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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is anyone else sick of travelling on trains?

37 replies

Youwantlove40 · 11/04/2025 15:40

I know i need to learn to drive. Took the slow train to London from the Midlands as I can't afford the high-speed one.
No option to reserve a seat, luckily I got one as it's busy. People having loud phone conversations, constantly moving around and hitting the back of your seat.
A woman sat next to me and ate a prawn sandwich, why would you do that.
Tons of people rushing on 20 seconds before the train leaves, expecting a seat.
People not moving their bags from seats when they can see it's very busy, I doubt they've paid for 2 seats.

Cramped, overpriced, noisy, just generally unpleasant. Most journeys are the same unless it's very quiet. Does anyone else feel like this?
Every time I go abroad, I find trains cheaper and more pleasant, and actually on time.

OP posts:
Kreisler · 11/04/2025 16:20

It's pretty awful. Unreliable, dirty and slow. And that's just the passengers.

Also : the bloody price.

wherearemypastnames · 11/04/2025 16:20

Fish should not smell strongly . Curries can. Egg mayo can. Fresh fish and shellfish shouldn’t

cariadlet · 11/04/2025 16:18

I don't drive so use trains a lot and quite like them.

I don't use them in rush hour so almost always get a seat. I can read on a train without getting travel sick. Don't often end up near badly behaved children. If someone is using a device and has it too loud, I ask them to turn it down or use their headphones.

I just wish they weren't so expensive.

User19876536484 · 11/04/2025 16:16

A woman sat next to me and ate a prawn sandwich, why would you do that.

Perhaps she was hungry. Just a thought.

PaintDecisions · 11/04/2025 16:14

WinterFoxes · 11/04/2025 16:05

It really is strong scented, and terrible for people nearby if they are allergic to shellfish.

Oh come off it, you might as well try to ban all foods for allergens then.

Not all allergens are airborne either. My mum and BIL are both allergic to shellfish as it happens, one with anaphylaxis, and both are happy to share a table with anyone eating shellfish. We just don't kiss them or wipe our hands on them after eating.

WinterFoxes · 11/04/2025 16:05

PaintDecisions · 11/04/2025 15:47

What's wrong with a prawn sandwich? It's hardly a strong scented meal.

Trains are what they are. You either embrace it or fight it - but you'll lose a fight. Wear headphones. Read a book. Job done.

It really is strong scented, and terrible for people nearby if they are allergic to shellfish.

ohtowinthelottery · 11/04/2025 15:57

Bags on seats can be lifted off and either handed to the owner or dumped on the floor. Noone has a right for their bag to have a seat, least of all when people are standing. They'll soon tell you if the occupant of the seat has popped to the toilet!

I don't see a problem with someone eating a sandwich. It's hardly curry.

I've travelled extensively by train in other European countries and phone behaviour varies widely from place to place. I was actually pleasantly astounded when a woman's phone rang and she got up and went and stood between carriages to hold her conversation.

cherrytree12345 · 11/04/2025 15:51

Anywhere you are confined with the public is generally is not pleasant to be honest. Any form of public transport- people have no manners or consideration for anyone else. Waiting rooms in hospitals especially A&E are the same.

TigerRag · 11/04/2025 15:47

It's awful. Spent most of today having to listen to screaming kids

And the there's the adults with no volume control

PaintDecisions · 11/04/2025 15:47

What's wrong with a prawn sandwich? It's hardly a strong scented meal.

Trains are what they are. You either embrace it or fight it - but you'll lose a fight. Wear headphones. Read a book. Job done.

Overthebow · 11/04/2025 15:45

I really don’t like trains so I don’t travel by them usually.

User135644 · 11/04/2025 15:43

It's horrible. I try and upgrade my ticket if it's not too expensive. And I always have headphones and audio to listen to.