UK music festivals are often a highlight of the summer for many. With different acts taking to the stage at many venues across the country, they represent a chance for people to get away for a few days and see a wide variety of different acts & genres of music, as well as experiencing other activities as well. Many festivals offer camping as an accommodation option, which can occasionally have the drawback of turning into a mudbath if the weather is bad, but it’s all part of the fun.
If you’re wondering about how to get to Glastonbury, then it’s unfortunately not included in this list, as it’s not taking place in 2026. This is normal, as the festival is taking a fallow year to help the grounds recover; these fallow years happen every five years or so. Worry not, though, as the festival is due to return in 2027.
Many festivals can use rail travel to get to them, so there may be plenty of great deals on cheap train tickets to be had through our website. So let’s dive on in to see what festivals in the UK can be accessed by train! (Please note that this article only considers England, Wales, and Scotland - Northern Ireland is on a separate rail network to the rest of the UK).
The TrainSplit app makes it easy to find cheaper alternative journeys through split ticketing.
Download the app
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!
Boardmasters (5th August 2026 to 9th August 2026)
- Nearest station - Newquay (served by Great Western Railway)
If you fancy a music festival in the South West, then why not go to Newquay for Boardmasters? Originally founded in the 1980s as a surfing competition, Boardmasters included a music festival component for the first time in 2005, and has grown since then. Arriving by train will see arrival into Newquay station itself, with virtually all journeys necessitating a change at Par. The festival is spread over two sites, with the free site being at Fistral Beach and the paid site at Watergate Bay, with shuttle buses connecting the two together. The headline acts for 2026 are Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen, and Kasabian, with other performers including Pendulum, Dizzee Rascal, the Darkness, Tinie Tempah, and many more. In keeping with its roots, Boardmasters still holds surfing competitions on its schedule, and there's a lot of other stuff to do as well. Why not consider extending your stay and visiting other parts of Cornwall by rail? There'll be plenty of opportunity to do so with cheap train tickets purchased fron our website!
Image Credit: Ottr Dan | Unsplash
Reading and Leeds (27th August 2026 to 30th August 2026)
- Nearest station for Reading site - Reading (served by CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway)
- Nearest station for Leeds site - Leeds (served by CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express)
With origins going back to the 1950s, Reading and Leeds Festivals are an interesting concept, with it effectively being one festival over two sites. The Reading location is near to Caversham Bridge (and just a short walk from Reading station), with the Leeds site being in Bramham Park near Wetherby (there's a bus service that connects the station with the festival site). Acts performing this year include Charli XCX, Florence and the Machine, Kasabian, Chase & Status, and many more. Since the two-site concept was adopted in 1999, it's been quite common for acts to play at both sites on different dates, but this isn't always the case, so please double-check the line-up! Given the accessibility of both Reading and Leeds stations from various parts of the UK by rail, it shouldn't be too challenging to find some cheap train tickets from our website for your journey there and back.
Image Credit: Hannah Tche | Unsplash
Creamfields (27th August 2026 to 30th August 2026)
- Warrington Bank Quay (served by Avanti West Coast, Northern, Transport for Wales)
- Warrington Central (served by East Midlands Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express)
- Runcorn (served by Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales)
- Liverpool Lime Street (served by Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Merseyrail, Northern, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales)
If you're a fan of electronic dance music and want to go to a festival, then perhaps Creamfields is the one for you. First taking place in 1998 near Winchester, Creamfields moved to a site on the old Liverpool Airport in 1999, before going to Daresbury in 2006, where it has remained ever since. There are a number of stations which are convenient for accessing Creamfields, with buses running between them and the site, but Runcorn will only have buses running from Creamfields to the station. Some of the acts performing at Creamfields this year include Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Underworld, and many more. With the multiple different stations you can use to access the Creamfields site, this can present an ideal opportunity to find some cheap train tickets for your journey there and back on our website!
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.
Download (10th June 2026 to 14th June 2026)
- East Midlands Parkway (served by East Midlands Railway)
- Derby (served by CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway)
If you enjoy rock and metal music, and you want to go to a festival, then Download is quite possibly the one for you. First held in 2003, its home is at Donington Park (yes, in the grounds of the famous racing circuit), and is next door to East Midlands Airport. In terms of accessing the site via train travel, the most suitable options are to go to East Midlands Parkway or Derby, with buses connecting the stations to the festival site. Download has seen many big names perform over the years, and 2026 is no exception. This year's headliners include Limp Bizkit, Guns 'n' Roses, and Linkin Park; other acts performing include Trivium, Electric Callboy, Pendulum, Scooter, and many more. Given the accessibility of both Derby and East Midlands Parkway stations from various parts of the UK by rail (and also how relatively close East Midlands Parkway is to the venue), there should be plenty of opportunities to find some cheap train tickets from our website for your journey there and back.
