Buses serves routes to East Lothian (Musselburgh, Tranent, Haddington, North Berwick, Dunbar)
• Lothian Country covers West Lothian (Livingston, Bathgate, Queensferry, Broxburn, Fauldhouse)
• Edinburgh Trams operates between the airport, city centre and Newhaven
• Hogmanay H services (buses) operate separately on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day

What Changes

The familiar pattern of daytime routes and NightBus services shifts between 24^th December and 5^th January:

• Service levels vary by date - Saturday, Sunday, Special or Normal
• Earlier finishing times on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay for buses (typically around 21:30)
• Limited routes on public holidays - Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day for buses
• Trams don’t run on Christmas Day but maintain normal service most other days
• NightBus runs intermittently - not available after every day
• Hogmanay overnight uses special H bus services - different routes, different tickets
• Trams are free after midnight on Hogmanay - buses require Hogmanay Ticket

Key Dates at a Glance

🎄 Christmas Eve - Wednesday 24^th December

• Buses: Saturday timetable, finish early (last buses around 21:30)
• Trams: Normal weekday service, every 7 minutes
• NightBuses: Run in early morning only

🎄 Christmas Day - Thursday 25^th December

• Buses: Special timetables, limited routes only
• Trams: No service operates
• NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Boxing Day

🎁 Boxing Day - Friday 26^th December

• Buses: Special timetables, expanded from Christmas Day
• Trams: Normal weekday service resumes, every 7 minutes
• NightBus: Does not operate overnight into 27^th December

📅 Weekend Return - 27^th-28^th December

• Saturday 27^th: Buses on Saturday timetable, no NightBus; Trams normal service
• Sunday 28^th: Buses on Sunday timetable, NightBus resumes Sunday morning; Trams normal service

📅 Pre-Hogmanay - 29^th-30^th December

• Monday 29^th: Buses on Saturday timetable, NightBus operates normally; Trams normal service
• Tuesday 30^th: Buses on Saturday timetable, NightBus operates normally; Trams normal service until 17:50, then split operation (Princes Street closes for Hogmanay preparations)

🎉 Hogmanay - Wednesday 31^st December

• Buses: Saturday timetable, finish early (last buses around 21:30), NightBuses in early morning only
• Trams: 10-minute service on split operation (Airport-West End AND Picardy Place-Newhaven)
• After midnight (buses): Special H services run midnight to 04:00 (£6/£12 Hogmanay Ticket required)
• After midnight (trams): FREE service, every 10 minutes until 02:00, then frequent until early hours

🎊 New Year’s Day - Thursday 1^st January

• Buses: Special timetables, limited routes only; HogmanayBus H services in early morning
• Trams: Split operation until Princes Street reopens, then normal service resumes
• NightBus: Does not operate overnight into 2^nd January

📅 Early January - 2^nd-4^th January

• Friday 2^nd: Buses on Sunday timetable, no NightBus; Trams normal service
• Saturday 3^rd: Buses on Saturday timetable, no NightBus; Trams normal service
• Sunday 4^th: Buses on Sunday timetable, NightBus resumes; Trams normal service

✅ Back to Normal - Monday 5^th January

• Service level: Normal weekday services resume for all operators
• Schools return

Lothian Buses (City Network)

22^nd - 23^rd December

Timetables are as per normal weekdays across all Lothian services, including Airlink and NightBus.

Christmas Eve: Wednesday 24^th December

Daytime: Saturday timetable operates, but services finish earlier than a normal Saturday. Last buses through the city centre typically depart around 21:30, though precise times vary by route.

NightBus: Operates in the early morning only (for travel after midnight at the start of the day).

Airlink 100: Reduced service.

Christmas Day: Thursday 25^th December

Daytime: Special timetable on selected routes only. Check the dedicated Christmas Day leaflet for which routes operate.

Airlink 100: Limited daytime service only.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Boxing Day.

Boxing Day: Friday 26^th December

Daytime: Special timetable with core routes running at reduced frequencies.

Airlink 100: Daytime only.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Saturday 27^th December.

Weekend Return: 27^th-28^th December

Saturday 27^th December: Saturday timetable returns. Airlink early morning journeys operate. NightBus does not operate overnight.

Sunday 28^th December: Sunday timetable. NightBus runs on Sunday morning only.

