UK ETA for Glastonbury Festival: The Complete Guide for International Visitors (2027)
There is no Glastonbury in 2026. The festival is observing a scheduled fallow year. Glastonbury 2027 runs 23–27 June 2027 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset. If you are an international visitor from one of the 85+ ETA-eligible countries (USA, France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Canada and more), you will need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to attend. The ETA is valid for 2 years and covers unlimited trips — apply now, lock in the current fee, and it will still be valid for the 2027 festival. From €69 total via our service.
- Why There Is No Glastonbury in 2026 — and What This Means for Your ETA
- Who Needs a UK ETA for Glastonbury 2027?
- Why Apply for Your ETA Now, 14 Months Before the Festival
- Getting to Glastonbury: Every Route and Your ETA Requirements
- Glastonbury 2027: Tickets, Dates, and What We Know
- Practical Guide: Glastonbury for International Visitors
- ETA by Country — Key Information for the Biggest Glastonbury Markets
- Frequently Asked Questions
Glastonbury is not just the world’s most famous music festival. For the roughly 40,000 international visitors who attend each year — representing close to 20% of all 210,000 attendees — it is a once-in-a-generation travel experience. Planning it properly takes time: tickets sell out in minutes, flights and trains fill up months in advance, and since April 2025, every international visitor from a visa-exempt country also needs a UK ETA.
This guide covers everything an international fan needs to know — from the ETA application to getting from your airport to Worthy Farm, from the campsite layout to the exact entry route at the Eurostar terminal.
1. Why There Is No Glastonbury in 2026 — and What This Means for Your ETA
If you arrived on this page searching for “Glastonbury 2026” or “ETA UK Glastonbury 2026” — here is the essential fact you need:
Glastonbury Festival confirmed during the 2025 edition that 2026 will be a fallow year — a planned agricultural pause that allows Worthy Farm’s 1,500 acres to recover. This is a longstanding tradition: fallow years previously occurred in 1988, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2018. Co-organiser Emily Eavis confirmed: “The fallow year is important because it gives the land a rest, it gives the cows a chance to be out for longer and reclaim their land.” (BBC Sidetracked podcast, June 2024) The next Glastonbury is officially confirmed for Wednesday 23 June to Sunday 27 June 2027 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.
The smart ETA strategy: apply in 2026, use in 2027
Here is why the fallow year is actually good news for your ETA planning:
| Action | Timing | Why It Makes Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for UK ETA now | March–April 2026 | ETA valid 2 years → covers entire June 2027 festival window |
| Current government fee | £16 (~€20) | Parliament has approved an increase to £20 (~€23). Apply before it takes effect. |
| Register for Glastonbury 2027 tickets | Now (free registration) | You must register on the Glastonbury website to be eligible to buy tickets |
| Ticket sales expected | Late October–November 2026 | Based on 2025 pattern; tickets sell out in under 30 minutes |
| Lineup announcement | Early 2027 | Official confirmation expected March 2027 |
| Festival dates | 23–27 June 2027 | Officially confirmed by Glastonbury organisers |
An ETA approved in March or April 2026 will be valid until March or April 2028 — comfortably covering the June 2027 festival and any other UK trip you make in between. If you also plan to visit the UK for another reason before the festival (London, Edinburgh, Wimbledon, a business trip), a single ETA covers all of it. Apply once. Travel unlimited times.
2. Who Needs a UK ETA for Glastonbury 2027?
The UK ETA requirement has been mandatory since 2 April 2025 for nationals of 85+ countries. For Glastonbury’s international audience, this covers virtually every non-UK attendee.
| Your situation | ETA required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory since January 2025. Apply via our service from €69. |
| French citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory since April 2025. Valid for Eurostar from Paris, ferry from Calais, or flight. |
| German citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory since April 2025. Personalausweis not accepted — biometric passport required. |
| Dutch citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory. Eurostar from Amsterdam also requires ETA (checked at Amsterdam Centraal). |
| Australian citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory since January 2025. |
| Canadian citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | Yes | ETA mandatory since January 2025. |
| Irish citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | No | Ireland is exempt from the UK ETA requirement. |
| UK citizen attending Glastonbury 2027 | No | UK nationals are exempt. British passport required — national ID not accepted. |
| Dual UK citizen (e.g. British-French) attending Glastonbury | No | Travel on your British passport. Do not apply for an ETA on your other passport. |
| International visitor with valid UK visa | No | A valid UK visa replaces the ETA. Student visa and work visa both qualify. |
| International visitor with UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status | No | eVisa replaces the ETA. |
| Child (any age) from an ETA-eligible country | Yes | Every individual including infants needs their own ETA, linked to their own passport. |
The ETA is not checked on arrival at Bristol Airport or at the Glastonbury site. It is verified at the point of departure in your home country — at the airline check-in desk, at the Eurostar terminal in Paris or Amsterdam, or at the ferry terminal in Calais. If you do not have a valid ETA, you will be refused boarding before you reach UK soil. Do not wait until the week of the festival to apply.
