The UK's favourite Christmas travel song revealed – and it's not Chris Rea

The UK's favourite 'travelling home for Christmas' song has finally been revealed – and it's not Chris Rea, Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé. Rail operator LNER asked 2,000 Britons what were the favourite festive tunes, as millions prepare to use the train over the busy Yuletide period to get home, loaded with gifts for our annual seasonal break. 

‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! claiming the top spot with a third of the vote (32%), just edging out The Pogues’ classic ‘Fairytale of New York’ which finished second (31%) by a wafer-thin margin. Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ came in third (30%), ahead of Mariah Carey’s ubiquitous ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ (27%) with Slade’s shouty ‘Merry Xmas Everyone’ completing the top five (27%). 

Brits were asked to pick their favourite Yuletide tunes to listen to when travelling on the rails, with the average Brit saying they’ll listen to a staggering 18 hours and three minutes' worth of Christmas music this year.   

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: "When it comes to Christmas music, it’s great to hear that our customers are still listening to the classics. 

"It was interesting to see that our poll shows 90% of customers take the courtesy of wearing headphones and 52% have even curated their own Christmas playlist to listen to when travelling by train. 

"At LNER, we want every journey to feel comfortable, relaxed, and enjoyable - which is why our new timetable launching on 14th December brings some of the biggest improvements to our East Coast services in recent years. 

"It brings more trains, more seats and quicker journeys and the opportunity for even more great-value fares across the busiest parts of our route." 

Mr Christmas, Michael Bublé, surprisingly failed to land any tunes in the top ten list with ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by Band Aid grabbing sixth (24%) and energetic Welsh singer Shakin’ Stevens with ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ (21%) finishing seventh.    

Rat Pack crooner Dean Martin came next with ‘Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!’ (21%) and completing the top ten were late American Andy Williams with ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’ (20%) and ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby (20%). 

And the city of Leicester has been crowned the Christmas train tune capital, with residents listening to almost an entire days’ worth of music this year at 23 hours and 44 minutes.  

The residents of university city Cambridge clocked in an impressive 22 hours and 11 minutes, while the people of Birmingham came third at 21 hours and 50 minutes.  

Sheffield (21 hours and 26 minutes) and Truro (20 hours and eight minutes) completed the top five.  

The research marks the launch of LNER's new 2026 rail timetable, that comes into force from December 14th-onwards. 

David adds: "We encourage everyone to explore the new timings for their trains, as most are changing – whether it’s an earlier train that makes your day easier, a quicker journey home, or simply a more comfortable way to travel with family and friends."

TOP TEN CHRISTMAS TRAIN TRAVEL TUNES:

Last Christmas – Wham! - 32% 

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues – 31%  

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea – 30%  

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey – 27%  

Merry Xmas Everyone – Slade – 27%  

Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid – 24%  

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin' Stevens – 21%  

Let it Snow! Let is Snow! Let it Snow! - Dean Martin – 21%  

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Andy Williams – 20%  

White Christmas – Bing Crosby – 20%  

TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS FESTIVE TUNE CITIES: 

Leicester – 23 hours 44 minutes   

Cambridge – 22 hours 11 minutes  

Birmingham 21 hours 50 minutes  

Sheffield – 21 hours and 26 minutes  

Truro – 20 hours and 8 minutes