Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is 10 & 13 too young to travel unaccompanied on a 2.5 hour train journey?

164 replies

mymadworld · 27/06/2019 11:23

My parents want to have our children to stay in the summer holidays and we are trying to work out logistics of getting them there & back. By far the easiest & cheapest option is putting them on a train at London and my parents meeting them the other end (& vice versa for the return) but I'm not sure if they're a bit young to do a big journey on their own. Eldest regularly travels by bus on his own and youngest has walks himself to school/local shops but it's obviously a big jump dispatching them off 200 miles!
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Borisdaspide · 28/06/2019 13:49

a shining example of hope over experience

Until recently I was doing this exact journey once a week. It's a straight shot train journey between two terminal stations, it literally couldn't be simpler.

Baritriwsahys · 28/06/2019 13:50

I'm sorry you don't understand it.

I don't understand it because Rail travel IS safer than road. That's a fact.

Your opinion that coach is fine and train is not makes no sense, given trains are proven to be a safer method of transport.

LoafofSellotape · 28/06/2019 13:54

Your opinion that coach is fine and train is not makes no sense, given trains are proven to be a safer method of transport

I am not talking about which is safer.

I have explained my reasons in an earlier post.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
MargoLovebutter · 28/06/2019 13:56

My DC have travelled on the trains for years and the worst thing that has happened is that they've been delayed.

Sometimes that has been because of any one of the reasons outlined BUT they haven't personally had to deal with it. They've sat around and waited for staff employed by the rail network to sort it out and then they've continued their journey.

There have been times when they've been in a tunnel or some other phone black spot, but amazingly I didn't phone the police, self-combust or expire from worry, I just looked up the reported train delays issues on the internet & thought - oh, they must be stuck in a tunnel and delayed and then 20 minutes later I get a text saying exactly that.

Fear Porn pisses me off no end & I blame the media for constantly focusing on all the worst aspects of human tragedy, so that we all end up thinking it is commonplace and make fear based decisions.

JacquesHammer · 28/06/2019 13:59

My DC have travelled on the trains for years and the worst thing that has happened is that they've been delayed

You’re lucky! My 12 year old and her friend got harassed by a group of men. When they tried to find the guard he was in the driver’s cab and refused to assist.

Borisdaspide · 28/06/2019 14:02

The bus thing is a moot point anyway because neither Nat Express or Megabus take children of that age. But the bus is an objectively worse and less safe way to travel for lots of reasons.

MargoLovebutter · 28/06/2019 14:03

I'm really sorry to hear what happened to your daughter. That is horrible.

However, I don't think my DC are lucky. I think they've probably just experienced what is normal. It isn't interesting or story-worthy or sensationalist, so it doesn't catch any headlines but it is what happens to the majority of people day in day out on the trains.

lilpumpsmum · 28/06/2019 14:08

I have been doing this with my son since he was 12. A similar two hour direct journey to/from London.
They ALWAYS let me into the platform with him to get him on the train, I just make sure I try to find the same gate staff when I leave.
As long as eldest has a working mobile I think there is no problem at all. Pack some food and a charger as all seats have a power socket next to them.

lilpumpsmum · 28/06/2019 14:10

Oh. And I stump up for first class. For children it's not that expensive and they get 'free' drinks and nibbles, the carriage is quieter, etc.

floribunda18 · 28/06/2019 14:43

My 12 year old and her friend got harassed by a group of men.

More likely to happen going to and from school.

www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/sexual-harassment-school-uniforms-me-too-plan-international-uk-girls-a8571031.html

It's definitely more than a third, as well.

flowery · 28/06/2019 16:22

”Would they be ok with a person/people who was drunk/rowdy who started trying to chat to them?

Would they be ok if someone was sitting in their reserved seats and refused to move?- happens a lot ime.”

Yes this type of not-at-all-uncommon scenario is the type of thing my DC would be upset/worried about. Perhaps it’s my fault they are not really robust enough to cope with those types of eventualities at the ages of 12 and 9, but I know I wouldn’t have been either.

I don’t think they need that level of independence at this age. There’s a world of difference between not being independent enough to go on a long train journey unaccompanied as a 13 year old and being completely ill-equipped to cope with university when they get to 18.

CalmConfident · 28/06/2019 16:27

My DS 10 & 12 could do this. It is a good direct reliable route. Pop them in first class. Done!

goldangel · 28/06/2019 16:30

Sorry if this has already been suggested, but what about paying someone ( babysitter, friend) to travel with them? my DC are the same age and that's what I would do rather than send them alone. Too many unknowns but that's just me.

abitoflight · 28/06/2019 17:06

Is it a virgin train? Could you send them first class? They seems to have a couple of carriage attendants usually for 3 coaches and they would get snacks/sandwiches

New posts on this thread. Refresh page