Boxing Day shopping trips by train: Best destinations for deals

Boxing Day in London is a shopper's dream, where festive energy and unbeatable sales come together in perfect harmony. Oxford Street is the city's retail heart, with Oxford Circus, Bond Street, and Tottenham Court Road stations providing effortless access to dozens of flagship stores.

Westfield centres in Shepherd's Bush and Stratford offer a slightly different experience; hundreds of shops under one roof, making it easy to cover more ground without battling the cold. For a touch of charm and boutique style, Covent Garden's independent stores and market stalls await, just a short walk from Covent Garden or Leicester Square stations.

Birmingham to London

For shoppers travelling from Birmingham, getting to London couldn't be easier. Direct trains run frequently to London Euston with Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, and CrossCountry being the main operators. The fastest service takes 1 hour 19 minutes, while the average journey time is around 1 hour 48 minutes. Tickets start from £9.00, with departures from 00:41 until 23:11. With 95 trains a day, you're never far from the capital's shopping hubs.

Brighton to London

Brighton shoppers are equally well-served, with 50 direct trains to London Victoria from Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express. The first service departs at 04:12, with the last at 23:13, and tickets start from £10.00. The fastest trains take approximately 1 hour, with an average journey time of 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Upon arrival in London

Once in London, the Underground generally operates as usual, although slight schedule changes may be in effect. That makes combining trains with short Tube journeys or a stroll between stations the quickest way to hit Oxford Street, Westfield, or Covent Garden, so you can spend less time travelling and more time bagging bargains.

Like London, Manchester transforms into a shopper's playground on Boxing Day. The Arndale Centre, at the heart of the city, offers a warm indoor haven where hundreds of high-street stores await.

Manchester Piccadilly station places shoppers just steps from the centre, allowing for a seamless start to a day of bargain hunting. For a larger-scale retail experience, the Trafford Centre delivers hundreds of shops under one roof, easily reached via a short Metrolink ride from Deansgate or Manchester Victoria.

Liverpool to Manchester

Travel from Liverpool is quick and convenient. Direct trains from Liverpool to Manchester Piccadilly, operated by Northern, East Midlands Railway, and Transport for Wales, depart from 00:18 until 23:36. Covering approximately 32 miles, the average journey takes 52 minutes, with the fastest trains completing the trip in 49 minutes. Tickets start from £2.00, and with 73 services per day, schedules are available to suit early arrivals or a later start.

Leeds to Manchester

From Leeds, Northern and TransPennine Express trains provide direct services to Manchester Victoria. The 37-mile journey takes an average of 57 minutes, with the fastest trains completing the route in 48 minutes. Services begin at 00:02 and continue until 23:15, with tickets starting from £2.00 and 216 trains operating daily.

Birmingham stands out as a Boxing Day destination where convenience and retail therapy collide. The Bullring and Grand Central dominate the city centre, offering hundreds of shops ranging from high-street favourites to designer boutiques. Birmingham New Street station sits at the heart of it all, providing direct access to both shopping centres.

London to Birmingham

Travelling from London is straightforward, with 129 direct trains available from London Euston, operated by Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, and CrossCountry. Covering a distance of roughly 101 miles, the average journey time is 1 hour and 58 minutes, with the fastest services completing the trip in 1 hour and 16 minutes. Services run from 00:39 until 23:30, with tickets starting from £9.00.

Manchester to Birmingham

Manchester travellers also benefit from direct connections to Birmingham New Street, with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and West Midlands Trains covering the 71-mile route in an average of 1 hour 31 minutes. The fastest services take 1 hour 28 minutes, and trains run from 05:11 to 22:03. Tickets start from £20.70, with 42 services operating daily, providing an easy path from city centre to city centre.

Edinburgh is a Boxing Day hotspot filled with retail excitement. Princes Street and St James Quarter sit steps from Edinburgh Waverley station, allowing shoppers to step directly from the train into a winter wonderland of stores. Inside Princes Street and St James Quarter, shoppers enjoy indoor comfort and a lively Boxing Day buzz.

Glasgow to Edinburgh

Direct trains from Glasgow make Edinburgh an easy day-trip destination. Operated by CrossCountry and ScotRail, services cover the 43-mile route in an average of 1 hour 12 minutes, with the fastest trains completing the journey in 45 minutes. Trains run from 06:00 until 23:53, with tickets from £12.10 and 217 services per day, ensuring plenty of flexibility to time a shopping spree perfectly.

