Britain’s summer temperatures spur a surge in beachbound journeys

Overall, more passengers to the coast live nearby rather than travelling from further afield, suggesting that as temperatures rise, regional beaches make a more appealing destination. This year’s unseasonably warm June weather, particularly in the East, helped spur people to visit their local beach. June saw a 25% increase in travellers departing from the North to visit coastal stations in the North East, compared to the same time last year.

Almost a third more passengers (32%) visited the South East coast this June compared to the same time last year, with Londoners accounting for the bulk of all visitors.  

Coastal stations in East Anglia also saw an 18% increase in June visitors this year, compared to the same time last year. Almost half of all visitors (47%) were from the same region.  The West received a small uplift in passengers compared to last year, corresponding with the small uplift in temperature - and an increase in rain in the region. The North East, South East and East Anglia all experienced a sharp uptick in passenger numbers, corresponding with the significant increase in temperatures and reduction in rainfall, as passengers decide which beaches to visit based on the changing climate.  

The most popular days for visiting coastal stations are Friday to Monday, suggesting short weekend getaways and day trips are the most popular form of local coastal travel.

The weekend coastal travel destination with the smallest increase in passengers in June was Devon and Cornwall, seeing only a 2% increase this June compared to the same time last year. However, this may be explained by visitors to the area opting for longer visits, in which case passengers were more likely to travel on a Monday.

In 2024, August saw the highest number of passengers for coastal stations, including both seasonal resort locations like St Ives and Skegness and commuter-heavy areas with high passenger numbers year-round, such as Brighton and Portsmouth.  This trend is expected to continue in 2025.

By choosing the train, travellers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while also supporting local communities across the country. On average, a single train journey emits nearly five times less carbon emissions than the same trip by car—equivalent to saving as much carbon as boiling a kettle 455 times. And compared with flying, domestic rail travel in Britain is up to 13 times greener.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group said:

“This summer made history as one of the hottest UK summers on record. Now, our analysis shows that changing temperatures are also changing how people travel. For the first time, summer getaways to the coast directly correspond to Met Office patterns for both temperature spikes and areas with the driest conditions.

“For coastal stations, August proves a vital month, making up the bulk of visitors throughout the year, with many showing a large spike in passenger numbers during the summer month.

"On the train you can take time for yourself or connect with loved ones.  Whether it’s a seaside escape, exploring somewhere new, or visiting family, every trip is more than a journey; it’s a chance to support local high streets, independent businesses and further drive economic growth across the country."

Additional data shows that this summer holiday, families travelling by rail are set to contribute an estimated £678 million to the local area they depart from and over £916 million at their destination, boosting local microeconomies across the country. Those heading for seaside towns and villages could drive local spending of £73 million across the summer holidays. During peak times, passengers are advised to plan their journeys carefully.