Getting to Manchester for the bank holiday weekend

[supervc-10]

I'm heading up to Manchester for Pride from London this coming bank holiday weekend, and Avanti have spectacularly messed up as everyone is aware and it's down to 1 train per hour. I can't book ahead (nothing shows up to buy) so I'm wondering what the restrictions are on alternate routings?

I'm presuming a standard 'off peak return' will be valid changing at a fair few places if Avanti are a mess? EG via Doncaster?

I tried looking but as no website will sell me one for those dates yet, I can't seem to manage to work out any restrictions for an 'any permitted' route. I'd rather go direct but if it's impossible, then happy to change somewhere along the way.

Any recommendations?

 

[Watershed]

I'm heading up to Manchester for Pride from London this coming bank holiday weekend, and Avanti have spectacularly messed up as everyone is aware and it's down to 1 train per hour. I can't book ahead (nothing shows up to buy) so I'm wondering what the restrictions are on alternate routings? I'm presuming a standard 'off peak return' will be valid changing at a fair few places if Avanti are a mess? EG via Doncaster? I tried looking but as no website will sell me one for those dates yet, I can't seem to manage to work out any restrictions for an 'any permitted' route. I'd rather go direct but if it's impossible, then happy to change somewhere along the way.

Any recommendations?

Don't think there is any ticket acceptance per se. But London to Manchester is valid via the MML for instance (indeed, there are slightly cheaper via Chesterfield fares available if you are thus inclined). As well as via Warrington, though technically not via Earlestown, which limits the usefulness of that option.

There is also the extremely cheap, but rather slower, option of the LNR & TfW only fare - £46.70 for the unrestricted (on weekends) Off-Peak Return, or £36.30 for the Super Off-Peak Return if you can accept some time restrictions on the Saturday.

TrainSplit et al will also happily offer itineraries involving split tickets via the ECML.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There's also, for the next few Fridays, the 1727 (FO) London Euston->Manchester Piccadilly charter service operated by Locomotive Intercity Limited.

 

[Watershed]

There's also, for the next few Fridays, the 1727 (FO) London Euston->Manchester Piccadilly charter service operated by Locomotive Intercity Limited.

Though at £75 one-way, it's likely to be the most expensive option. Even if it's probably the most comfortable way of making the (outward) jorikey!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would either go LNR, or EMR via Sheffield, or LNER via Leeds. I have probably put these in order of price. Expect overcrowding.

No point using an Any Permitted ticket via LNR, might as well save your money. One is valid via Sheffield (there are also route Chesterfield fares which are sometimes but not always cheaper, obviously don't buy them if they cost more) but not Leeds if I recall.

 

[Merseysider]

I’d be tempted to go Chiltern to Brum and then CrossCountry up to Manchester if time isn’t an issue - the Any Permitted fare is valid (although cheaper tickets could probably be used - check Trainsplit) and boarding XC at Birmingham generally means getting a seat.

 

[py_megapixel]

I’d be tempted to go Chiltern to Brum and then CrossCountry up to Manchester if time isn’t an issue - the Any Permitted fare is valid (although cheaper tickets could probably be used - check Trainsplit) and boarding XC at Birmingham generally means getting a seat.

Bit in bold - generally depends how their newly-acquired Random Formation Generator is doing. If it's a 9-car set, I imagine there will be no problems. If it's a 4-car set, unless you are prepared to crowd around the doors as soon as it arrives to be among the first on board, you are likely not to get a seat, especially at the start of a bank holiday weekend and with Avanti in a complete mess.

 

[Merseysider]

Bit in bold - generally depends how their newly-acquired Random Formation Generator is doing. If it's a 9-car set, I imagine there will be no problems. If it's a 4-car set, unless you are prepared to crowd around the doors as soon as it arrives to be among the first on board, you are likely not to get a seat, especially at the start of a bank holiday weekend and with Avanti in a complete mess.

Good point!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’d be tempted to go Chiltern to Brum and then CrossCountry up to Manchester if time isn’t an issue - the Any Permitted fare is valid (although cheaper tickets could probably be used - check Trainsplit) and boarding XC at Birmingham generally means getting a seat.

Not last time I saw one it didn't! You are probably going to meet overcrowding from any direction, though.

 

[Rail Ranger]

If you go to a ticket office you can buy an Off-Peak Return for the dates you want to travel. The Any Permitted Off-Peak Return from London Terminals to Manchester is valid via Sheffield or you can buy a slight cheaper Route Chesterfield Off-Peak Return.

