Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:17

Motorway driving in the middle of the night is an absolute pleasure! You can go quite a way sometimes without even seeing a car.

OP I'd tell your DH that despite hating motorway driving that you'll do it if he refuses to....

NerrSnerr · 09/03/2016 16:17

Sorry I missed they couldn't drive.

Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:19

whois OP has an absolute fear of motorway driving and doesn't do it. She said so.

Her DH does motorway drive, he has no problem. He just doesn't 'want to for some unknown reason.

Flossieflower01 · 09/03/2016 16:19

If you can't drive on a motorway in the dark then you shouldn't be driving at all- especially not with a toddler in the car. Either of you. So book a taxi. Or a hotel. Or cancel the holiday.

NickiFury · 09/03/2016 16:20

But that's not what I am saying. It's nothing to do with having more confidence. I'm saying that you shouldn't be having to deal with this alone. Your husband should be finding a solution with you.

Whathaveilost · 09/03/2016 16:20

I can't see one mentioned and you've already said he is normally happy to dive on the motorway, it just makes me think he's being stubborn for thinking it will ruin his last day if he can't drink?

If that is the reason, then he needs a huge kick up the backside and you need to tell him to stop being a selfish dick

We don't know if that is true or not but even if he wants a drink on the last day of the holiday why not? He's on bloody holiday and he could equally argue ( if this was the reason!) that he has a wife that can drive but won't do a motorway!

shovetheholly · 09/03/2016 16:21

You can get really good hotel deals at airport hotels, where you get a room for a night plus parking for the entire time you are away. I recently found it was cheaper for me to do this than just to pay for parking alone either at the airport or at a nearby competitor.

Oysterbabe · 09/03/2016 16:22

Amazing that out of 4 adults there isn't 1 willing or able to do a short drive home thus avoiding all this nonsense.
I'd be talking to DH about all the faffing required if he won't drive and expect him to change his mind.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:22

MaxPepsi He just doesnt feel confident at night, at that time after having been up and travelling for a long time. It's nothing to do with a drink as he's not really a drinker anyway and certainly not if he was driving.I think perhaps it could be he's not used to having so many people/items in the car when driving added to the nighttime motorway driving with a likely grumpy toddler

OP posts:
RudeElf · 09/03/2016 16:23

Rude I assume, like your comments above, that's a sarcastic, and frankly, vindictive comment. If you had read the thread, you will see that they cannot drive. But I assume that's the nasty point you are getting at

No. Was a genuine comment. Hadnt seen that they couldnt drive. Hth now away and take your head for wobble

Petradreaming · 09/03/2016 16:23

If you look at Airport Transfers, you will get companies that will store your car seat for you and bring it when they collect you on your return. Not sure what distance you are travelling but we are getting a transport from MK to Luton in June ( return journey) they would store the car seat for us.= if needed. £110 return.
We are taking the car seat with us though as we need it on holiday....

TheFairyCaravan · 09/03/2016 16:23

Motorway driving is different hence why we made sure as soon as our kids passed their tests they were taken on the motorway at quiet times to build up confidence. They've both done their PassPlus, which covers motorway driving too.

They're 19&21 and neither of them worries about driving on the motorway at anytime of the day or night.

Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:23

OP don't get upset. I just wonder if your DH is normally so obstructive? It just seems a bit odd.

Zariyah · 09/03/2016 16:25

cjt Are you anxious in general or just about the holiday? Is there something else in mind? Sometimes we focus on smaller problems when something bigger is bothering us. Flowers

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:25

Rousette Not usually no. It's unusual for him which is why I'm not questionning it. He doesnt want to drive.

OP posts:
littleleftie · 09/03/2016 16:25

I don't understand - you have found a taxi company that will take you and will store your car seat, but that's no good either?

Sorry OP but you are sounding impossible to satisfy.

I would just book a taxi/minibus including either their preapproved or my own car seat. The cost of the taxi is just offset against the cheaper flights for the unsociable flight times.

If you had chosen flights at a more convenient hour, they would have been more expensive, so overall the cost is similar. Does that help at all?

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:26

Zariyah Lots of shit tbh. I dont know wtf is wrong with me, but I darent say a word - especially not on this thread. No doubt I'd get all sorts of other things said to/about me.

Once again, thanks all of those with helpful comments. I will bare your suggestions in mind.

OP posts:
MaxPepsi · 09/03/2016 16:27

Fair enough then OP.

I think you need to talk to him tonight. Tell him you are working yourself up over trying to sort travel arrangements. Would he reconsider his stance about not driving and if not, please can he rearrange an alternative.

And I know it's easy for us to all say this, but it genuinely is the easiest driving of all is night-time motorway driving.
Can he do a practice run with you and DS in the car before you go?

19lottie82 · 09/03/2016 16:28

WHY NOT GET THE TAXI?

JessieMcJessie · 09/03/2016 16:28

You do realise that driving on the motorway at night is EASIER than driving on it in the daytime, don't you (you plural, to include your husband)?

Provided you have no qualms about driving in the dark on a non- motorway, the dark is a red herring and the road is much, much quieter.

It's not a ridiculously long flight and you can always let your DH have a good rest by making sure you attend to your DS.

But on the other hand, just pay the £120 quid and job done! That's only 15 quid each way per adult- bargain.

Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:31

I think you need to talk to him tonight. Tell him you are working yourself up over trying to sort travel arrangements. Would he reconsider his stance about not driving and if not, please can he rearrange an alternative

^^ This.

Try and find out if he has a valid reason OP. If not I would gently persuade him to do it. 40 minutes is no time, by the time you've loaded up the car and settled your DS in his carseat, had a bit of a natter, you'll be home and safe.

GooseberryRoolz · 09/03/2016 16:31

Confused How can it be so complicated?

Booked taxi with carseat works, surely?

Or else drive plus book an airport hotel for the night you return.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 16:32

Urgh, making decisions right now is so fucking hard

OP posts:
Roussette · 09/03/2016 16:33

Are you struggling cj?

GooseberryRoolz · 09/03/2016 16:34

Why? What's making decisions hard?