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Original poster

UK to the Mediterranean by train with DC -anyone tried this?

47 replies

SwampOfDeath · 10/11/2019 16:58

I am looking for stories of family train travel from the UK to the Mediterranean, if anyone has travelled on holiday this way? With flying off the menu for environmental reasons, we are trying to figure out how best to manage and make the most of a journey like this. DC are old enough, 6 and 9, and definitely up for a trans-European backpacking adventure.
Can anyone recommend a sea side (or lake side / river side, as long as swimming is safe and easy) destination that is accessible by train?
Anything to think of / plan for / avoid?
Thanking you in advance!

OP posts:
PollyShelby · 10/11/2019 17:00

We got the train to the south of France once.

I wouldn't do it again.

leonardthelemming · 10/11/2019 17:03

www.seat61.com/index-mobile.htm

HuaShan · 10/11/2019 17:06

We have taken trains all over Europe and it's great fun. We took a train last summer from Lille to Marseille and then round the coast. It wad a nice way to travel, v relaxed and everything worked. I have also taken a train to Budapest via Paris and Munich overnight which was also great fun. The European train websites are pretty easy to navigate.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Flower777 · 10/11/2019 17:07

You can go to Italy by train pretty easily.

Original poster
SwampOfDeath · 10/11/2019 17:08

Nice name, Polly! I used to drive to the south of France in the summers in my 20s, romantic road trip stylee, but haven't attempted anything like it with the DC. Did you go with your kids?

OP posts:
leonardthelemming · 10/11/2019 17:10

More specifically, www.seat61.com/France.htm

HairyToity · 10/11/2019 17:10

Watching, as I've always fancied doing this. Never managed to convince DH yet.

Original poster
SwampOfDeath · 10/11/2019 17:12

Thank you, Leonard, Hua and Flower, this is what I was hoping for, a few threads to start tugging at.

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 10/11/2019 17:30

I've done the train to Barcelona and to Gibraltar (an onwards to Morocco), albeit before we had dc. I think either would be manageable with dc, particularly if you travel overnight.

I currently fancy the night train from Paris to Venice as a train adventure with the dc.

DrDeluxe · 10/11/2019 17:40

Yes we have done Uk to Marseillle, UK to Italy & UK to Holland. Plus also ferry to Spain. They are all fine. You need to make the journey part of the holiday e.g. stay overnight en route or do overnight trains.

Our DC were 9+ when we did this. Might be harder with younger DC.

It helps if you live in London.

Top tip is to plan your luggage so that if your DC are not old enough to carry much, the bulk of the luggage can be transported by parents in wheeled suitcases. We had a DC rolling luggage item for on train entertainment items.

DrDeluxe · 10/11/2019 17:40

Recommend Loco2 for ticket booking

DrDeluxe · 10/11/2019 17:42

The UK to Marseille trip involved a two centre mountains and seaside holiday, staying at Eurpocamp caravan park in South of France next to beach.

We did hire a car for part of it.

bionicnemonic · 10/11/2019 17:44

Do you know if inter railing that children under 12 ravel free
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/travel/2019/jun/22/interrail-pass-beginners-guide-how-to-book-reservations-eurostar-sleeper-trains

CouldBeAGreatMum · 10/11/2019 20:56

Train to south of France is amazing OP! Travel to Marseilles and stay there a night or two first- amazing city (you could also visit Les Calanques from here is you wanted) and from there comfy and reliable trains run all the way along the med coast to Monaco. It's super quick and easy.
Gorgeous seaside places such as Antibes, Villefranche sir Mer (stunning), Cagnes sur mer, Nice etc etc, all with family beaches.
I recommend using Nice as a base for the trip and alternating between days on the beach there and days taking trains to the surrounding beaches, as above, and also sone of the upmarket places like Cannes. None of them are more than about 45 mins train journey from Nice and Nice station is in the town centre, 10 mins walk from the beach. There is so much to see and you don't need a car at all. Child friendly, environmentally friendly and beautiful trip.

BertrandRussell · 10/11/2019 20:57

We went to Malta by train a couple of summers ago. It was great.

Original poster
SwampOfDeath · 14/11/2019 19:00

Thank you, everyone. This is encouraging as I don't have experience of travelling around mainland Mediterranean areas at all. I'd forgotten about places like Eurocamp, good reminder.

OP posts:
cheeseismydownfall · 14/11/2019 23:50

We haven't done it yet, but planning to this summer with our three DC (who will be 12, 10 and 8). Like you we are becoming uncomfortable with flying for environmental reasons. Rough plan is to travel down through France, across the Alps to northern Italy, and back up through Germany. I got this book which is really helpful with lots of suggested routes.

Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide www.amazon.co.uk/dp/3945225027/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aDEZDb02EJR70?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

HairyFloppins · 14/11/2019 23:54

We got the train to Barcelona in May. Eurostar to Paris, then TGV to Barecelona. Was a brilliant relaxing holiday. The train is so quick now.

Zofloramummy · 15/11/2019 00:25

How did you get to Malta by train? It’s an island Confused!

I’m interested in doing this as a single parent with dd (8) when she is a little older. Just need to save the money up Grin

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 15/11/2019 00:52

Did a whole interrail trip with DS a couple of years ago, and loved every second of it. Check out the man in seat 64 blog for booking tips, he is one of the joys of the internet - just a geeky trainspotter full of the info you need for your trip.

HandsOffMyRights · 15/11/2019 01:42

We travelled by train to the South of France a few years ago.

The journey out was perfect. We went from Ebsfleet (overnight hotel) and parked the car. Changed at Lille. It was relaxing, enjoyable.

The journey back was awful. A passenger fell seriously ill.
Armed guards/medics came on board to stretcher the man off.

We were stuck at the station for hours, with all announcements in French (I know basics but we didn't know what was happening).
There was no food available for a long time as the snack area had been closed.

We then missed our connecting train and were stuck at Lille.
We had to miss work the next day as the whole journey took an additional 8 hours and by the time we drove home from Ebsfleet to Birmingham we were exhausted and it was early hours of the morning.

My sons were 8 at the time. Thoroughly fed up.

We were really unlucky as the journey out was great. But having experienced that, I wouldn't do it again.

It was bloody expensive too!

MinnieMountain · 15/11/2019 06:55

Stompythedinosaur I went to Venice and back by sleeper train last weekend. It was great.

Charles11 · 15/11/2019 07:02

I looked into this once and it was really expensive. We ended up driving instead.
If anyone knows a cheap way of doing it, share please.

BrieAndChilli · 15/11/2019 07:11

We took the sleeper train from Paris to Nice a couple of years ago. Kids absolutely loved it.
(Tip: if there is less of you than berths you can pay extra to make sure you don’t have anyone else put in with you. There are 5 of us so we were in a 6 berth so made extra so we had it to ourselves)

hoorayforharoldlloyd · 15/11/2019 07:28

Thing is, horrible delays happen on flights, on ferries if you go by car etc. I don't think they are worse by train - although based on pp, maybe take a packed substantial snack with you just in case.

We are starting to do train for European journeys - probably helps that we didn't have a car when I was a kid so I have high tolerance for longer travel and know kids can cope.

Our first trip will be Germany, but also looking at Spain, Holland and scandi. If it's a big trip (Spain), then we will stop over somewhere. Definitely easier from London.

Try to treat it as part of the holiday and kids might take your lead. I think this will become more normal so enjoy being trailblazers! Our baby is nearly one so I much prefer train travel to the stress of planes right now.