Anybody taken the train upto the summit of Snowdon?

[YouKnowNothingJonSnoow]

We're off on holiday to Wales in a few weeks. Thinking about taking the train upto Snowdon but we have a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old. Can you take small children up there safely? Is it ok once you're up there?

Thanks

[LIZS]

yes it is fine but do take layers including a waterproof even if it is sunny and warm in the valley as you lose several degrees and may be misty at top. The top is quite rocky so needs some careful footing especially if the steps are damp underfoot but the café and centre is quite panoramic.

[kelda]

Yes we did, but the train stopped half way due to bad weather on the summit. It was still a very nice trip. Agree with taking decent footwear/waterproofs. Not so sure about taking a pram up there, I would have taken a sling if my children had been small enough.

[HowardTJMoon]

Everything LIZS says, plus it's advisable to book seats on the train in advance. You can do it on their website.

[ProfYaffle]

Yy to booking in advance, they get very full.

[kelda]

That's true, we booked a couple of days before and didn't get to go on the day we had originally planned.

[YouKnowNothingJonSnoow]

Okay thanks all! I will try and book soon.

[gardenfeature]

I would think twice about going up on the train to be honest. It's very very expensive and your little ones could get very bored. I remember having a little on on my lap for the whole journey and it was quite cramped and a uncomfortable. It's an hour up and an hour back I seem to remember. We went before the new visitor centre was built at the top so cannot comment on that.

There is also the nearby Llanberis railway which goes around a lake and stops at the Welsh Slate musuem which is great but perhaps for slightly older children.

There is a cute little train ride and museum at Betws-y-Coed which might be more suitable for little ones.

[mejon]

I'd second what gardenfeature says. Very expensive and if it turns out to be misty at the top, you'll have paid a lot to see not very much. We considered taking our two DCs the summer before last (18m and 6 at the time) but thank God we decided to take them on the Llanberis lake railway instead. DD1 was an absolute disgrace and took no interest in any of it and pestered for the toilet as soon as we'd set off - imagine if we'd paid the mountain railway prices with the same result!

[cestlavielife]

try the llanberis lake railway first...
you could also try the welsh highland rail from Caernarfon
www.festrail.co.uk/about.htm

[threedeer]

I agree that the Llanberis railway is much more fun for little ones. It's a tiny steam train and the views are fantastic.

Snowdon train is incredibly expensive. And the top is a bun fight. The cafe is just a wedge of muddy people stampeding for food and some in hysterics because they thought they could get the train down from the top without booking a ticket first (you can't.)

I'm making it sound horrible. It's not. Snowdon is fantastic but wait till they are bigger and then climb it with them. Much more fun.