Train travel with under 5’s

[Rhilou]

Hi,
I’m travelling from Clapham Junction to Cranbrook (Devon) next week with my 4 year old and 21 month old (in a pushchair).

I had previously booked a ticket for me and my daughter only to be told that seating was free for all and we wouldn’t get specific seats. However, if I change my tickets to first class, does anyone know if I would have to book a ticket for my 4 year daughter? Never done a train journey with them before so quite daunting! Any advice would be much appreciated.

20 mins is plenty of time. As PP says, check the platform online beforehand. You can put in the route you are doing tomorrow to see what platform it usually goes from.

Don't worry too much about seats. There should be space. If there isn't, someone will likely move, either to be helpful or to avoid children

Definitely keep your little one in the buggy, lift your eldest onto the train and then lift the buggy. Someone should help if needed. Definitely don't have 2 children and a buggy to deal with!

The train to Cranbrook tonight is departing from platform 9.

Thank you! I hope she don’t freak out and try to jump off, she’s never been on a train before

Thank you! Looks like it’s going from platform 9 all the time so that’s handy to know before hand. I was thinking of getting the earlier train to Clapham but would be a lot busier. I hope I’m stressing about nothing!

I’ve travelled by train a few times when my kids were tiny, I always stressed about it but it was always fine. People will be happy to help with the buggy. I also recommend lots of snacks and download episodes of peppa pig or whatever toddlers watch these days.

Hope you have a good journey.

Thank you! Hopefully they will enjoy their first experience of the train and I can keep my 21 month on my lap/seat for most the journey 😅.

They'll love it! Tell her what you expect of her before you go.....it'll be busy when we change trains so mummy will need you to listen to her and hold onto the buggy when we're walking through the station. You carry your bag of tricks and mummy will carry the big bag.....

Thank you, I really appreciate all the tips and advice 😊