Keep your cool while travelling by train this summer

If you commute to work regularly by train or are planning long trips over the next couple of months, you might want to consider how to prepare for days when temperatures rise.

Here are some useful tips and things to remember when travelling by train during the summer months:

• Check ahead
• Dress light
• Carry a hand-held fan
• Seek shade where possible
• Stay hydrated
• Keep calm
• Avoid peak travel times where possible 

Check ahead

With weather apps on most smartphones nowadays, it is pretty easy to find out the forecast for the next few days. We understand that the forecast isn’t always completely accurate; however, it should give you a general indication if a heatwave is coming.

If you are due to travel on a short or long train journey during very warm weather, you will need to take a few extra precautions to ensure you stay safe and healthy.

Dress light

It goes without saying, really, but dressing in light, airy clothing for your journey can make it a whole lot more comfortable.
 

Light coloured, soft cotton clothing is preferable as it provides better air circulation around the body, leading to greater moisture absorption. Wearing synthetic fabrics can often cause you to feel like you are sweating more, as the fibres don’t absorb any of the moisture for you.
 

Tight clothing or heavily embroidered items can often cause you to overheat – so opt for something loose and fairly plain on particularly hot days.

If you are planning on travelling for most of the day or won’t be returning home until late, when the weather will be cooler, take some thin layers in your bag to put on later. 

Carry a hand-held fan 
 

When travelling by train in the summer, it’s a good idea to carry a hand-held fan if you’ve got one. 

We have air conditioning on all our trains, but carriages can still be warm during extreme heat, so investing in a small fan you keep in your bag can make all the difference. 
 

Seek shade wherever possible 

Many stations have shaded or covered areas where you can enjoy a break from the blazing sunshine. Try to stand in the shade or designated indoor areas while waiting for your train to avoid overheating before you board. 
 

Stay hydrated

Be sure to fill up your water bottle at home before you set off with some cool or even iced water. The colder the water is to begin with, the longer it will stay cool on your journey.

Take regular sips and fill your bottle On-board when it’s running low so that you aren’t caught short when you change trains or are carrying on your journey. 

Remember, we should all aim to drink at least 2 litres of water per day to stay adequately hydrated – that’s the equivalent of about 8 glasses of water.

If you forget to bring a water bottle along for your journey, we serve a range of food and drink On-board to keep you hydrated and ensure you don’t go hungry. 

Keep calm
 

Travelling during warm weather can be uncomfortable at times. But if you then factor in busy peak-time volumes of people and any unexpected delays in your journey, things can get a bit stressful.

Minimise stress and anxiety by planning for the worst. Leave with plenty of time at the train station to walk to your train (no one wants to run in the heat!) and choose an arrival time from the timetable that gives you time to continue your journey without rushing to your end destination.

Getting stressed and worked up can make you heat up even more, so if you feel yourself starting to panic, take some long, deep, cooling breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to bring your heart rate back down to a steady beat.

Avoid peak travel times if possible 

Trains are more likely to become overheated when busy, so try to avoid travelling at peak times where possible. Getting a slightly earlier or later train can make all the difference. 

Explore our off-peak and super off-peak train tickets at Grand Central and travel at quieter times to keep cool on your summer journeys by train. 

Inspiration for your summer train journeys 

Need some inspiration on where you can travel by train this summer? Explore our Grand Central blogs and discover all the exciting places you can travel to along our route: 

• Direct to live music in London this summer

• Direct to race day thrills in London and the North East

• Direct to live music in Yorkshire this summer

• The best things to do in Seaham

• A summer day out in Richmond

• Summer cycling trips just a train ride from London

• What’s on in Wakefield: Things to do 

Enjoy cool summer train journeys with Grand Central 

We hope our top tips on keeping cool on your summer train journeys have been helpful. We want you to enjoy comfortable journeys on our Grand Central trains on the way to what matters most. 

Book your journey today and don’t forget these top tips! If you want to take your train journey to the next level, our First Class tickets are the perfect option.