Passengers urged to respect train etiquette amid rise in irritating behaviors

Britons are increasingly paying attention to the rules of rail travel, with searches for ‘train travel rules’ surging by 300 per cent in the past three months, according to a recent survey. The unwritten rules of train etiquette are becoming a significant concern for passengers, with several behaviors identified as particularly irritating.

A primary point of contention is noise, with 69 per cent of Britons surveyed agreeing that passengers should use headphones when listening to music or watching videos. This issue has even garnered attention from the government, with potential fines of up to £100 for playing loud music on buses in England as part of a crackdown on antisocial behavior. A national rail campaign aims to encourage passengers to ‘share the carriage, not the noise.’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham commented on the prevalence of loud audio on trains, stating, “We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone. It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey.”

Beyond noise, other common grievances include bags hogging empty seats, with 68 per cent of passengers believing they should be removed when trains are busy. Similarly, 67 per cent think travelers should allow passengers to exit before boarding, and 66 per cent feel phone calls should be kept quiet and considerate.

Despite these widely held opinions, there is a gap between perceived etiquette and actual behavior. One in 12 Britons admit to watching videos on their phone without headphones, even though 37 per cent cited this habit as one of their biggest annoyances. Etiquette expert Jo Hayes advises, “If you're watching or listening to something in public, use headphones. A shared journey needn't come with a shared soundtrack.”

Regarding bags on seats, 24 per cent of respondents admitted to the practice, while 29 per cent identified it as a major irritation. Hayes suggests removing bags as the carriage fills up, ideally before another passenger has to ask. Younger travelers, aged 18-24, are more likely to place bags on seats, with almost a third admitting to it, compared to 15 per cent of those aged 65 and over.

The survey also found that 8 per cent of Britons admit to standing in front of train doors before passengers have exited. Hayes's advice for this is to step back and let passengers off first, then board.

Another unwritten rule, important to 64 per cent of Britons, is avoiding blocking doors and aisles. However, nine per cent identify as ‘doorway devotees,’ preferring to stay near the door for an easier exit, even when the train is busy. Hayes recommends moving further into the train if it can be done safely, as even a few steps can significantly improve the flow.

Loud phone conversations are also a concern, with 7 per cent admitting to talking loudly on their phones. Hayes recommends keeping calls brief, voices low, or saving conversations for later.

Respecting personal space is important to 64 per cent of Britons, and containing food and drinks to avoid strong smells is a priority for 50 per cent. Hayes summarized the core principle of train etiquette: “If you wouldn't want someone else to do it to you, chances are you shouldn't do it to them.”