Pre-Hogmanay: 29^th-30^th December

Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th December: Both days operate to Saturday daytime timetables.

NightBus: Returns to normal operation in the early mornings.

Hogmanay: Wednesday 31^st December

Daytime: Saturday timetable operates.

Evening: Services finish early, typically with last buses through the city centre around 21:30.

NightBus: Operates in the early morning only (at the start of the day).

After midnight: Normal NightBus does not run. Instead, special H services replace normal overnight provision (see Hogmanay Services section for full details).

New Year’s Day: Thursday 1^st January

Daytime: Special timetable on selected routes only.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Friday 2^nd January.

Early January: 2^nd-4^th January

Friday 2^nd January: Sunday timetable. No NightBus services.

Saturday 3^rd January: Saturday timetable. No NightBus services.

Sunday 4^th January: Sunday timetable. NightBus resumes in the early hours.

Return to Normal: Monday 5^th January

Normal weekday services resume across the network. Schools return on this date.

East Coast Buses (East Lothian Routes)

Coverage: Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Tranent, Haddington, North Berwick, Dunbar and intermediate communities.

Christmas Eve: Wednesday 24^th December

Daytime: Saturday timetable with earlier last departures from Edinburgh city centre.

NightBus: Routes N107, N113 and N124 operate in the early morning only (helpful for travel after midnight at the start of the day, but not late on Christmas Eve night once services have finished).

Christmas Day: Thursday 25^th December

A tightly focused service operates on three core corridors only:

Route 107: Edinburgh - Musselburgh - Tranent - Haddington - Dunbar

Route 113: Edinburgh - Musselburgh - Tranent - Ormiston - Pencaitland

Route 124: Edinburgh - Musselburgh - Prestonpans - Longniddry - Gullane - North Berwick

Special operational note: On 25^th December only, East Coast Buses serve all stops between Brunstane and Abbeyhill.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Boxing Day.

Boxing Day: Friday 26^th December

Special timetable continues with a wider daytime spread across the key network.

Routes operating: X7 (Dunbar - Haddington - Edinburgh via A1), 106, 107, 113, 124

Frequencies: Generally hourly on most routes.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Saturday 27^th December.

Weekend Return: 27^th-28^th December

Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th December: Normal weekend timetables return.

NightBus: Resumes on the morning of Sunday 28^th December.

Pre-Hogmanay: 29^th-30^th December

Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th December: Operate broadly to Saturday daytime timetables.

NightBus N107: Runs to a normal weekday timetable in the early morning hours. This reinforces that the overnight offer is not a uniform on-or-off switch across all festive dates.

Hogmanay: Wednesday 31^st December

Daytime: Saturday timetable with earlier last departures from the city centre.

NightBus N107: Runs as normal in the early hours (at the start of the day).

After midnight: Hogmanay services are separated out into the special H network rather than being part of the ordinary NightBus arrangements.

New Year’s Day: Thursday 1^st January

Daytime: Special timetable operates on routes 106, 107, 113, 124 and X7, generally at hourly frequencies.

Early morning: HogmanayBus services H107 and H124 operate.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Friday 2^nd January.

Early January: 2^nd-4^th January

Friday 2^nd and Saturday 3^rd January: No NightBus services in the mornings.

Sunday 4^th January: Returns to a Sunday timetable with overnight services resuming in the early hours.

Return to Normal: Monday 5^th January

Normal weekday services return.

Lothian Country (West Lothian Routes)

Coverage: South Queensferry, Livingston, Bathgate, Whitburn, Broxburn, Fauldhouse, Winchburgh and connections into Edinburgh.

The festive pattern is similar in shape to other operators but different in the details of which corridors are maintained.

Christmas Eve: Wednesday 24^th December

Daytime: Saturday timetable with earlier last buses, especially towards Edinburgh.

NightBus: Routes N18, N28 and N43 operate in the early morning only.

Christmas Day: Thursday 25^th December

Very limited special service with only a defined set of routes operating:

Route X18: Whitburn - Bathgate - Broxburn - Edinburgh

Routes X27 and X28: Bathgate - Livingston - Edinburgh

Route 43: Queensferry - Dalmeny - Edinburgh

Route X40: St John’s Hospital - Livingston - Royal Infirmary

Route 72: Fauldhouse - Livingston - Winchburgh

Route 74: Fauldhouse - West Calder - Livingston - Bathgate

Frequencies: Reduced, generally hourly or less.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Boxing Day.

