Great Western Railway (GWR) analysts have highlighted the rise in demand for rail travel as a means of transport for staycations, which has been steadily increasing over the last few years.
Each year, GWR’s rail service bookings in August and September see a jump in demand during and after the school summer holidays. A trend has been dubbed ‘Railcations’ by the train operator, as people look to take the train to reach their holiday destination.
Since the May half-term, there has been a 5,000% increase in holiday searches by Brits looking to holiday within the UK.
The most popular county for holidaymakers using GWR services is Cornwall, with its 422 miles of coastline. Direct services from London Paddington through to Penzance and, in recent weeks, returning to Newquay, make it an appealing attraction for passengers who would rather relax and take the train, rather than face long motorway journeys, getting stuck in traffic, then trying to find a suitable, safe parking space near the hotel once they reach their destination.
“Visiting Cornwall by train isn’t just a great way to avoid the traffic; it also offers some of the UK’s most scenic views from the train window – from entering Cornwall across Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge to exploring coastal branch lines. Whether it’s discovering Cornwall’s capital city of Truro or heading to the coast to walk the South West Coast Path right from the station, Cornwall has it all.
Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership Director, Rebecca Catterall
While Cornwall is a popular county in its own right, the GWR serves a range of destinations within The Cotswolds, South Wales, Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, which combined feature historical small towns and cities, castles and cathedrals, wildlife attractions, a huge variety of outdoor attractions, several heritage railways, and so much more.
“Families are having to think harder about how they spend their summer holiday budgets. Overseas trips can feel expensive or uncertain, while driving comes with its own pressures, from fuel costs and motorway traffic to parking at the other end.
“That is why the ‘railcation’ feels so relevant this summer. It gives families a way to still have a proper UK break, but without starting and ending the holiday with hours in the car.”
- Pick your base first
“The easiest ‘railcations’ start with a sensible base, not a long list of places to tick off. Choose somewhere with enough to do nearby, then build one or two bigger days out around it.”
- Book ahead for peak summer
“August and September can get busy, especially for families travelling around weekends, bank holidays or school holiday dates. Booking in advance can help keep costs down and make the journey feel less rushed.”
- Keep onward travel simple
“A good ‘railcation’ does not need complicated transfers. Look for short bus routes, local taxis, walkable attractions or branch-line journeys that add to the trip rather than making it harder.”
- Do not overplan every day
“The best UK breaks usually leave space for slow mornings, longer lunches, weather changes and the small discoveries that happen once you are there.”
- Pack for the train, not the boot
“Families used to driving can be tempted to bring everything. For a ‘railcation’, it is worth packing lighter and choosing accommodation that makes the basics easy once you arrive.”
GWR Head of Customer Research, Jeremy Clarke,
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