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

I used to buy those little packs from the supermarket of gingerbread men that you can decorate. The kids would lace them with icing and sprinkles, then eat them and it would keep them happy for a good hour or so. Just remember the wipes to clean everything afterwards!

Always pre book seats if possible and always with a charging power point. Less stress trying to find seats together and you know the iPad will always have enough charge to occupy anyone traveling!

Bring snacks

We have a friends and family railcard which was a brilliant investment as we get 1/3 off all rail tickets.

We travel regularly by train as friends and family are all 250 miles away so it's part of the kids routine and they much prefer it to being stuck in the car.

On buying the tickets I try to reserve table seats as there's more space for the kids.

I pack a lunch, drinks and snacks for the journey and make sure we've all had our travel sickness pills if we're on the Virgin train to London (pendolino makes us all ill 🤮).

I also take toys and games plus the iPad loaded with films or tv programmes to watch.

Always pack snacks, drinks and lunch so you can eat when you need to. Also spare clothing for kids eg pants and a waterproof jacket and comfy shoes

Buy tickets early always reserve seats with a table and take lots of drinks snacks and games.

Snacks and stickers. We also like to play first one to spot....

Tab l e seats essential for little games toys n books. Little snacks and drinks know where to change trains Tec. No hassle needed

Bring snacks, wet wipes (for snack based disasters) and games (or a tablet) to keep kids occupied.

Whenever we have a train journey we take picnic and drinks to have on the way. It passes the time really nicely and means that when we get to our destination we're ready to start the adventure. It also saves a fortune on eating out!

Plenty of snacks, travel games, wet wipes.

I love to pre-book my tickets so we can all sit together and a window seat is a must for 'watching the world go by' and the changing scenery from urban to rural. and look for a train which has wi-fi so I can browse. If it is a long journey, I will download a film on my tablet, and let my children watch via their headphones to make the journey less boring, we also take snacks, drinks and mini lego sets to build on the train table.

Goes against the grain, but I book seats for all, including DD and ensure adequate snacks available. There is generally enough scenery to distract without needing games etc. I do check the type of travel as cross country can be crap and you cannot book seats.

take colouring books to keep entertained

Snacks, snacks and more snacks! Little toys or books to keep little ones entertained. Have train times to hand so you can try to limit waiting around at the station. Invest in a family and friends railcard.

Take drinks/snacks and puzzle books/card games and buy a comic/magazine at the station.

Always research the journey so i know whereto go and tube routes. Take a backpack with small toys, notepad and pencils, and snacks/drinks. We always enjoy train rides as we can talk about what we see out the window, play i-spy etc

Lots of food, books to read, games, etc. Make sure you check you have everything when leaving the train. My husband didn’t and my daughter lost her favourite denim jacket.

Plan things properly and have enough distractions around

Sit somewhere quiet and bring snacks!

Its good to play learning games like I-Spy or spot the farm animals. It keeps them entertained and helps them learn new words.

Build it up and get children excited to travel by train, packed lunches, pick a magazine in the train station, talk about what we'll see from the train, let children take charge of their own tickets and hand to the guard.

have lots of snacks

Head phones and music, and a bribe if they are good.

book in advance, not only do you get a good deal but you can also book a seat. Buy a family railcard for a year of cheaper travel, use your rail tickets for 2 for 1 deals on entry to places like The Tower of London.
Take a packed lunch and baby wipes.