Festivals by Train 2025: How to Travel Cheaper, Smarter, and Saner
Festival season 2025 is shaping up to be a big one. Glastonbury’s back. So are Green Man, Boardmasters, TRNSMT, Latitude, and a whole lineup of weekend-long events you may or may not remember in full afterwards. But whether you’re into folk or techno, fields or tents, there’s one thing everyone needs to figure out: how to get there without spending half your budget before you even see a stage.
If you’re not driving (good call), the train is easily the most reliable and environmentally responsible way to reach most major UK festivals. And with a few smart moves, you can get there without paying a fortune. That’s where TrainSplit comes in.
We’re here to show you how to do festival season right — with cheaper fares, fewer headaches, and more energy left for the actual festival.
Why Take the Train to Festivals?
There’s a reason why thousands of festival-goers take the train each year:
• Avoid the traffic jams: No six-hour crawls down single-track roads.
• No parking stress: Forget praying for a dry field to park in.
• Greener travel: Lower emissions. Lighter conscience.
• Stay flexible: If you’re not locked into a car group, you can come and go on your own terms.
And if you’re heading to Glastonbury, TRNSMT, Boardmasters, or Green Man, the train really is the most sensible choice. It drops you close to the action (or directly at the shuttle point), and you won’t spend your Monday morning trying to navigate a makeshift car park with a hangover.
The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.
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The TrainSplit app helps you find better fares by splitting your tickets. Available on iOS and Android, just search for TrainSplit in your app store and start saving today!
Image credit: Ben Wicks | Unsplash
Top Festival Journeys You Can Do by Train in 2025
Glastonbury – 25–29 June
Nearest Station: Castle Cary
Good to Know: Castle Cary turns into a festival rail hub during Glasto week. Free shuttle buses run to the gates for ticket holders (from Wednesday to Monday). But remember: train companies don’t allow trolleys or carts during this time.
Fares checked on 20th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
Book early – these trains fill up faster than your friend buying bucket hats. Use TrainSplit to split your journey from London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham or even Edinburgh. There’s always a cheaper combo hiding in plain sight.
Big Love – 17–20 July
Location: Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales
Nearest Station: Newport (South Wales) or Cwmbran
Good to Know: Big Love Festival takes place near Usk, a charming town in the Monmouthshire countryside. The nearest train stations are Newport and Cwmbran, both approximately 20 minutes by taxi from the festival site. There is no official shuttle bus service, so we recommend booking a taxi in advance to avoid any delays.
Travel Tip: When booking, remember to check train availability early, as services can fill up quickly during festival periods. Avoid bringing trolley cases as narrow lanes and local restrictions may make this difficult.
Fares checked on 6th June 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
Book early – trains sell out faster than festival wristbands. Use TrainSplit to find the best fare splits from London Paddington, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, or beyond. There’s often a cheaper combination hiding in plain sight.
Latitude – 24–27 July
Location: Henham Park, Suffolk
Nearest Station: Halesworth
How to get there: Halesworth is your stop, then it’s a short taxi or shuttle to the festival site. Trains from London Liverpool Street.
Fares checked on 27th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
Split tickets work well here, especially if you’re coming from London, Cambridge, or Norwich. It’s rural Suffolk, not Mars — just bring your wellies.
TRNSMT – 11–13 July
Location: Glasgow Green
Nearest Station: Glasgow Central or Queen Street
No nonsense: You can walk from the train station to the site in 15–20 minutes. It’s all pretty straightforward — urban festivals are good like that.
Fares checked on 20th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
Coming from England? TrainSplit can shave pounds off fares from Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham or further afield. Also: the Glasgow crowd brings energy. Prepare accordingly.
Boardmasters – 6–10 August
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Nearest Station: Newquay
Why take the train? Because driving into Cornwall in August is… ambitious. Take the train to Newquay, and walk or take a bus to the festival.
Fares checked on 27th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
Use TrainSplit to get down from anywhere on the GWR or CrossCountry network — just beware, Newquay trains are few and far between, so plan it smart.
