Taking a Pushchair on the Bus or Train in the UK: What You Need to Know

Public transport can be the easiest way to get around with a baby, but it can also feel stressful: a crowded bus, a step up onto the train, a lift that’s out of order, and a pushchair that won’t fold when you need it to. The good news is that pushchairs are welcome on UK buses and trains. This guide by Babymore explains the rules for taking a pushchair on public transport in the UK, including the bus priority space, folding your pushchair on trains, child fares, tips for the Tube, and what to look for in a compact pushchair for public transport.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can take a pushchair on UK buses and trains. On buses, pushchair users can use the priority space when it’s free, but wheelchair users have legal priority and you may be asked to share the space, fold your pushchair or move. On trains, operators generally ask you to fold the pushchair and store it in a luggage rack, and some let you use a wheelchair space if it won’t fold, but you must give it up if a wheelchair user needs it. Children under 5 usually travel free on trains. A lightweight pushchair with a quick one-handed fold makes public transport much easier.

Taking a Pushchair on the Bus

Are Pushchairs Allowed on Buses?

Yes. Most buses in the UK are low-floor and accessible, and you can board with a pushchair unless the driver judges the bus too full to travel safely. Transport for London (TfL) advises folding your pushchair if it’s too wide for the doors or aisle, keeping it out of the middle aisle, and checking with the driver before boarding a double pushchair at the back doors.

The Priority Space: Who Has Priority, Wheelchair Users or Pushchairs?

Most buses have a designated priority space, and it’s one of the biggest worries for parents. In 2017 the Supreme Court looked at this in Paulley v FirstGroup. It ruled that a bus operator cannot require a non-wheelchair user, such as a parent with a pushchair, to leave the bus so that a wheelchair user can have the space. But it also held that simply asking isn’t enough: if a passenger unreasonably refuses to move, the driver should take further steps to encourage them.

In practice, TfL’s guidance is straightforward:

• Wheelchair users have priority over the wheelchair space.
• Pushchair users can use it when it’s free, on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If a wheelchair user boards, you should share the space, fold your pushchair or move. You won’t be asked to leave the bus, though you can choose to.

Other operators may word their policy differently, so check the notice on board.

Tips for Taking a Pushchair on the Bus

• Fold it if you can, particularly at busy times. A pushchair that folds quickly with one hand is a big advantage while you’re holding your baby.
• Put the brakes on whenever the bus is moving, and never leave the pushchair unattended.
• Keep it out of the aisle so other passengers can get past safely.
• Don’t hang bags on the handles. Use the basket or a hook designed for the purpose, as heavy bags can make the pushchair tip. Our guide to pram and pushchair accessories covers hooks and other useful extras.
• Be ready to move. If you’re in the wheelchair space and a wheelchair user needs it, move or fold promptly.
• Wait for the next bus if it’s too full. The driver can refuse boarding if it isn’t safe.
• Bring a sling or baby carrier as a back-up, so you can lift your baby out if you need to fold the pushchair.

Taking a Pushchair on the Train

Can You Take a Pushchair on a Train?

Yes. Train operators welcome prams and pushchairs on their services. LNER, for example, says prams and buggies are welcome on all trains, with no designated space for them. In practice, though, operators advise you to fold the pushchair and store it so it doesn’t block the aisle.

Folding a Pushchair on a Train

• Fold before you board, as it helps you get on faster. LNER and Transport for Wales both recommend folding it and storing it in the luggage rack at the end of the carriage. Greater Anglia says foldable pushchairs can be stored under your seat, in the overhead rack or in another storage space.
• You may not always be able to keep it next to you. Transport for Wales warns that you may not be able to keep the pushchair beside you safely, so it’s wise to travel with a pushchair that folds easily.
• Carry it on yourself. Transport for Wales advises that you or a travelling companion carry the pushchair on board, so a lightweight model helps.
• If it won’t fold, LNER says you can use an empty wheelchair space, but must move if a wheelchair user needs it, and shouldn’t leave the pushchair unattended there. Greater Anglia, however, says pushchairs aren’t allowed in the wheelchair area, so rules vary. Check your operator, and speak to the train manager if you’re unsure.

Child Fares: Do Babies Travel Free on Trains?

Train fares for children are one of the best things about travelling by rail:

• Under 5s travel free on UK train services. LNER lets up to two children aged 4 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult. They don’t get their own seat, so on a busy train they may need to sit on your lap.
• To reserve a seat for your child, buy a child ticket.
• Ages 5 to 15 usually pay discounted fares, often half price.
• Family tickets and railcards such as the Family & Friends Railcard can reduce the cost for bigger groups.

