To ask what driving in London on Christmas eve will be like?

[12ylnon]

We live about 40 miles south of London and have always avoided it like the plague around Christmas, mainly because i've always thought that traffic will be hell, although have never experienced it.

This year, my brother and my SIL have invited us up to Clapham for a traditional Polish Christmas (which is celebrated on xmas eve). They would like us to go up there on xmas eve, play stupid games, eat pierogi, stay the night and then for us all to drive down together to our parents on xmas day.

I'm nervous to say the least. Whilst i would looove to see them and their new house and eat my own body weight in delicious polish food, i can't help but think that the traffic on xmas eve and possibly xmas day will be awful.

I'll be 17 weeks pg by then (although they won't know that until thursday) and the thought of being stuck in traffic and having to rush around on xmas morning leaves me cold.

How bad is the traffic on xmas eve and christmas? Should we just suck it up and go? Make a decision for me please!

[eurochick]

I think the zombie warning goes off once the thread has been revived.

[londonrach]

Have reported to mnhq no zombie warning. X

[londonrach]

Nothing zombie comes up. Mnhq zombie warnings are not on anymore x

[londonrach]

I think everyone goes the other way (out of london) and usually by mid day on christmas eve so wouldnt be surprised if very quiet but no idea until the day...

[Thedragonsinthebedroom]

I would go for cab if I was you. We don't live a million miles away from where you work. Cab doesn't usually take too long and is quite reasonable.

[drbonnieblossman]

Clapham isn't Central London so you will be fine.

[Enjorasdream]

Jelly, check with a local minicab firm, or Addison Lee for a quote (they don't up the fares at Christmas) you may be able to get a ride for £20-30. If it saves you stress, it may be worth it.

[Welshwabbit]

Jelly, the Heathrow Express is closing early on Christmas Eve this year (16:10) so that probably won't work for you. Tube will take you at least 1 hr 15 mins, I'd have thought. You should make it but it will be tight.

[HermioneDanger]

KnittedJimmyChoos - yes the congestion charge is in place on Christmas Eve, unless it's a weekend paid that idiot-tax once too often

Jelly - The Heathrow Express goes from Paddington and is a lot, lot faster than the tube. It's pricey though, but cheaper than a second plane ticket.

[CuthbertDibble]

JellyRyan123 you've asked your question part way through a really old thread so you probably won't get much of a response.

Check out the TFL journey planner for full details but tube or train will be your best bet, you'll need to allow about an hour and a half so it's perfectly possible but a bit tight.

[Godcreatedcricket]

Most people will be travelling in the opposite direction on Christmas Eve. Christmas day is always deserted. Go, eat and be merry.
Congratulations.

[KnittedJimmyChoos]

Is congestion charge in place on xmas eve

[JellyRyan123]

I need some help! I am a nurse working in north west london (hampstead), originally from dublin, hoping to make it home this christmas eve to visit my family. The problem is, I;m working until 5ish christmas eve and have booked a flight for 1945 that evening. Am I totally stupid or will I make it?? I'm trying to figure out best way to get to Heathrow? Taxi? Tubes? I am so stressed thinking about this as it is my first christmas in London I don't know what to expect!!! If anyone can shed some light that would be amazing!

[bowerbird]

Christmas Eve is wonderful for driving around London - it's very quiet. Ditto Christmas Day. Enjoy!

[ClippedPhoenix]

I live in Fulham, not far from Clapham and it's usually like a ghost town round here, you will be fine.

[honeytea]

We fly into London on the 24th each year, with to heathrow or stansted (once we flew into London city airport) and then drive in a hire car down to Devon. Every year there has been no traffic at all it has been really really smooth and easy.

Sounds like a fun Christmas eve plan, enjoy and congratulations on your pregnancy :)

[Nancy66]

I think it will be very quiet.

Christmas is on a Tues so most people won't be working the Monday anyway and Christmas Day traffic is always very very quiet.

[squeakytoy]

I live in this area, and it shouldnt really be that bad at all. You dont need to go into central london itself, and the A3 which is 3 lanes most of the way, will take you right into Clapham.

There will be no school run traffic and very little business traffic, so you will be fine.

[MissCellania]

yabu

[LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake]

It will be completely empty Christmas day - so much so that you will have to watch out for speed traps.

Everyone is gone by lunchtime Christmas Eve - it really wont be bad then.

[helpyourself]

Grr quiet not quite.

[helpyourself]

Easy peasy. It'll be quite traffic wise and roadworks, no football, you'll be fine.

[FuckityFuckFuck]

If it's anything like any other cuty then it will be dead after lunchtime. Whatever city I have lived in, xmas eve is a lovely time to go for a wander

[OhlimpPricks]

The traffic will be brilliant on both days. Take the school run out of the equation, that's about 30% of cars cut. Most offices will be shut on the 24 th as people get ready. No big supermarket lorries doing deliveries. I work in central London and traffic from there to my home in South London is a breeze on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.