Handy Christmas tips for travel
Limit your luggage
As Christmas is a busy period, please only bring what you can carry as there is limited space onboard.
Be Seat Sure
If your ticket doesn't have a seat reservation (like an Off-Peak or flexible return), you can make one for free, even if you didn't book your ticket with LNER. Avoid being stuck on your feet whilst you’re travelling!
Book assisted travel
If you need assistance at the station and help boarding our trains, our colleagues are here to help. Book Passenger Assist up to two hours before you travel using our live Web Chat between 09:00 and 17:00, or by calling 0800 0223720 outside of these hours.
Christmas feast on the go
Whether you’re travelling in First Class or Standard, you can enjoy delicious festive foods delivered straight to your seat. Check out our Christmas menu for December.
Get £5 off tickets
Join LNER Perks and import your LNER ticket (no matter where you booked it) and earn 2% credit, plus get £5 credit just for joining. Think of it as a stocking filler to yourself!
Check before you travel
Major upgrades to the East Coast Mainline are taking place on 24 December. This means no direct LNER trains will run to or from London Kings Cross. Make sure you check your trains before you travel.
And Christmas tips for when you’re off the train!
12 top chef tips to plan your Christmas dinner
Our onboard chef Gavin has shared his useful tips & advice to make Christmas Day a stress-free time. “Organisation is key to a happy Christmas. Remember: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!”
Three must have Christmas recipes
Chefs Gavin and Andy have shared their Christmas Day recipe favourites. Have a read - but we warn you - you will be hungry afterwards!
Want perfect roasties?
After par-boiling or steaming your floury potatoes, drain them, leave them to dry out for a while, then pop them back in the pan with the lid on and SHAKE! Roughing up the outside is key to crispy roasties.
The light idea
Purchase some smart plugs to control your Christmas lights from your phone (rather than crawling under the tree every night!)
Easy Christmas decor
Grab a big glass jar. Fill the bottom half with sugar for snow, then bury little trees, tiny toys and other decorations. Voila! Your very own unique Christmas scene.
Go proper shopping
Yes, online shopping is convenient, but there’s something magical about shops in the run up to Christmas. Pretty lights, festive music, and the joy of choosing gifts by hand. So hop on one of our trains for a Christmas shopping day out!
Christmas pud pyrotechnics
Warm up the brandy before pouring on your Christmas pudding and setting it alight, it burns better and is more spectacular.
Present wrapping pranks
For a silly Christmas joke, why not wrap some presents to look like something else entirely? Get creative and let your imagination run wild! Top tip: make sure what’s inside is better than the joke wrapping!
Reindeer chocolate how-to!
Melt a bar of chocolate onto greaseproof paper. Add broken pretzels or Curly Wurlys for antlers, red smarties for noses and marshmallows for eyes – or whatever you have to hand! Let set, eat and enjoy.
Ready to get in the Christmas spirit?
Find the best Christmas markets and Christmas events our route has to offer.
From pantos and shows to mulled wine and markets. There's something for all the family. Make travelling easy with LNER this Christmas.