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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not know how to get to/from the airport?

279 replies

cjt110 · 09/03/2016 13:41

We go away in June. Me, DH, DS(will then be 20m), DF and DM.

I am totally stuck on getting to/from the airport.

Easiest option - Train £80 return for us all. Fine. But coming home, we land at 00.50 and the first train back is at approx. 04.22. Bollocks. So thats 3 hours from landing time to getting the train. Say 1 hour to collect luggage, still leaves us stuck in a cold train station at that time of night with DS.

We have an estate car but we cannot all fit in with the luggage etc. Plus, DH doesnt really fancy being knackered and having to drive home.

So, taxi. Probably the same cost-ish as the trains but no child seat for DS?

Any suggestions? I can't see any way other than the train :(

OP posts:
Tangfastics · 09/03/2016 16:35

cjt

I think the taxi option sounds perfect and £60 each way is a good price for out of hours. Book it Flowers

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:35

Im just struggling with so much right now. But, I'm a Mum and a wife and life goes on. Doesnt it?

OP posts:
GooseberryRoolz · 09/03/2016 16:37

Just pick a solution and stand by it. None of the possibles are bad solutions so you can't go too far wrong.

If anyone grumbles, just say "I was left to arrange something so I arranged something."

Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:37

I have no idea of your circs cj but sometimes there is a straw that breaks the camels back and maybe this is it... Flowers

Groovee · 09/03/2016 16:38

I'd go with the taxi option. We used to use an airport transfer service who took your flight number and if you were delayed still ensured someone would turn up for you. They also provided car seats on request. Dd had better car seats in the mini buses than we had in the car.

icanteven · 09/03/2016 16:38

First of all, you are taking too much stuff. You are not Americans leaving the country for the first time (PIL's, I'm looking at YOU with your 9 suitcases for two weeks in Italy).

There is plenty of room for you all in the car.

For a late landing, stay in an airport hotel and get up in good form the next morning for the drive home. We now factor the cost of a hotel into our travel plans. A family room in Gatwick for 2 adults and 2 children is about £85.

NerrSnerr · 09/03/2016 16:40

You shouldn't be making this decision in isolation, especially if it's stressing you out. You and your his fan are partners and should be discussing and deciding together.

Thurlow · 09/03/2016 16:43

Tell your DH it's his decision to make if he doesn't want to drive. You shouldn't be making this decision on your own if he's the one throwing the largest obstacle in the way.

And I hope you don't think this is out of line, cjt, but I have seen your threads a lot over the past few months and they read as though you are struggling that little bit more every day Flowers Are you still talking to your DH and getting him to help, or are you trying to shoulder it all?

Yes, you're a mum and a wife and life goes on, but you don't have to do it all x

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:43

I'm off to hide under my duvet and sniffle for a bit.

Thanks for the grounding and advice.

OP posts:
Cabrinha · 09/03/2016 16:46

I may have missed this being mentioned... But re the car seat in the taxi, if you have a private transfer at the other side, aren't you going to bring yours on the plane for that?

Another one though that doesn't see the issue with just driving on a motorway - statistically a safer road type for fatalities that rural A roads, for example. However - me saying "just do it" won't help... but perhaps you would consider a motor driving lesson? It's bound to be useful later, to be confident driving on them.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:49

Thurlow I am struggling, feeling lost, and shit every day. He's helping out great, yet I still struggle. I just carry on regardless because Im too proud to do otherwise.

OP posts:
HopeandSoap · 09/03/2016 16:49

Some taxi company's will keep the car seat for you until pick up. We've done this before.

TooMuchOfEverything · 09/03/2016 16:54

Oh OP you poor (slightly daft) sod. Sometimes it is the things that are meant to be easy that end up toppling us over into tears.

Now listen. You are trying to find the cheapest easiest option but none of the options are really all that easy or cheap. So just pick the one you fancy doing most.

I can recommend the Hilton Manchester Airport Hotel. I have used it for exactly this scenario. Arrived with kids in middle of night, shuttle bus thingy took us to hotel, it was bloody perfect. Comfy clean beds super swanky bathrooms - felt like the height of luxury and worth every penny.

Lovely breakfast the next day, staff loved the kids, all the sort of thing you expect. Book it whatever it costs, you can't go wrong.

www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-manchester-airport-MANHITW/index.html

Thurlow · 09/03/2016 16:56

Please don't feel that people are having a go at you.

