With lockdown restrictions slowly lightening and more of us than ever before considering a summer where travel abroad for a holiday is simply not a sensible option, a lot of people are going to be riding the rails this year.
One of the greatest things about train travel is that it makes traveling with children that much easier. Whereas, by car, you need to keep your eyes on the road at all times, traveling by rail means you’re able to look after your children more attentively and enjoy a more relaxed journey, whether you’re catching trains from East Croydon to Purley or from the East Midlands to Land’s End! It’s also a great way to sightsee around the country.
But there are still undoubtedly going to be moments on your journey where you’re caught between a rock and a hard place, trying to keep your kids entertained without disrupting your fellow passengers. So, here are a few helpful tips to make life as easy as possible when traveling with children by train:
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Rushing is never a good idea where kids are involved. You’ll only end up making mistakes, forgetting things, and winding yourself up even more. So, if you planned on leaving at 8 a.m., it never hurts to make it 7 instead. You’ll be amazed at how much more relaxed you’ll feel with that extra hour of breathing room!
Pre-Book As Much As Possible
Buy your train tickets in advance wherever possible. This will not only save you money in the long run but will mean you’re more likely to have the pick of the seats and hopefully even bag yourselves a table. And trust us, when you’re traveling with kids, a table makes a massive difference! It a great place to take a quick nap, eat meals, and even play a few fun games.
Look for Child Discounts
More often than not, you’ll find that either child tickets are cheaper or, better yet, there might be some family discounts to take advantage of. Never simply book the vanilla tickets; do your research and ensure you’re getting the best deal possible for your family. Saving money on tickets means more money for your vacation.
Bring Entertainment
This should really go without saying when it comes totraveling with kids, and is almost a moot point in the day and age, when most children are equipped with their own smartphones and portable games consoles, but don’t neglect the basics too. A good book or two never goes amiss and if you’re going on holiday then you can always bring along a few pamphlets and guidebooks on the destination to help build the hype.
Accept That Things Can Go Wrong
There is no such thing as a perfect train journey with kids and even if almost everything goes smoothly, and just like Murphy’s Law, there is probably going to be at least one thing that goes wrong. So if somebody has an accident or you forget to bring their favorite blanket, take a breath, and focus on the things that went right instead!
