Public transit on Christmas Day

My niece is coming to visit us during the Christmas holidays.  She lands in Heathrow on December 25th at 9:30 am.  Originally we thought that we would get a train from Colchester to London, then London to the airport so we could meet her and then head back, but alas I am learning that the trains (or other forms of public transport) do not run on Christmas day.

I'm sure that many of you have run into this issue before, but being a newbie at this, I'm trying to figure out the best options.  We are looking at renting a car, but the Enterprise company is shut down on Dec. 24th and Dec. 25th.  We'll be having a chat with them soon to see what we can figure out.  I'd like to find out what others have done (i.e., is there any public transit running or is using a car the only option).

Thanks!

Hi. National express busses are still running! (We're meeting family on Christmas day in London too!)

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From my experience, I can tell you that they are not kidding, nothing will be running.  There might be some patchy service here and there but don’t count on it.  Also, at least on the 25th, everything will be shut.  All stores, off licenses, everything.  It’s really the most depressing time to be traveling.  I’ve got a bit of PTSD from being locked out of my room wearing nothing but a t shirt and underwear on Christmas Day, approaching strangers trying to borrow money for a pay phone.  Your post was a trigger!

Can you borrow a car from a neighbor and make sure you are on the insurance?  If you asked me, I would do it for a friend.  How about zip car?  You could join for a month.   Beware, the mileage can be pricey.

I’ve got a bit of PTSD from being locked out of my room wearing nothing but a t shirt and underwear on Christmas Day, approaching strangers trying to borrow money for a pay phone.  Your post was a trigger!

Oh my gosh, no you didn't.  That's the story to beat here, people.

It was kind of a work dormitory for hotel employees and me and my wife were staying there.  We got up to go to the bathroom and the door shut behind us.  Nobody was there but we weren’t actually outside, just in a hallway for hours.  When I went outside to beg money for the pay phone, I used some cushion covers from the couch since I was in my underwear. 
Worst.Christmas.Ever.

Just an update and of course seeking any more advice on this.  My neighbour, who seems to know practically everyone, has a friend with a car that is often available for use.  My neighbour has asked her friend about using it on Christmas day, but her friend isn't sure yet of the car availability.

So, with respect to National Express, my niece's plane (United Airline) is supposed to land at 9:30 am.  There is a 10:35 coach from Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Colchester and then one other one at 18:35.  As United Airline is notoriously late, and who knows how long it will take to get through passport control, it's tough to say if she'd make the 10:35 coach...which means she spends her Christmas day at the Heathrow airport.

We could buy her a seat for the 18:35 coach and hope that if she gets out in time she can see if there's spot on the 10:35 coach...otherwise, not sure what else we can do at this point.  Ideas?

I've never taken that coach but I'm guessing that an hour is not enough time to get through baggage claim and customs even on the best day.  She might not even land at a terminal where the buses are, she might have to take a shuttle or something just to get to the bus. 

Did you check out zip car? 

There is a coach stop at Heathrow Terminal 2, and I'm pretty sure that's where UA comes in.  What's zip car?  I guess I need to check it out.

So, with respect to National Express, my niece's plane (United Airline) is supposed to land at 9:30 am.  There is a 10:35 coach from Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Colchester and then one other one at 18:35.  As United Airline is notoriously late, and who knows how long it will take to get through passport control, it's tough to say if she'd make the 10:35 coach...which means she spends her Christmas day at the Heathrow airport.

We could buy her a seat for the 18:35 coach and hope that if she gets out in time she can see if there's spot on the 10:35 coach...otherwise, not sure what else we can do at this point.  Ideas?

I know for a few pounds more you can pay for a ticket that allows you to switch coaches, if you miss yours or can take an earlier one. You might want to do that if you go for the NE ticket. Also, could she come with no luggage? That might help if she doesn't have to wait for baggage. There's a CHANCE her flight could be early and get through in plenty of time, but you just never know.

I think she'll come with carry on.  That's good advice about paying a couple of quid extra for the flexibility.  I didn't know about that.

Zip car is a  car club that you can join and rent a car for just a few hours.  You use an app to unlock the car and they are spread out all over the place.  Google it.

Thanks -- I did.  Colchester is not a designated zipcar site, so not sure that would help us out, but very interesting idea.

It's a long shot for sure, but maybe you could check one of those ride share sites?  Our MIL did it recently and got a ride for a long way that worked out fine.

Thanks -- working on that right now.

We've landed at Heathrow several times and never gotten out of there in less than 2 hours. (If that helps at all.)