I don't know what your feelings towards your cane are, but do not be afraid to milk that sucker. Whenever I've traveled in busy areas/crowds with my mom, that cane is like Moses' staff parting the seas.

If you have someone you trust on the other end, its never a bad idea to have your "find me" turned on if using iphone, otherwise the "life 360" app is nice for android (both parties need to have it and join each others "families"). Just in case you get lost and are unable to find someone in person, it's always nice to have someone who is able to check in on your whereabouts. Have fun!

From reading the other comments I can see you are in the UK and travelling by rail.

I'm giving advice based on having travelled on trains with a VI companion in the UK.

You **must** book assistance with National Rail and make the most of it. Make it clear that you are visually impaired and do not need a wheelchair.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/passenger-assist.aspx

There is an app for your phone. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/passenger_assistance.aspx
I have no experience if this app is any good.

If you are travelling via London using TfL then this guide may help
https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/plan-an-accessible-journey?intcmp=5331

Keep your tickets and disabled railcard (if you have one) in a separate envelope / wallet / holder so you can show them to the guard / ticket inspector without worrying about anything else.

If your first or last station is not staffed you will need to have some one help you on at the start and meet you at the end. Getting on, your assistant should let the train guard know you are getting on and ask the guard to guide you to a seat. You may wish to ask the guard where the toilets are on the train. Getting off at un-staffed stations you should be helped by the guard and hopefully handed over to whoever is meeting you. Let the guard know where you are getting off the train. If your are being picked up by taxi at your destination then let the taxi company know that the driver needs to collect you from the platform.

Be careful on the train platforms, many in the UK do not have tactile markings warning you that the edge of the platform is close by. Also take care getting on and off the trains as the gap between the platform and train can vary considerably.

When it comes to the 3 changes at the super busy stations then their should be a member of station staff in uniform to help you get off the train and guide you to the next train. If there is time to wait before the next train your assistance guide may sit you in a waiting room for a while. If you want to go get coffee or go to the bathroom then do ask them to guide you to these beforehand. They may be heavily booked with other assistance duties, but will try to help. If there are any problems then make a complaint when you can. In my experience the assistance people at Leeds station (most travelled through for me) are very helpful, well trained and happy to chat.

Rarely the assistance may not turn up and help you off the train. Don't panic. Ask another passenger for help. They are usually very nice.

When talking to people, e.g. cafe or help desk staff, hold your cane up in front of you so they can see it, and tell them you are blind / visually impaired. You probably already know this.

Bring a phone charger so you can be listening to your audio-books and podcasts through the entire journey. Some inter-city and cross-country trains have mains sockets for you to plug the charger into. Ask the guard about these when you get on. Do not forget the charger / headphones / tickets / phone / knitting / other belongings as you get off the train.

Enjoy your big adventure! Please report back later as to how you got on.

I am guessing you are in the US and if so Amtrak offers assistance. You can call them in advance and tell them you need someone to guide you to and from the train. I just did a train journey from The SF bay area to Denver on Amtrak and loved it. https://www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services

I see you are in the UK so I have no input for there but for US readers please use Amtrak Passenger Services for assistance. They have been very helpful. The "Red Caps" who handle luggage not so much. I had one \*wave\* at me to try and get my attention... dude I have problems seeing so it's only by luck I noticed you. Good luck and happy travels.

Probably too late to answer now but the bottom line is pretty obvious, you book help!

I have written big long things on here before about travelling around. I once did here in London to Tokyo on my own, which was admittedly pretty ambitious and I wouldn't necessarily do that by choice, but if you take enough precautions it's fine.

For every place you're going to go, every station or airport or whatever else, make sure you have a phone number, and test that phone number to make sure someone picks it up. Ideally have a second phone number in case that one goes bad. Have a power bank for your phone so you don't run out of battery power. With a phone you can solve almost any problem. Obviously you'll book help but you need to have a number to call if they don't turn up.

Beyond that it's a case of being nice but firm and not getting into any sort of back and forth with people, just tell them what you need and insist. There's a million and one things to talk about with this but it depends on exactly what modes of transport you're using, how long you'll be on them for, and what the situation is with getting there and getting on to them. In the end it comes down to experience - once you've done this a few times you'll be great at it. It's a learnable skill.