3. Why Apply for Your ETA Now, 14 Months Before the Festival
Most ETA guide pages tell you to apply “72 hours before departure.” That is the minimum. For Glastonbury, the calculus is completely different — and there are five strong reasons to apply in 2026 rather than 2027.
| Reason | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Fee is rising | Parliament has approved an increase from £16 to £20 (~€23). Implementation date not yet announced. A family of 4 saves £16 by applying before the increase. Your ETA will be valid for 2 years from approval — well past the festival. |
| 2. ETA is tied to your passport | If you renew your passport before the festival, you need a new ETA. If you apply now on your current passport and then renew, you will need to reapply. Time your application to use the passport you will actually travel with in June 2027. |
| 3. Complex cases take longer | If your application requires manual review (criminal history questions, previous immigration history, name match on a database), processing can take up to 3 working days — or longer in unusual cases. Applying 14 months ahead eliminates any time pressure. |
| 4. Cover other UK trips first | If you visit the UK for any other reason in 2026 — business, another festival, Christmas markets — your Glastonbury ETA covers those trips too. You are not paying for one festival; you are paying for 2 years of unlimited access. |
| 5. One less thing for festival week | The week before Glastonbury is chaotic — travel bookings, camping gear, set times to plan. Having your ETA sorted removes one significant logistical item from your pre-festival stress list. |
Apply now for Glastonbury 2027 — ETA valid 2 years from approval
Lock in the current government fee before the approved increase takes effect. Expert photo and data review included. Approved in minutes for most applicants.
4. Getting to Glastonbury: Every Route and Your ETA Requirements
Glastonbury is located in Pilton, Somerset — a rural village approximately 4 miles from Shepton Mallet and 6 miles from Glastonbury town. There is no train station at the festival site. Getting there requires planning, and your ETA is checked at your point of departure, not your arrival point.
By air — flying into the UK
| Airport | Distance to Festival | Best Transport | ETA checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Airport (BRS) | ~30 miles (closest) | National Express coach direct to festival; taxi ~45 min | At check-in in your departure country |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | ~130 miles | Train from Paddington to Castle Cary (1h45) + festival bus; or National Express | At check-in in your departure country |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | ~140 miles | Train to London + Paddington to Castle Cary | At check-in in your departure country |
| London Stansted (STN) | ~180 miles | Train to London + Paddington connection; or National Express direct | At check-in in your departure country |
For international visitors arriving via London Paddington, Castle Cary is the key station. During Glastonbury week, Great Western Railway operates additional services from Paddington directly to Castle Cary (journey ~1h45 from London), with festival bus connections from the station to the site. This route fills up fast — book train tickets as soon as they go on sale (typically 12 weeks before travel for standard advance tickets, longer for some promotional fares).
By Eurostar — from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands
For French, Belgian, and Dutch visitors, the Eurostar is the iconic and practical route. Your ETA is checked at the Eurostar terminal in your departure city — on French, Belgian, or Dutch soil, under the juxtaposed controls agreement.
| Departure | Journey to London | ETA Check Point | Onward to Glastonbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Gare du Nord | 2h15 to St Pancras | Paris Gare du Nord at check-in | Tube to Paddington + train to Castle Cary |
| Lille-Europe | 1h20 to St Pancras | Lille-Europe at check-in | Tube to Paddington + train to Castle Cary |
| Brussels-Midi | 2h to St Pancras | Brussels-Midi at check-in | Tube to Paddington + train to Castle Cary |
| Amsterdam Centraal | 3h41 to St Pancras | Amsterdam Centraal at check-in | Tube to Paddington + train to Castle Cary |
When you check in for your Eurostar, the agent scans your passport. Your ETA is linked to your passport number — it is verified automatically in seconds against the Home Office database. You do not present a printout or show your phone. If your ETA is valid, you proceed. If it is not, you are turned back from the departure lounge — even if your Eurostar ticket is already paid for and non-refundable. The ETA must match the passport you are travelling with exactly.
By ferry — from France
For French visitors travelling with a vehicle (the classic French road trip to Glastonbury), the Calais-Dover ferry and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle are popular options. The ETA is checked at the departure terminal in France — at Calais port or the Coquelles Eurotunnel terminal — not at Dover.
The drive from Calais to Glastonbury is approximately 4–5 hours (after the crossing). From Dover, the M20/M25/M3/A303 route is standard. Every person in the vehicle needs their own ETA, including children and infants (infants under 2 do not need an ETA). Arrive at the Calais terminal at least 90 minutes before departure, especially in peak summer traffic. Your ETA is checked at the Calais or Coquelles terminal before boarding.