Newcastle to Edinburgh

Travel from Newcastle is equally convenient, with direct trains operated by CrossCountry, LNER, and Lumo. Covering approximately 92 miles, the journey averages 1 hour 30 minutes, with the fastest services taking 1 hour 24 minutes. Trains run from 06:28 to 23:08, with tickets starting at £9.90 and 208 daily services, ensuring smooth connections for shoppers from the north.

Leeds offers a perfect Boxing Day escape for shoppers seeking a mix of high-street staples and designer boutiques. Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate sit just a short five-minute walk from Leeds Station, making the city's compact layout ideal for exploring multiple stores in a single trip.

Manchester to Leeds

Travel from Manchester is straightforward with Northern and TransPennine Express providing frequent direct services. Covering approximately 37 miles, the journey averages 1 hour, with the fastest trains taking just 46 minutes. Departures run from 00:15 to 23:23, with tickets starting from £1.90, and 282 trains operating daily.

York to Leeds

From York, direct trains operated by CrossCountry, Northern, and LNER make the 23-mile trip in an average of 24 minutes, with the fastest services at 22 minutes. The first train leaves at 00:13 and the last at 23:39, with tickets from £1.95 and 364 services daily, offering a convenient option for a quick Boxing Day excursion.

Sheffield connections are equally convenient. CrossCountry, Northern, and LNER trains cover the 30-mile journey in around 1 hour on average, with the fastest services at 40 minutes. Trains depart from 03:44 until 23:28, with tickets starting at £3.60 and 169 trains daily, making it simple to plan a stress-free day of shopping.

Once in Leeds, the festive energy is palpable. Leeds' walkable layout and variety of stores make it an ideal Boxing Day destination for anyone looking to combine efficiency with joyous flair.

Glasgow really buzzes on Boxing Day, with festive energy spilling into every street and shopping centre. Buchanan Galleries and St. Enoch Centre are a short stroll from Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central stations, so you can hop off the train and straight into the heart of the action.

Easy day trips by train

From Edinburgh, trains run frequently to Glasgow Queen Street with ScotRail and CrossCountry. Covering approximately 42 miles, the journey takes an average of 58 minutes, with the fastest trains completing it in just 44 minutes. Services start at 06:00 and run until 23:45, with tickets ranging from £12.10 and 135 trains operating daily, providing plenty of flexibility to plan your day.

Travellers from Dundee can reach Glasgow Queen Street in approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking 1 hour and 20 minutes. CrossCountry and ScotRail operate 64 daily services from 05:48 to 22:31, with fares from £5.80, making it an easy trip for a Boxing Day spree.

Carlisle connections are smooth, too. Direct trains from Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, and TransPennine Express take around 1 hour 20 minutes, with the fastest service at 1 hour 11 minutes. Departures run from 06:08 to 22:54, and tickets start at £9.80. A total of 98 trains operate daily.

Once you arrive, Glasgow's combination of festive buzz, indoor comfort, and a mix of shopping options makes it impossible not to get caught up in the holiday spirit while hunting down those Boxing Day deals.

Boxing Day shopping can be thrilling, but a little planning goes a long way, especially when you're travelling by train. 

Plan ahead

First, always check train schedules in advance. Many services have later starts or reduced timetables on 26 December, so knowing when your train departs can help avoid unnecessary stress. Booking tickets ahead of time is also essential, not just for convenience, but to secure the best fares before prices rise as the day approaches.

Start your day early

Getting an early start is another way to maximise your trip. Arriving at the shops soon after they open gives you the first pick of the best deals and helps you avoid the thickest crowds. Central stations are your friends; departing from or arriving at city-centre stations puts you just steps from major shopping hubs, eliminating the need for long walks or extra transportation.

Pack smartly

Travelling light is equally important. Boxing Day often means crowded trains and bustling stores, so a small backpack or handbag is ideal for carrying essentials. If you're staying overnight or carrying extra purchases, consider luggage storage options or dropping off your bags at your hotel to move freely and shop comfortably.

Book with Trip.com

Finally, make the process easier with Trip.com. Our Journey Planner helps you compare schedules, book tickets, and find the best Boxing Day train deals in one place, so you can focus on hunting for bargains.