No 'Elfish Behaviour

New research from LNER reveals that more than 413,000 bookings have already been made ahead of the Christmas period*, as the nation gears up for what could be a record-breaking festive season. Saturday 20th December 2025 is predicted to be the busiest day of the month for those travelling home for Christmas with LNER. On that day alone, 43,000 journeys are currently planned.

This news comes as more than half (55 per cent) of Brits say their journey home marks the true start of Christmas. With millions taking to the rails across the country this December, LNER research has uncovered the top dos and don’ts when it comes to festive travel – from offering up your seat to someone who needs it more (64 per cent) to using headphones (53 per cent) – helping travellers to secure themselves a place on Santa’s ‘Nice List’ this year.

Proving we’re not a nation of grinches, 40 per cent admit they don’t mind hearing music played out loud on trains, if it’s a Christmas song. However, when it comes to the nation’s biggest bugbears of rail travel, playing regular music out loud (53 per cent) was top of the list, coming a close second to talking loudly on the phone (59 per cent), with leaving rubbish behind also ranking among the highest frustrations (49 per cent).

THE TOP 10 TRAIN DOS:

1. Offer your seat to someone who needs it more (64 per cent)

2. Use headphones (53 per cent)

3. Help someone with a pram (52 per cent)

4. Help people with their bags (51 per cent)

5. Keep your bag off the seat (51 per cent)

6. Respect personal space (44 per cent)

7. Let others off the train first (38 per cent)

8. Refrain from pushing past (37 per cent)

9. Keep your voice down (36 per cent)

10. Move so a couple/two people can sit together (32 per cent)

THE TOP 10 TRAIN DONT’S:

1. Talk loudly on your phone (59 per cent)

2. Play music or videos out loud (53 per cent)

3. Leave rubbish behind (49 per cent)

4. Be rude to staff (43 per cent)

5. Hog seats with bags (41 per cent)

6. Put your feet on the seat (41 per cent)

7. Eat stinky food (37 per cent)

8. Block the aisle (34 per cent)

9. Kick the seat in front (34 per cent)

10. Vape (32 per cent)

Meanwhile, over half of those surveyed (51 per cent) say their favourite part of Christmas journeys is watching the winter scenery from the window, listening to Christmas music (32 per cent) and admiring seasonal displays at stations (32 per cent). What’s more, 43 per cent even say travelling home makes them feel like the lead character in a Christmas film.

With the new timetable, LNER is offering faster and more frequent services across the busiest parts of its network.

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said:

The new timetable from LNER, launching on 14th December, marks one of the biggest and most exciting improvements to our East Coast services in recent years. With more trains, more seats, quicker journeys, and the opportunity for even more great value fares – the timetable is designed to give many customers greater flexibility and choice – during the festive season and beyond. We encourage everyone to explore the new timings for their trains, as most are changing – whether it’s an earlier train that makes your day easier, a quicker journey home, or simply a more comfortable way to travel with family and friends.

Throughout December, as a further treat, LNER customers who are signed up to loyalty scheme LNER Perks also have a chance to win a First Class trip for two in the scheme’s biggest giveaway yet with details on how to enter available on the LNER app.