Baby Changing and Facilities

Facilities vary by operator. Many trains have baby-changing units in at least some toilets (on LNER Azuma trains, in every toilet), and accessible toilets often include a fold-down changing table. Station pages usually list changing facilities. Greater Anglia notes that staff can’t heat baby food on board, so plan ahead and bring what you need. Our guide to what to pack in a nappy bag helps you prepare.

Taking a Pushchair on the Tube and Rail Network in London

• Look for the buggy area. Most Tube trains have a space for buggies, except on the Central, Waterloo & City and Bakerloo lines, according to TfL.
• Use lifts where available and take extra care on escalators. Step-free access is available at many stations, so check TfL’s step-free guide before you travel.
• Don’t rush when the doors are closing, and watch for steps up or down between the platform and the train.
• Wheelchair spaces can be used if they’re free, but must be given up when a wheelchair user needs them.
• Ask for help. Staff will sometimes help with a buggy on stairs, but may ask you to carry your child and fold the buggy. Use a help point if you need staff.
• Going up or down a step, it can be easier to go backwards, with the back wheels first.
• Wider gates: stations with automatic barriers often have wider gates for pushchairs.

Choosing a Compact Pushchair for Public Transport

If you use buses and trains often, the pushchair you choose makes a big difference. Look for:

• A quick, one-handed fold, so you can fold it while holding your baby.
• A compact folded size that fits in a luggage rack or tucks beside your seat.
• Light weight, because you may have to lift it onto a train or up steps.
• A narrow width, so it fits through bus doors, ticket gates and narrow aisles.
• A fold that stands on its own, so it doesn’t fall over when you let go.
• Good brakes that are easy to apply with your foot.
• A decent basket, so you don’t need to hang bags on the handles.
• Weather protection, such as a rain cover, for waiting at stops. Our guide on how to weatherproof your pushchair has more ideas.

Check the folded dimensions and weight on the product page before you buy. Browse Babymore’s prams and pushchairs to compare features, or read our guide on how to choose a pram for your lifestyle. If you’re not sure about the differences between types, our guide to the difference between a pram, buggy, pushchair, stroller and travel system will help. For more on this, read our guide on how to choose a compact pushchair and our guide on how to choose a travel pushchair.

A note on travel systems: a full baby travel system with a car seat and carrycot is great for car journeys and walks, but it’s usually bulkier on buses and trains. Many families use a travel system for the newborn months and switch to a lighter pushchair when they start using public transport regularly. Not sure what a travel system includes? See what is a travel system.

Planning Your Journey With a Pushchair

• Check the route and stations in advance. Look for step-free access and lifts, and check for any lift outages on the day.
• Travel off-peak if you can. Commuter trains and buses are much easier outside rush hour. Greater Anglia suggests using its less busy trains finder.
• Allow extra time, so you’re not rushing on and off.
• Pack light. A smaller bag means less to juggle. Keep essentials, such as a spare nappy and your phone, within reach.
• Charge your phone and keep your ticket or contactless card ready before you reach the barrier.
• Know your exit. Check which side of the train the platform is on and where the lift is.

Safety Tips for Using a Pushchair on Public Transport

• Keep your child fastened in whenever the pushchair is moving, and put the brake on whenever it’s still.
• Never leave the pushchair unattended, even for a moment.
• Apply the brakes on the platform and stay well back from the edge.
• Avoid overloading the handles. Heavy bags can tip a pushchair backwards.
• Be gentle on escalators. Use lifts wherever possible.
• Keep your child close and supervise them closely around platforms and doors.
• Maintain your pushchair. Check the wheels, brakes and fold mechanism regularly. Our pushchair maintenance tips explain what to look for, and our guide on how to clean a pushchair keeps it fresh after wet days at bus stops.
• Store it neatly at home. If space at home is tight too, see our guide to storing a stroller compactly.

Planning a longer trip? See our guide on whether you can take a pushchair on a plane.

Public Transport With a Pushchair: Quick Checklist

• A pushchair that folds quickly with one hand
• A sling or baby carrier as a back-up
• Brakes checked and working
• Bags in the basket, not on the handles
• Child’s ticket or proof of age, if you need it
• A route planned with step-free access
• Extra time built in, ideally off-peak
• Rain cover and warm layers for waiting outside

Final Thoughts

Taking a pushchair on public transport in the UK is perfectly doable with a little planning. Know your priority space etiquette on buses, fold and store your pushchair on trains, plan step-free routes, and choose a compact, easy-fold pushchair that suits your daily journeys. With the right set-up, buses and trains can be a stress-free way to get around with your baby.

Ready to find a pushchair that suits your routine? Browse Babymore’s prams and pushchairs and baby travel systems.

Frequently Asked Questions