The first line-ups for Glastonbury Festival were announced this week; huge performers Alt-J, FKA Twigs, Patti Smith and Kanye West among others are set to play the legendary festival.

But, how will you get there from west London?

More festival-goers are being encouraged to take public transport to the event. In fact, anyone using public transport becomes a Glastonbury Festival Green Traveller - giving you discounts on meals and merchandise.

But if you are driving to the festival by car, there are quite a few things to consider such as what time to arrive and leave, plus parking and directions.

Directions by car:

  • Get onto the M25, to the M3, then A303 and A37 - this is the most direct route from our region.
  • The postcode is TA11 7DP, but your sat-nav will not get you all the way to the festival site.
  • You will have to follow the festival signs for different coloured car parks as soon as you see them. Using local roads to get to the opposite side of the site causes delays so use main roads that are well away from the site. A few extra miles travelled further away can save hours in queues near to the site.
  • If you fancy car-sharing to the festival, websites like Lift Share and goCarShare can help you get in touch with others either offering a ride or needing one.

Parking:

  • You will need to buy a car parking pass online from the Glastonbury Festival website, which costs £25. If you have a pass, put the sticker on the windscreen well before you reach the festival site.
  • There are four main entrances for cars, depending upon where you are coming from. Follow the 'P' signs to get to the nearest available parking spaces. Most people want to park as near as possible to the pedestrian entrances. Unfortunately, the choice you make is which side of the site to approach from, and after that it depends which field the stewards are filling at that time. It’s really down to luck, in terms of whereabouts in the car park you end up.
  • If you have a choice, use the Blue Route (approach from the A303, then the A37), where there is more parking space and less of a queue to get in and out of the site.
  • Anyone heading for the family campsite by the acoustic field should take the purple route into the festival (this is signed off the A37, follow the purple patches on the road signs).
  • The worst time to arrive by car is between 7am and 2pm on Wednesday.
  • Upon arrival you will be given a little token stating where you are parked. Don't lose it!

Leaving the festival:

  • The worst times to leave by car are on Monday, between 8am and 5pm, when there can be long delays of up to nine hours to leave the car parks. Beat the queues by leaving between 1am and 7am on Monday morning.

Breakdown:

  • If you arrive on site and your car needs attention, get it sorted soon, so it will be ready when you need to leave. A locksmith is situated by Yellow Gate if you lose your keys or lock them in your car.
  • For AA Service at Glastonbury, ring their dedicated festival hotline on 0800 072 3642. Special rates apply for non-members who wish to join and receive immediate service. Also, AA staff will be in East 12 off Blue Route and at Bronze Gate in West 32 throughout the week, and the AA’s dedicated Key Assist vehicles will be on site from Saturday.

Getting there by coach:

  • National Express will once again be running services from destinations including London Victoria coach station, London Wembley Stadium, Reading, Newbury and Southampton.
  • Prices vary but you can expect to pay around £50 for a return ticket.
  • Book your seat early, via National Express or call 08717 818181

Getting there by train:

  • The best railway station to reach the festival is Castle Cary. There’s a free shuttle bus for festival ticket holders running between Castle Cary station and the Festival Bus Station.
  • Book your seat early, via First Great Western.