Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Car vs train for long journey with toddler

94 replies

limes888 · 04/08/2021 11:25

We're taking our 16 month old toddler on holiday in the UK for 10 days later this month.

We can either drive to our destination (approximately 8 hours) or get the train, which would take 5.5 hours. We would then hire a car at the other end.

Which option is best with a toddler this age? I'm thinking car for convenience as we can just chuck all our stuff in and go, plus he will nap in the car. But I'm tempted by the train as it's such a long slog of a drive and it means we wouldn't have to stop off anywhere overnight!

I'm not confident driving at night so we'll be travelling during daylight hours.

Any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

flowerpootle · 04/08/2021 11:31

Train all the way. Can do colouring, iPad, walk up and down train, no risk of car sickness, nap in vestibule etc. Only downside is lugging all the baby paraphernalia.

Original poster

limes888 · 04/08/2021 11:33

Only downside is lugging all the baby paraphernalia.

This is my biggest concern - he has so much stuff! Also, how will he nap on a noisy train with no cot?

OP posts:

flowerpootle · 04/08/2021 11:34

Lay back the pram and rock it back and forth? Mine always slept ok on trains. Sometimes in my arms.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep General parenting

Tee20x · 04/08/2021 11:34

You say we're - would you be going with another driver? Would it be possible for one person to drive with all luggage etc and you and baby get the train?

That way you'd have the car at the other end with all the stuff and baby could do colouring etc on the train, walk up and down aisles etc?

OverTheRubicon · 04/08/2021 11:35

Train. Especially this year when the roads are so busy, it can add hours more to travel time - also remember that 8 hours drive will already be 10 hours or so once you factor in some breaks. My toddlers have always napped a bit on the train too, I usually book late morning so I run them around after breakfast, get to the train, look out the window a bit, have lunch, read some books, often they nap due to the movement etc, then a bit more sticker play and maybe some downloaded TV on the tablet, toilet trip, more snacks, practically done. Middle hours are slow but the first and last ones go fast

FuckingFlumps · 04/08/2021 11:36

Car for certain. Lugging a 16 month old and all their associated crap on a train and occupying him for over 5 hours sounds like a new form of torture.

The car ride may be longer but you'll have space for all his stuff, you know he will definitely sleep for at least part of the journey and you won't risk having to spend 5 hours trying to stop him disturbing other passengers.

Starjammer · 04/08/2021 11:36

I would personally do car. And drive overnight (I know you said that's not an option though). Are there good transport links where you are going to not have a car?

Train I would find stressful due to other people, hauling luggage, etc. I always sit in the back with DD on long journeys and we can do stuff together.

OverTheRubicon · 04/08/2021 11:37

I just lay them half on their seat and on my lap to nap.

Starjammer · 04/08/2021 11:39

Also not sure how much colouring you'll get out of a 16mo. Mine wasn't interested in 'colouring' at that age - she would scribble a bit for maybe 5 mins and that would be it. Activities rarely lasted long. Think it just depends on your child. Are they the kind to be easily distracted or absorbed by a task for long at that age?

Cacacoisfarraige · 04/08/2021 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

limes888 · 04/08/2021 11:41

Are they the kind to be easily distracted or absorbed by a task for long at that age?

His attention span is approximately two minutes, before he gets bored and wants to move onto something else!

OP posts:

poorbuthappy · 04/08/2021 11:42

Car - the logistics of train with child and all the crap you have to take would be a nightmare.
Also have you costed it?

Thesearmsofmine · 04/08/2021 11:42

Car. Go at sunrise and he should hopefully sleep a good chunk of the journey. We did a train trip with a 1 year old and on the way there he was great but on the way back he cried the whole time and it was so stressful, I felt awful for the other passengers. I also wouldn’t want to be dragging 10 days worth of stuff along on the train.
If you do choose the train make sure to book him a seat of his own.

FuckingFlumps · 04/08/2021 11:44

His attention span is approximately two minutes, before he gets bored and wants to move onto something else!

Perfectly normal at 16 months. Just thinking of how many activities, toys, games, YouTube videos, books and songs you'll need to get through over 5 hours is bringing me out in a cold sweat.

Seeline · 04/08/2021 11:44

I think it really depends on what the journey is.
IF the train involves lots of changes, stations with lots of stairs etc, it isn't much fun with a toddler and all your luggage.

Car is so much easier - you can thro everything in and not worry about carrying stuff. But again, it will depend on the route you have to take. Ideally I would set out in the early hours whilst toddler is still asleep and get the bulk done then. You say we- does the other person not drive? Night time driving is so much easier with little ones.

Original poster

limes888 · 04/08/2021 11:44

With the train option, the actual train journey itself takes 5.5 hours. But it will take us an hour to get to the station in a taxi from our house, then we will have the hassle of getting the hire car at the other end. BUT there won’t be the slog of the drive and we will be able to get there in a day.

OP posts:

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 04/08/2021 11:44

I would def 100% drive.

that way you have all your paraphernalia with you.

can you plan trip with a couple of stops and over nap time as cars very soporific? It might be time to be generous with screen time and let DC watch CBeebies or whatever keeps them entertained.

the thought of the stress of a crowded train and luggage etc isn't worth the slightly shorter journey.

omgthepain · 04/08/2021 11:44

I have to say I'd not book something that was an 8 hour car journey with a baby I don't understand the logic of that at all
I'd say train might be more relaxing for you (depending on the number of changes) but I agree babies have a lot of stuff
I don't think an 8 he drove warrants an overnight stop tho - another option would be to set off at 1/2am in the dark baby will sleep and there will be less traffic

MattyGroves · 04/08/2021 11:46

Train all the way - but we take public transport all the time so are well used to packing for it. Main tip is one big suitcase rather than lots of small bags and a bag for the train journey itself.

Have found that they get a lot of entertainment out of looking out of the window, take some books to read to them, small toys, sticker books, bit of tablet time. Mine will nap on my lap but I am still breastfeeding the toddler which makes that easier.

Original poster

limes888 · 04/08/2021 11:47

Car option is more expensive as we’d need to stay overnight on the way there and on the way back.

OP posts:

spacefrog35 · 04/08/2021 11:47

I would go car every time. The thought of trying to lug all the stuff plus the fear of disturbing the other passengers puts me off long train journeys.

alrightfella · 04/08/2021 11:48

I would say fly if possible. If not train then they are not restricted to being stuck in a car seat.

Seeline · 04/08/2021 11:49

Can you not share the driving? You shouldn't need to stay overnight for an 8 hour drive if sharing.

FuckingFlumps · 04/08/2021 11:49

@limes888

Car option is more expensive as we’d need to stay overnight on the way there and on the way back.

Would you?

If you're worried about driving in the dark it gets light at about 5am now so that gives you plenty of time for a leisurely drive and stopping at service stations. If there are 2 of you, you could do 4 hours each and that would also mean a change of face entertaining the toddler.

Starjammer · 04/08/2021 11:51

I know you don't want to drive overnight, but where are you setting for from? Here it starts to gets light around 4am, so you could leave really early and baby will probably sleep a good chunk of it. And then stop off somewhere for a good walk and run about and food and then do the second stretch.

Flip

1 2 3 4