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

The UK clocks go back one hour on Sunday 25 October 2026, affecting anyone travelling or attending an appointment around the overnight change. At 2am British Summer Time (BST), the clock returns to 1am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). If you have a Sunday journey booked, check the departure time shown by your operator and make sure your devices display the right time.

When do the clocks change in October 2026?

The change takes place in the early hours of Sunday 25 October. The hour from 1am to 2am occurs twice: first under BST, then under GMT after the clocks go back. Most people will notice the change when they wake up, but the repeated hour matters if a journey, shift or appointment falls overnight.

GOV.UK’s clock change guidance says UK clocks go back at 2am on the last Sunday in October. In 2026, that Sunday is 25 October. The change is a scheduled move from summer time to standard time, not an announcement of a travel disruption.

Check the time on your Sunday journey

For a train, coach, flight or other booked service, use the departure time in your operator’s current timetable or booking details. If a service falls during the repeated 1am hour, contact the operator if it is unclear which 1am the booking means. The repeated hour is also worth bearing in mind when reading flight and train times on tickets. Avoid working it out from the clock change alone; operators can present overnight schedules differently.

Check any connection, station arrival time or pickup arrangement against the same itinerary. If another person is meeting you, share the operator’s stated time and confirm the plan, especially for travel between Saturday night and Sunday morning. For appointments in that period, ask the organiser to confirm the intended time if there is any ambiguity.

Make sure your devices show the right time

A phone or computer set to update its time automatically should reflect the change, but it is sensible to check its time settings before relying on an alarm. Manually set clocks, including those in cars and on kitchen appliances, may still show BST on Sunday morning.

Before leaving, compare your alarm and travel plans with the time shown on an updated device. For the journey itself, the final check is the time displayed by your operator for 25 October.

Source: GOV.UK