Getting there and back
Plan your journey. Before you set out for the night, think about your route out and back.
A summary of transport information is included on this site - for further info, go to the TfL website or call TfL on 020 7222 1234, or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 481950.
Use public transport, but look out for changes. The best way to get about on New Year's Eve is on public transport, with services operating throughout the night and free travel on buses, tube and the DLR. If you travel regularly in Central London, don’t expect to take your regular route, in many cases we will be using different station entrances and queuing arrangements, so please follow directions of Police, Stewards and TfL staff.
Listen out for news of any changes to your journey or to arrangements for the fireworks display. Please be aware of station closures especially if you are intending to travel to central London to watch the fireworks display.
Be aware that some stations will be ‘exit only’and you may not be able to return the same way you arrived. If using Embankment station you will only be able to leave via Villiers Street. Please follow directions from the police and stewards outside Embankment station.
Road and bridges. If you drive into town during the day, be aware that many roads and bridges will close to traffic from 1800. We strongly recommend that you use public transport rather than your car.
Riverside access. The Golden Jubilee footbridges will be closed and if you want to access the riverside areas in front of the Southbank Centre, you'll need to have booked a table at one of the restaurants or have a valid auditorium ticket (see viewing the fireworks).
Heading home. Be prepared for large crowds, different routes home and a long wait at tube, bus and rail services, especially after the fireworks display. You may have to take a different, possibly longer routes home, consider walking either all or part of the way home, and anticipate long waits at some central London stations – queues of up to 3 hours at Waterloo were experienced in 2008.
Walking. It will be quicker and easier to walk, particularly after events finish, so consider wearing sensible shoes and burn off that Christmas excess with a bracing walk home post event. From 2000 until 0100, access to Westminster Bridge will be from south of the river only. Pedestrians will not be able to access Golden Jubilee Bridges after 2000. Access across the bridges will be reinstated from around 0030, or when the majority of the crowds have dispersed.
