How the Trainline is Making Glastonbury Greener Than Ever
Trainline, one of the UK’s foremost travel companies, has been running its ‘I came by train’ marketing campaign for several years now.
It’s a simple campaign, designed to encourage train travel by highlighting the positive impact it can have on the environment.
With summer just around the corner, Trainline is now using this campaign to target festival goers, urging them to consider using the British rail network to get to and from events this summer.
In particular, ‘I came by train’ is homing in on Glastonbury.
Each year, the UK’s largest music festival plays host to a temporary population of around 250,000 people, with the majority of those attendees travelling by car.
Travel is by far the biggest contributor to Glastonbury’s carbon footprint, making up an estimated 70% of the festival’s total emissions.
Things have been moving in the right direction in recent years, though. Last year saw a remarkable 225% increase in train travel to Castle Cary and nearby stations during Glastonbury week.
The organisers are hoping to build on this momentum in 2025, so they have enlisted several high-profile artists playing at this year’s edition to promote the Trainline’s campaign.
Artists using their influence to change behaviours
Twenty performers scheduled for this year's festival have committed to the campaign, including Eurovision star Sam Ryder, alt-pop songstress Self Esteem and “psychedelic R&B” artist Greentea Peng.
"I'm keen on the planet, so being asked to 'come by train' was an easy yes from me,” says Self Esteem.
“These things feel small, but they add up to something bigger. It's important to make the changes where you can. See you at Glastonbury!"
Greentea Peng emphasises the practical benefits of train travel, as well as the positive impact it can have on the environment.
"If it means saving our Mother some unnecessary gases and myself some unnecessary traffic, then why wouldn't I get the train? See ya'll on the Glasto Express!" she says.
‘Spaceman’ singer Sam Ryder also pointed out the social aspects of rail travel.
"So stoked to get the train to Glastonbury with my band and crew this year as part of the 'I came by train’ movement,” he says.
“We are gonna be playing Uno and just generally being smug on the train while saving the planet."
The environmental impact of train travel
According to campaign data, festival goers travelled an average of 122 miles to Glastonbury last year.
Trains generate up to 67% less CO₂ emissions per passenger compared to cars, representing a significant reduction in environmental impact.
If just 10% more attendees chose rail travel, it would save approximately 543 tons of CO₂.
The broader initiative aims to reduce the UK's CO₂e emissions by eight million metric tons by 2035.
This aligns with the UK Climate Change Committee's targets for a 30% increase in passenger rail travel within the next decade.
Setting industry standards
Glastonbury has positioned itself as a leader in festival sustainability efforts.
The 2023 festival was the first to run entirely on renewable energy sources, with all production areas powered by electricity from fossil-free sources or photovoltaic solar panels and battery hybrid systems.
"Sustainability and the need to live in harmony with the land, has always been vital to Glastonbury Festival,” says Emily Eavis, the festival’s Chief Organiser.
“We're always thinking about how we can make Glastonbury more sustainable."
The ‘I came by train’ campaign complements these efforts by addressing a major source of festival emissions—attendee transportation.
According to industry reports, up to 70% of music festival emissions come from attendees arriving by car.
The economic considerations of train travel
While environmental benefits are clear, the economic implications for festival goers remain significant.
Advanced train tickets to Castle Cary for Glastonbury weekend currently average US$75-US$120 from major UK cities, compared to approximately US$65-US$90 in fuel costs for car travel.
However, campaign organisers emphasise that the convenience of avoiding traffic congestion and parking issues offsets the potential price differential.
Natalie Marques, Sustainability Head for the campaign, sees the initiative as part of a broader cultural shift.
"This campaign is about turning good intentions into easy actions for the benefit of the planet,” she says.
“Every train journey is a step toward a more sustainable festival experience - and we're excited to see artists and fans come together to make that happen.”
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