Green Man – 14–17 August
Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Nearest Station: Abergavenny
And then: Shuttle bus to the site. It’s rural, but scenic — you’ll be rolling past sheep and mountains.
Fares checked on 27th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
TrainSplit is handy here, particularly for those coming from London Paddington, Bristol, Cardiff or Birmingham. Add your railcard, split your tickets, and put the savings toward that local cider you’ll inevitably buy.
Creamfields – 21–24 August
Location: Daresbury, Cheshire
Nearest Station: Warrington Bank Quay or Runcorn
Getting there: Festival shuttle buses run from the station. Or you can hop a local cab (expect queues).
Fares checked on 28th May 2025. Prices may vary depending on availability and time of booking.
This is a popular one — and fares spike fast. Search flexible times and use split tickets to dodge the worst of the prices. Especially helpful if you’re travelling from Liverpool or Manchester.
How to Book Festival Trains with TrainSplit
Simple:
1. Head to trainsplit.com
2. Enter your route and dates
3. We’ll find the cheapest combination of split tickets — legally valid, no nonsense, same train
4. Add a digital railcard if you’ve got one
5. Travel like a pro
🎟 Need a railcard? Buy a digital one here and have it ready in the TrainSplit app: https://rail.cards
🛏 Need a bed (or yurt)? Book your accommodation early with our trusted partner: Book now
Image credit: Aranxa Esteve | Unsplash
How to Save Money on Festival Train Tickets
1. Split your tickets
That’s our thing. With TrainSplit, you can buy multiple tickets covering parts of your journey — legally — often for less than a single “through” fare. Same train, same seat, just a smaller bill. No changes or extra stops needed.
2. Travel off-peak
If your schedule allows, avoid the Friday morning rush. Travelling Tuesday or Thursday for weekend festivals can be significantly cheaper and less crowded.
3. Use a Railcard
Don’t have one? You can buy a digital one instantly and store it in the TrainSplit app. Grab one here.
4. Book early
Advance fares open up 8-12 weeks ahead. The cheapest tickets go first — so if you’ve secured your festival ticket, don’t wait.
5. Go in a group
Some railcards (like the Two Together or Family & Friends) can save you even more if you’re travelling as a pair or group.
More Splits, More Savings! Find cheaper train tickets by splitting your fares with the TrainSplit app. Download now on iOS or Android—search for TrainSplit in your app store.
Get the app
Image credit: Hanna Tche | Unsplash
Pack Like a Pro
• Rucksacks beat suitcases every time.
• Don’t bring a trolley — seriously, they’re banned during Glastonbury.
• Pack light, but don’t skip the essentials: waterproof, power bank, snacks, water bottle.
• Bring ID, festival ticket, and your rail ticket — digital or printed.
Where to Stay
If you’re extending your trip before or after the festival, sort your accommodation well in advance. Prices go up fast.
Need a place to crash? Book your stay here.
Make the Journey Part of the Experience
The train ride to a festival can be its own little vibe. Whether you’re swapping playlist tips with strangers or getting your glitter on early, it beats crawling along the M5. And when you travel smarter — splitting tickets, avoiding peak fares, booking ahead — you’ll have more cash for the good stuff: food trucks, dodgy cider, or that overpriced bucket hat.
Final Tips
• Charge your phone the night before.
• Screenshot your tickets just in case.
• Check for engineering works a few days out — things do change.
• Give yourself buffer time at the other end. Shuttles get busy.
Image credit: Galih Jelih | Unsplash
Want help sorting your trip?
Book with TrainSplit and get the best fares we can find — no nonsense, no dodgy fees.
And if you’re travelling with a digital railcard, store everything in our app and breeze through.
Frequently Asked Questions: Train Travel to UK Music Festivals in 2025
Can I take a trolley or cart on the train to Glastonbury Festival?
