The UK rail holiday market is on the brink of transformation, driven by a growing preference for sustainable/mindful travel. Eurostar's passenger numbers have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels. 11% of UK…
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UK Holidays by Rail Market Report 2025
"Sustainable travel is boosting demand. Marketing should promote the relaxing, authentic, and eco-friendly appeal of rail holidays, while addressing booking complexities."
The UK rail holiday market is on the brink of transformation, driven by a growing preference for sustainable/mindful travel.
Despite inflationary pressures, demand for rail travel remains strong. 48% of UK holidaymakers show interest in long-distance journeys featuring stopovers and sleeper services, a preference that held steady over the past year.
Effective marketing should highlight how train travel transforms a holiday into an integral, relaxing, and authentic experience. A significant 78% of consumers agree the journey itself enhances the overall holiday, with an equal percentage finding international train travel offers a more authentic cultural immersion.
A good opportunity also lies in promoting eco-conscious travel. Conversely, the industry faces the challenge of overcoming the perception that rail travel is complex or limiting. To attract more travellers, a streamlined and user-friendly booking process is essential.
Key Issues Covered in the Report
An analysis of current rail usage for overseas holidays, along with future interest and growth prospects.
The potential for value-added rail holidays abroad, extending beyond core Eurostar and LeShuttle destinations.
Opportunities for international rail holidays, including interest in long-distance journeys with stopovers, sleeper services, iconic routes, and package deals.
Consumer perceptions of rail holidays, such as the belief that train travel offers a more authentic and relaxing journey, making it an integral part of the holiday experience.
The influence of sustainability trends on rail travel and the potential for creating premium and mindful travel experiences.
Key marketing messages and the primary barriers hindering the adoption of rail holidays.
UK Holidays by Rail Market Report – Report Scope
This Report covers the market for holidays by rail, with a primary focus on overseas holidays. These include overnight leisure trips where trains are used via the Channel Tunnel and beyond to get to and from the holiday destination, as well as travel within the destination itself. The main focus is on passenger-only services (Eurostar and onward inter-connecting services), but consideration is also given to the Le Shuttle passenger vehicle service. The Report also covers specialist rail holiday products and services, including multi-destination rail touring holidays. Use of the train for domestic holidays, although not the focus of this Report, is also included within Mintel’s consumer research and is referenced elsewhere.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for Holidays by Rail
Opportunities
Emphasise eco-friendly travel
Leverage the power of technological advancements
Elevate rail travel: luxury, experiences and seamless journeys
THE MARKET
Inflation surge strains household budgets
Graph 1: CPI* inflation rate, 2021-25
Consumer confidence outlook
Graph 2: consumers’ financial confidence over the next year or so, 2025
Holiday bookings remain comparable to last year
Graph 3: holiday booking and intentions, 2020-25
Tunnel and sea crossings lag in post-pandemic recovery while air travel soars
Graph 4: volume of overseas holiday trips, by mode of travel, 2019 vs 2023 and 2024
Tunnel travel sees a boost in 2024, but long-term decline persists
Graph 5: modal share (%) of overseas holidays trips, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2024
A new era for UK-Europe train travel?
Graph 6: Eurostar total passenger* volumes via Channel Tunnel, 2014-24
LeShuttle passenger vehicles lag pre-pandemic levels
Graph 7: Eurotunnel Le Shuttle total passenger vehicle* volumes, 2019-24
THE CONSUMER
Holiday travel by rail and other modes
Eurostar and LeShuttle pave the way for European rail holidays
UK domestic holiday travel: rail on the rise, but cars still reign supreme
Graph 8: travel modes used for domestic holidays in the last five years, 2022, 2024 and 202524
On track to Europe: Eurostar and LeShuttle lead holiday travel abroad by rail
Graph 9: travel modes used for holidays abroad in the last five years, 2022, 2024, and 2025
LeShuttle and Eurostar destinations
Beyond the shuttle: where are travellers heading next?
Graph 10: holiday destinations travelled to from Calais after using the LeShuttle service in the last five years, 2025
Graph 11: holiday destinations travelled to by Eurostar in the last five years, 2025
Travellers seek broader horizons
Graph 12: holiday travel beyond main Eurostar destinations in the last five years, 2025
Future interest in holidays by rail
Unlock potential with competitive pricing, fostering convenience and package deals
All aboard: driving growth in train travel with better deals
Graph 13: interest in taking holidays by rail in the future, 2024-25
Opportunities for holidays abroad by rail
The future is bright for long-distance train adventures
Long-distance train adventures present good prospects
Sleeper trains are on the rise
Making an iconic long-distance rail journey
Graph 14: interest in making an iconic long-distance rail journey (eg Canadian Rockies, Trans-Mongolian Railway), by age group, 2025
The Great British Heritage Rail Tour
Slow down: the rise of mindful train travel
LeShuttle packages: your passport to seamless holidays
Attitudes to holiday rail travel
Transforming train travel: relaxation, authenticity, and cultural immersion
Train travel: when the journey becomes the holiday
Graph 15: attitudes to holiday rail travel, 2025
Rail holidays: the journey is the destination
How to get undecided travellers on board with train travel
The rise of rail for a greener future
The greener getaway: why eco-conscious travellers are choosing trains
Graph 16: ethical travel priorities, 2025
Rail travel abroad: what’s holding Brits back?
Graph 17: agreement that travelling abroad by train is too limiting*, by age, 2025
Can trains compete with planes? Speed, comfort, and the future of travel
Graph 18: agreement that it is only worth travelling abroad by train if it takes less time than flying, by age, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Cross-channel travel shake-up
All aboard: Europe’s rail renaissance
Eurostar plans to launch high-speed trains from UK to Germany and Switzerland
Travel to Europe, your way, with LeShuttle
Brands are working towards offering more sustainable forms of transport
Guilt-free travel options
Berlin to Paris: how to market a slower train journey
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: when the journey becomes the destination
Eurostar teams up with Team GB and ParalympicsGB for Paris 2024
Avoid travel chaos: operators must boost EES and ETIAS awareness
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