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Visiting London in summer

London offers travellers the chance to imbibe its rich cultural landscape, learn more about the city’s heritage, and make memories visiting its extraordinary sites.

The easiest way to travel to London this summer is, of course, by train, allowing travellers the privilege of speed and convenience as they make their way to the nation’s capital.

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Tower bridge

Tower bridge

Tower Bridge sits like a jewel along the River Thames, a real testament to the city’s ingenuity and appreciation for engineering that’s also easy on the eye. The structure features a glass-floored walkway, providing visitors a unique view of London. Visitors can learn more about the bridge’s construction and history through its many exhibits.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:
The O2

The O2

Built for the dawn of the new Millennium, The O2 is London’s premier entertainment venue, hosting massive pop concerts, exhibitions and events all summer long. It’s really easy to get to, as well. Just a few minutes walk from Charlton Railway Station.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:

Charlton

The London Eye

The London Eye

The world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel, the London Eye epitomises London: it's big, bombastic, and offers a thoroughly good time. It offers remarkable 360-degree views of the city and its many landmarks. Each capsule is equipped with interactive guides to enhance your understanding of the sights below.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:

Waterloo

Big Ben

Big Ben

Everyone recognises Big Ben as being quintessential to London’s skyline. From Alaska to Zimbabwe, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen it before. So why not see it for yourself? Although currently undergoing renovations, it’s situated at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, and is a focal point for visitors who are interested in British history, architecture, and taking selfies.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:
Tate Modern

Tate Modern

Tate Modern is the UK’s leading institution for contemporary and modern art. Located in former Battersea Power Station, it houses works by internationally celebrated artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. The gallery offers guided tours and educational programmes to help deepen your appreciation of the art on display.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:
Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. Its extensive collection includes fashion, textiles, and ceramics, that help provide an insight into how art and design has evolved over the centuries.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:

London Victoria

St Pauls Cathedral

St Pauls Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece with a spectacular history. Visitors can explore its majestic interior, climb to the Whispering Gallery, and enjoy panoramic views from its glorious dome. Informative tours are available to enhance your understanding of this historic site.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:

Blackfriars or Cannon Street

Brtish Museum

Brtish Museum

The British Museum tells the world’s history through its enormous collection of historical artefacts that span the globe. From Australia to Japan, Ancient Egypt and the Rosetta Stone, to the Parthenon Marbles, the Roman Empire, and the Incas; the museum’s exhibits showcase the history of the globe, all from Central London.

Closest train station:
Closest train station:
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Exploring the best beaches in 2025

Don’t let summer get scorching this year, whether you're in the UK, Italy, or Spain, make sure you grab an ice cream, pack your sun cream, and find a beach to cool down at.

  • UK beaches
  • Italy beaches
  • Spain beaches
Best beaches near London

Best beaches near London

Find the best beaches near London by train, from Brighton Beach to Camber Sands, with dog-friendly beaches and the best beaches in the UK for swimming.

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Best beaches in Cornwall

Best beaches in Cornwall

Seaside towns and beaches near Cornwall by train: find the best beach day trips in Cornwall, from St Ives and Newquay to Penzance and St Austell.

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Top 10 beaches in the UK

Top 10 beaches in the UK

The top beaches in the UK by train, with the best beaches for swimming, dog-friendly beaches, Scotland seaside resorts and sandy Cornwall beaches.

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Best beaches in Wales

Best beaches in Wales

Experience the best beaches in Wales by train, with scenic and sandy beaches from Llandudno and Colwyn Bay to Prestatyn and Tenby.

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Best beaches in Scotland

Best beaches in Scotland

Scottish seaside towns and the best beaches in Scotland, with dog-friendly beaches and scenic beaches by train, from Aberdeen Beach to Barassie Beach.

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The best sandy beaches in England

The best sandy beaches in England

The best sandy beaches in England you can get to by train, including dog-friendly beaches in England, from Whitby Beach to Bournemouth Beach.

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Best beaches near Rome

Best beaches near Rome

Just a short distance from Rome, you’ll find true coastal treasures! From Sperlonga, with its crystalline waters and picturesque village, to Santa Severa, dominated by a seaside castle, to Anzio and Nettuno. These beaches are reachable by train, perfect for a day of sun and sea!