Boxing Day: Friday 26^th December

Special timetable continues with the same core routes, typically with improved frequencies compared with Christmas Day.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Saturday 27^th December.

Weekend Return: 27^th-28^th December

Saturday 27^th December: Saturday timetable returns, although NightBus does not operate in the early hours.

Sunday 28^th December: Sunday timetable. NightBus routes operate on Sunday morning only.

Pre-Hogmanay: 29^th-30^th December

Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th December: Both use Saturday daytime timetables.

NightBus: Returns to normal operation in the early morning.

Hogmanay: Wednesday 31^st December

Daytime: Saturday timetable with earlier last journeys in the evening.

NightBus: Operates in the early hours only (at the start of the day).

After midnight: Handled through the Hogmanay H network rather than the standard NightBus.

New Year’s Day: Thursday 1^st January

Daytime: Special timetable on the same core routes that operated on Christmas Day.

Early morning: HogmanayBus services H18, H28 and H43 operate.

NightBus: Does not operate overnight into Friday 2^nd January.

Early January: 2^nd-4^th January

Friday 2^nd January: Sunday timetable, no NightBus.

Saturday 3^rd January: Saturday timetable, no NightBus.

Sunday 4^th January: Sunday timetable with NightBus resuming in the early hours.

Return to Normal: Monday 5^th January

Normal weekday services return. Schools restart on this date.

Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh Trams operate a simpler festive pattern than the bus network, maintaining normal weekday service on most days with just a few key changes.

Normal route: Edinburgh Airport - York Place (city centre) - Newhaven

Christmas Eve: Wednesday 24^th December

Service level: Normal weekday service throughout the day.

Frequency: Trams every 7 minutes.

No early finish - trams run to normal hours unlike buses.

Christmas Day: Thursday 25^th December

Service level: No trams operate on Christmas Day.

Staff have the day off to spend with their families.

Boxing Day to Monday 29^th December (26^th-29^th December)

Service level: Normal weekday service resumes immediately on Boxing Day.

Frequency: Trams every 7 minutes.

This is notably different from buses, which run special reduced timetables on Boxing Day.

Tuesday 30^th December

Until 17:50: Normal weekday service operates on the full route.

From 17:50 onwards: Princes Street closes to prepare for the Hogmanay Street Party.

Split operation begins:

• Service A: Edinburgh Airport - West End
• Service B: Picardy Place - Newhaven

Passengers cannot travel through the city centre section. Change at West End or use alternative transport through the closure zone.

Hogmanay: Wednesday 31^st December

Service level: 10-minute frequency on split operation.

Split operation continues:

• Service A: Edinburgh Airport - West End
• Service B: Picardy Place - Newhaven

After midnight: All trams are FREE to help people get home safely.

Midnight to 02:00: Trams run every 10 minutes.

02:00 onwards: Frequent service continues into the early hours of New Year’s Day.

This is a major difference from buses, which require a £6.00 or £12.00 Hogmanay Ticket for overnight travel.

New Year’s Day: Thursday 1^st January

Split operation continues until Princes Street reopens.

Once Princes Street reopens: Normal weekday service resumes on the full route.

Friday 2^nd January onwards

Service level: Normal weekday service resumes.

Frequency: Trams every 7 minutes.

Trams vs Buses: Key Differences

Understanding how trams differ from buses during the festive period can help with journey planning:

Travel Tips for Tram Users

Park & Ride: If driving from beyond Edinburgh, use Ingliston Park & Ride (over 1,000 free spaces, just off A8 Airport Junction). Trams depart every 7 minutes.

Shopping access: For city centre shopping, use Princes Street, St Andrew Square or Picardy Place stops - but note the Princes Street closure from 17:50 on 30^th December through New Year’s Day.

Hogmanay travel: Take advantage of free tram travel after midnight on 31^st December. Frequent service runs until the early hours to help you get home safely.

During Princes Street closure: Plan for the split operation. If you need to travel through the city centre between 30^th December evening and 1^st January, consider:

• Walking between West End and Picardy Place (approximately 15 to 20 minutes)
• Using Lothian Buses routes that aren’t affected by the closure
• Using the free Hogmanay trams for part of your journey after midnight on 31^st December

Hogmanay Overnight Bus Services

The H Network: Midnight to 04:00, Thursday 1^st January 2026

The most distinctive part of the festive network operates on Hogmanay night. Special buses branded as H services run from midnight to 04:00 on Thursday 1^st January 2026. These are designed specifically for late night travel after New Year celebrations and replace normal NightBus operations for Hogmanay night.