5. Glastonbury 2027: Tickets, Dates, and What We Know
| Detail | Information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Festival dates | Wednesday 23 June – Sunday 27 June 2027 | Glastonbury Festivals Ltd (official) |
| Location | Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset BA4 4BY | Glastonbury official |
| Capacity | Approximately 210,000 attendees | Glastonbury official / Wikipedia |
| Ticket registration | Register now at glastonburyfestivals.co.uk (free, required) | Glastonbury official |
| Expected ticket sale date | Late October – November 2026 | Based on 2024/2025 pattern |
| Expected ticket price | ~£380–400 + booking fee (based on 2025 at £373.50 + £5) | Estimate based on historical pricing |
| Lineup announcement | Expected early 2027 (March) | Based on 2025 pattern |
| Fallow year status | 2026 — no festival. 2027 return confirmed. | Emily Eavis / Glastonbury official |
Glastonbury operates a photo-registration system to prevent ticket touting. To be eligible to purchase tickets, you must register on the official Glastonbury website with a photo of yourself. Registration is free and takes about 5 minutes. This is completely separate from your UK ETA. Both are required — one for the ticket, one for entry to the UK. Register at glastonburyfestivals.co.uk as early as possible. Registration numbers are released during the ticket sale and matched to your photo at entry.
6. Practical Guide: Glastonbury for International Visitors
Arriving at the festival site
Once in the UK with your valid ETA, getting to the site involves one of three options:
- Coach (recommended for fly-in visitors): National Express and Megabus operate direct services from London Victoria, Bristol, and other major cities directly to the festival gates during the opening and closing days. Book early — these fill within hours of going on sale.
- Train + bus: Great Western Railway to Castle Cary station, then festival shuttle buses to the site. The station is roughly 6 miles from the gates. During Glastonbury week, the trains are packed; book in advance and travel early.
- Car/campervan: Extensive dedicated car parks around the site. Campervan passes must be purchased in advance (sold separately from festival tickets). Traffic queues can be 2–4 hours on the Wednesday opening. Consider arriving Thursday to avoid peak arrivals.
On-site essentials for international visitors
| Topic | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Currency | The festival operates cashless — contactless card or mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) only. Some traders accept cash as backup. Use a travel card with no foreign transaction fees (Wise, Revolut, Starling). |
| Weather | Somerset in late June: expect anything from 30°C sunshine to torrential rain. The legendary Glastonbury mud is real. Bring waterproof boots, a poncho, and sunscreen. Pack layers. |
| Mobile coverage | Temporary masts are installed but coverage is strained with 210,000 people. Download offline maps of the site in advance. Agree a meeting point with your group for if you get separated. |
| Your passport at the festival | You do not need to show your passport at the festival gates — only your ticket (with photo). However, keep your passport secure in your camping gear. A photocopy kept separately is useful insurance. |
| Medical & accessibility | The site has medical facilities, ambulance access, and dedicated accessible camping. Contact Glastonbury directly for accessibility requirements well in advance of the festival. |
| Charging | Bring a large power bank. Charging points are limited and queued. A 20,000 mAh power bank covers 5 days for a smartphone. |
7. ETA by Country — Key Information for the Biggest Glastonbury International Markets
USA — Glastonbury’s largest non-UK audience
American visitors represent one of the largest international contingents at Glastonbury. The most common routes are direct flights from New York JFK or Los Angeles LAX to London Heathrow (BA, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United), then onward by coach or train to Somerset. The ETA is checked at the check-in desk at your US departure airport. Apply at least 72 hours before travel — or now, 14 months ahead, to use the current fee.
France — Eurostar, ferry, or flight
French visitors have three excellent options: the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord (2h15 to St Pancras, then onward), the Calais-Dover ferry with a car (ideal for family groups or those bringing camping equipment), or direct flights from Paris CDG, Lyon, Marseille, or Bordeaux into Bristol or London. On all routes, the ETA is checked in France before departure. Note: the carte nationale d’identité is not accepted at the UK border since Brexit — a valid biometric passport is mandatory.
Germany — Passport essential
German visitors most commonly fly from Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), or Berlin (BER) into Bristol or London. The ETA is checked at check-in in Germany. The German Personalausweis (ID card) is not accepted at UK borders since Brexit. A valid biometric Reisepass is mandatory, and your ETA must be linked to that same passport.
Netherlands — Eurostar from Amsterdam
Dutch visitors can take the Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal directly to London St Pancras (3h41), with the ETA checked at Amsterdam Centraal under the juxtaposed controls agreement. Alternatively, KLM flights from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) into Bristol or Heathrow are frequent and often competitively priced for festival season. Apply for your ETA well before ticket sales begin in November 2026.