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Best beaches in Sicily

Best beaches in Sicily

Sicily boasts some of Italy’s most stunning beaches, easily accessible by train: Cefalù, with golden sands and a station a few steps from the historic centre; San Vito Lo Capo, connected via regional trains to Trapani; and Taormina Mare (Giardini Naxos), blending seaside charm with rich culture.

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The best sandy beaches in Italy

The best sandy beaches in Italy

Discover Italy’s finest sandy beaches, with soft sands and many services: from Rimini in Romagna to Viareggio on Tuscany’s coast, up to Mondello, near Palermo! Easily reachable by train, without traffic jams!

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Best beaches in Tuscany

Best beaches in Tuscany

Explore Tuscany’s top beaches directly by train: Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi along the Versilia coast, with well-equipped facilities and wide sandy shores; further south, San Vincenzo and Castiglione della Pescaia offer crystalline waters and unspoilt natural surroundings.

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Best beaches in Sardinia

Best beaches in Sardinia

Reach the stunning Sardinian beaches by train: from Cagliari, unwind at Poetto, the city’s long urban beach; from Oristano you can quickly reach Torregrande, ideal for families and for those who love water sports; from Olbia you can move towards the splendid locations of the Costa Smeralda with short trips by bus or shuttle.

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The Best Beaches Near Barcelona

The Best Beaches Near Barcelona

This summer, leave the car at home and hop on the train heading to paradise. From the charming coves of Sitges to the wide beaches of Castelldefels, discover the best beaches near Barcelona to unwind, take a dip, and recharge in the sun.

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The Best Beaches in Alicante

The Best Beaches in Alicante

Can you imagine stepping off the train and having your feet in the sand in less than ten minutes? Well, in Alicante, it's as easy as it sounds. Just relax, put on your flip-flops, and enjoy the sun at one of its beaches, like Postiguet or San Juan. And the best part: with the Young Summer campaign, your ticket will be a bargain.

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The 10 Best Beaches in Spain

The 10 Best Beaches in Spain

Hop on the train and discover dreamlike sandy shores such as Playa de la Concha or Playa de Muro. Perfect for family trips, unwinding, and soaking up the sun all day.

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The Best Beaches in Galicia

The Best Beaches in Galicia

Galicia is in a league of its own: white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a landscape that seems out of this world. Hop on the train and discover gems like the Catedrales, Carnota, or Lanzada. Who would have thought there were so many hidden wonders in the north?

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The Best Beaches in Andalusia

The Best Beaches in Andalusia

Picture-perfect beaches, fried fish, and salty breezes. That's summer in Andalusia. Connect by train with the most authentic south and plant your parasol in incredible places like La Caleta beach in Cádiz. The hardest part will be not wanting to stay!

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Train transfers at airports

Getting to and from the airport should be simple. Find the nearest train stations to the airport and its connecting routes that provide easy access to city centres and connecting public transportation.

  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
Trains to Heathrow Airport

Trains to Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport trains are convenient with main stations at Terminals 2 & 3, 4, and 5. Direct routes are available from London Paddington, Reading, Oxford, and Bristol.

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Trains to Gatwick Airport

Trains to Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport railway station provides Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, connecting seamlessly to London Victoria, London Bridge, and other destinations like Brighton and Bedford efficiently.

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Trains to Stansted Airport

Trains to Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport railway station offers Greater Anglia services, providing direct connections to London Liverpool Street and other destinations like Cambridge and Norwich efficiently.

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Trains to Manchester Airport

Trains to Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport railway station features Northern and TransPennine Express services, linking directly to Manchester Piccadilly and other cities like Leeds, Liverpool, and Sheffield.

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Trains to Rome Fiumicino Airport

Trains to Rome Fiumicino Airport

Rome Fiumicino Airport station offers many convenient and efficient connections thanks to Leonardo Express, Frecciarossa, and regional trains. These provide direct services to Roma Termini and links to other major Italian cities such as Naples, Florence, and Bologna.

Trains to Milan Malpensa Airport

Trains to Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan Malpensa Airport is connected to Terminals 1 and 2 by the Malpensa Express, with frequent daily services to Milano Cadorna and Milano Central stations. Additionally, TiLo regional trains link the airport terminals to Bellinzona in Switzerland.

