Would you let your 10 and 13 year old on London to Leeds train alone?

[Secondtonaan]

Dds 10 (nearly 11!) and 13 are staying with family in London for a couple of days in the summer hols.

We live in Leeds and an option is them getting the train from Kings X together if my mum sees them on the train at the station and I meet them off the train at Leeds.

They're both v sensible and have phones with trackers on. Would you do this?! I think so but seems a long way.

Nope

No

Personally, no I wouldn't.

No

No!!!

I have ds 9 and 15...no way...

No

No. What if the train breaks down and everyone is turfed off and they have to figure out the onward journey?

I would let the 13 year old if they were with another 13 year old in that situation, yeah. Grandma walks to the platform and sees onto the train and trackers on phones. 10 is just very young.

Yes I don't see why not. So long as not very early morning or at night.

Yes if it's direct, no if they need to change trains

Yes. As long as they're dropped off and picked up either end.

They would just get on the next train?

No way

Yes I would ! Seen on to the train and met at the other end ?

In fact actually I’d think it would be fine. I can’t see why it’s any more problematic than getting a bus alone. That train will be busy and have lots of CCTV. Make sure they know how to text the British transport police

Hmm, it depends on them. It’s only two hours, we used to go from Leeds to Manchester without phones back in the day and that was around an hour. 10 is very young for it, do they take public transport a lot? If you need to then book in advance and get cheap first class tickets and tell the ticket collectors on the train they are alone but being met. If it breaks down stations have staff that will help them.

My DS went to meet friends in Cornwall when he was 13. He was invited to join them on their family holiday, but they were going the day before we flew back from ours, so he went down on the train and they picked him up from the station. That journey involved crossing London by Tube.

So, I'd be fine about the 13yo, I'm not so sure about making them feel responsible for the10yo.

No, I’m guessing they aren’t seasoned train users (or you wouldn’t be asking) and train stations can be really overwhelming places, I also don’t think it’s fair for the 13 year old to essentially be responsible for a 10 year old on a journey. I would let the 13 year old go if they were with a couple of well behaved friends but not with 10 year old.

if its a direct train, with reserved seats and they are seen on to the train and met at the other end... i don't see an issue. i wouldn't be so happy if they had to change trains

i assume they have phones and can be tracked?

Fair enough... Just wanted to gauge responses. I'm leaning towards not as want to make sure they're safe but can't really work out what risk is on a train. Feels unlikely it would break down

Those of you who said no, why? I

This has happened to my son a few times traveling to Leeds to university. So no.

I'd say yes if they're sensible. it's a direct train. 2hrs 15, they're together and its normally lots of business travellers on that service, not at all a rowdy crowd. The only thing is you won't be allowed through the barriers at Leeds and your mum won't be allowed through the barriers at kings Cross, so they will have to do that bit by themselves.

I also wouldn’t put them on at rush hour because the trains are packed. Outside of those times it's pretty quiet.

Can I ask people what the issue might be ? We are in Dublin and I allow my 13 year old travel like this .
I’m pretty familiar with the UK . Am I missing something?

I’d let the 13 year old - that’s how old I was when I first did a long distance train. But not with a 10 year old.