Anyone relying on the usual NightBus routes needs to treat Hogmanay as its own separate arrangement, with its own routes, fares and ticket validity.

Ticketing: A Central Difference

You cannot use normal tickets or passes on H bus services.

A Hogmanay Ticket is required for travel on H bus services.

Pricing:

• £6.00 for travel within one fare zone
• £12.00 for travel across two fare zones

What the ticket covers:

• Unlimited travel on day buses after 18:00 on Wednesday 31^st December
• Unlimited travel on H bus services after midnight on 1^st January

How to pay:

• Cash on board (exact cash fare only)
• Contactless on board
• Ridacard is accepted

Not valid on H bus services:

• Concessionary passes
• Season tickets
• Other passes or tickets

This is a significant departure from normal expectations for people who might otherwise use concessionary passes or other season tickets.

Where the Hogmanay Ticket is valid:

• Lothian, Lothian Country and East Coast Buses services
• Excludes: Airlink and the airport tram stop
• Normal zone restrictions apply

Remember: Edinburgh Trams are FREE after midnight on Hogmanay - no ticket required.

Geographic Coverage

The H network is structured to provide radial coverage from Edinburgh city centre out to suburbs and surrounding towns.

West and North West: Silverknowes, Queensferry, Kirkliston, South Queensferry

North and North East: Granton, Newhaven, Leith, Portobello, Musselburgh

South and South East: Liberton, Hyvots Bank, Dalkeith, Gorebridge, Newtongrange

South West and West: Balerno, Colinton, Clovenstone, Wester Hailes

Longer Distance Routes: Some services extend to Bathgate, Penicuik, Dunbar and North Berwick, although not every journey necessarily runs end to end. Late night operation can include city-only journeys or partial routing to outer termini.

Service Frequency

Operations are designed around manageable frequencies overnight, with services generally running every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the route.

Departure Points

Departures are organised from key city centre termini:

• Haymarket
• Princes Street
• Nicholson Street
• Elm Row
• Leopold Place

This reflects how the network is intended to distribute passengers after events in the centre.

HogmanayBus Morning Services

In addition to the overnight H network, special HogmanayBus services operate in the early morning of 1^st January:

East Coast Buses: H107, H124

Lothian Country: H18, H28, H43

Important Notes

As with many special timetables, notes about directionality and partial operation matter more than usual. A service might run to an outer area on one journey but operate only within the city on another.

Planning Your Festive Travel

Treat Each Date as a Separate Scenario

The festive period does not follow a single pattern. Rather than assuming weekend or weekday patterns, check the service level for your specific travel date.

Watch for Earlier Finishing Times

Christmas Eve (24^th December) and Hogmanay (31^st December) - buses finish early.

Last buses typically depart around 21:30 from the city centre. The daytime frequency can look fairly normal right up until services begin to wind down, which tends to catch people out.

Trams run to normal hours on Christmas Eve but operate on split service from 17:50 on 30^th December through New Year’s Day.

Check your specific route’s last departure time if the final journey of the day matters.

Understand NightBus Availability

NightBus availability is intermittent across the period, with notable gaps on the mornings after major public holidays.

NightBus does NOT operate overnight into:

• Friday 26^th December (Boxing Day)
• Saturday 27^th December
• Friday 2^nd January
• Saturday 3^rd January

NightBus DOES operate in early mornings of:

• Wednesday 24^th December
• Sunday 28^th December
• Monday 29^th December
• Tuesday 30^th December
• Wednesday 31^st December
• Resumes from Sunday 4^th January onwards

Expect Limited Networks on Special Days

Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day operate on special timetables with reduced bus networks.

