Children & Trains -> Bristol Zoo?

Sui_Generis

Just planning a day out with my 2yo and noticed that under 3's travel free (First Great Western). I rarely travel on trains so just wanted to check if I can just turn up and use a free seat for my child? Seems odd they wouldn't want even a nominal sum for the benefit when airlines want a full adult fair for the privilege. FGW showed a £5 return fare but it isn't available when I try to book.

Was thinking of a trip to Bristol Zoo so if any one knows of a cheap fare/entrance price do let me know (London to Zoo, first week of May BTW). Any alternatives to Bristol Zoo - must be along the M4 as we're meeting up with family. Oh and must be by train (first train journey for the little one).

Thanks for any info.

sundin13

I think it's under fives that travel free - or it certainly is on Virgin Trains anyway. You don't get a seat reservation, but that's rarely a problem.

Just an fyi. Even though ds is under five, we have a family railcard which we use to get adult discounts, because it sometimes saves money to buy a ticket for ds (at 60% off the standard child fare) in order to be able to buy a discounted adult (34% off).

Sui_Generis

I know nothing about railcards so thanks for that. There will only ever be 1 adult and child if it's on the train, would it still be worth getting a railcard? It'll only be for occasional "treat" travel. The SO will never use public transport unless it's a black cab....

stefbate

ive travelled a couple of times with my toddler, and only get a ticket for myself, he sits in the seat next to me, unless it gets extremely busy, then i will put him on my knee until seats become available.
But on my return journey last time, he fell asleep in the next seat so obviously we both travelled comfortably, even though it was very busy, there was no way i was gonna disturb him, and having a whinging child for 4 hour journey.

rdwarr

stefbate wrote:

ive travelled a couple of times with my toddler, and only get a ticket for myself, he sits in the seat next to me, unless it gets extremely busy, then i will put him on my knee until seats become available.
But on my return journey last time, he fell asleep in the next seat so obviously we both travelled comfortably, even though it was very busy, there was no way i was gonna disturb him, and having a whinging child for 4 hour journey.

Quite right.
Under fives travel free. There's nothing to say they have to give up a seat to a fare-paying passenger just as there's nothing to say that paying a fare guarantees one a seat (unless they have a reservation). Many passengers would rather stand than sit next a crying child on his mother's lap anyway

pompeyrich

rdwarr wrote:

Quite right.
Under fives travel free. There's nothing to say they have to give up a seat to a fare-paying passenger just as there's nothing to say that paying a fare guarantees one a seat (unless they have a reservation).

From the GNER site....I am travelling with a child under five years of age and would like to book a seat - how do I do this?
Children under the age of five are carried free of charge, but they may only occupy a seat if it is not required by a fare-paying passenger. If you would like a seat booked for this child, you would need to purchase a ticket at the appropriate child rate.

However I would have more sympathy with a sleeping child than those people that sit by the Aisle with a coat or bag on the window seat and look blankly out of the window when it is obvious people are looking for a seat

Altarf

pompeyrich wrote:

However I would have more sympathy with a sleeping child than those people that sit by the Aisle with a coat or bag on the window seat and look blankly out of the window when it is obvious people are looking for a seat

But doesn't asking them to move the coat or bag solve the problem?

rdwarr

pompeyrich wrote:

From the GNER site....I am travelling with a child under five years of age and would like to book a seat - how do I do this?
Children under the age of five are carried free of charge, but they may only occupy a seat if it is not required by a fare-paying passenger....

Thanks, I stand corrected on that one. Sure most passengers would do the decent thing though and move "student rucksack" instead