To not want to go on the train?

[lazymary]

My brother is planning to move to the other end of the country, and has been asking round for a long time for someone to go with him and help look at properties.

I have annual leave in a few weeks, so I've said I will go this time. We have rented a holiday home which cost £300 each and we will go by car.

The house is Friday to Friday, but the problem is I can not book the first Friday off work, as my colleague is booked off. I have said I can go Friday night, or could we go Saturday morning.

He is not happy with this and wants to go on the Friday morning so he has the longest possible time there. He has suggested I go down by train on Saturday.

AIBU to say get stuffed? The train would cost approx £90 for the single journey and takes 7.5 hours. I would rather not go at all if it involves the hassle of a train journey, even if I lose the money I've spent on accommodation.

4 changes?! No way I’d be doing that, what a faff on. Why does he need someone to go with him anyway?

He is BU because you had told him about Friday.

Tell him if he’s not willing to wait then he’ll need to go alone and reimburse the accommodation money.

^^ This.

Compromise and go Friday after work.

YANBU.

Stuff happens. You can't leave before Friday evening, and you don't want to travel by yourself, and you're doing him a favour on this whole thing anyway.

People asking for favors should never throw tizzies.

I think you have to suck it up and go by train, given it's his car, and he can make the most of being there during Friday daytime.

If he knew you couldn't join him in the car, he should pay your full £90 train fare, seeing as the only reason you are going is to help him, and you are travelling at different times.

I agree with this and with the posters before and after this comment. He is out of order.

Also, if the train involves London, I'm guessing at least 2 of the 4 changes mentioned are at tube stations, which aren't a huge issue as there'll be lots of people around to assist you.

It sounds like you weren't really that keen on going, and if that's the case, just tell your brother, rather than making a big deal about trains (especially if he agrees to pay for the train).

Four changes will be hideous - huge odds that one train will be late, and you'll end up kicking your heels somewhere obscure, having missed your onward connections. I have lost count of the towns I had no intention of visiting, before being stuck there with three hours to kill.

I don't mind changes if I'm on my own (as in no kids to worry about), just part of the adventure, take a book and headphones

Love a long train journey
Pack your stuff and let him take it in the car so you don't have to lug luggage

I'm dying to know which two places in the UK 4 train changes apart we're talking about here.
I think you're both being a little bit U but if you do still want to go with him, just get the trains. Lots of snacks and noise cancelling headphones, it'll be quite a nice journey.

I'm dying to know which two places in the UK 4 train changes apart we're talking about here.

She’s probably counting tube changes in London. I’d pick train over car any time.

OP might not be. If both endpoints are on branch lines, or even suburban stations, it could rack up the changes.

I took a guess at a lots-of-changes-route myself. Blaenau Ffestiniog to Ramsgate. That could involve five changes not counting London tube. It varies a bit but can involve changing at Llandudno Junction, Chester, Crewe, London (Euston to St Pancras), and Ashford.

OP has already offered this option.

Both my brothers are pretty flaky but I would do anything for them (and the same in reverse) and I take trains all the time anyway. So this suggestion would be totally fine with me, as long as I could afford the fare or my brother was paying.

And its a great way to see different parts of the country without worrying about getting stuck in traffic jams

He needs to wait for you.

Does he have any actual viewings booked on the Friday? If not, he needs to wait for you.

I’d much prefer the train over the car journey.

4 stops isn’t hideous really. Yes, it’s a pain if trains are delayed or cancelled. We had this recently, I got a full refund on one journey and part refund on another, not the point granted but still, it’s good to know.

Are there no alternative journeys with less stops?

Where are you going from and too that takes 7.5 hrs? Understand if you don’t want to say. Where have you searched for the train ticket? Train line?

Yes I agree, if you’re counting tube changes then that’s a bit odd as it’s really no big deal (most lines have tubes every 3 minutes or you could get a cab). So in London at one station- across London- out of London at another station = absolutely fine. 4 changes at places like crewe, Doncaster and Bristol= dodgy, especially with the state of the trains at the moment I’d bet that at least one of them won’t run or will be hideously delayed.

Sack it off. You don't want to go and you're under no obligation to help your DBro with his househunt. He can spend the whole time there on his own, like he'll have to move there on his own if he so chooses. You're already putting yourself out for him and if there's no give on his side, he can lump it.

I would do it by train if:
He takes your luggage
He pays your ticket
He picks you up from the station the other end.

Most rentals are not available until after 3-4pm, you have offered to go Friday after work....not really going to miss much is he? I feel he is being ungrateful, you have offered to help him.