There’s something wonderful about going into vacation mode – the moment the switch in your brain flicks and you start to relax. But when I start a trip in the car, with my toddler screaming in the back as she struggles to escape her seat, somehow vacation mode escapes me. So on a recent visit to Cambridge, we decided to take the train instead. I sipped a cold glass of pinot as my daughter Blake pointed out the “moo moos” from the window, the scenery whizzing past like a magical moving storybook. And not a traffic jam, an overpriced service station or an emergency toilet stop in sight.
Having been a travel writer for 15 years, if there was ever a chance to take the train I’d always jump at it, whether it was a 14-hour mission from Mumbai to Goa or a short-haul hop from London to Brighton. Not only was it a chance to prevent my carbon footprint being the size of a small town, it was also a change of pace, an opportunity to chat to people, and a way of getting far more of a sense of context and place than you do when you’re jetting around by plane or zooming down motorways in a car.
When I had Blake in 2020, I hoped that becoming a mother wouldn’t stop me from travelling. I quickly discovered that going by rail is a baby’s dream, quite literally in the early days when the rocking motion would send her to sleep faster than you could say “family and friends railcard”. Since then, we’ve had some epic adventures on the “choo choo”. Taking the train isn’t just the more planet-friendly option, it’s also infinitely more relaxing for everyone. And often cheaper, too. Here are some lessons we’ve learned from our best family train journeys …
Turn it into a storybook journey
Don’t underestimate the magic of a train for a child – whether it’s the sound of a distant whistle or the whoosh of the doors. From Thomas the Tank Engine and The Little Engine that Could, to the Hogwarts Express, there’s a reason why so many children’s books feature trains or train journeys. When we travel by train, I find that my daughter is fascinated by every detail, and it helps to point things out to get them excited. Going through a tunnel is a thrill in itself. The two of us once spent an entire journey on a Southern train from Victoria to Crystal Palace just trotting up and down the carriages. And we weren’t just trying to avoid the ticket inspector. Honest.
Pack a picnic
I discovered the art of the train picnic in one of my first jobs, when I’d commute home from central London to the suburbs with crisps, olives and a can or two of G&T. When you’re travelling by train with a child, snacks are essential – and a way to keep them occupied for at least 15 minutes. Opt for things that are easy to pack and don’t make too much mess. Bananas, mini muffins and flapjacks are my go-tos. Chocolate is a definite no.
Be prepared
I’ve become a much more organised traveller since becoming a mother, mainly because trying to concentrate on a train timetable while a small person sticks raisins in your ears isn’t easy. Turn up at the station with plenty of time so you can bag a spot near the part of the train that’s reserved for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. If it’s a long journey and you have a connection, research the station to see what child-friendly activities they might have nearby. For example, if you’re changing at St Pancras you can squeeze in a quick trip to Granary Square, which features more than 1,000 choreographed fountains that children can splash around in.
Give yourself extra time
While I used to get a strange thrill from being the last person to dash on to a train just as it was leaving, since I’ve had a child I’ve realised you need about double the amount of time you think you need just to leave the house. Allow plenty of wiggle room at the station for emergency nappy changes, essential coffee buying and a bit of time for your child to train-watch while you frantically search for your tickets on your phone.
Dress comfortably
The temperature on a train – and the weather in the UK, for that matter – can be unpredictable. A few layers is the best way around this, rather than big bulky coats that don’t fit in your bag and are always at risk of being left behind.
Make friends
Children and babies love new people, and on a train they have a captive audience to entertain them. Your ultimate carriage companion might be the grandparent who misses their grandkids and so will happily pull silly faces at your little one. But I’ve also had surly-looking teenagers go unexpectedly gooey and want to play peekaboo with Blake. It’s basically free babysitting included in the price of your train ticket.
Have fun
Kids take so many of their cues on how to behave from the adults around them, so if you relax and enjoy the journey, they most likely will too. Make the most of the fact that you’re not driving and use the opportunity to play games together. Be imaginative and creative with what you see out the window. When you travel by train with kids you get a new insight into that old cliche: it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
All aboard
Up to four kids per adult can travel with Thameslink, Southern or Great Northern on most journeys for as little as £2 during off-peak and super off-peak hours. Terms and conditions apply.
