Manchester Airport to Leeds.

[Condor7]

I have someone arriving from Australia on the 10th December and they are wanting to book from Manchester Airport to Leeds, two adults and a 6 month old baby. Both are in their 30's. They will be flying in around 6.30pm so depending on customs etc. they expect it will be around 8 to 8:30pm.

They do not fly back until the 18th January, and will require a return on that date, but can they book a return that far in advance? If so what is the best deal available please.

Also what is the best sight to use to book?

I hope I have covered everything but please let me know any more information is needed.

Thanks

 

[Camden]

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/

and yes they can book those now. Put in Manchester Airport and Leeds and it will automatically come up with the Airport Express tickets, about a tenner each way.

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/train-destinations/attractions-offers/manchester-airport/

 

[Merseysider]

Allow at least 90 minutes between scheduled arrival and train departure. In reality, they will probably be landside within half an hour.

As they are staying for over a month, there is no flexible ticket that would be cost-effective here. Airport advance tickets are the best option and should be booked asap before the price goes up. It would also be advisable to have the card used to purchase tickets on hand at the airport to collect the tickets (there are three machines just before you get to the trains).

 

[Camden]

Allow at least 90 minutes between scheduled arrival and train departure. In reality, they will probably be landside within half an hour.

As they are staying for over a month, there is no flexible ticket that would be cost-effective here. Airport advance tickets are the best option and should be booked asap before the price goes up. It would also be advisable to have the card used to purchase tickets on hand at the airport to collect the tickets (there are three machines just before you get to the trains).

30 minutes?? Er, this is Manchester Airport we're talking about. They have to get through passport control and then wait for their luggage. And then get from there to the station. They'll be lucky to do that in an hour.

Re picking tickets up I believe transpennine have a print at home option at checkout.

 

[gray1404]

I would agree that you should allow at least 90 minutes between the flight arrival time and getting onto the railway station. I say this with experience of a lot of international travel.

As already pointed out the Airport Advance tickets with TPE are the best bet. Self print is an option but do ensure that the ID/card requirments accosiated with printing your own ticket. There is also the special concession on that ticket type that if the flight is delayed, the customer will be allowed to travel on a later service (for up to 3 hours) up on getting their ticket endorsed.

According to the information on TPE the terms are the same as an Advance ticket, so depending on how much travel your friends intend on making by rail while they are here, it may be worth investing in a Two Together Railcard, which they could buy from the booking office on arrival for £30 if they have passport photos for them both.

 

[Merseysider]

30 minutes?? Er, this is Manchester Airport we're talking about. They have to get through passport control and then wait for their luggage. And then get from there to the station. They'll be lucky to do that in an hour.

Re picking tickets up I believe transpennine have a print at home option at checkout.

Yes, I agree. Landside simply means through passport control, ie the opposite of airside. Not on the actual train.

 

[gray1404]

Yes, I agree. Landside simply means through passport control, ie the opposite of airside. Not on the actual train.

The target by UK Immigration is that you will be "seen within 1 hour". Madness! i.e. you'll be seen by the Immigration Officer within this time. Thankfully it doesn't normally take this long for persons holding Eurospean Passport, but often does for those with non EU passports.

 

[strawbrick]

It would also be advisable to have the card used to purchase tickets on hand at the airport to collect the tickets.

Actually, having the card with you is essential!

However, it may not work. Last year my son bought some train tickets on the web from New York, for travel on Virgin West Coast with reserved seats. He tried to retrieve them at our local railway station but his American credit card did not work. The ticket office clerk could not help him so he had to buy replacement tickets at the station.

He eventually got a full refund.

 

[sheff1]

With a card issued by a non-UK bank I would certainly use the Print at Home option. That way, any doubt as to whether the card will work in the collection machine is avoided.

 

[Puffing Devil]

I have someone arriving from Australia

Which airline are they arriving on? Terminal and immigration will vary by terminal. They may already have cleared immigration in London and only have to worry about collecting bags in Manchester, yet T3 is the furthest from the station.

 

[noddingdonkey]

TPE's Airport advance tickets have an easement to allow for flight delays

Although the ticket is train specific, as a concession, journeys starting at Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport can be made up to 3hrs after the specified departure time, or on the next available TransPennine Express service, if proof of a delayed flight can be produced

(http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/ticket-types/tickets-explained/)

I wonder how that would work if the flight was on time but there were issues with getting between the aircraft and the train, eg customs/immigrations delays, baggage issues?

 

[Merseysider]

TPE's Airport advance tickets have an easement to allow for flight delays


(http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/ticket-types/tickets-explained/)

I wonder how that would work if the flight was on time but there were issues with getting between the aircraft and the train, eg customs/immigrations delays, baggage issues?

I'd imagine that most TPE staff, if asked nicely enough, would be reasonable and allow travel

 

[pennine]

I'd imagine that most TPE staff, if asked nicely enough, would be reasonable and allow travel

Could another option be to use Virgin Trains East Coast website and purchase an e-voucher for the amount required, and book the journey through that site, which would allow for an any card collection?

 

[gray1404]

I notice the TPE site does not state how long they expect you to allow between flight landing time and train ddeparture time...

 

[Clip]

I notice the TPE site does not state how long they expect you to allow between flight landing time and train ddeparture time...

Because that could well be open to abuse by pax who may want to do/buy something whilst at the airport.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Has anybody ever found any activity in an airport so interesting it's worth missing a train?!

 

[Clip]

Well Ive missed a plane through being in the pub but I digress, however given that Manchester is only what? 20 mins away by train and people want to have a shop or something? I don't know but there is always the possibility of it yes. Better to do so from when the plane lands.

 

[Condor7]

I appreciate all the help, I think they will go for the TPE option using their own site. Thanks very much.

 

[johnnychips]

My plane has been twice late enough to miss my TPE train in the last few years. I have gone to the ticket office, showed them my advance ticket, and received a chit explaining that my plane was late to show the guard. No questions asked what plane I was on.