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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

how do you spend a train journey?

53 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 09/03/2023 14:08

I have a 3 hour train journey this weekend - no changes - i have had the busiest life recently that the idea of being captive on the train feels like a treat.
HOw do I make the most of it? If you have a regular train journey and love it- what do you do? Im thinking podcast maybe, some nice snacks...

OP posts:
Lcb123 · 09/03/2023 15:39

I do a lot of long trains, far prefer to driving. Book, podcast, audiobook, download TV or film. Buy drinks / snacks before not on train! And toilets usually fine. I sometimes get cheap first class upgrades so might be worth looking

Ted27 · 09/03/2023 15:40

Read, snooze, enjoy the scenery - some of my regular journeys are along the coast
Text my son to annoy him - he is usually sitting opposite me

emmetgirl · 09/03/2023 15:41

Might download something to watch on my iPad. Podcasts or read. A bit of each! And snacks!

PillBoxes · 09/03/2023 15:43

Look into back gardens, the extensions, the landscaping. Yes it's fleeting but fascinating. I do try to read but I usually can't concentrate as I watch my fellow passengers and invent stories in my head about them and the reason for their journey.

I like train journeys, the soporific rhythm and a nip and a nap, perfect.

CheersForThatEh · 09/03/2023 15:45

Download stuff on Netflix, knitting, a couple of spirits in a bottle and some coffee.

Make sure you download stuff before you travel as the signal is awful. And take your phone charger :)

twilightcafe · 09/03/2023 15:46

Read Kindle.
Snooze
Eat snacks
Knit
Listen to Spotify playlists

BlueHeelers · 09/03/2023 15:47

I always have work. But I try to ensure it's reading documents, or marking. But I find I have some of my best research/writing ideas on train journeys.

RoseAndRose · 09/03/2023 15:49

Something to read.

I used to take a puzzle magazine to exercise the little grey cells, but am more likely to do that on my phone these days.

Something nice to eat (often a treat from a concession at the station, if they're likely to have appealing stuff - it's somehow nicer to choose as part of the journey) and something to drink (alcoholic if journey stretches in to the evening)

CheersForThatEh · 09/03/2023 15:50

If you book a seat near the toilets or luggage then you should be close to a door so it makes it easier getting on and off and not having to squeeze in.

This is particularly helpful if your journey is busy and you reserve a seat as the ones in the middle of a carriage at peak time can be impossible to get to. Its easier if you have to leave stuff unattended to nip to the loo.

And wear layers! Trains always feel cold.

scrivette · 09/03/2023 15:53

I love a long train journey.

I take a good thick book, snacks, take a pashmina/big scarf and buy a coffee before getting on the train.

I often end up looking out of the window for a while too.

Topseyt123 · 09/03/2023 15:53

I read a book, or my kindle and I usually eat a snack.

aroomwithaperfectview · 09/03/2023 15:54

A book and plenty of coffee. I'll be travelling from Disneyland Paris to Annecy in the Alps tomorrow and while the Disney station is quite tiny, I'll have an hour to kill in Lyon's train station, which is much bigger, plenty of time to browse the shops. Going to visit my daughter which I haven't seen since last August, I can't wait!

TabbyM · 09/03/2023 15:56

Take a reuseable cup and buy a tea in town in case there isn't a catering trolley onboard, take a couple of chunky books, food, water, earphones for phone and if it is a quiet enough train have a good snooze or watch for wildlife - recommend the Kyle to Inverness line for eagles but often see deer, kites etc. If heading south on East Coast try and take pics from Tay and Forth bridges.

StaunchMomma · 09/03/2023 16:06

Reading, music, podcasts, nerdle, snacks, maybe a tin of gin or a little wine ❤

I feel like booking myself on a pointless journey this weekend, now 😍

RandomMess · 09/03/2023 16:11

I down load things to watch on my tablet, comfortable noise reduction headphones on.

Can't read as it makes me 🤮

Conkersinautumn · 09/03/2023 16:13

You're called crochet monkey ..... I generally knit so I'd suggest .... Read a book ;-)

maddiemookins16mum · 09/03/2023 16:16

Nice food.
Trashy magazine.
Something on my iPad to watch.
people watching and gazing out the window at houses.

Cupcakequeen75 · 09/03/2023 16:16

I read.
My train commute is 1hr and I couldn't get through it without a good book. 🤓

gogohmm · 09/03/2023 16:23

Podcasts (downloaded because the train speed means the signal can be iffy for 4g)

merlotlover · 09/03/2023 16:24

Deep breaths stood by the doors until I get off 😮‍💨😵‍💫

DimplesToadfoot · 09/03/2023 16:39

I try to book a window seat facing the way of travel and then spend the whole time glued to the window seeing as far forward as I can whilst praying that I don't get travel sick and throw up, the games up at every tunnel and 9 times out of 10 I'm sick :-( I hate travelling, by any means.

MasterBeth · 09/03/2023 16:49

Good grief! It's a 3 hour train journey, not the Trans-Siberian Railway.

How can you honestly not know how to entertain yourself for 3 hours?

(Loving the imagination of the replies too: read book, listen to music, eat food, drink drink...)

Pinacalola · 09/03/2023 16:51

A book, a magazine, audible or Spotify, take the options so I can decide how I feel on the day. Get a nice coffee and some snacks and a sandwich for the journey.

crosstalk · 09/03/2023 16:51

Book. Coffee and nice sandwich or sushi (but rush through it in case someone dislikes slight fish smell).

Clymene · 09/03/2023 16:52

I watch a couple of episodes of something on my iPad. And get drinks and snacks from M&S