Australia & Canada — Long-haul Glastonbury pilgrims
Australian and Canadian attendees are among the most committed Glastonbury international fans, often combining the festival with a broader UK and Europe trip. The ETA covers the entire 2-year period, making it ideal for those planning multi-city UK itineraries around the festival. Apply once — visit London, Edinburgh, or the Lake District on the same ETA.
Glastonbury 2027 is 15 months away. Your ETA takes 10 minutes.
Expert photo and data review included. Approved ETAs stored electronically — no printing needed, ever. Valid for 2 years from approval, unlimited UK trips.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Glastonbury Festival in 2026?
No. Glastonbury 2026 has been cancelled — the festival is observing a planned fallow year. This is a longstanding tradition where the working farmland at Worthy Farm is allowed to recover from hosting 210,000 visitors annually. Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis confirmed the decision during the 2024 festival, calling it “overdue.” The next Glastonbury is officially confirmed for Wednesday 23 June to Sunday 27 June 2027.
Do I need a UK ETA to attend Glastonbury?
Yes, if you are a national of one of the 85+ ETA-eligible countries (which includes the USA, France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and most other visa-exempt nationalities). The UK ETA has been mandatory since April 2025 for all visa-exempt visitors from eligible countries. Irish citizens and UK nationals are exempt. The ETA is not checked at the festival gates — it is checked at your point of departure (airport check-in, Eurostar terminal, or ferry terminal) before you enter the UK.
Can I apply for my ETA now for Glastonbury 2027?
Yes — and this is strongly recommended. A UK ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). An ETA approved in early 2026 will cover the June 2027 festival and any other UK trips you make in between. Applying now also locks in the current government fee of £16 (~€20) before the approved increase to £20 takes effect. The only caveat: if you renew your passport before the festival, you will need to apply for a new ETA linked to your new passport number.
I have tickets for Glastonbury 2027 already. Do I need an ETA before I can use them?
Your Glastonbury ticket and your UK ETA are completely separate requirements. The ticket gets you into the festival. The ETA gets you into the UK. Both are required — and both must be in order before you attempt to travel. The ETA is verified at your point of departure (airport, Eurostar terminal, ferry port). If your ETA is missing or invalid when you check in for your flight or Eurostar, you will be refused boarding — your Glastonbury ticket is irrelevant at that point.
My family is coming to Glastonbury. Does everyone need their own ETA?
Yes. Every individual person — regardless of age — needs their own UK ETA, linked to their own passport. There is no family ETA. This includes children and teenagers from ETA-eligible countries. The one exception is infants under 2 years old, who do not require an ETA. Our service offers a 10% discount on the handling fee for minors. Apply early, especially for family groups, to avoid any time pressure as the festival approaches.
How do I get from London to Glastonbury festival?
The most popular routes from London are: (1) Train to Castle Cary — direct Great Western Railway service from London Paddington (approximately 1h45), then festival shuttle bus from Castle Cary station to the site. Book train tickets well in advance. (2) National Express or Megabus coach — direct services operate from London Victoria to the festival during opening and closing days. (3) Car — M4 to M5 to A361, then local roads. Traffic is severe on Wednesday; plan around it or arrive Thursday. A campervan pass must be purchased separately from your festival ticket.
Can I travel to Glastonbury by Eurostar?
Yes. The Eurostar arrives at London St Pancras International. From there, take the London Underground (King’s Cross/St Pancras to Paddington, then Bakerloo or Circle line, or walk — about 10–15 minutes) to London Paddington, and board a Great Western Railway train to Castle Cary. Your UK ETA is checked at the Eurostar check-in in your departure city (Paris, Lille, Brussels, or Amsterdam) — not at St Pancras on arrival.
Does a UK ETA cover the whole of the UK, including England, Scotland, and Wales?
Yes. A UK ETA is issued by the UK Home Office and is valid throughout the entire United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you plan to visit Edinburgh before or after Glastonbury, or explore the Lake District, or travel to any other part of the UK, a single ETA covers all of it for up to 6 months per entry, unlimited entries over 2 years.
What if my ETA expires before Glastonbury 2027?
An ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval. If you applied in 2025, it may expire before June 2027. Check your ETA approval email for the exact expiry date. If your ETA will have expired by June 2027, simply apply for a new one. There is no limit on how many times you can hold an ETA — the new one replaces the old one automatically. Apply on the passport you will travel with to the festival.
Sources: Glastonbury Festivals Ltd official website (glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) · Emily Eavis, BBC Sidetracked podcast (June 2024) · Ticketnews, Mixmag, Time Out UK — Glastonbury 2027 date confirmation (September 2025) · UK Home Office — Electronic Travel Authorisation guidance (gov.uk) · Wikipedia — Glastonbury Festival · Great Western Railway — Festival services · National Express — Festival routes. As of: March 2026.
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