3 hr train journey with a toddler

[Llamapolice]

Has anyone done a long train journey with a toddler since COVID? I've booked to go and visit my parents, I'm desperate to see them, it's been nearly 6 months. But now wondering if I can manager the journey with my 16 month old. There's no way she will stay on my lap for 3 hours. Can she sit in the seat next to me and will we be able to walk up and down the carriage?

All the snacks, a big book of stickers and some crayons. Book 2 seats as I found the extra seat so helpful when mine were small. Mine used to love spotting things out of the window too. Good luck!

Will you need to wear a face covering for that length of time also?
Doesn't sound like a pleasant journey tbh. Would you be able to entertain her with a phone or tablet?

Nobody will stop you walking up and down.

In your shoes, I'd download peppa pig etc and let her watch that with earphones for as long as she's willing.

@Delbelleber yes I will, I'm definitely not expecting it to be pleasant, I'm just hoping not to be asked to leave the train!!

I've no problem with letting her watch a tablet the whole way but I don't know if it will occupy her, she'll only do about 15 minutes in front of the tv before she wants to go walkabout again. I'll try to have a range of "stuff" to keep her in her seat as long as possible.

@SisterNight I thought about booking 2 seats but are people who book together seated together at the moment or would she be allocated a seat 2m away, I've heard they block off some seats to stop people sitting in them.

Rather than do two standard seats I'd do one first class seat - it will be quiet and you will be able to spread across two seats. I travelled a lot pre covid with my son.

Can you time it so she had a nap for part of the journey?

You could buy a child ticket for her, which allows you to reserve a seat for her. (get Family railcard). Yes it's more expensive than baby goes free on your lap - but definitely worth it .

will we be able to walk up and down the carriage

If you need to walk to the toilet/bin or whatever, that’s fine. But I don’t think you should pace up and down the carriage just to walk around as it isn’t in the spirit of social distancing. I was on a long distance train recently and this business chap insisted on pacing up and down the length of the carriage whilst having a heated phone call, I just wanted him to stop walking near me.

If you’re going to entertain her with a tablet please don’t have the volume blasting out. Maybe just download some gaming apps she can mess with and keep it silenced

At the very end of June GWR didn't have any reservations. We didn't know until it was announced on the train, when I booked the tickets I was allocated seat numbers but they weren't actually using them.

Make sure you have all your valuables in a cross body bad that you don't take off. That way if you have to get up quickly and there are people around you aren't worrying about where your purse and phone are.

You can turn the whole experience into a bit of a game by wrapping up snacks and having a kind of lucky dip. Do the same with a few small toys/colouring/sticker books/books. She gets to open a new parcel every 15 minutes. Use different wrapping paper for toys & snacks so she doesn't end up with too many snacks.

@doadeer when I looked at train times the company asked you to book a quieter time of day so I did but it's after her nap...I'm regretting that now.

I think I will look into buying a first class upgrade.

• Cross body bag

It depends which company you’re travelling, some have cordoned off seats and others never did - some are even removing the cordons.

Generally you’re supposed to keep the aisle seat free so people can walk past you at a safe distance but I’m sure a small child would be an exception. You’re also supposed to leave a gap between other passengers, ie keep a row of seats free between you

Well there's no garuntee she would have settled for a nap on the train anyway so probably better she is well rested not crabbit.

@Delbelleber

Well there's no garuntee she would have settled for a nap on the train anyway so probably better she is well rested not crabbit.

This is a good point!

Books, snacks, ipad, crayons, walk up and down train... I'm sure the time will fly by! Good luck

I got a 2hour train recently with my DS he’s older... now however I did a 2hourish to London and they tube when he was around 2 maybe younger as well. I liked it it wasn’t that bad. Take things to do like others have suggested. The trains probably will be quieter than normal.

Could you change the tickets to coincide with her nap? Definitely book seats. I used to regularly travel with my 2 dc on a three hour train journey and I was always thankful for the change over half way. If necessary could you do that?

Have done lots of 3-5 hr train rides with DS3. They are actually pretty fun, and way better than a three hour car ride because you can move about, get snacks, etc. We've taken a few overnight and multi-day train journeys now because he loves riding trains so much.

Definitely get a second seat - that becomes essential from about six months old, unless you want a baby right in your face for the whole train ride.
Lots of little snacks (cheese, fruit, crackers and yoghurt, all in individual pots so they take some effort to explore, is perfect)
Looking out of the window is more exciting than you'd imagine
Walking down the aisle to the snack bar and/or toilet will also occupy plenty of time

Either have help off and on the train, or make sure your belongings are easy to carry - I did an overnight stay with one of my friends and I had to carry a car seat, overnight bag, toys, picnic/snacks, pushchair, and god knows what else, along with manhandling a grumpy toddler. Learned my lesson. The second time I took a sling, and put everything else in one bag (except for the car seat which was unfortunately unavoidable).

How was your journey @Llamapolice? I have to take my 18 month old on a 1.5 hour train journey this week and I'm feeling worried about it :( any tips?

Many trains are very quiet at the moment. They will definitely have you sit together and you won’t be asked to leave the train.

@cannonball8726 I couldn't go as I was travelling to Manchester and their lockdown came along 😭I now haven't seen my poor parents for over 6 months and I'm really grieving but not to derail the thread... Sorry I can't be more helpful!

First class isn't a good idea. You will only feel under more pressure to keep her quiet.
What about a 'magic' colouring book, where you only need water to make the colours come out. Snacks are a definite must too!
Good luck and hope you have a wonderful time with your parents

Definitely book seats. Get your phone/iPad ready, snacks, colouring in, silly toy, book.

You’ll be fine on that journey. I travelled from Oz to the UK and back again on my own with dds 13mo and 2 and a half 😬

I had a recent 2 hour train ride with a 20 month old. I was dreading it but it was fine. I took lots of snack pots, drink bottles, playdough, colouring and stickers, stickers were a god send! I also found people were super friendly, waving at my ds and playing peekaboo etc.