What this means for buses:

• Only selected routes run
• Frequencies are typically hourly at most
• There are fewer early morning and late evening journeys
• Not all areas are served

What this means for trams:

• No service at all on Christmas Day
• Normal service on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (once Princes Street reopens)

Hogmanay Requires Different Planning

Wednesday 31^st December into Thursday 1^st January stands apart:

For buses:

• Normal NightBus routes do not operate after midnight
• H services use different routes
• H services require a Hogmanay Ticket (£6.00 or £12.00)
• Concessionary passes and other tickets are not valid
• Service operates midnight to 04:00 only

For trams:

• FREE travel after midnight
• 10-minute frequency until 02:00
• Frequent service continues into early hours
• Split operation continues (Airport-West End AND Picardy Place-Newhaven)

Service Level Summary

Download Timetables & Further Information

Lothian Buses (City Network)

Download: Lothian Buses Festive Timetable (PDF)

East Coast Buses (East Lothian)

Download: East Coast Buses Festive Timetable (PDF)

Lothian Country (West Lothian)

Download: Lothian Country Festive Timetable (PDF)

Hogmanay Services

Download: Hogmanay Services Information (PDF)

Edinburgh Trams

Read more: Edinburgh Trams Festive Information

Introduction

The festive period brings public transport changes across Ireland’s other operators, complementing the arrangements already outlined for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail. This guide covers how Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas, City Direct, JJ Kavanagh, Aircoach, Matthews Coach Hire, Wexford Bus and Dublin Coach will operate through Christmas and New Year, helping passengers navigate the varied approaches across these networks.

Go-Ahead Ireland Network-Wide Changes

Go-Ahead Ireland, which operates over 60 routes across the Greater Dublin Area, Kildare and Wicklow under contract to the National Transport Authority, follows a pattern similar to other Dublin operators. On Christmas Eve, services run until 21:00 across the network. Christmas Day sees a complete suspension of all routes, a standard pause mirrored across Irish public transport. St Stephen’s Day brings a return to service from 09:00, but on a Sunday timetable, meaning reduced frequencies and later starts than weekday schedules.

From 27^th to 30^th December, normal timetables resume, providing four days of regular service before the year’s end. New Year’s Eve operates as a normal day with services running until the standard early finish. New Year’s Day returns to the Sunday timetable once more, before everything settles back to the regular pattern on 2^nd January. Further details are available on the Go-Ahead Ireland website.

Luas

Dublin’s Luas tram network operates an extensive festive schedule including special late-night services in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. The service shows clear differentiation between the two lines and includes valuable late-night operations for those celebrating.

Night Luas Services: Special late-night services operate on Friday 12^th, Saturday 13^th, Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th December. On the Red Line, departures from Tallaght run at 01:00 and 02:00, from Saggart at 00:30 and 01:30, and from The Point at 01:00, 02:00 and 03:00. On the Green Line, departures from Brides Glen operate at 00:20, 00:50, 01:20, 01:50, 02:20 and 02:50, whilst from Broombridge services run at 00:36, 01:06, 01:36, 02:06, 02:36 and 03:06.

Christmas Eve (24^th December): Services operate from 05:30 to 20:00 on all routes except Saggart, which runs 05:42 to 19:52. This represents a significantly earlier finish than normal, allowing staff to reach home for the evening.

Christmas Day (25^th December): No services operate on any Luas line.

St Stephen’s Day (26^th December): Services resume at 09:00 across the network, running until 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 22:53 from Saggart, 23:30 from The Point, and 23:17 from Broombridge. Note that Connolly Luas Stop is closed on this date.

27^th, 29^th and 30^th December: Extended hours operate with services running from 06:30 until midnight from Tallaght (last from Saggart at 23:49), 00:30 from The Point, midnight from Brides Glen, and 00:17 from Broombridge.

28^th December (Sunday): Sunday timetable operates with services running 07:00 to 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 07:12 to 22:51 from Saggart, 07:00 to 23:30 from The Point, and 07:00 to 23:17 from Broombridge.

New Year’s Eve (31^st December): Extensive late-night services mirror the pre-Christmas pattern. Services begin at 06:30 and run until 02:00 from Tallaght (01:30 from Saggart), with services from The Point continuing until 03:00 (last departure 02:30), from Brides Glen until 02:50, and from Broombridge until 03:06. This represents one of the most comprehensive late-night public transport offerings for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dublin.

New Year’s Day (1^st January): Services operate on a Sunday/Bank Holiday timetable, running from 07:00 to 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 07:12 to 22:51 from Saggart, 07:00 to 23:30 from The Point, and 07:00 to 23:17 from Broombridge.

