Trainline has revealed the 10 destinations seeing the biggest increase in travellers for the weekends on either side of Valentine’s Day, as couples look to venture outside their home cities for a loved-up weekend.
As Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, couples had the choice to celebrate either the weekend before or after. Trainline compared booking data for both weekends to an average weekend in January to discover a notable rise in popularity for two destinations in particular.
Taking the top spot is the scenic Scottish capital Edinburgh, which saw a 292% increase* in train bookings to the destination over the Valentine’s Day weekends. With quaint side streets, quirky bars, and luxurious hotels it’s no surprise that Edinburgh has become a hotspot for lovers this February.
Perhaps more surprising is Wolverhampton, with Trainline seeing a 244% increase in bookings to the Midlands destination. Not typically known for its romantic pull, who knew visiting the Black Country would be among this year’s top Valentine’s Day trending destinations? Whether it’s the pull of the Wolverhampton Art Gallery with over 300 years of works displayed within its walls, a visit to the Molineux Stadium, or a chance to explore the surrounding countryside, Wolverhampton is a stand-out with travellers this Valentine’s Day.
The 10 trending destinations for the Valentine’s Day weekends compared to an average weekend in January are:
- Edinburgh – up 292%
- Wolverhampton – up 244%
- Nottingham – up 181%
- Penrith – up 180%
- Shrewsbury – up 171%
- Carlisle – up 170%
- Stockport – up 160%
- Cambridge – up 157%
- Taunton – up 144%
- Brighton – up 137%
Sakshi Anand, VP of Growth and UK GM at Trainline, said: “There’s no better way to mark Valentine’s Day than with a weekend trip away with that someone special in your life. Travelling by train helps those memorable weekends away get off to a great start, and we love to see people venturing to some more unique places this February, with couples putting their own spin on traditional celebrations.”
For those not in a relationship, the train may be the perfect place to meet that special someone this Valentine’s Day. In a recent survey carried out by YouGov**, Trainline found that 44% of people had started up a conversation with someone they had met on a train or at a train station, with 4% of people having been on a date, had or are currently in a long-term relationship with someone they met on a train or at a train station. When looking at Gen Z (18-24 year olds) that figure rises to 9%.
Travellers looking for a last-minute romantic getaway can make the most of railcard savings with the Two Together Railcard on Trainline, helping you and your loved one to save up to 1/3 on rail travel when travelling together. Perfect for those who regularly travel together, the Two Together is £30, so only £15 each – half the price of a regular railcard. Find out more on the Trainline website, or book directly through the app.
Credit: Source link
