Insider Tips For Getting Around London This December

Let's leave the stress for Christmas with the in-laws.

1. There are other places to ice skate other than Somerset House or the Natural History Museum.

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As beautiful as these places are, they're extremely popular and fill up pretty quickly. However, never fear, for there are plenty of other options for you to pretend you're a professional skater. Hampton Court, Broadgate, and Winterville Christmas Village in Victoria Park are just a few of the locations available to you.

2. There are also lots of Christmas Markets to choose from.

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Who doesn't want to be surrounded by oodles and oodles of Christmas cheer? Both Winter Wonderland and South Bank's Christmas market are festively wonderful, but if you want to avoid the crowds, London has a wealth of other markets for you to get your fill of Christmas spirit.

Try heading over to the Barbican Christmas Market, Christmas in Belgravia, the Hackney Flea-Mas Market or the More London Christmas Market at London Bridge.

3. If you're having a "merry" Christmas, take extra care to mind the gap.

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Did you know there were 152 gap-related injuries last year?

Stratford tops the table, and while we can understand the excitement to get to those thrilling Boxing Day sales, you're not going to be able to take advantage of them if you're stuck under a train.

4. Be mindful of West London's Boxing Day football.

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If you're planning to visit West London for the Boxing Day sales, keep in mind that it'll be a little more congested than usual, as Chelsea will be playing Watford at Stamford Bridge at 3pm.

Fulham Broadway tube will be especially busy that afternoon, as will be Fulham Road and Kings Road in the local area.

5. The Central line's back open at Tottenham Court Road!

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Soho-workers rejoice! The Central line is once again stopping at Tottenham Court Road, with the next phase of the upgrade completed.

6. Pre-book your taxi home before you head out.

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Honestly, you won't regret it, especially after a few glasses of bubbly. Splitting the cab with a few of your colleagues will be the festive cherry on top.

7. Make sure to eat before the Christmas party.

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We know you've heard this a million times, but make sure to line your stomach before a night of festive drinking. Not only will your head thank you for it the morning after, but it'll stop you from picking at canapés or annihilating the buffet.

Plus, nobody wants to be that person asleep on the bus on the way home.

8. It's an escalator – not a slip 'n' slide.

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Last year, there were 2,019 injuries on stairs and escalators alone. The quickest way isn't always the best way, you know.

By taking your time, holding the handrail and not slipping down the escalator, you'll probably get to your destination a lot quicker.

9. Remember there is no public transport on Christmas Day.

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There are also no night bus services on Christmas Eve, so make sure you plan your way home well in advance.

Or just hop on a Santander Cycle!

10. But travel is free on New Year's Eve!

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To make sure everyone gets home safe, travel is free from 23:45 to 04:30 across buses, Tube, tram, DLR, TfL Rail (and from 23:45 until 02:50 on London Overground), with extended services running into the early morning – all supported by Kayak. Thank you Kayak. Thank you.

11. Just be aware of road closures.

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The majority of main roads in central London will start closing from 5pm onwards on NYE, including Oxford Street, Westminster, Victoria Embankment, and London Bridge. So if you're thinking of heading out, be sure to plan your journey in advance. The fireworks event this year will also be ticketed, so make sure you've got yours!

In addition, there will be further closures for New Year's Day parades the following morning. Find out more here.

12. More people taking public transport also means more people willing to put you on social media.

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So it's really not the best time of year to try and Houdini your way through already-closed train doors.

Last year, 200 people managed to injure themselves either squeezing through doors or just plain old running into them. Imagine that happening AND being plastered all over Twitter?

13. And finally, try not to consume too much Christmas spirit at the office party.

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There were still 20 cases of people falling on the tube track last year. Don't ruin your Christmas needlessly!

Travel safely this festive season with TfL and take care if you've been drinking.

To find out the most up to date Christmas travel information, visit the TfL website.