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Original poster

Train Travel

18 replies

Notyummy · 09/06/2008 21:15

Contemplating taking 2 year old dd to SCotland and back on train on my own. Would be about a 5 hour journey each way.

Any experiences/thoughts welcomed.

Am I mad?

Would plane be much better.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notyummy · 09/06/2008 22:21

bump

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hf128219 · 10/06/2008 07:27

Hi Notyummy. I would have thought by the time you get to the airport, check in, the flight, wait for bags, then travel to your onward destination the flying option would almost be as long as the train.

There is also more to see and do on a train.

Original poster
Notyummy · 10/06/2008 09:45

Thanks hf. Has anyone done this journey or a similar one on a train with a toddler?

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Original poster
Notyummy · 10/06/2008 12:11

bump

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ScienceTeacher · 10/06/2008 19:30

I took a 2.5 year old from London to Edinburgh by train. It was fine. We travelled first class so that there was table service for refreshments.

I took a small wheeled suitcase and used a sling for DD.

MrsCurly · 10/06/2008 19:38

I travel from London to Scotland by train on my own with two little ones. They are 2 and 4 now although I've been doing it for about a year. I used to fly, but it's far too stressful and expensive now.

You're not mad. People tend to be really helpful and understanding. The best things are that you can wander about and that you have everything to hand (so when my two year old was violently sick all over me I could just go to the rusksack and get a complete change of clothes). Take your own food and lots of surprises in a bag (sticker books, colouring in, stories, little jigsaws, snap, magazines, etc). I've seen people with laptops so their kids can watch DVDs too. There's lots of fun to be had just looking out of the window. We play a kind of bingo to spot things.

Good luck!

Mutt · 10/06/2008 19:43

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Mutt · 10/06/2008 19:45

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blithedance · 10/06/2008 20:01

I did a 3hr journey last summer with a 1 and 3 year old. It was great and I'm thinking of repeating it this year. The children loved the adventure of it. It was pretty exhuasting and you do need to pack light.

  • Get a family railcard and reserve a seat for the LO too - it will still be cheaper than adult fare.
  • Be prepared for restlessness - toys/snacks etc. In hindsight, maybe a morning rather than afternoon train would have been better. Mine were very fidgety and grizzly by the last half hour.
  • Had trouble fitting (folded) pushchair anywhere in the luggage racks - ended up taking wheels off!
  • I used my old backpacking rucksack so I had free hands, but if just one child a wheeled case might be better.

Enjoy!

Takver · 10/06/2008 20:22

Train is fine - I'm 7 hours plus from both sets of grandparents, have done it regularly by train since DD was 2 when we moved here.
When DD was small I had my stuff in a rucksack then a very lightweight 'umbrella type' pushchair for her to ride in so that we could be quick if necessary on connections (I could just pick her up on one hip then carry the pushchair in the other hand to go up & down stairs).
Do you have the option of a sleeper up to Scotland? I used to do that a few years back and it wasn't too expensive - I think that would be a great adventure for a child.

Mutt · 10/06/2008 20:25

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Takver · 10/06/2008 20:36

Mutt, for us it was cheaper to use the railcard and buy a seat for dd (even when she was under 5) than to just buy one full price seat. Even more the case if two adults are travelling.

suedonim · 10/06/2008 20:45

5 hours?? I used to make 24hr sleeper train trips with my two ds's! (And I even took the dog as well, once, though I didn't repeat that one ) The boys were always pretty good as train travel isn't anything like as restricted as cars/planes, you can walk about and there's lots to see. Enjoy!

Mutt · 10/06/2008 20:53

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blithedance · 10/06/2008 20:54

Mutt - as Takver said. Under 5's are free but you don't get a reservation for them if they have no ticket. 5 hrs on a train with the toddler on my lap would be unthinkable for me! You get 1/3 off the adult fare and 2/3 off the kids fare, so it would be cheaper especially over that distance.

OK you do have the cost of the railcard but there are "free trial" deals about - moneysavingexpert.com usually has details.

Leslaki · 10/06/2008 21:10

Train travel with Los is fab if it all goes OK. However it put me off when we were dumped off the Glasgow/Birmingham train at carlise along with 3 other train loads of epople. We then had to squeeze on to the next train - lots of pushing and shoving - cue 2 tired and scared toddlers. it was a hideous nightmare!! the journey up was fantastic but the return part was so bad I have never done it by train again!

MrsCurly · 10/06/2008 21:13

I've always just bought a train ticket for myself and then gone to the carriage which has no reserved seats - there is usually one - and put the children in to their own seats. No one has ever asked us to move. It's only possible when you start at the same place as the train but if you are travelling London to Scotland it is usually the case.

Original poster
Notyummy · 10/06/2008 21:20

Thanks all. Will probably go for the train option, just need to decide whether I get another ticket for her!

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