I'm travelling on the train for the first time alone. Any advice?

I'm going from Birmingham New street to Ystrad Mynach. I think it has one or two changes. I am much more of a car person but I don't think my latest car would make it to Wales. I have never used the train at all alone so anyone who has train exprience or knowa this specific journey, advice would be great? Thanks

don't fall asleep and miss your stop

Don't eat the food. Otherwise you will be quite safe.

yes bring tons of snacks i came from california to alabama on train it tokk four days and there food on the train was expensive as shit!!

Ah sure try take a helicopter, sometimes trains get very confusing and sometimes cars break down!

find a seat near the lav! make sure you have a good book and an mp3 player, and just enjoy the journey, providing the train isn't too busy, it can be a really relaxing experience with some interesting things to see on the way, oh if you don't like kids etc, book a seat on the 'quiet carriage' ;)

Before you travel get a member staff in the booking office to give you the names of the station(s) you will change trains at. When you get to the changing point(s) ask a member of staff to see you onto the correct train to make your journey. Repeat this as necessary until you get to your final destination station.

You could also ask the booking office clerk to suggest a route with the least amount of changes. Let them know this is your first time of travelling alone by train. The staff will only be to happy to help you.

On board the train travel in coaches that have lots of people around. If a coach starts to get too few people in you should consider moving to a coach with more people in.

Good luck and have a safe journey.

By the way if someone starts to cause you a problem seek the help of the train manager.

Depending on which train you travel on, you'll either change trains at Cardiff Central, or at Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.

If you have to change trains take a route map and highlight which stations you need to change at. It might also help to write down the trains that you need to catch with their departure and arrival times and final destination, as some stations can be short on information, especially if they are a little out of the way. If you need help, ask a member of staff, such as the train conductor, as they should be able to tell you where to wait for the next train.

Above all, stay alert. It is tempting to lose yourself in music or a book, but if this is your first trip by train you will need to keep your wits about you. If you have to change trains then you need to know when to get off one train and onto the next. Therefore you need to keep tabs on roughly where you are.

Make sure you know where you are to change. Most trains nowadays have a PA system on board which will announce the stops, so listen out for this.

If you're not sure, ask the other passengers or the Guard (or 'Train Manager' as I think they're called nowadays).

At the stations there are digital signs above the platforms which show up to three trains, destination and calling points and expected arrival time, similar to those used on the tube. So if you watch these you can tell when your train is coming, whether it is on time, etc. Again listen out for the train announcements and be aware that in Wales the announcements are in Welsh as well as English.

I've not done this particular journey but have travelled to West Wales via Bristol, a similar kind of trip involving two changes. As a seasoned train traveller there isn't a lot I can tell you except that it's a good idea to take a book to read or some other distraction to pass the time as you are going to be travelling for several hours - keep one ear peeled for those train announcements however. Bring your own snacks and drinks - many trains have a refreshment trolley but the prices are inflated - ditto the station buffets.