Train Travel advice

Published: 23 June 2026

South Western Railway has provided the following information to HTC. For the most up to date details please see their website at: Extreme hot weather

Tuesday 23 June

Customers booked to travel on Tuesday 23 June may travel on any alternative SWR service. We also recommend that you travel earlier in the day (before 12:00) when it is likely to be cooler.
Alternatively, SWR tickets dated Tuesday 23 June can be used on any SWR service on Friday 26 June. There is no need to change your ticket.

Wednesday 24 June

Customers are advised to travel only for essential journeys.
Customers booked to travel on Wednesday 24 June may travel on any alternative SWR service. We also recommend that you travel earlier in the day (before 12:00) when it is likely to be cooler.
Alternatively, SWR tickets dated Wednesday 24 June can be used on any SWR service on Friday 26 June. There is no need to change your ticket.

Thursday 25 June

Customers are advised to travel only for essential journeys. There are planned alterations to some services on Thursday and, as a result, some of our services will not run. Others may be subject to alteration.
Customers booked to travel on Thursday 25 June may travel on any alternative SWR service. We also recommend that you travel earlier in the day (before 12:00) when it is likely to be cooler.
Alternatively, SWR tickets dated Thursday 25 June can be used on any SWR service on Monday 22 or Friday 26 June. There is no need to change your ticket.

Friday 26 June

Customers can travel on SWR services as planned.

South Western Railway amends timetable this week and advises customers to only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday, as extreme heatwave hits UK

South Western Railway will run an amended timetable on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week after the Met Office issues rare Red Extreme Heat Warning
In line with national travel advice, customers are advised to check before travelling on Tuesday and only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday
To help customers complete their journeys, temporary ticket acceptance is in place to travel at alternative times on the South Western Railway network
Trains will be busier and journeys will take longer than normal, and customers should visit the South Western Railway website for the latest travel advice and ticket information before setting off

SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) will run an amended timetable on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, as an extreme heatwave is set to hit the UK.

The Met Office has issued a rare Red Extreme Heat Warning for Wednesday and Thursday, covering much of the SWR network.

In line with national travel advice, customers are advised to check before travelling on Tuesday and only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday.

On all three days, fewer trains are set to operate across the SWR network. Trains that run are expected to be busier and journey times will likely be longer than usual, as trains run at reduced speeds.

SWR plans to update journey planners with the amended timetable for Tuesday at 02:00 on Tuesday morning, and Wednesday and Thursday at 02:00 on Wednesday morning.

While the amended timetable is designed to help ensure scheduled trains run as planned, services may still be subject to further short notice changes and cancellations.

To help customers complete their journeys, temporary ticket acceptance is in place to travel at alternative times on the SWR network. Customers connecting with other operators should check their arrangements, as they may differ.

Customers should continue to visit the SWR website for the latest travel advice and ticket information before setting off.

If customers intend to travel, they should remember to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated and plan ahead to help ensure they remain comfortable during their journey.

Any customer who feels unwell should not board a train. If a customer feels unwell on a train, they should alert an SWR colleague and wait until the next appropriate stop to alight.