Train Travel with 4 month old Alone

[TripleESept24]

I would like opinions and what people think would be best please!

I am thinking of travelling on the train on my own with my 4 month old. It's a 3.5 hour journey with 2 changes!

I wanted ideally to take the pram with the carrycot but don't think this is a good idea as unless you are lucky enough to get in a wheelchair space, the pram needs to be folded down! (The carrycot doesn't fold down!) And would all have to go into the luggage storage.

Would be better off just taking her in a sling or carrier? Only issue then is I will need a taxi the other end when I arrive in Wales! Are you only ok in a black style cab with her in the carrier?

Or I take the pram with just the car seat clicked on! But still alot of folding up and down and would still have to go in luggage storage area on train!

I don't know what to do I'd love to go visit family and there's really cheap train fares but this is killing it for me and giving me anxiety 😫

Can you book a taxi at the other end with a car seat in it? I think travelling with a sling is the best option.

I would not be taking the car seat if I did the sling option! That's why I wondered if in a black style cab you can just get in the back with them in the sling? 👍🤔

I doubt any cabs have car seats in them!? Never heard of that?

Unless you're travelling in rush hour you should be fine with the pram. You might not be very comfortable and have to stand with it for long chunks depending on the type of trains (so a sling would be invaluable too) but doable

Does your pram not fold at all? You could also fold the chassis and chuck the carrycot in the overhead storage.

Some private taxi companies have drivers who keep a car seat in their car - usually in the boot unless needed. You have to book them in advance though.

You are allowed in a taxi without a car seat (or you used to be), but it is dangerous and I wouldn't do it. If you do, you must NOT put the seatbelt around you both. If the taxi brakes suddenly your baby could be crushed by your weight against the seatbelt.

I mean the black style cabs you can wheel the pram straight into? I know Cornwall has some thought certain companies would have this style cab

I travelled with a Nuna stroller and carseat. Nuna easy to fold if needed.Carseat could be placed with child in stroller to enter/get out of train. I needed carseat at destination. It was light enough including baby I could lift it quite easy in/out of train myself.

I had a a sling as well.
Packed light in a rugsack.
Went wery well.

I did train travel for 7 hours and coaches for 6 hours from 2 months.

I've only ever seen black cabs in cities. They wouldn't be great on rural roads

I would strongly recommend taking a car seat unless you are meeting someone with one the other end. So would also take buggy wheels to transport it. People are really kind out you are travelling with a baby. You'll probably have a lovely time!

I'd take the pushchair, get on the carriage with the toilet it tends to be larger. Or you can stand in the doorway with the fold down seats.

Just plan your train sensibly so a off-peak one. I did use a South West train in the summer and that didn't seem to have any space for luggage at all so I guess it depends on the provider.

We don't have black cabs here but plenty of minibus style ones that actually don't have the middle seats and have a ramp for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

I can't help you with the details on the car seat but I can say that if you travel off-peak with a baby it should absolutely fine. I travelled by train a lot with my babies. Sometimes there was literally a queue of people trying to help me with the pram. The only exception was the tube where no one helped.

I did this a lot when mine was a baby as my family live across the country.

On intercity trains it's not a case of whether there is room for a pram, they have to be folded down regardless. The conductor will tell you you have to before you board (it's also not really on to use the disabled space in the hope no one actually needs it, that's a known bugbear for disabled people). Of course you might be lucky and not get asked but I wouldn't bank on it.

I'd take the sling if your baby is okay in one.

Sling is fine

I wouldn't just use a sling. You're going to have to put the baby down at some point. People have bent over backwards to help me with my pram whenever I've used public transport.

I always travelled with car seat on pram wheels and a sling. Back pack for clothes and nappy bag on handlebars. Then had plenty of space under the pram for other bits and bobs. Off peak there was always plenty of space for the pram wheels and I liked the sensation they were strapped in when going up and down stairs/escalators when changing trains.

Another vote for car seat on pram wheels plus a sling. You'll need the car seat at the other end but it's so much easier to get on and off the train and get around with your baby in the sling, especially if they’re upset/napping.
If you're not using a sling regularly then I'd make sure you've got a comfy one and have a few practice outings with it.
I did a trip to wales with two changes with a baby and a 4yo, it's definitely doable!

Thanks so much everyone:)

Definitely won’t fit.

@TripleESept24 having done this a lot recently the best approach is:

1/ book seats next to (but not in) the wheelchair bit. Obviously be ready to move pram and stand and be alert to any wheelchair user coming onboard, but I’ve travelled a lot recently and no one has needed the spot yet - just put the whole pram with carrycot on there.

2/ book a table, fold pram base, carrycot top on the table as close to you as you can, baby in it. Not ideal as does impact others on table, but needs must.

I did have someone with a car seat to meet me other end, or got a bus.

Could to same approach with car seat instead of carrycot, but where will baby sleep when you’re there? If carrycot make sure it’s one of the ones that allows overnight sleep.

With a little planning it will be fine.

I would travel with the sling. Baby will be fine in the sling in a taxi provided you can get a seatbelt on you safely? Or as this poster says if they can have a car seat in the taxi even better! I travelled alot with my dc at that age and it wasn’t bad at all!

Should say on the trains we go on there is space NEXT TO the wheelchair space, rather than right in it that I prefer obviously, but equally when I’ve had a carrycot that fits nowhere else and there was no wheelchair user travelling, I’ve used the space as I would on the bus.