TRNSMT (19th June 2026 to 21st June 2026)
- Glasgow Central (served by Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, ScotRail, TransPennine Express)
- Glasgow Queen Street (served by Caledonian Sleeper, Lumo, ScotRail)
- High Street (Glasgow) (served by ScotRail)
- Argyle Street (served by ScotRail)
- Bridgeton (served by ScotRail)
If you're up in Scotland (or want to go to Scotland), then perhaps TRNSMT in Glasgow is worth considering. First held in 2017, the festival site is at Glasgow Green, on the northern bank of the River Clyde. There are plenty of options for accessing the site by rail, which can present more options when it comes to purchasing cheap train tickets from our website for your journey there and back. If you want to extend your stay in Glasgow and/or potentially use it as a base for exploring wider areas of Scotland, why not take a look at our article HERE? The headliners at TRNSMT this year include Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian, and Lewis Capaldi. Other acts performing this year include Wolf Alice, Nile Rogers + Chic, The Fratellis, Amy McDonald, Two Door Cinema Club, and many more.
Image Credit: Paulina B | Unsplash
Green Man Festival (20th August 2026 to 23rd August 2026)
- Nearest station - Abergavenny (served by Transport for Wales)
For those who enjoy festivals, but may perhaps want to go to something a bit smaller, then maybe Green Man Festival in Wales is the one for you. Getting to the festival site in the Brecon Beacons is facilitated by shuttle buses running from Abergavenny station to the festival site on certain days (see the festival's website for further details). Green Man is a little different to other festivals, in that there's a good focus on more than just music - there are specific focuses on comedy, literature, film, the performing arts, and many more. In terms of headline acts this year on the music side, these include Wolf Alice, Mogwai, Wilco, and Four Tet; other acts performing this year include Cat Power, Getdown Services, Tyler Ballgame, and so many more. Given the festival site is in the Brecon Beacons (with the national park being officially called the 'Bannau Brycheiniog National Park'), why not get out and explore the local area while you have the chance? If you want to do this by rail, then don't forget to buy cheap train tickets from our website!
Image Credit: Mark Fairhurst | Unsplash
We very much hope that we've been able to convince you to consider going to a festival in England, Wales, or Scotland by train over the summer period. If we have, then fantastic! If you have any questions about cheap train tickets for getting to & from any of these, please email us on customer.support@trainsplit.com, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
💡 Tip: If you’re planning multiple trips, don’t forget to buy a digital Railcard directly through TrainSplit. It can pay for itself in just 1-2 journeys!
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a trip to a festival in the UK by train? Here are answers to the most common questions about finding cheap train tickets, using split ticketing, and making the most of your adventures across the UK.
How can I find cheap train tickets in the UK?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using TrainSplit to find split ticket options, often involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of travelling across the UK by train.
Can I use split ticketing for journeys by train?
Absolutely. Many UK train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of a journey and save compared to a single through fare. TrainSplit does this automatically and shows you the savings upfront.
When should I book train tickets for the best prices?
It’s best to book well in advance, as fares rise closer to the travel date. Booking 8–12 weeks ahead often gets you the lowest fares. Split ticketing can also help you save even when booking later.
Are there discounts for frequent train travellers in the UK?
Yes. A digital Railcard offers 1/3 off most fares and works alongside split ticketing for even bigger savings. It’s ideal for frequent travellers or those planning several day trips and weekend breaks.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets online or at the station?
Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper. Using TrainSplit lets you compare fares, find split ticket combinations, and avoid paying full-price walk-up fares at the station.
Can I reach UK festivals by train?
Yes. Many options are within a short distance of train stations, making travel even easier.
Can I still travel if my original train is delayed or cancelled?
Yes. Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you’re entitled to take the next reasonable service to complete your journey if your train is delayed or cancelled.
When is the best time to travel for Easter?
Trains are quieter outside peak hours. Travel early and check return times in advance. Mid-morning departures often offer the best balance between comfort and cost.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint when travelling?
Travelling by train produces far fewer CO₂ emissions than driving. Visiting places by rail helps reduce congestion and environmental impact while supporting sustainable tourism across the UK.
Do I need to print my train tickets?
No. Most tickets are available as e-tickets you can store on your phone. You can also collect them from a station machine with your booking reference if you prefer a paper copy.
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.
Take your journeys with you
