Tube with 2 year old, pram and suitcase. Doable?

[amidsummernightsdream]

I’m taking a solo trip to London with my 2 year old. I will have the pram with me and either a bag or a small suitcase on wheels.

We will arrive into Euston and then will need to get the Tube to Ealing Broadway, changing at Tottenham court Road.

Slightly concerned I dont have 3 hands. I know there are escalators etc to navigate

Was thinking dd could be in pram and I can wheel suitcase. Or dd could walk and I could take a bag instead and put that on the pram.

Is this doable? Any tips? Anything I’ve not thought of?

I find people can be helpful in London despite the reputation. They will have lifts anyway.

I don’t see how you can handle a pram and a wheely bag. I’d either put the bag in the pushchair and the toddler on my back (sling) or toddler in pushchair and a big rucksack on my back.

Thanks @muchalover I didnt know they had lifts, so that in itself makes things a lot easier

I'd try to take a rucksack instead of a wheelie case to be honest as that leaves your hands free for the pushchair.

People will be happy to help get the chair down steps etc but a case and a buggy will be tricky to navigate.

I lived in London when mine were tiny. There should be lifts but I’d check online. I used to manage the escalators with a push chair, you have to step on first and hold the pushchair standing backwards. Doable but maybe not with extra weight of luggage. I’d pack a bag that fits under the pushchair plus a rucksack.

Does Euston definitely have lifts?

This tube map seems to suggest the overground line does but that the rest doesn't to me? I don't use Euston often though, so not sure.

Wheely bag is the issue. Put your stuff in a bag that fits in the pram basket and the rest in a backpack.

Yes I see what you’re saying about the case and the pram. Doesn’t sound like a good idea.

I do have a rucksack but its only a small one and dont think it will fit in everything I need. I could take an additional back that could go in the basket underneath but thats a pain if i then have to collapse it down at any point

I’ve never collapsed a pram on the tube (2 kids, live in London). You won’t need to.

And/Or get a taxi from Euston to somewhere like Westminster with good access and direct trains to Ealing Broadway.

Seems like thats the best option though!

Thanks for saving me from taking the case wheely case 🤦🏻‍♀️

In this situation I'd honestly recommend just sucking up the cost of a new backpack. It doesn't need to be all singing and dancing but it will make a significant difference to your trip.

@InTheRainOnATrain thats really helpful to know, thanks

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/London-Euston-accessible-station-guide.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjEy5qp0_-BAxUyYUEAHc1MBv0QFnoECAEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3OEioYMMFkV9yjZSY28ptS

This says there's no step free access at Euston to the platforms, only to the ticket hall. Depending how annoying that would be, it's only 15 mins walk to Tottenham Court Road directly which does have step free access - might be easier than trying to plan so you can manage an escalator and luggage?

I think it depends on what you mean by 'pram'.

I have noticed that people use it these days as much more of a general term than they used to when my children were small.

If you mean light pushchair or buggy, then yes very doable. If you mean what I think of as a pram, then it won't be manageable!

@YourNameGoesHere I know you’re right but it’s an extra expense I could do without and I probably wouldn't use it again

I had a similar situation when taking my mum away for a weekend.
She was in a wheelchair.

I bought a big backpack which was just a bit smaller that a Wheely case.

You don't want to stress yourself with navigating a Wheely case and a push chair..

I took a paracetamol in advance as I knew my back was not going 5o like it !

Different stations to change at for Ealing Broadway.

They may have better lift access .

@Fifthtimelucky its a mamas and papas flip xt. Not a buggy but it’s not ridiculously cumbersome either. I have taken it on the tube previously but my husband came with us then and it was a while ago and cant really remember what we did

Get the bus from Euston to Paddington, think it is a number 18? Then onto a train there.

Mine was like a small suitcase on my back as opposed to a rucksack.

Easier to find things in and pack .
£26 ish from Amazon

You could just stick your stuff in carrier bags and put it under the pram. The rest plus whatever you need to have to hand in the backpack you already own. The point is- use the pram basket to make sure you only have to push one thing and that you have both hands available to steady the pram on escalators.

Can you borrow a camping rucksack from anyone? I can't see how else you're going to manage this.

When going down the escalators take the child out of the pushchair and ask a random to take empty pushchair down. You then stand on the escalator holding the child's hand. It's much safer than carrying them or balancing the pushchair.

@Papillon23 this is great thank you!!
I didnt realise it was so close, dont mind the walk at all, we wont be in a rush, so that sounds a lot easier!

You have a 2 year old I would be very surprised if you didn't use a big backpack again for days out, weekends away, trips to the beach etc and very handy for carrying changes of clothes and extra bits when potty training in the near future.

A large backpack is a very handy thing to have and as whilst an extra cost they don't have to be expensive.

@InTheRainOnATrain i think this is what I’ll do and I will walk to tottenham court road for step free access and go straight to ealing from there. That feels much easier.

Thanks everyone!