No. During the Glastonbury Festival period, train companies specifically restrict the use of trolleys, carts, and oversized luggage. This is due to high passenger numbers, limited storage space, and safety concerns. To avoid issues boarding your train, bring a manageable backpack or rucksack — ideally one you can carry through crowded platforms and festival fields.
Is there a shuttle bus from Castle Cary station to Glastonbury Festival?
Yes, there’s a free shuttle bus service exclusively for Glastonbury Festival ticket-holders. It runs between Castle Cary train station and the Festival Bus Station, located near Pedestrian Gate A. The shuttle operates from Wednesday to Monday of the festival week, during the hours trains are running. No shuttle service runs overnight. Be prepared to show your valid festival ticket to board the bus.
When is the best time to book train tickets for UK music festivals?
Advance train tickets usually go on sale 8 to 12 weeks before travel dates. For major UK music festivals like Glastonbury, Boardmasters, Download, and Reading & Leeds, demand spikes early — so booking in advance can help you access cheaper fares. Use a train fare splitter like TrainSplit to unlock extra savings on festival travel tickets.
Can I split my train tickets and still stay on the same train?
Yes — with TrainSplit, you can often split your journey into multiple tickets and still travel on the same train, without needing to change seats or make any extra connections. This works by using pricing gaps in the UK rail system, where breaking a journey down into separate tickets can be cheaper than buying a single ‘through’ ticket.
That said, it’s important to double-check your itinerary before booking. While most split tickets follow the same route with no extra changes, some combinations might involve different trains, longer journey times, or minimum connection windows. We make this clear during the booking process, so take a moment to review the journey breakdown and make sure it works for you.
TrainSplit is fully compliant with UK rail rules, and all tickets are valid for travel — so you’re booking smarter, not cutting corners.
Can I use my railcard when booking split tickets?
Yes, you can use digital or physical railcards with TrainSplit when booking split fares. Whether you have a 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, or Two Together Railcard, you’ll see discounted prices applied across each leg of your split journey. You can also buy and store a digital railcard via our partner site rail.cards for easy access within the app.
Do UK festival trains have luggage storage?
Most UK trains do offer luggage storage, either in racks above the seats, at carriage ends, or in designated compartments. However, during busy festival weekends, space fills up fast. Bring only what you need, avoid large suitcases or hard-shell luggage, and keep valuables in a smaller bag you can access easily. Remember, you’ll also be carrying this through muddy fields!
Can I refund or change my train tickets if my festival plans change?
This depends on the type of ticket you booked. Advance tickets are usually non-refundable but may be changeable for a fee. Off-Peak and Anytime tickets offer more flexibility but are more expensive. With TrainSplit, you may also have access to grace refund periods, depending on how soon after purchase you cancel. Always double-check your ticket type and terms before finalising your booking.
Do I need to print my festival train tickets?
Yes, most UK train operators accept digital tickets. You can have your tickets scanned directly from your smartphone or access them through the TrainSplit app. To avoid any issues, we recommend downloading your tickets to your device before you travel—this way you won’t be caught out if you lose signal at the station or on the journey.
It’s also a good idea to carry a portable charger, especially during busy festival travel when phone battery life can be stretched.
If e-tickets are available for your booking, they will be selected by default. However, if only a “Ticket on Departure” (ToD) option is offer
What are the busiest travel days for UK music festivals?
For most multi-day UK music festivals, Wednesday or Thursday are the busiest outbound travel days as gates open. Returning home, Sunday night and Monday morning are usually packed. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider arriving a day early or leaving a bit later. Some TrainSplit users also choose to stay nearby for an extra night and travel when it’s calmer (and cleaner).
Making a Booking
Help and FAQs:
Ticket Information:
- Ticket types explained
- Split tickets explained
- Advance tickets
- Cheap Train Tickets
- Cheapest vs flexible tickets
Booking and Travel Guides:
Blog:
Terms and Conditions:
Information and Services:
- Live Running Information
- Buy digital railcards
- Introducing Digital Railcards
- Delay Repay
- Rail Strikes
- Refund form
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Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.
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