getting separated at train stations

I thought that was to make stupid people even worse drivers than they already were...

Not specifically for train stations or subways, we have a 3-step general policy for if we ever find ourselves separated ANYWHERE while traveling.

1. We stop where we are and stay there, looking around carefully for a few minutes. That's all we've ever needed on many trips through many crowded areas, but if we don't see each other after just a couple of minutes in the place where we realized we have become separated, we go to step 2...

2. We backtrack to the place were we are sure we last saw each other (which shouldn't be far). We wait there for one hour. If we don't find each other after one hour....

3. We head back to our hotel and wait there.

We've never had to go beyond step 1. You should always be aware of your surroundings while traveling, and part of that is knowing where your travel partner(s) is at all times.

During a train ride in Holland with a friend, the train stopped out in the countryside. Suddenly, all the passengers got out of their seats & ran over to another train a few tracks over. We watched in amazement wondering what was going on. I heard the phrase fast train, so being practically the only passengers left, we also ran over to the other train. I boarded & immediately after the doors slid shut before my friend could get on. I stood there with my mouth open as the train started to move. I saw her turn & run

Neither one of us was familar with trains, Holland or much else about traveling. When I got back to Amsterdam, I went to our hotel worried sick about her as I hadn't seen whether she made it to the other train before it left. About 1/2 hr later she turned up at the hotel. It's funny now. Not so funny then.

We have traveled twice with our teenagers, and also never had to use this plan, but we tell them that if for some reason some of us make it off the subway and some don't, the ones left on should get off at the next station, and stay at the platform area. Presumably the family members that did get off would notice right away that someone was missing, and then could just get on the next train (you would be on the right platform heading in the right direction), get off at the next stop, and meet up. It would be scary, especially for a separated kid waiting by his/her self, but I think it would work. But to prevent this altogether, we always make sure everyone knows before we get an a train/subway which station we are getting off at. As the navigator (me!), its easy to assume everyone knows what's going on, but I've found that often isn't the case.

Steve,, cell phones do not always work,, most especially in cases where one is underground ( Tube or Metro) I think the wait at next station is best plan. And in some stations( I can think of one in Paris) finding the way out could take you to many different exits and totally complicate getting back together again. Staying on same platform and route is smart.

Frankly I have travelled alone with children,, and with friends,, but have never run into this problem. Just stay together,, and discuss ahead of time the destination and routing( obviously this would be more useful with older teens and adults,, with my child I just never let them out of my sight).

pat,

Regarding Cell phones not working underground, I've seen lots of Europeans using their mobiles both in London and Paris. I've never had occasion to make a call from The Tube or Metro, but the display on my phone has never indicated "No Service" so it should work.

Knowing how much Europeans like their mobiles, I suspect repeaters or antennae may have been installed to allow phones to operate from the subway.

Cheers!

I use my handy all the time while riding the subway in Frankfurt. Very occasionally it will be out for a second, but not often.

Sometimes in long tunnels when riding the trains between cities, like on the ICE, I have lost contact, but I do try not to use the phone while on these trains anyway.

I did notice that people in London and Paris seemed to have cell phone service underground. Interesting for me, because I get poor signal in the building I work in, and almost no signal in my house! Admittedly I probably don't have a great service provider, but maybe this is one more thing that Europe does better! Regarding the comment about cell phones helping if someone gets lost, we carry one cell phone that works internationally, but all four of us don't. I actually try to keep my kids free of carrying anything except their own cameras when sightseeing, to keep them from being much of a target for thieves. They are not always the best at being aware of their surroundings, especially when seeing fabulous things for the first time!

Cell phone reception on subways tends to depend on the depth and you shouldn't rely on it. The London Underground certainly doesn't have any relays/transmitters to help.

Hi Ron, My wife and I always carry at least fifty dollars in "emergency not to be spent" local currency and our hotel/BB address in a money belt. We also carry our own train pass/oyster card/etc. This should be true for all the responsible adults in your party. My wife and I did get separated once (our fault-rushing) in a ridiculously crowded St Pancras tube station on our way to the Eurostar. It seemed that everyone was wearing grey or black clothing. We did find one another after a nervous few seconds and had a good laugh. From that day forward we always wear something other than grey/black on travel days. Bright is Better! Now we appreciate why all those tour guides we see hold up a bright umbrella. Seemed goofy at the time, but... Have a safe trip!

I'm thinking of one person on the train and one off. Our rule is whoever is off the train stays put. The person on the train gets off at the next stop, takes another train back to find them. Alternatively, you could use as a rule the person on the train gets off at the next stop and waits.

This plan works better for the Tube than regional trains that run about once an hour.

We also built it around traveling with kids who needed to stay where they were.

If traveling with adults, everyone should know where you're going and how to get there. The plan could then be to meet at your destination.

Cell phones can come in handy here. Even if only one person has one, the other can call from a payphone.