tube travel with buggy

[sfxmum]

suggestions and shared experience wanted. about to try and venture out.
any problems? dealing with escalators, staff help, etc.
any comments appreciated

dont do it

How old is your dd/ds? I find it easier to fold the buggy and get ds to walk up and down stairs. IME no-one helps you, sadly. Don't even think about it in rush hour, unless you really have to.

Staff are fine about letting you through the gates, btw.

never managed this. use a babysling & when bigger use a light weight pushchair that can be folded & carried with a rucksack for everything else.

Most stations have stairs, the only one with lifts as far as I know, is Stratford.
I've travelled on the tube and train with a buggy, and a lot of the time people help with puschairs, however travel with an adult who can help you up and down the stairs, as otherwise you may find yourself trying to pull a pushchair up a set of stairs on your own.

agree with batters,

have travelled extensively by tube in the past 4 1/2 years with dd1, at all stages.

Most of the time you do get help, new Jubilee line stations always have lifts (not always working though).
Best advice, is travel with a lightweight buggy, what I usually do is lift the buggy and carry it on the stairs, and never found it too hard, and prefer to dragging it as I find it very uncomfy for the baby.On the escalator, I'd just balance it on one set of wheels and hold on hard on teh handles.

Once dd1 could walk I'd ask her to get out of the buggy though.

Its not as bad as it sounds. Have fun!

Tell people to help you! I took dd2 in a buggy across London yesterday (usually I don't bother but it was a long journey and I knew I'd end up carrying her). I just firmly ask passers by to take that bar there, please, and help me. They always do.

Um, you aren't actually supposed to take buggies on the escalators.

Don't know how you Londoners cope with this.

I'm getting myself worked up already about flying home in two weeks with a baby and a 4 year old.
Got to change planes three times (and in one place go from one terminal to another) followed by a two hour drive at the end of it.

It will be bloody grim.

get a bus.

I do the same as MI and ask people to help me. I've never had anyone decline.

I definitely agree about avoiding rush hour. It's like being amongst spawning salmon.

hey MaoMao how the H are you, whre have you been?

I agree too, don't do it in rush hour and just direct people to help you.

Or get Motherinferior to go with you

dont have any experience with this on the london underground, but in similar situations have done the same as MI and asked people very firmly and politely to help me

i find young handsome men who have hands free are always the nicest very very helpful they are

and dont be meek, just say "could you help me please with this buggy - just lift this bit and ill take this bit thanks very much"

thnaks for comments
dd is 5 1/2 months and i really want to start going further afield. my pushchair is rather big and the idea of using it on escalators is scary, and yes i know i am not supposed to. i always help other mothers or i used to when i was out there fancy free.
thought might take baby carrier put baby in it when leaving train on plantform, fold chair, up escalators and reverse process.

...writing that made me tired, might just stay at home

sfxmum,

1. buy light weight umbrella fold buggy
2. put baby in carrier and fold up buggy before you go through the station - find a convenient bench
3. buggy can be pulled behind you easily when navigating the underground
4. Put baby back in buggy at destination

I've done this with both DSs (separately!) when travelling by British Rail follwed by underground - put them into carrier on BR train. Lightweight buggys are easier to use on escalators too.

its fine as long as not in rush hour, most people help you with the stairs. try to use a lightweight buggy rather than travel system if on your own. all kids love the trains!