Check before you travel as Great Western Railway starts new winter timetable from Sunday 14 December

Customers also urged to plan ahead and book in advance for best Christmas fares.

Customers are advised to check their regular train times as Great Western Railway introduces its new winter timetable from Sunday 14 December.

Amendments have been made across the network designed to respond to changes in demand and improve service performance.

As well as asking customers to check their journey times before the changes are in place, GWR is encouraging customers to book ahead and reserve their seats for the Christmas getaway.

Journey planners are up to date with information covering Christmas and the New Year and Advance fares are already on sale at GWR.com

The new timetable starts on Sunday 14 December and you can check your journey here.

As part of the timetable change, GWR is retiring its three remaining Castle Class sets, which are now approaching 50 years old, with the last planned services expected to run on Saturday 13 December.

These trains currently operate on local routes between Plymouth and Penzance. They will be replaced by GWR’s existing fleet, along with its recommissioned Class 175s, as the fleet is rolled out throughout 2026.

While some repairs and improvements are scheduled across the network over Christmas and New Year when passenger numbers are typically much lower, the impact of this year’s engineering works is less than previous years. 

GWR is advising those travelling this Christmas to book in advance and to try to travel at quieter times for the best experience.

How do I avoid busy trains?

• Services are expected to be busiest on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, and Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December

• Travel as early as you can for the most comfortable journey. Services between 1000 and 1400 will be most in demand
• Please be aware that rail services will shut down earlier on Christmas Eve. Check your journey in advance
• As usual, no train services will operate on Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Customers are also reminded to think carefully about their luggage and be considerate of others travelling over the festive period.

What you can bring

There is plenty of room for cabin-style hand luggage, laptop bags, and handbags, under seats and in the overhead racks.

GWR has limited space for larger, standard suitcase-size, bags (up to 25 x 40 x 75 cm), in the luggage rack at the end of each carriage.

What you can’t bring

More than three pieces of luggage.

Anything you can’t carry or easily move about - we do not recommend bringing extra-large bags as they can be difficult to manoeuvre inside the train and staff are unable to help with them.

For more guidance visit here. 

From Saturday 27 December to Sunday 4 January, track renewal work will affect some train services to/from London Paddington and trains will run to an amended timetable because only two out of four tracks will be available. Some trains are expected to be busier than normal, and no direct services will run between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa. Customers can change at Swindon or Bristol Parkway. 

Network Rail is also carrying out vital upgrades west of Cardiff Central station between Wednesday 24 to Wednesday 31 December, requiring the closure of some tracks. Trains will be diverted between Cardiff Central and Bridgend via Ninian Park (not stopping at Ninian Park), adding a few minutes to journey times.