to think I am crazy to attempt this train trip with two children?

[lill72]

Am looking at going to Europe with two children alone - DH coming a few days later. The trip there involves 2 hours on first train, then a change of stations (about10 min walk away) with 1.5 hours to change trains, the another 2 hour train journey arriving at 10pm. Am I mad to attempt this with a 2 year old and 7 year old solo. With luggage and pram. Or should I pay extra in order to be able to break up the journey and stay a night to break it up? what would you do?

Taxi between stations then cafe?

@lill72 - I think you could do it.

Regarding the walk from one station to the other - if you look on google maps and go to street view, you could 'virtually' do the walk, so when you actually do it, you will recognise where you are - takes away one element of stress.

Would it help with the bickering children if you did a star chart for the journey - a star for every 15 minutes of good behaviour, and a treat or prize after a certain number of stars - maybe even wrap up some little things as prizes - sweets, crayons, stickers, comics etc?

SDT - I think I could do it. I just dont know if I will have my sanity intact. I do usually wrap up little presents and have multiple entertainment options on the go. Star charts will not work on my two year old.

To give you an idea - flew back with her from Australia solo in January. I watched one movie - in ten parts . I had to change activities every ten minutes. my 2 year old wont watch a tablet for long or do anything for long. and there is bickering over things.

Betrand - yes he taxi is proba what I would do. Am just stressed by not only the change but them complaining about the second leg.

I think I know what I have to do. It is becoming more clear that I feel I dont want the stress of this.

Did they compensate you Knus?

OP no I didn't get compensation for the missed connection. It was a bit of a faff sorting out the ticket - I think I had to buy a new one for the missed second leg. The DC were tired, hungry and it was late. But all okay in the end and I left more time for the connection on subsequent journeys.

Honestly, I think you will be fine. The second part might not be much fun, but your 7yo will be okay and you can give your 2yo your full attention.

If you can face it, I think that walking would be easier and more reliable than getting a taxi. In the time it takes to find the taxi rank and wait you could have walked there.

Dear me, I'm sorry but as a parent of a 2 year old it's not surprising you didn't have time to watch a film on a long haul flight. I'm sorry but I'm failing to be very sympathetic. You can definitely do it. It won't be relaxing but that's the price you have to pay if you want to go.

Try travelling with an anxious autistic 11 year old.......

Fly instead

It is possible but some bits may be a nightmare. I have 3 x dc and have travelled alone with one or more of them regularly. I totally understand your fears. I had a horrible trip to France solo with a 2yo and 5 yo. Ferry and car trip.

However I would definitely go earlier. The late night adds extra stress and if you know your weak link is the connection you can manage that bit like a military operation. And totally minimal luggage.

Why would you put yourself through so much stress? Sounds exhausting.

I'm a single mum of 2 and I've travelled a lot by train on similar journeys with no issues (including a few weeks inter-railing in Europe). I only used rucksacks when the youngest was small enough to need a buggy, suitcases aren't practical (although your eldest should be able to drag along a small case by themselves - I prefer rucksacks though). You can't really stroll around to kill time when transferring trains so bring enough toys/gadgets to occupy them (and enough battery, some trains might have charging sockets) and plenty of food. Check out any walking routes in advance on Streetview so you're less likely to get lost, or check the station map so you know where the taxi rank is.

Tara - goodness where does the attitude come from. I expected to watch no movies and I dont care - was just trying to illustrate the point not garner sympathy.That's flying with a two year old . I get it. And I do have much sympathy for you travelling with an autistic child. I can only imagine that must be exceedingly difficult

You cant get a later connection with eurostar unless you book the tickets separately

Ok thaks Knus - I am still feeling unsure if you say even the taxi rank hard to find. Think I am definitley going to break up the journey somehow.

amis - if I book as one journey, the longest connection time is 1 hour 38 mins. Only otehr way is booking separately at more cost, but this is probably what I will do

I must have got the wrong end of the stick then lill it came across that you were complaining about the behaviour of your 2 year old and were giving it as an example of why your 2 year old is so particularly difficult to deal with. Most 2 year olds will require attention on long haul flights so I didn't understand the point you are trying to make. I just don't really get your post. You have asked if it is possible. It is. It won't be easy but it is certainly possible many who have responded have done it. Only you can decide if you want to do it.

mrs plum - thanks for the advice. I would go earlier but all the connection times are shorter. except the super early 6am one ! so go super early or super late. Ahhh! Sorry you had a horrible trip. You just never now what is going to happen!

Chilli - exactly what I'm asking myself. I pushed myself to the limit on my Parma expedition and vowed never again .

This might sound odd but have you tried booking the inward journey through Deutsche Bahn instead of SNCF? We've done some interrailing trips with the kids and have always found them the cheapest and easiest way to book.
Then if it's a bit cheaper, you might be able to justify booking separately to get a longer changeover time?

Onward not inward*

I completely understand about stress being able to do it but not wanting to. Especially if this is a holiday and not a 'necessary' trip. Having said all that I reckon you could do it and it neednt be too awful. If you tell us your start and end points and date we might be able to help.

tara - point of my post is to find our what other people have done and their experiences and whether they'd do the trip or not. I often feel like I push myself to the limit and dont know whether I'm crazy or not! And whether it is sometimes worth pushing yourself that much with small children. Guess that was he point of the post.

Yes fully realise a two year old is hard work. Most flights etc I bu mags and never read them .Too busy! Anyway hope that makes sense!

Yes it does.

I don't think travel with young kids is crazy as so many people have to do it . Yes it's inconvenient. But if you want to go somewhere it's a necessary evil.

I'd do the trip even with my autistic 11 year old. He wouldn't give me any peace but the end would be worth it.

Perhaps look at a longer connection time although 90 mins from Gard du Nord to Gard d'Est is very very doable. If the journeys are both booked at the same time if you miss your connection it should also be fine.

I'd highly recommend reigns to keep toddler in toe as has already suggested.

Hi Prak - thank you I had a look at the site. Says you cant book the fare I want over the internet

I am trying to get from London to Strasbourg in December - if anyyone knows any sites to book through or ways to go by train i'd love to hear! Thank you

Booking through sncf.fr will allow you to give yourself a longer connection time in Paris. You can choose whichever trains you like.

If it's not possible to have the tickets sent to England by post, you could book a ticket to Paris via Eurotunnel and then the Paris-Strasbourg leg on the SNCF website. They have machines which will print your prebooked ticket with a code and credit card. You could just do this when you get to Paris.

I used to stress about the connection, but it's really okay. Planning for delays is key though. In your position I'd do the London-Paris leg in the morning, go for a play/run around a park and then try to time the Paris-Strasbourg leg for whenever your toddler naps in the afternoon.