From loud phone calls and videos blaring without headphones to bags hogging empty seats, few things can make a train journey more irritating than a fellow passenger who ignores basic etiquette.

But how many of us are guilty of the very habits that drive everyone else mad?

There are signs that Britons are paying closer attention to the rules of rail travel, with searches for ‘train travel rules’ surging by 300 per cent over the past three months.

And one unwritten rule stands out: keep your music and videos to yourself. Some 69 per cent of Britons surveyed by TrainPal and OnePoll agreed that passengers should use headphones when listening to music or watching videos.

The issue has even attracted government attention, with a crackdown on antisocial behaviour set to include fines of up to £100 for playing loud music on buses in England, alongside a national rail campaign urging passengers to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’.

‘We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone. It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey,’ said Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Other rules are just as clear to passengers: 68 per cent believe bags should be taken off seats when trains are busy, while 67 per cent say travellers should let people off before boarding. A further 66 per cent think phone calls should be kept quiet and considerate.

Knowing the rules, however, is one thing. Following them is quite another.

One in 12 Brits admit to watching videos on their phone without headphones, despite 37 per cent naming the bad habit as one of their biggest annoyances. 

Etiquette expert Jo Hayes urged: 'If you're watching or listening to something in public, use headphones. A shared journey needn't come with a shared soundtrack.'

As for bags on the seat, 24 per cent reported being guilty of doing this, while 29 per cent said it is one of their major train irritations.

Ms Hayes is also against this behaviour and suggested passengers remove their bags from the seat as the carriage fills up, ideally before another traveller has to ask. 

She said: 'Spare everyone the awkward "Is anyone sitting there?" conversation with a rucksack.'

Age seems to play a part in this, almost a third of 18-24-year-olds said they put a bag on a seat, compared with 15 per cent of those aged 65 and over. 

Premature boarders should avoid being so keen, and 8 per cent of Brits admitted to standing in front of the doors before passengers have exited.

Ms Hayes's golden rule is to step back and let passengers off, then board. 

Avoiding blocking the doors and aisles on the train is another unwritten rule for 64 per cent of Brits.

But nine per cent said they don't move down the train when it is busy and instead stay comfortably by the door for an easy exit – 'doorway devotees'.

Ms Hayes urged travellers to move down if they can do so safely, even a few steps can make a huge difference. 

Being a 'travelling broadcaster' isn't a good look either, other passengers don't want to know your plans for the weekend – but 7 per cent admit to talking loudly on the phone. 

Instead of telling the entire carriage your personal business, Ms Hayes recommended keeping the call brief and your voice low, or just save the conversation for later. 

Other train etiquette points to follow include respecting other passengers' personal space, which proved to be important for 64 per cent of Brits.

Keeping food and drinks contained and avoiding strong smells was another biggie for 50 per cent. 

Overall, Ms Hayes recommended: 'If you wouldn't want someone else to do it to you, chances are you shouldn't do it to them.'