What is the best way to get elderly parents from NW to SE

[Mymadworld]

My parents are at the stage where a 5+ hour car journey is no longer a viable option and there are no flights from Manchester to Gatwick (nearest airports) so we're looking at other alternatives as we'd really love for them to join us for Christmas this year. Last time they came by train but the journey across London & multiple changes with luggage really took it out of them so wondering if there's any other smaller airports or possibly considering coach (can you move around in a coach or is it just much the same as driving ie sitting for long periods which is an issue).
What do other people do who don't live near families? Or do we just have to accept that we will only see them when we can make the journey up to them?

You can fly between Manchester and Southampton, if that is any closer than Gatwick.

Can you get to Southend? Flybe flies Manchester to Southend.

Uckfield to Southend and back would be an absolute nightmare drive, and the parents would be completely stranded if op was seriously delayed getting there for any reason.

I've just looked and there is a Thameslink service going down into Surrey and Sussex. Looks as if op's parents could pick it up at Milton Keynes or Watford Junction, if their train goes that way. It would probably be very, very slow, but they'd just have to sit on it until they got to somewhere the op could meet them.

Rent a car and go pick them up. You could do the drive within 5 hours depending on the time you leave.

I did Manchester to Uckfield and by putting avoid Euston I changed trains at Milton Keynes and East Croydon but then again you always have to change at East Croydon for Uckfield. It's about 5 and a half hours but I don't think that's bad. I am sure you are aware that the Uckfield line is not the best at the moment!

The train my DM gets to go north after Christmas might as well be called the grandma and grandad train. It comes from bournmouth I think to Mancester picadilly without changing but I'm not sure where else it stops. If going elsewhere in the north west, a change at wolverhampton does not involve changing platforms, so no stairs etc.

Agree with Liverpool to Gatwick or Manchester to Southampton flight options.

Or could you go to meet them in London? My aunt used to have a Liverpool to Kent journey and my cousin used to collect her from Victoria station, she got the coach. You could also collect from Euston. If you don't want to drive into Central London you could meet them and help them with the transfer across.

I'm sure someone has said similar
You can get the cross country direct from Manchester to Southampton
Then change there direct for Brighton ( Brighton line?)
Is that close?

You could also get the train from Manchester to Birmingham and change there for Brighton,
You can usually do this from wolverhampton too, which is very often from the same platform, so ltd luggage moving

As PP said - CrossCountry trains from Manchester to Reading and then a First Great Western from Reading to Gatwick. Book assistance at each station

My 82 year old mum does a similar journey, Cumbria to NE London.

1. Pensioners railcard. One third off. Three year card for the price of two.
2. Books ahead for maximum savings. Her local station does it for her. Most direct route. She's booking for Xmas this week.
3. Always travels first class. Yes it costs more but it's a treat and she gets lunch and a gin and tonic!
4. She's happy to get the tube unassisted to me, but when that changes, I'll meet her at Euston.
5. She has the option to book assistance at the station. Not yet needed.

I second the taxi across London bit. Also, you can book (free) assistance at the station to get them from the platform to the taxi rank - plus look at things like split-ticketing sites etc to make sure they're getting the cheapest tickets.

I just put some random dates around Christmas in here splitticketing.trainsplit.com/timetable_fares.aspx and got a cost of £116 for both of them, assuming they both have senior railcards.

I don't recommend Cross Country for long distances, especially at busy times, eg Christmas. Their trains are very short, 4 or 5 coaches and they are always rammed full. There is almost no luggage space, and even if you have booked a seat, you may not be able to get past all the people standing in the aisles to get there, and there will probably be someone sitting in it.
I found it stressful enough travelling with them, and now actively about them - I think the OPs patents would find it horrible .

The coach is ok, you can move a bit and there will be stops in service stations, I suspect a change at Birmingham / Milton Keynes may be required but they put your luggage on for you and no tubes. Might be worth checking out what a cab firm will charge especially if you can drive them one way.

Manchester to Birmingham then Brighton would work plus if I booked the assistance with changes. Thank you all so much we may get them here yet [santa]

There used to be a train from Birmingham to Brighton direct, so only a change at new street, been a long time since I lived there but there's some usual routes available. My kids use the coach network all the time btw, but you need a lot of patience it takes ages.

National express do coaches to and from most if not all airports to other airports so if you get them to say Heathrow they can get a coach to Gatwick.

Someone mentioned steps, yes they are steep but NE coaches have a lift, mainly used for wheelchair users. And if the lift isn't working they put you in a taxi.

I've travelled with my mother (88) to York from Tunbridge Wells ok without. luggage. Could that be sent separately? Alternatively my parents always used a specific taxi service which was £70 TW to Heathrow.

I really don't think there is a direct service from Birmingham to Brighton - that would require changing in London.

I still think Manchester to Reading and then Reading to Gatwick is easiest.

OR Manchester to Southampton and then Southampton to Brighton. Still only one change, but it will take longer.

Elderly relative in our family uses a luggage service so her suitcase is collected the day before she travels from her home. She can then manage the train journey carrying just her handbag. Think its called carry my luggage or something like that.

Wouldnt it be easier for you to travel to them ?

Also see if your parents will leave their cases of clothes at your house. It means on future visits they won't need to worry about packing. Much, much easier not having to carry luggage.

There are direct trains from St Pancras to Gatwick, and lifts at both stations. So the taxi need only be from Euston to St Pancras (or bus if they can manage) and it is under 10 minutes.

I recently posted my luggage to a friend, just filled a big zipped laundry bag and got a courier to collect it from my house.

Made travel very much easier, i can highly recommend DPD - didn't cost as much as I thought it would either.