 

[Statto]

I'd be tempted to go LNWR Euston to Crewe, then Northern or TFW Crewe to Manchester, LNWR can be pretty cheap, & with less peak restrictions on LNWR only off peak tickets too, you might have to get a separate ticket for the Crewe to Manchester leg, not sure though

 

[Watershed]

I'd be tempted to go LNWR Euston to Crewe, then Northern or TFW Crewe to Manchester, LNWR can be pretty cheap, & with less peak restrictions on LNWR only off peak tickets too, you might have to get a separate ticket for the Crewe to Manchester leg, not sure though

There's a cheap LNR & TfW only fare available, at not much more than the cost of the fare to Crewe.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There's a cheap LNR & TfW only fare available, at not much more than the cost of the fare to Crewe.

TfW's 2 car service may well be seriously overcrowded, you may prefer to split so you can use Northern's stopper.

 

[Watershed]

TfW's 2 car service may well be seriously overcrowded, you may prefer to split so you can use Northern's stopper.

I'm not sure the potential for overcrowding (which is certainly bad at times, but is generally manageable) outweighs the time and cost penalty for taking the stopper. I guess that's a decision the OP has to make for themself though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm not sure the potential for overcrowding (which is certainly bad at times, but is generally manageable) outweighs the time and cost penalty for taking the stopper. I guess that's a decision the OP has to make for themself though.

It does if as is quite likely they can't physically board.

Everything running into Manchester from all directions will be heaving.

 

[Watershed]

It does if as is quite likely they can't physically board.

I use that service regularly and have never been unable to board. Stand, yes, a few times - but never unable to board.

In the southbound direction, you can position yourself on the platform as the train arrives and you're pretty much guaranteed a seat (it's never locked during the turnaround). In the northbound direction you should be OK as there's usually a decent churn at Crewe. Again, just position yourself well - pretty much adjacent to either of the WH Smiths on platform 5 or 6.

 

[alistairlees]

I'm heading up to Manchester for Pride from London this coming bank holiday weekend, and Avanti have spectacularly messed up as everyone is aware and it's down to 1 train per hour. I can't book ahead (nothing shows up to buy) so I'm wondering what the restrictions are on alternate routings? I'm presuming a standard 'off peak return' will be valid changing at a fair few places if Avanti are a mess? EG via Doncaster? I tried looking but as no website will sell me one for those dates yet, I can't seem to manage to work out any restrictions for an 'any permitted' route. I'd rather go direct but if it's impossible, then happy to change somewhere along the way.

Any recommendations?

You can get a £36.30 return valid on LNWR + TfW from Railsmartr.co.uk without the need to mess around with via / avoid options; the link takes you to a plan for departing after 09.00 on Friday 26th and coming back on Monday 29th at a similar time, but you can adjust the times of course. You could also buy this at a ticket office. There are no refund fees from Railsmartr.co.uk though, so there is no risk to buying now.

Although it takes a bit longer, this really is excellent value for a flexible ticket.

Disclaimer: I am connected to railsmartr.co.uk!

(Edited to correct an error in the link)

 

[Bletchleyite]

I use that service regularly and have never been unable to board. Stand, yes, a few times - but never unable to board

Have you ever used it during one of Manchester's biggest events and by far the biggest and most famous Pride?

I am not saying they won't be able to board, just that I would want Any Permitted for that section.

 

[supervc-10]

Thanks everyone- the LNR/TfW option might work well. I'll be finishing work at 5pm and so would head straight to the station afterwards, but I work a little way out almost at the end of the central line in Woodford.
I'd be happy to risk the TfW, I can stand from Crewe to Manchester if I need and if I get left behind, just buy a ticket for the Northern Stopper on my phone.

None of these options were appearing for me on TrainSplit, so thank you everyone!

 

[Watershed]

Thanks everyone- the LNR/TfW option might work well. I'll be finishing work at 5pm and so would head straight to the station afterwards, but I work a little way out almost at the end of the central line in Woodford.
I'd be happy to risk the TfW, I can stand from Crewe to Manchester if I need and if I get left behind, just buy a ticket for the Northern Stopper on my phone.

None of these options were appearing for me on TrainSplit, so thank you everyone!

