5G is set to redefine the travel experience for tourists across the rail network. By enabling faster, more reliable connectivity and unlocking advanced digital services, this next-generation technology will play a pivotal role in shaping smarter, safer, and more sustainable journeys.
This transformation is already underway in the UK through initiatives like England’s Connected Heartland—our Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)-funded programme accelerating 5G innovation across the central region. With our technical partner, AWTG, we’re helping bring 5G connectivity to regional railways, starting with the Bicester to Bletchley section of East West Rail.
Enabling immersive, real-time experiences
Rail travel has the potential to become a more dynamic part of the tourist experience. With 5G connectivity, passengers could access rich digital content about the regions they pass through—transforming travel time into an opportunity to discover new places. Location-based services may offer tailored recommendations for nearby attractions, dining, and cultural activities. Tourists will be able to browse and book local experiences—such as museums, walking tours, or live performances—while on the move, supporting more flexible, personalised itineraries.
Driving safety, hygiene, and operational efficiency
Expectations around safety and cleanliness continue to evolve. 5G enables the deployment of intelligent systems that respond in real time. Connected cleaning robots could assess and maintain hygiene standards automatically, while networked surveillance and security technologies would enhance responsiveness and situational awareness. Real-time data from sensors on board could support predictive maintenance, minimising service disruptions and improving overall reliability—critical factors for both tourist satisfaction and operational performance.
Seamless multimodal integration
Tourists frequently rely on multiple forms of transport, and 5G is the key to creating an integrated travel ecosystem. A fully connected experience allows travellers to plan and adjust their entire journey through a single platform, coordinating train services with buses, trams, taxis, and shared mobility options. For international visitors, consistent high-speed connectivity ensures uninterrupted access to maps, translation apps, and booking tools—reducing friction and enhancing confidence in unfamiliar environments.
Accelerating regional tourism and digital inclusion
5G-enabled rail networks also present an opportunity to stimulate growth in underexplored regions. Tourists are more likely to venture off the beaten path when connectivity is assured. Robust digital infrastructure encourages local tourism, supports small businesses, and helps distribute economic benefits more evenly across the country. By offering a connected, accessible, and low-carbon alternative to car hire or short-haul flights, rail travel becomes not only more attractive but also more aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
Equally important is the role of 5G in promoting digital inclusion. For tourists with limited digital literacy, or those relying on translation tools, accessibility apps, or guided navigation, seamless connectivity can be the difference between confidence and confusion. Consistent high-speed access allows all travellers—regardless of age, language, or ability—to engage fully with digital services, access vital travel information, and participate in cultural activities with greater ease.
By closing the connectivity gap between rural and urban areas, 5G on trains helps ensure that all regions—and all travellers—can benefit from the digital economy. In doing so, it strengthens not only the tourism sector, but also broader goals around inclusion, equality, and sustainable regional development.
Conclusion: a smarter future for tourism and transport
5G represents a foundational step in building the rail network of the future. For the tourism sector, it unlocks a wide range of benefits—from enhanced safety and operational resilience to personalised services and regional development. These are not just future ambitions: through England’s Connected Heartland and partnerships with organisations like AWTG, they’re becoming reality.
As the project progresses, we’ll continue sharing insights from our 5G railway deployment—designed to demonstrate how smarter, more inclusive travel experiences can benefit tourists, communities, and the country at large. Stay tuned for more insightful content as we continue exploring the impact of advanced wireless connectivity like 5G on railways, as well as updates about the progress of our own 5G railway project.