Trains to Bologna Airport

Trains to Bologna Airport

The Bologna Centrale-Guglielmo Marconi Airport connection takes just 7 minutes via Marconi Express, a convenient and speedy monorail. From there, you can easily access high-speed trains to Milan, Florence, and other Italian destinations.

Trains to Florence Airport

Trains to Florence Airport

Florence Airport is connected to the city centre by the T2 tram, which stops at Unità. In a few minutes on foot, you can reach the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, the departure point for trains to Bologna, Rome, and numerous other cities.

Trains to Madrid-Barajas Airport

Trains to Madrid-Barajas Airport

Madrid-Barajas Airport features a train station at Terminal T4. Renfe Cercanías C1 and C10 trains connect directly to Atocha and Chamartín stations, then conveniently link to other major cities in Spain, such as Barcelona and Seville.

Trains to Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Trains to Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Barcelona-El Prat Airport, southwest of the city, has a train station at Terminal 2. R2 North trains connect to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia stations, linking to the metro and other major cities.

Trains to Málaga Airport

Trains to Málaga Airport

Málaga Airport offers convenient rail access via Cercanías C1. You can reach Málaga Centro-Alameda and coastal towns like Fuengirola directly from the airport station near Terminal 3.

Trains to Valencia Airport

Trains to Valencia Airport

Valencia Airport is west of the city. Take MetroValencia Line 3 or 5 to Xàtiva station in 15 minutes. Nearby, you can catch AVE trains to Madrid, Requena, and Cuenca.

Best summer events to attend in 2025

This summer, take the train to the year’s most sizzling events in the UK, Spain, and Italy. Take advantage of our summer sales to ensure your plans go even more smoothly, giving you more time to create some unforgettable memories.

UK events

Glastonbury Festival (June 25-29)

Celebrated as the UK's most iconic music festivals, Glastonbury offers everything from small up-and-coming indie acts to rip-roaring headliner sets by music legends. To get there by train, head to Castle Cary station, where shuttle buses are available to transport festival-goers to the event.

Reading & Leeds Festivals (August 21-24)

Reading & Leeds Festival is hosted across two different cities, with alternating acts on different days. You can hear everything from punk and metal to hip hop, pop, and dance music. For Reading, take a train to Reading station, which is conveniently close to the festival grounds. For Leeds, arrive at Leeds station and use local transport to reach the venue.

Isle of Wight Festival (June 19-22)

Set in a picturesque seaside location, this festival boasts an impressive lineup of musical acts. To attend, take a train to Portsmouth Harbour or Southampton Central, then catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight and use local transport to reach the festival site.

Wimbledon Championships (June 30 - July 13)

One of the biggest and oldest championships in tennis, Wimbledon, is a must-visit for fans of the sport. Visitors can take a train to Wimbledon station, which is a short walk or bus ride from the All England Club, the tournament's venue.

British Summer Time Hyde Park (June-July)

This lively music festival is held in the heart of London. Attendees can take a train to London Paddington station, which is within walking distance of Hyde Park to join in the fun and see some great musical acts.

Notting Hill Carnival (August)

Europe's largest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival, is a vibrant celebration of British-Caribbean music and dance. To get there, take a train to London Paddington or Notting Hill Gate station, both of which are conveniently located along the carnival’s route.

Summer train travel tips

Taking a train journey in summer always has an air of excitement about it, rekindling memories of trips gone by. It’s best to be prepared though, as it can save you money and peace of mind.

Use TrainPal to easily search, buy, and book the cheapest fares as well as stay informed about any disruptions to ensure you have a smooth journey.

In the UK

Book in Advance: Get the best fares and seats by booking your tickets early, especially during the busy summer months.

Check for Disruptions: Stay updated on potential delays or route changes by visiting the TrainPal App before and during your journey.

Pack Light: Choose lightweight, breathable clothing for comfort if you know it’s going to be a warm day, or bring a light jacket or jumper for colder climes.

Stay Hydrated: Keep a water bottle handy if you know it’s going to be a warm day. There should be cafes and shops at your train station to buy refreshments, and they might be available on board the train, too.

Charge Devices: Fully charge your phone and other devices before departure, and consider a power bank for emergencies. There may also be plug-in sockets on the train too.

Enjoy the View: You might want to enjoy the landscapes that pass by your window as you travel, if so, consider booking a window seat when you purchase your ticket.