The LNR/TfW option is too slow to appear by default. But there is probably scope to exclude Avanti services automatically, so as to suggest such alternatives, given they have blocked all reservations.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The LNR/TfW option is too slow to appear by default. But there is probably scope to exclude Avanti services automatically, so as to suggest such alternatives, given they have blocked all reservations.

The planners aren't really designed for compulsory reservations, bar the Sleepers which are sort of self contained. If this policy is to persist, then the planners need to change so they calculate alternatives if a train is shown as sold out, unless waiting for the next not sold out one is the quickest option.

 

[Par]

Isn’t London to Manchester via Reading and Birmingham valid on the ‘Any Permitted’?

if so, I’d be considering that, as quite a number of those services originate at Reading, with therefore a decent chance of getting a seat.

 

[Watershed]

Isn’t London to Manchester via Reading and Birmingham valid on the ‘Any Permitted’?

if so, I’d be considering that, as quite a number of those services originate at Reading, with therefore a decent chance of getting a seat.

Yes, it is. It's a longstanding validity stemming back to the days when there were direct XC services which took this route.

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

Thanks everyone- the LNR/TfW option might work well. I'll be finishing work at 5pm and so would head straight to the station afterwards, but I work a little way out almost at the end of the central line in Woodford.
I'd be happy to risk the TfW, I can stand from Crewe to Manchester if I need and if I get left behind, just buy a ticket for the Northern Stopper on my phone.

None of these options were appearing for me on TrainSplit, so thank you everyone!

Yes, that definitely seems the best route to me as well. Good luck!

 

[supervc-10]

Thanks everyone, especially @alistairlees ! I've booked via Railsmartr. Looking at the times, I wouldn't be able to get up to Manchester at a reasonable time on the Friday night, but will be getting the train up Saturday morning. Was showing as £46 on the Saturday vs £36 on the Friday for some reason, but still a bargain compared to the regular walkup fare!

 

[Watershed]

Thanks everyone, especially @alistairlees ! I've booked via Railsmartr. Looking at the times, I wouldn't be able to get up to Manchester at a reasonable time on the Friday night, but will be getting the train up Saturday morning. Was showing as £46 on the Saturday vs £36 on the Friday for some reason, but still a bargain compared to the regular walkup fare!

Would be £46 if you're travelling on trains due to depart Euston between 04:29 and 10:30, even on the Saturday, due to the time restrictions on the £36 Super Off-Peak ticket.

 

[alistairlees]

Thanks everyone, especially @alistairlees ! I've booked via Railsmartr. Looking at the times, I wouldn't be able to get up to Manchester at a reasonable time on the Friday night, but will be getting the train up Saturday morning. Was showing as £46 on the Saturday vs £36 on the Friday for some reason, but still a bargain compared to the regular walkup fare!

Thank you. If you do change your mind and want to change the date to Friday, or to just get the cheaper one on Saturday, just email hello@railsmartr.co.uk and the team will refund it for you for free.

 

[185143]

Have you ever used it during one of Manchester's biggest events and by far the biggest and most famous Pride?

I am not saying they won't be able to board, just that I would want Any Permitted for that section.

Off topic, but I'd have surely thought Brighton Pride took that spot?

 

[supervc-10]

Would be £46 if you're travelling on trains due to depart Euston between 04:29 and 10:30, even on the Saturday, due to the time restrictions on the £36 Super Off-Peak ticket.

This makes sense!

I'm perfectly fine with the £46, not an issue at all. Did wonder if that was the reasoning!

Re Brighton Pride Vs Manchester pride in size- I think that London Pride this year had the most attendees! But Manchester and Brighton are both big events that people will travel from across the country to attend. I used to live in Manchester so it's a nice way to go back up north and enjoy things and see all my friends up there!

 

[Bletchleyite]

This makes sense!

I'm perfectly fine with the £46, not an issue at all. Did wonder if that was the reasoning!

Re Brighton Pride Vs Manchester pride in size- I think that London Pride this year had the most attendees! But Manchester and Brighton are both big events that people will travel from across the country to attend. I used to live in Manchester so it's a nice way to go back up north and enjoy things and see all my friends up there!

No intention of starting a Pride competition! It's just that an already-busy 2 car train could well leave people behind when Manchester is busier with such a major event. If the OP is happy with that risk and to buy another ticket for Northern if needs be (or they could ask to be re-routed if the delay would exceed an hour, i.e. the next hourly one is expected to be late) then that's fine.