Birmingham to Manchester XC - crowding question

[c2c]

Hello,

I need to travel from Birmingham Int. to Manchester Picc. on Friday (returning early Monday morning). I'm not too worried about the return journey as the train starts from Piccadilly and if I get there early enough I should be able to get a seat + space for luggage. Just wanted to know what to expect crowding wise between 5-7pm on a Friday if anyone had an experience making this journey?

Thanks

 

[LowLevel]

Hello,

I need to travel from Birmingham Int. to Manchester Picc. on Friday (returning early Monday morning). I'm not too worried about the return journey as the train starts from Piccadilly and if I get there early enough I should be able to get a seat + space for luggage. Just wanted to know what to expect crowding wise between 5-7pm on a Friday if anyone had an experience making this journey?

Thanks

If it's the direct train it's likely to be horrendous as it comes from Bournemouth. You might be as well catching another train to New Street or Wolverhampton to intercept it there once it's had a chance to kick out at Birmingham.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@c2c. What ticket type are you buying? = Off Peak Return? Did a similar journey recently, and changed trains at Wolverhampton, Stafford and Crewe, so as to use less busy trains, and avoid using XC. Might be a consideration, although noted you'll have luggage.

 

[Djgr]

Hello,

I need to travel from Birmingham Int. to Manchester Picc. on Friday (returning early Monday morning). I'm not too worried about the return journey as the train starts from Piccadilly and if I get there early enough I should be able to get a seat + space for luggage. Just wanted to know what to expect crowding wise between 5-7pm on a Friday if anyone had an experience making this journey?

Thanks

You should be able to find itineraries changing at Crewe or Stafford to swerve from an XC journey of hell (or perhaps via Rugby?).

 

[jfollows]

Via Coventry and therefore by implication via Rugby is not a permitted route for “any permitted” tickets such as off peak returns or open returns.

 

[sprinterguy]

If you catch the 17:41 departure from Birmingham International then it should be fine towards the rear of the train if it runs as a pair of units as intended. Very busy on departure from Birmingham New Street otherwise.

 

[c2c]

Thanks for the replies all!

I feared it would be a hellish journey. Looking at RTT from last Friday I noticed that both the 1741 and 1841 were only 5 carriages so not super confident they won't be short formed again. I'll either try changing at New Street/Wolverhampton/Crewe/Stafford as mentioned or potentially travelling from Coventry via Nuneaton or Rugby instead (if work agree). It's a pain because they strongly prefer us to limit our driving distances (e.g. drive from site to the nearest station instead of all the way). It makes sense from a safety/sustainability POV but definitely not a comfortable experience when the alternative is XC!

@c2c. What ticket type are you buying? = Off Peak Return? Did a similar journey recently, and changed trains at Wolverhampton, Stafford and Crewe, so as to use less busy trains, and avoid using XC. Might be a consideration, although noted you'll have luggage.

Yeah will just buy the most flexible option. My luggage isn't too heavy at least so that does help things slightly!