Whether you want to go home to be with your family or take advantage of the bank holiday for a long vacation, Easter is frequently a busy period for travel.
Unluckily, this makes it one of the most difficult times to get about London.
Throughout bank holiday weekends, public transportation frequently sees improvements as more people take advantage of their time off and use the already-busy facilities.
Roads can also be busier than usual, with more travellers than usual opting to get in the car to avoid any public transport delays.
So, if you’re planning a journey around the capital this weekend, what should you keep in mind?
Here is what you need to know.
Easter 2023 travel disruption in London
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With potential disruption on both the road and public transport, it’s essential to check any journey details in advance, as well as on the day of departure, for the latest updates.
Complete information on travelling around London over Easter 2023 is available on the TfL website.
TfL also recommends using the TfL Go app and the TfL Journey Planner.
Rail
National Rail has warned of several potential problems over the Easter weekend.
While the trains are running, travellers have been warned to plan their journey in advance, with disruption expected from Friday, April 7 to Monday, April 10, 2023.
Concerning London specifically, modernisation to both tracks and signalling on some lines into the London Victoria station will be taking place, and Southern services will not call. They may instead be diverted to London Bridge.
There will also be no trains running to or from London Euston at Easter.
The various Train Operating Companies may also be operating different timetables over the Easter weekend, with full details available on the National Rail website.
Tube
Currently expected disruptions on the London Underground network include:
Jubilee line – On Good Friday, April 7, there is no service on the entire line until 2pm. After 2pm, there will be no service between West Hampstead and Stanmore, which will continue to be the case until April 10.
Metropolitan line – The Metropolitan line will see no service between Aldgate and Harrow-on-the-Hill from April 8 to April 10.
Elizabeth line
From April 7 to April 10, the Paddington to Maidenhead stretch of the line will see a reduced service, and there will be no service from Paddington to Abbey Wood.
However, there will be services running to/ from the Paddington and Liverpool Street national rail terminals and regular service is expected between Maidenhead to Reading and Paddington to Heathrow.
London Overground and DLR
On Good Friday, a Saturday service will run on the London Overground with no service between Euston and Kilburn High Road (which will also be the case on Saturday, April 8).
On Easter Sunday (April 9), there will be no service between Euston and Watford Junction, as well as no service between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside. The Camden Road to Stratford line will also see no service after 10.15pm.
On Monday, April 10, the London Overground will also be running a Saturday service, with no service between Euston and Watford Junction and Woodgrange Park to Barking Riverside.
Between April 7 and April 10, the DLY will see no direct services between Lewisham and Bank, meaning you will have to change at Poplar.
Trams
Throughout the Easter period (April 7 to April 10), there will be no service westbound from East Croydon to Wandle Park and no eastbound service from Reeves Corner to East Croydon.
On Good Friday and Saturday, April 9, there will be no service before 7.30am and after 6.30pm between Arena and Elmers End. On Easter Sunday and Monday, the same restriction will apply before 9.15am and after 6.15pm.
Road
TfL has warned that roadworks will occur over the Easter bank holiday weekend and that public transport will be the easiest way to get around.
If you are travelling by road, allow more time for your journey. You can also check the status of the capital’s streets via the TfL website.
Cycling
If you’re planning to journey via bike this weekend, the TfL website states that there will be temporary changes to Cycleway 3, saying: ‘Between Monday, April 3 and Monday, May 15 2023, there will be temporary changes to Cycleway 3 around Buckingham Palace and Constitution Hill.
‘These are to support the London Marathon and Coronation events.’