Normal services resume from Friday 2^nd January. Passengers should note that Connolly Luas Stop is closed on both Christmas Eve (24^th) and St Stephen’s Day (26^th December). Full timetables and service updates are available at luas.ie.

JJ Kavanagh

JJ Kavanagh operates a diverse network across the southeast and midlands, with different service types following distinct festive arrangements. The company differentiates clearly between its main intercity routes, local services and specialised Local Links connections.

Main and Airport Routes

JJ Kavanagh’s approach to its main intercity and airport services differs markedly from urban operators. Routes 717 (Clonmel - Kilkenny - Dublin), 735 (Limerick - Nenagh - Dublin) and 736 (Waterford - Carlow - Dublin) pause only on Christmas Day itself. St Stephen’s Day sees full resumption of normal service, and crucially, these routes maintain normal operation throughout the New Year period without the Sunday timetable reductions seen elsewhere. This continuity makes them particularly valuable for airport access and intercity travel during the festive season.

Local Routes

The local routes operated by JJ Kavanagh follow a different rhythm. Routes 874 (Hacketstown - Carlow) and 871 (Urlingford - Kilkenny) finish earlier in the festive period, with final services running on Tuesday 23^rd December. Services resume on Monday 29^th December, providing a link through the post-Christmas period, but pause again on New Year’s Day before full resumption on Monday 5^th January.

Waterford City Services

Waterford’s city services, comprising routes 607, 617 and 627, operate with carefully timed finishes on Christmas Eve. The last service from Clock Tower to Dunmore Road departs at 18:15, while the previous service to Slieverue leaves the Quays at 17:45. After the Christmas Day pause, services resume fully on Friday 27^th December. As with the local routes, there is no service on New Year’s Day, with operations returning to normal on Friday 2^nd January.

Local Links Routes

JJ Kavanagh’s Local Links services each have distinct arrangements reflecting their varied passenger bases and route characteristics.

Route 139 (Naas - Blanchardstown) finishes at 21:00 on Christmas Eve and does not run on Christmas Day. It resumes from 09:00 on St Stephen’s Day and notably operates normally through both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, making it one of the few services maintaining New Year’s Day operation.

Route 815 (Tullamore - Athlone) runs normally on Christmas Eve but pauses on Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day sees most services resume, except for the 22:00 Tullamore to Athlone and 23:15 Athlone to Tullamore services. The route continues normally throughout the Christmas period, but again omits the late 22:00 and 23:15 services on New Year’s Day.

Route 858 (Portlaoise - Thurles) operates on Christmas Eve except for the 20:25 Portlaoise to Urlingford and 21:30 Urlingford to Portlaoise services. There is no service on either Christmas Day or St Stephen’s Day, with normal operation resuming on Saturday 27^th December. New Year’s Eve follows the Christmas Eve pattern, omitting the same evening services, and there is no service on New Year’s Day.

Route 891 (Fiddown - Kilkenny) runs normally on Christmas Eve, with the last service being the 20:15 - 21:39 to Kilkenny and the 18:45-20:07 to Fiddown. All bank holidays over Christmas, including St Stephen’s Day, operate on the Sunday and public holiday timetable. New Year’s Eve runs to the normal schedule, while New Year’s Day returns to Sunday timings.

Route 817C (Carrick on Suir - Grangemockler) takes a straightforward approach, running every day except Christmas Day. On all other public holidays, the route operates to the Sunday timetable.

Timetables and booking information for all JJ Kavanagh services can be found on the JJ Kavanagh website.

Aircoach

Aircoach, a major airport and intercity operator now part of FirstGroup, takes a notably simple approach to festive scheduling. All Aircoach routes operate every day of the year except Christmas Day. This includes all their main services: the 700 series Dublin Airport routes, 702 (Dublin Airport - Greystones), 704X (Cork - Dublin), 705X (Belfast - Dublin) and 706/706X (Dublin Airport - Maynooth/Celbridge).

The company’s website notes that services finish earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day, with specific details published on their timetables page closer to the dates. This consistent year-round operation, with only the single Christmas Day exception, makes Aircoach particularly reliable for airport connections and intercity travel throughout the festive period. More information is available through Aircoach customer support.

Matthews Coach Hire

Matthews Coach Hire operates daily commuter services from Dundalk, Drogheda and Bettystown to Dublin all year round, with the sole exceptions of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. This makes their M1 corridor services particularly valuable for maintaining connectivity during the festive period when other operators reduce frequencies or pause services.

