Tickets are expensive—think £60–£100 per person depending on the date and carriage class. They sell out fast, so book months in advance. I booked mine in September for a December ride. Still felt lucky. The experience is more scripted than spontaneous, but that’s part of the charm.
Dress warmly, because the station platform is drafty, and the carriages are toasty but you’ll do some walking. And wear something red or green. I didn’t, and the conductor called me a “scrooge.” Rude, but fair.
If you’re looking for a zero-effort, high-fun Christmas event in London, this is it. Skip the ice skating rinks, ignore the crowded markets, and get on the train. The bell is worth it. I still have mine. It rings. I think.
