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Mumsnet users hare with Trainline their top tips for travelling by train

330 replies

EllieMumsnet · 24/01/2018 15:07

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Travelling on the train with your family for a day out, especially if you have little ones, can feel like a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to be; the train journey can be an exciting part of the day out adventure for you and your DC’s and not just a way to get there. To help make sure this is the case for you and your family, Trainline would like you to share your top tips for travelling by train on family days out.

Here’s what Trainline have to say: “We’re always trying to make travel simple, giving our customers information they can count on. And planning a day out with the kids is one scenario where the simpler and more predictable the better. As it’s winter we’ve been thinking about the best ways to get out the house for some fresh air, without breaking your budget. We’ve come up with some “wild” train trips to zoos and animal parks across the UK which are perfect for letting off some steam (for you and your DC’s!).”

Do you research the stations that are on your journey beforehand so you can tell your DC’s fun facts about them? Do you use mobile tickets? Perhaps you pack a great picnic full of their favourite foods to keep everyone happy? Maybe you pack fun, entertaining games to play on the journey? Or do you keep them distracted by talking about all the things you’re going to get up to you on your day out?

Whatever your top tips are, please share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where on MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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Mumsnet users hare with Trainline their top tips for travelling by train
OP posts:
StickChildNumberTwo · 02/02/2018 21:34

If travelling any distance on the East Coast mainline, I choose to travel with whichever of the companies that will let me choose my seats, so I can ensure the family are sat together. I also buy a ticket for the toddler (with a family railcard so not particularly expensive) so he can have a seat and we have plenty of space round a table. If all four of us are travelling it also means no-one else is landed with having to sit with our chaos!

Sugarhouse · 02/02/2018 22:17

I would Always try and get booked seats to make it easier with little ones and sit near doors and toilets if possible for a quick exit

slbhill42 · 02/02/2018 22:31

take a massive picnic (somehow we're all hungrier than usual when travelling), focussing on little bits that can use up more time.

and give in to the tech - a tablet for a child is a lifesaver, no matter how many other games you might use too!

Lawofstraightness · 03/02/2018 01:03

We always make sure we take a notebook and pencils wherever we go. We've also recently discovered I spy books which are great fun on journeys and keep everyone from getting bored.

michael888 · 03/02/2018 02:37

Book seating around a table so you can all stay together. It also makes it easier to keep an eye on everything.

GloGirl · 03/02/2018 11:47

I only travel by train when I have the peace of mind to spend the time with them talking about what we can see out of the window. I can't quite manage that some days but they love it! They're always so excited to go on the train, so much so that they typically fall asleep on the way home.

Flapdoodles · 03/02/2018 12:05

We love train journeys but does them a lot less than we used to do to issues with parking. Our local train station is always crammed full with commuters by 7 am and to drive into our nearest city and park is £12 for the day - I wish there was a reduced cost for parking after 9 for example. It just makes the day that bit more expensive than travelling by car - although obviously train takes the stress out of travel.

When we do travel by train I always book online to try and get a good value ticket. Also I take lots of snacks and drinks and something to keep the kids occupied such as cards or a game - although they do tend to enjoy looking out of the window on a train.

Ruth361 · 03/02/2018 12:24

Book online and reserve your seats

Tanfastic · 04/02/2018 08:42

I’d say plan your journey meticulously. Always always book seats and t and book them near luggage racks if you are staying more than one day. Jay makes It easier when you ate Changing trains.

I always bring tablets too to keep them occupied when the boredom kicks in.

TheKnackeredChef · 04/02/2018 09:05

I pack mine a little bag each with a drink, a snack, a book and a notepad and pen. For the little one, I keep a stash of part bag crap which are useful to kee him occupied.

cocochips · 04/02/2018 15:06

I make sure I take plenty of drinks and snacks and books

dannydog1 · 04/02/2018 16:36

Have a bag with some little surprise Items in for when the two year old needs something to take her interest. iPod with favourite songs on- sorry fellow passengers! Drinks and little containers with healthy snacks. Crayons and paper.