Based on previous years’ patterns, Christmas Eve sees reduced service with last departures around 20:00 from Dundalk and 21:30 from Dublin, though passengers should verify specific times closer to the date. The company’s straightforward approach of operating every day except the two main holidays provides useful continuity for commuters and those visiting family in the northeast. Full timetable information is available on the Matthews Coach Hire website.

Wexford Bus

Wexford Bus operates an extensive network connecting Wexford, Dublin, Waterford and surrounding areas, with detailed Christmas and New Year arrangements varying by route. The company has published comprehensive festive schedules for 2025/2026.

Route 740 (Wexford - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve sees the last bus departing Wexford at 16:30 and Dublin Airport at 20:30, with Saturday timetable operation before these times. No service operates on Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day brings the first service from Wexford at 07:30 and Dublin Airport at 10:30, with Sunday/public holiday timetable thereafter (excluding the 18:30 ex Wexford and 11:30 ex Dublin Airport). Services operate to Saturday timetables on 29^th and 30^th December. New Year’s Eve mirrors Christmas Eve with last departures at 16:30 from Wexford and 20:30 from Dublin Airport. New Year’s Day follows the St Stephen’s Day pattern.

Route 740X (Wexford Direct - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve sees limited services operating at 08:20 and 10:20 ex Wexford, with no southbound services. Christmas Day has no service. St Stephen’s Day operates limited services at 10:20 ex Wexford and 14:00 ex Dublin. Services run to Saturday timetable on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December, with Sunday/public holiday timetable on New Year’s Day.

Route 740A (Arklow & Wicklow - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve operates limited services from Gorey at 07:10, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40 and 15:40, with corresponding Dublin Airport departures. No service Christmas Day. Sunday/public holiday timetable operates St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day, with Saturday timetable on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December.

Route 340 (Wexford - New Ross & Waterford): Christmas Eve sees last departures at 16:30 from Wexford and 18:00 from Waterford (Whitfield Hospital), with certain morning services cancelled. No service Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day operates limited timetable with departures from Wexford at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30. Services operate to Sunday timetable on 28^th December (with 20:30 ex Wexford and 22:00 ex Waterford cancelled). New Year’s Eve mirrors Christmas Eve, with limited timetable on New Year’s Day.

Route 376 (Wexford - Carlow): Operates to Saturday timetable on Christmas Eve. No services on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day or 28^th December. Saturday timetable resumes 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December. No services New Year’s Day.

Full details for all Wexford Bus routes, including the 884 (Wexford - Gorey), WX1, WX2 and other local services, are available on the Wexford Bus Christmas schedule page.

City Direct

City Direct operates urban bus networks in Kilkenny, Galway and Portlaoise, with festive arrangements following similar patterns across locations but with some local timing variations. All services broadly mirror the Sunday timetable approach used by other urban operators during the holiday period.

Kilkenny City Services

City Direct’s Kilkenny operations mirror the Go-Ahead Ireland pattern seen in Dublin. Christmas Eve brings normal service until approximately 21:00, allowing for the predictable early closure. Christmas Day sees a complete halt across the city’s routes. St Stephen’s Day recovery begins at 09:00 with a Sunday timetable in operation, meaning reduced frequencies compared to normal weekday service.

From 27^th through to 30^th December, normality returns with the full timetable reinstated. New Year’s Eve ends early at around 21:00, echoing the Christmas Eve finish. New Year’s Day operates on the Sunday timetable from 09:00 before the city’s buses resume their usual pattern on 2^nd January.

Galway Urban Routes

Galway’s core City Direct routes (410, 411 and 412), which link Eyre Square with western suburbs including Knocknacarra, Cappagh Road and the Western Distributor Road, follow similar arrangements with slight timing variations. Christmas Eve sees normal service across all three routes, but everything winds up by approximately 21:15 from Eyre Square. Those travelling from the city centre for festive gatherings need to be mindful of these last departures.

Christmas Day brings a complete pause. St Stephen’s Day sees the familiar Sunday schedule cover all three city routes, providing core service levels without normal weekday frequency. From 27^th through to 30^th December, these busy arteries reclaim their standard operation. On New Year’s Eve, buses operate through the day but all finish with a last departure from Eyre Square at 21:15, echoing the Christmas Eve pattern. New Year’s Day brings a Sunday timetable once more, before all systems reset to normal on 2^nd January.

