The excitement for Glastonbury Festival 2025 is building fast! The festival kicks off on Wednesday, June 25, and runs through Sunday, June 29, with thousands of music fans descending upon the site for five days of unforgettable performances and atmosphere.
Travel will be particularly busy between Wednesday and Friday, with many attendees arriving by train. The festival officially ends on Sunday, but most festival-goers will head home Monday, June 30, making it another high-traffic travel day.
For those traveling by train, here’s everything you need to know:
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Nearest Station and Shuttle Service
The closest train station to Glastonbury Festival is Castle Cary. Upon arrival, a shuttle bus will take you directly to the festival site, dropping passengers off right outside Pedestrian Gate A, minimizing your walk from the parking areas.
Booking and Train Capacity
Great Western Railway (GWR) anticipates high demand and requires all passengers traveling to Castle Cary for Glastonbury to reserve their seats in advance. Be prepared for queues both to board trains and to catch shuttle buses at Castle Cary.
On your return journey, train access will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on your destination. A queuing system will be in place to manage passenger flow.
Ticket Tips
Mobile reception at Castle Cary is limited, so it’s crucial to download your tickets before arriving. Keep your phone handy since ticket and rail card checks will be conducted at the station.
GWR will run over 55 trains from London Paddington to Castle Cary to manage festival traffic, providing approximately 37,000 seats from Wednesday to Friday and more than 16,000 seats for returning travelers on Monday. An additional 25 trains will also run back to London Paddington on Monday, July 1. Additional services between Castle Cary and Westbury, as well as Castle Cary and Taunton, will accommodate attendees arriving from other regions.
Best Times to Travel and Saving Money
Mid-morning trains are currently the most in demand, so to guarantee a seat, consider traveling during early morning or late afternoon.
For the best value, GWR recommends the Super Off Peak Return ticket at £81.20 for a round trip between London Paddington and Castle Cary. These tickets are valid for trains departing after 10am and before 3pm inbound. If you prefer more flexibility or need to travel between 9am and 10am, the Off Peak Return ticket costs £108.40. Note that boarding trains before 8:45am for your return trip on Monday may require an additional surcharge.
Advance Purchase tickets are also available now on GWR.com, offering discounted rates for early planners. Additionally, holders of Young Person’s Railcards—including the 16-25 Student Railcard and the 26-30 Railcard—can save up to a third on ticket prices.
Preparing your luggage carefully and taking advantage of the shuttle bus services from Castle Cary will ensure your festival experience starts smoothly.
Get ready to enjoy Glastonbury with these insider train travel tips and tricks!