KJ1986UK · 05/02/2018 03:29

For longer journeys try to reserve a table. Even if you're not keeping any belongings on it, it can be useful for getting some rest.

Also, if you have to use more than one train on your journey, try to price it up as singles as this can sometimes work out cheaper than booking it as one whole journey.

Dan35 · 05/02/2018 03:44

Take food and drink, games and maybe a tablet to watch videos. Sit near a charger, and not in the quiet zone!

OutComeTheWolves · 05/02/2018 08:02

We always get a seat with a table. It makes everything a lot easier.

We also take our own snacks. That takes a lot of expense out of a day trip.

Pinklady301 · 05/02/2018 10:10

I kind of pack a small bag that can go over my shoulder as if I were travelling by plane! It would contain snack, drinks, small toys (not loud ones!), and colouring books, as well as kids magazines. Wet wipes are handy too, and I used to pack a change of underwear/trousers/dress of space allowed when my daughter was younger (she is 9 now) in case of accidents! Electronics for short periods are good too, I had baby games downloaded on my phone for her which she liked. (charger too)

user1485629191 · 05/02/2018 13:36

Take snacks and drinks with you as sometimes you can't buy them on the train.

lolly2011 · 05/02/2018 13:39

We play games on the journey, ispy etc, take a few drinks and snacks, make it part of the adventure.

wellhonestly · 05/02/2018 19:11

Def pre-book a table if you can, and near a toilet.

First train trip we took baby DS on, we didn't bother with a pram, just had the sling and a little foldaway baby chair we popped on top of the table - kept a hand on it round the bends and all was fine!

Obviously bring your own change mat, but please don't change nappies on the table / in the carriage - truly it's beyond disgusting.

We used to make a big thing of buying a magazine at the station before leaving. Pencil and paper games are great too, to play with slightly older children.

It's easiest with own snacks/ drinks if you can manage them.

With baggage, less is definitely more and I am a fan of the rucksack (whether with pram or sling) for the sake of your back, but I also use a very small cross-body bag for purse/keys/phone/tkts so those are within my reach all the time.

Oh, and a family railcard. Even when DC was entitled to free travel it was more cost-effective to buy our tickets with a railcard and pay for a seat for him (which of course then entitled him to his own seat rather than my knee - although sometimes he did end up on my knee if the train got crowded!)

PippasLondon · 05/02/2018 19:57

My kids love travelling by train and far prefer it to travelling by car. My daughter now gets a ticket and my son gets so upset i have to 'give him his own ticket' so I think special kids tickets would really go down a treat with little ones. Everyone loves the Harry Potter platform at Kings Cross so more things like this at stations would be wonderful. We take a few toys and games and snacks but really they like being bought a magazine at the shop before we get on the train. Wet wipes are good, booking tables are good, not booking in the quiet carriage!! On Eurostar all the families were obviously put in the same carriage which actually worked really well. We sometimes do a train scavenger hunt and I imagine my son will be interested in what train is what as he gets older (he's three and loves forms of transport). Both my kids love a kiddie meal lunchbox where you can choose 5 things to go in them so that would be popular with them.

Hmumto3 · 05/02/2018 21:12

Always check the train times plan in advance have lots of snacks and drinks to hand

missymousey · 05/02/2018 21:36

Wear the baby in a sling / carrier so no faff with the pram.
Stick a cushion up your dress so people give up their seats for the pregnant lady Grin

hollowtree · 05/02/2018 22:51

Can't afford the train- Megabus all the way here!

Tentomidnight · 06/02/2018 07:50

Buy a friends & family railcard with Tesco points.

Take a small backpack each (which will fit but your feet) with abottle of water, snacks and toys/pens/notebook/magazine for the children.
Dress everyone in layers, trains can be hot and sweaty or freezing cold!

manfalou · 06/02/2018 12:26

We always plan to see when the shortest route is (trains form here to london range from 1hr43 to 2hr45!) Snacks are a must and colouring books. We also see what we can spot through the window.