Portlaoise Routes PL1 and PL2

Routes PL1 and PL2 feature detailed timings with notable variations. On Christmas Eve, PL1 operates a full service up to 21:00, while PL2’s last bus leaves at 20:50, a small but potentially crucial difference for late evening users. Both routes pause on Christmas Day.

St Stephen’s Day features a Sunday timetable with staggered starts: PL1 commences from 09:00, while PL2 starts slightly earlier at 08:50. From 27^th to 30^th December, everything operates as per the normal timetable. New Year’s Eve repeats the Christmas Eve pattern, with early finishes of 21:00 for PL1 and 20:50 for PL2. On New Year’s Day, the Sunday timetable returns with the same staggered initial departures. Regular timetables resume for all services on 2^nd January.

Current information for all City Direct services can be found on the City Direct website and through Transport for Ireland.

Analysis and Practical Implications

The variation across these operators reveals different operational philosophies and service priorities. Luas stands out with its comprehensive late-night services on key dates, providing valuable connectivity for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations with services running until the early hours. This commitment to late-night operation contrasts sharply with most bus operators’ early finishes.

Aircoach’s decision to operate every day except Christmas Day represents the most consistent festive service among bus operators, reflecting its focus on airport connections where demand remains relatively stable. Matthews Coach Hire follows a similar pattern, pausing only on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, providing valuable continuity for northeast commuters.

JJ Kavanagh’s approach shows clear differentiation between service types: main and airport routes maintain full operation throughout (except Christmas Day), local routes take an extended break from 23^rd December to 29^th December, and Local Links services each follow carefully tailored patterns reflecting their specific communities’ needs. This varied approach recognises that different passengers have different festive travel requirements.

Wexford Bus demonstrates the complexity of managing a regional network with multiple route types, from high-frequency airport services to local town routes. Their detailed, route-specific arrangements balance maintaining connectivity with allowing staff time off during the holidays. The early finishes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (16:30 from most origins) are notably earlier than many other operators, requiring careful planning from passengers.

Go-Ahead Ireland and City Direct follow the Sunday timetable approach familiar from other Dublin operators. Understanding this distinction becomes crucial for passengers, as Sunday schedules mean fewer buses and often later morning starts. The difference between a 09:00 start on a Sunday timetable and earlier weekday departures could leave passengers waiting longer than anticipated on chilly winter mornings.

The early finishes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve across City Direct’s networks (21:00 in Kilkenny, 21:15 in Galway) mean those heading out for celebrations need alternative arrangements for return journeys. JJ Kavanagh’s Route 139 stands out as an exception, maintaining New Year’s Day service alongside its New Year’s Eve operation.

Route-specific variations demand careful attention. The few minutes’ difference between PL1 and PL2 start times, the specific evening services omitted on routes 815 and 858, the varied resumption dates across JJ Kavanagh’s local services, and Wexford Bus’s route-by-route arrangements all require checking individual timetables rather than assuming uniform patterns.

Conclusion

These additional operators complement the wider national network covered by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail, but their varied approaches reflect different service types and passenger needs. Luas provides exceptional late-night coverage for festive celebrations, particularly on New Year’s Eve with services running into the early hours. Aircoach and Matthews Coach Hire’s near-continuous operation provides valuable continuity for airport access and commuter corridors. JJ Kavanagh’s maintenance of intercity and airport links provides essential connectivity for longer-distance travellers, while Wexford Bus’s comprehensive network serves the southeast with carefully balanced festive arrangements.

The urban networks of Go-Ahead Ireland and City Direct follow patterns more typical of city transport operations, with Sunday timetables creating noticeable service reductions on key dates. The diversity of arrangements underscores the importance of checking specific operator details rather than assuming all services follow identical festive timetables.

Return to normality comes at different dates depending on service type and operator, with most urban services back to normal by 2^nd January, some local routes taking until 5^th January to fully resume, and certain routes operating altered timetables through early January. As always, the key to smooth festive travel lies in verifying arrangements with individual operators before setting out, recognising that Ireland’s transport network comprises numerous independent operators each tailoring their festive service to their specific circumstances and passenger base.