Schedules and timetables for public transport will change over the festive periodThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn morePublic transport schedules will be different over the festive period

Public transport is expected to be extremely busy over the festive period as people rush home to their loved ones for Christmas and head into the city centre to drink, eat and be merry.

Trains, trams and buses on Greater Manchester’s Bee Network are expected to be busy in the lead-up to and aftermath of the big day with services also set to finish at different times, or not run at all.

Little to no services will run on Christmas Day, although there will be some bus routes operating on limited schedules. Rail services will also not run on Boxing Day and will also finish early on Christmas Eve.

Engineering works, last-minute cancellations, and other issues are expected to disrupt some services over the festive and New Year period.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bus workers who are members of Unite the Union and Unison will take industrial action on a number of dates throughout December.

We have all the travel information on which public transport services will be running throughout the Christmas period in Greater Manchester and further afield.

Trams

Wednesday 24 December, Christmas Eve

Trams will run every 15 minutes from 6am on the following services:

  • Altrincham – Piccadilly (extends to Etihad Campus after peak)
  • Bury – Piccadilly
  • Ashton-under-Lyne – Eccles (via MediaCityUK, outside peak only)
  • Rochdale Town Centre – East Didsbury (via Exchange Square)
  • Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
  • The Trafford Centre – Deansgate-Castlefield

Between 7am and 6.30pm, trams will also run every 15 minutes on the following services:

  • Altrincham – Bury (via Market Street)
  • East Didsbury – Shaw and Crompton (via Exchange Square)
  • MediaCityUK – Etihad Campus

Last trams will depart Manchester city centre after 8pm, with trams arriving at terminus stops around 9pm.

Please check the last tram times on the TfGM website before travelling.

Thursday 25 December, Christmas Day

No service.

Friday 26 December, Boxing Day

Trams will run every 15 minutes from approximately 7am until midnight on the following services:

  • Altrincham – Etihad Campus
  • Bury – Piccadilly
  • Ashton-under-Lyne – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)
  • Rochdale Town Centre – East Didsbury (via Exchange Square)
  • Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
  • The Trafford Centre – Deansgate-Castlefield

Between 6pm and midnight, trams will also run every 15 minutes between Altrincham and Crumpsall for the Manchester United v Newcastle match.

Manchester Piccadilly rail station will be closed. To access to Piccadilly Metrolink stop, people are being advised to use the Fairfield Street entrance.

(Image: PA)Trains

For services to and from Greater Manchester over the festive period, expect early finishes on Christmas Eve, no trains on Christmas Day, and very limited or no services on Boxing Day, with major disruptions and engineering works impacting routes.

Always use the National Rail Journey Planner for specific details before travelling, as most operators like Northern, TransPennine Express, and Avanti have reduced services or cancellations.

Key Dates & Services

  • Christmas Eve (Dec 24): Trains will finish much earlier than usual, with some services withdrawn from around 8pm or 9pm, especially in the late evening. The last train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly is at 19:31 with Avanti.
  • Christmas Day (Dec 25): Absolutely no National Rail services will run, a standard practice across the UK.
  • Boxing Day (Dec 26): Most rail lines are closed, with almost no services, except perhaps some limited airport connections or very specific, rare routes.

Greater Manchester Specifics

  • Northern & TransPennine Express (TPE): Expect earlier shutdowns on Christmas Eve and later starts on the 27th. Engineering works are common, causing disruptions like early terminations (e.g., Manchester Airport to Blackpool) or altered routes.
  • Avanti West Coast: Confirms no trains on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

What to Do

  • Check Before You Travel: This is essential!
  • Plan for Alternatives: Taxis, coaches, and private hire are often the only options for Christmas Day and parts of Boxing Day.

(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)Buses

Wednesday 24 December, Christmas Eve

Bee Network routes will run to a normal weekday timetable. They will generally continue running until normal weekday finishing times, except some routes will finish slightly earlier and routes with night buses will finish around midnight.

Other operators will run to a Monday to Friday, Saturday or modified Saturday timetable, with buses stopping running from 6pm onwards.

Thursday 25 December, Christmas Day

Bus 43 will run to a special timetable.

No other buses will run.

Friday 26 December, Boxing Day

Buses will run to special timetables on these routes:

Arriva: 320

Bee Network: 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 33, 36, 37, 42, 43, 50, 52, 59, 76, 83 to 86, 93, 97, 100, 101, 111, 118, 126, 132, 135, 142, 150, 156, 163, 182, 192, 201, 203, 216, 219, 245, 247, 250, 256, 330, 409, 471, 472, 474, 501, 507, 511, 516, 524, 534, 575, 582, 601, 603, 605, 607 to 610, 632, 635, V1, V2, X22 and X50

Stagecoach: 125

The Burnley Bus Company: X43

No other buses will run on Boxing Day.

For more information on bus services in Greater Manchester visit the Bee Network website.