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

[EllieMumsnet]

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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

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

LOts of snacks, and some old fashioned plasticine sticks keeps them amused for hours

Plenty of snacks and drinks, nothing worse than being hungry or thirsty on a long journey!
Also for little kids keeping them entertained on journeys can be the biggest battle, my mam used to buy little puzzles games and sweets. She'd wrap them up in wrapping paper and every so often give us one or two to open, it kept us entertained for hours.

It is important to be organised. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time, if travelling on public transport. Ensure the children have been to the toilet before starting the journey. Bring along lots of things to keep the children occupied - books, colouring, puzzles etc, as well as snacks and drinks.
Do your homework in advance, research where you plan to visit - opening times, cost etc and where there are child friendly/ budget friendly places to eat nearby.

Take snacks and try and engage them with games and the sights one can see from the window. We always tried to be intuitive with our children .. look at things and then infer their use, who lives there, et cetera.

We make sure we get a good table by the window so as to point out things to look at and play I-spy

we drive part way and park at a quiet little station

Be prepared to entertain the kids...talk to them play games, cuddle. Don't just read a book or look at your phone for hours!

I make sure there are snacks and activity books on hand - he loves the 'I-Spy on a train' book which keeps him occupied for a lot of the journey, seeing what he can tick off that he sees out the the window.

Always take toys in the train, some people would frown on it but I like to take the kids tablet . Shows and games on there Lee them entertained on the journey which makes everyone more relaxed

I always bring some colouring, a book and some little snacks so the children do not get bored

Snacks and drinks for the journey, something to read or do and reserved seats if possible to avoid the worry of not getting seats together - or as has happened to me not at all!

Lots of drinks and snacks and we love a table so we can all play cards to pass the time

Try to book seating around a table and take plenty of small toys or games to keep toddlers and young children entertained.

A bag of cold drinks and snacks will also help to keep the cost down and a picnic style lunch can really break up a journey.

Drinks and snacks. Make sure everyone uses the loo before getting on the train just in case it’s out of order. Window seats. Book and reserve seats in advance.

pack plenty of snacks and drinks!

Sticker books! Keeps our two entertained for at least 30 minutes.

Go prepared with snacks, drinks and fun games. If we have to change trains we always make sure when know the times before and after the one we need just in case there is a delay.

Try to get seats with a table
Take plenty of drinks & snacks
Take (quiet) activities like card games, colouring, and/or stickers
We play games like I Spy too - the DC still love that!

And definitely make the journey a part of the adventure/ trip. My DC don't go on trains that much so they love it when we do!

Get to the station early. Make sure each family member has a rucksack with water, a snack, and something to entertain them.
Give the kids a window seat, and make it fun!

Snacks and colouring! X

Invest in a family and friends railcard, after just a couple of decent journeys in a year the savings will outweigh the initial cost massively!

book a table seat and take snacks, books, colouring, small games to keep entertained. travelling by train with kids is my preferred way to travel as they can get up for a wander/loo visit whenever needed

I've just booked tickets for half term for my three children and I to visit a friend for a few days. With a Friends & Family Railcard it is incredibly good value. I pack lots of snacks, but we all enjoy a trip to the buffet car for a drink: its part of the fun of being able to move around whilst travelling.
We pack books, headphones, quiz books and travel games (like mini connect 4). We all enjoy it. I could have driven the 100 miles to the friend, but we all agreed that the train was the nicest way to go, especially as I will be travelling alone with my children. I admit: my children are all pre-teen/teenagers, so I don't have the issue of keeping them still.

Take a book each for the kids to read or play a game like I spy or the first to spot something out the window to keep them occupied :)

Small snacks & clothes that are easy to help with in a very small, generally unclean space.

Take plenty of games e.g. Connect 4