It's sort of a red herring - people are 'having a go' because it's not a difficult problem to solve.

It's the stress that this is causing you that is the actual problem.

Can I ask when the last time you spoke to your GP was?

You work. You have a small child. You have had anxiety and depression before. Sometimes things just get a bit much for us all. Please don't feel bad about it Flowers

TheFlyingFauxPas · 09/03/2016 16:59

I don't like the way taxi drivers drive. Around here, though I can't imagine it's only a local thing, they go through green men, park dangerously round schools, speed in residential areas and allow babies on knees, front and back, with belts around the two. ,Sad I wouldn't want ds travelling in one (car seat or no) of all the few cars on the roads at that time of day the taxis are the ones to worry about most imo. That's not that long to wait. I'd do the train and hang around at airport for a couple of hours.

cestlavielife · 09/03/2016 16:59

book airport hotel. arrive by 01:00 am latest, have a nice sleep and breakfast. go home later.

otherwise you getting home in early hours and arriving stressed etc.

let the PILs decide if they want to come to hotel or get tehir own taxi back. you dont need to all travel together.

MummaB123 · 09/03/2016 17:00

cjt, I've just been in a situation where I was very upset about something, and despite people giving me perfectly reasonable solutions, I put obstacles in the way of them all. Not because I actually wanted to but because I was so upset with the situation and really just wanted people to side with me and say they understood. I don't know if this is how you are feeling, but if it is, you need to tell your DH how stressed this has made you and how you are feeling in general. I finally admitted how I was feeling and why and I feel like a new person! Sometimes you just can't see the wood for the trees and you need a little bit of emotional support.

Somerville · 09/03/2016 17:06

You can pre-book a taxi and request a car seat. I've done it dozens of times. Just make sure you specify whether you need front or back facing and the weight of your DC.

shebird · 09/03/2016 17:06

We always use taxis, pre booked with car seats no hassle. Much better and cheaper than driving plus long term car park cost. Also better than stressed DH negotiating long term car parks and transfer buses with kids and luggage in tow. Hope you find a solution Flowers

Gazelda · 09/03/2016 17:07

cjt110 can you list all the options together with the cost implications, and then give him the sheet of paper and tell him to speak with the parents and let you know by the weekend which one you should book. Or better still tell him to let you know which one he has booked.

Give yourself a break. Sometimes my head is too full or spinny to be able to think straight or make a rational decision. It sounds as though you're having a tough time at the moment, I hope the holiday is a good rest for you and you come back fighting fit.

I must say though that it would do you and DH the world of good to get a couple of motorway/night driving lessons. And then keep practicing. There are few better feelings than the freedom that being a confident (but sensible) driver brings.

iseenodust · 09/03/2016 17:07

Agree hotel and leave the car there for the duration. Book now and you'll get a decent early bird rate.

sonjadog · 09/03/2016 17:12

OP, the inability to make what in reality are simple decisions are for me a major sign that I am going into a depressive period. Could thisbe the case for you? If so, please tell your husband and go to the doctor. You don't have to just get on with it.

PUGaLUGS · 09/03/2016 17:14

OP this is AIBU.

Plenty of posters are making helpful suggestions. You don't seem to be taking any if it onboard.

ChatEnOeuf · 09/03/2016 17:21

Is this the focus of your stress because you've got too much else going on that you need to talk (to your GP?) about?

Personally, in that situation, I'd drive and stay in the hotel. I like to enjoy the last day of the holiday and have a drink on the plane. So does DH, so we tag on a night in a hotel/with friends and see it as part of the holiday. You don't know whether you'll be delayed or not, and I hate driving tired (M-ways don't bother me, but sleepy passengers on dull journeys do).

TheFlyingFauxPas · 09/03/2016 17:22

I'm a nervous driver. I am working in it. I'm 46 and have never driven on a motorway. I hate driving out of town in the dark. I think I'm a little like you OP. You do not deserve abuse for knowing your own limitations or asking others fir advice. Isn't that what MN is all about Hmm. For me the train is my friend Smile even if it means waiting around a bit at the airport. I'm sure you'll all be able to make yourselves more than comfy 😊 I have never driven to an airport. I ask if family would like to take me but am perfectly able to get there via my own steam (or train's steam Smile ) if required