Your end comment implies that you have already decided on MTS....
I would advise that you do a week of travel, beginning and end of day, over a normal term time week - not half term. Obviously that won't give your son a clue how shattered he will be - perhaps your husband could do it with you? It might be useful for him to try and imagine the journey for an 11 year old, and rising, day in day out for the next 5-7 years.
But, as I said, it sounds as if, with your planning on making friends before he goes, that your husband has persuaded you already.