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Original poster

Thoughts on age of child traveling alone on train from London to Preston

61 replies

Shitfather · 16/10/2022 14:31

DS is 11 and I’d like him to start traveling to see family. We have taken the route together many times, but I need a few days to myself to sort out some legal shit. He is very sensible, will have his phone, and charger. I will put him on the direct Avanti train nearest to the conductor’s cabin. A family member will be at the platform to collect him. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
StillNotWarm · 16/10/2022 14:38

From your title, I was going to say 12 if it was a route they were familiar with, bit older if somewhere they'd never been.
So if DS is happy with the idea, go for it.

StopStartStop · 16/10/2022 14:39

I wouldn't. I've used public transport for decades. I've seen young boys (a few years older than yours) preyed upon by old men, young girls surrounded by groups of boys, paedophiles discussing nearby children, a teenage girl trapped by the train conductor...

I really wouldn't. Your child is probably plenty sensible enough, but the world is full of bad, bad people.

The other risk is if something happens to the train. Sometimes they stop outside stations for hours and passengers are trapped - that's happened to me, more than once. Sometimes they are cancelled at a random station and passengers are turfed off to make their own way home... your child would be very vulnerable under those circumstances.

BrekkieLunchDinner · 16/10/2022 14:41

To be honest, it's the Avanti that would put me off rather than age. That is one laughable train company and who knows where they will leave your child stranded.

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NorthernChinchilla · 16/10/2022 14:43

I used to do that journey from about 12ish, fairly frequently.
If he's 11 and in secondary school, and used to a bit more independence, should be OK; maybe 11 at primary school less so?
But you'd probably be OK. I would also speak to the train manager to make them aware so they can keep half an eye on him?

OperaStation · 16/10/2022 14:44

Depends on the day of the week and time of the day. I definitely wouldn’t send young kids alone on a weekend when the trains are full of stag dos. A weekday afternoon, maybe.

StopStartStop · 16/10/2022 14:44

Don't imagine the 'train manager' is a safe person.

Heavenknows22 · 16/10/2022 14:45

How long is the journey? I was going to say 15 for a long journey, obviously younger for a train journey across town or something.

trevthecat · 16/10/2022 14:47

I've been doing this route on my own since about that age and that was before mobile phones! You know your kid, you are putting them on and they are being met off in Preston. I think they will be fine

GyozaGuiting · 16/10/2022 14:48

When I was 11 I used to get a train on my own to London, if someone meets him on and off in the day time, I would do it.

The World hasn’t got more dangerous in the last 30 years, we’re just more knowledgable and cautious of it. Restricting kids does them more damage.

Hbh17 · 16/10/2022 14:48

Normally, I'd say that's fine, but there are so many Avanti cancellations & double bookings at the moment. Would he know what to do if his train was cancelled, or terminated at a station miles from where he wanted to be? Even as a regular customer, I think Avanti are best avoided right now.

PeekAtYou · 16/10/2022 14:50

Would he know to move if a rowdy group got on the strange eg some drunk footie fans ? I'm an adult woman and they would have me moving carriages even if I had booked a seat.

beastlyslumber · 16/10/2022 14:51

He'll be fine, OP. London to Preston is only a couple of hours. Just make sure his phone is fully charged!

Children need to take risks to develop independence and confidence.

Shinyhappyperson22 · 16/10/2022 14:53

Heads up the train service from
London to the North is terrible at the moment so would he be ok if trains got cancelled and he had to catch a different one and stand up/sit on the floor etc? Lots of double bookings so seats aren’t guaranteed.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 16/10/2022 14:57

I think 11 is fine but as others have said Avanti are crap atm. I keep having to re arrange a trip to London as trains between Preston and London are pretty much non existent at weekends currently!

PatriciaHolm · 16/10/2022 15:03

Aside from all the other Avanti issues right now, which alone would make me pause I think, they advise that under 13s don't travel alone and their website says staff will call the transport police if they see a child younger than that travelling alone, so you would be taking a risk that that might happen.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/tickets-and-savings/ticket-types/family-and-child-tickets

Original poster
Shitfather · 16/10/2022 15:13

Really great advice from you all. Thank you so much.

He’s just started secondary and is fairly independent.

The reason I mentioned Avanti was because I know they are currently very unreliable in departing, however, non-Sunday journeys have always arrived within 2 hours.

I’d be putting him on a weekday afternoon train, and I’d personally board with him, and track the journey. He will have a bank card also.

Thank you for the link re age restriction. I will let the train guard know he is traveling and will be collected at the platform.

OP posts:
AnnapurnaSanctuary · 16/10/2022 15:15

I'd be ok with this OP.

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 16/10/2022 15:17

Just googled it - mentions children being 13 on their website

I wouldn't do it at 11 tbfh you never know what weirdos Are on public transport there doesn't appear to be chaperoning either so I guess just take him to your relatives and drop him off then collect him

Thoughts on age of child traveling alone on train from London to Preston
Ship · 16/10/2022 15:17

I’d be wary with Avanti because they are so so shit at the moment. I’d Probably wait until my child was 13

liveforsummer · 16/10/2022 15:19

Sounds fine in theory but I've had some pretty scary experiences on a train including one where a man kept trying to engage dd in conversation then tried to follow us off the train we ended up not getting off at the last minute leaving him angry on the platform. No idea what his intentions were but it involved quick thinking. Lots of potential for disruption too. Would a coach be better? Guaranteed to get to its destination eventually (even in the event of a breakdown) and the driver can be approached for help if needed. Guards on trains are frequently nowhere to be found.

TheTeenageYears · 16/10/2022 15:21

I probably wouldn't at 11 and definitely not with the published guidelines other posters have shown - if anything goes wrong they will have the ultimate get out and make it your fault.

BookedOut · 16/10/2022 15:22

Dd did a longer journey than that at 12. Charged phone, power bank, contingency plans for train delays / cancellations and also any dodgy people (practice with role play or talk or through) and I would let him do it.

MargaretThursday · 16/10/2022 15:36

DD did almost that journey at that age, but had 2 changes.
I asked for assistance as the changes. You can ask for official assistance, and I was glad I did as there was a strike on the way back and so some of her trains were changed. It meant that the assister met her off the train (you told which seat they were in) and put her back on a train (and then messaged the next assister which seat she was in when the train had changed.
They were lovely with her (and fed her chocolate and all sorts!)

bloodyplanes · 16/10/2022 15:47

Absolutely not at 11 years old! I would only allow this from 14 upwards.

Sirzy · 16/10/2022 15:55

I wouldn’t do it until he is old enough for you not to need to tell the guard he is travelling. The guard isn’t a babysitter.