UK clocks go back on 25 October 2026: check Sunday travel times

By GlobeBids editors

The UK clocks go back one hour on Sunday 25 October 2026. At 2am British Summer Time (BST), the time becomes 1am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Anyone travelling overnight or early on Sunday should check the time shown by their operator and make sure appointments and alarms match the new time.

When do the clocks change in 2026?

The change takes place at 2am on the last Sunday in October, according to GOV.UK. In 2026, that Sunday is 25 October. The hour from 1am to 2am occurs twice: first under BST, then under GMT after the clocks go back.

That repeated hour matters if you are arranging a pickup, shift, call or appointment between 1am and 2am. If a booking simply says “1.30am”, ask the organiser which occurrence it means. For plans later on Sunday, check that everyone is using the same local time.

Check the operator’s time for Sunday journeys

Look at the time on your ticket, booking confirmation or operator’s journey planner before you leave. This is especially useful for overnight and early morning trains, coaches, flights and connections. The clock change alone does not establish whether a particular service has moved, been added or been disrupted; the operator’s published information is the place to check your journey.

If you have a connection, compare the departure and arrival details for each part of the trip. Confirm any pickup time with the person meeting you. An alarm set for the wrong hour could leave less time to reach a station or airport, even when the booked departure itself has not changed.

Check alarms and clocks before bed

Many connected phones and computers adjust their displayed time automatically when their time settings are correct. Check yours rather than assuming it has updated. Set any travel alarm for the time you need to leave on Sunday, then compare it with your booking.

Manually set clocks, including those in some cars, ovens and bedside alarms, may still show BST on Sunday morning. Check those displays against a device showing the correct UK time. For an overnight journey or an appointment during the repeated 1am hour, confirm the intended time directly with the operator or organiser.

Source: GOV.UK