Best trains to Manchester Airport?

[Al_Smith]

Hope this is the correct section to post this.....

In early June we are going to visit our son in Texas, flying from Manchester. Found that the cost of driving/parking to be much the same as a night in an airport hotel plus train travel, without the very early start going by car. Even my wife who doesn't like trains much agreed with this plan!

From Chesterfield there appear to be no direct trains, we will have to change at Sheffield or Manchester. Question I would like to ask what would be easier, bearing in mind we will have a large hold and a cabin case each? Would like near empty trains and cross platform connections, but I'm sure that is sking too much!

We will be travelling to Manchester Airport from Chesterfield on a Tuesday afternoon, time not critical. Return will be a Friday morning, plane due to arrive 08:20, so train time 09:30 onward?

Thanks

Alan

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....Question I would like to ask what would be easier, bearing in mind we will have a large hold and a cabin case each? Would like near empty trains and cross platform connections, but I'm sure that is sking too much!....

I don't know about near empty trains, but with the EMT services from Chesterfield (to Liverpool) calling at platform 14 at Piccadilly, cross platform connections there are quite easy, though you might have a slightly longer journey time for that.

I think I am right in saying that a Liverpool bound EMT service departs platform 14, at Piccadilly, at the same time as a Manchester Airport bound train leaves platform 13, so you might make a really quick connection, but then the next Airport bound train from 13 is about twenty minutes later.

I don't think you get a cross platform connection at Sheffield, but you might get a better journey time.

 

[Merseysider]

I think I am right in saying that a Liverpool bound EMT service departs platform 14, at Piccadilly, at the same time as a Manchester Airport bound train leaves platform 13, so you might make a really quick connection, but then the next Airport bound train from 13 is about twenty minutes later.

This is correct. In my experience the EMT trains to Liverpool run ~5 minutes late about half the time, so something to bear in mind. Advances are available from £6 on this route but I wouldn't recommend them for you if the connection was tight and you had heavy luggage.

Most of the trains to the airport are operated by First TPE, and these can be quite busy. But if you're lucky, getting on Coach C means you have a fair bit of space to put your luggage and sit down, provided there aren't any cycles already there.

 

[30907]

I agree that using the through Chesterfield-Manchester EMT service gives you a very easy interchange at Piccadilly (across and along the platform) BUT platforms 13-14 can get very congested and boarding trains to the airport can be a scrum.

With big cases I would go for the other option, which is the through TPE service from Sheffield. You might well have to change platforms at Sheffield, but it's not difficult and much less crowded than Piccadilly. (I would use a London service from/to Chesterfield as these are less busy than Cross Country.)
The only problem is that, if the service is badly disrupted, it may terminate at Piccadilly - but as many Airport trains go from the terminus platforms as from P13, so you'd only have a walk round the buffer stops.

As for tickets: there's no problem about using Advance tickets from Chesterfield with EMT as in case of delay you simply use the next available connecting train.
Alternatively, TPE offer Airport Advance tickets on the Sheffield run, which cover you for up to 3 hours delay on the incoming flight, and you could combine this with an Anytime Return CHD-SHF.
However, at this stage an Offpeak return CHD-MIA might be almost as cheap and less hassle (and it is slightly cheaper than the Offpeak SHF-MIA!)

 

[Puffing Devil]

At 8:20 I'm assuming you're on the Delta Flight from Atlanta? This tends to get in on time, or even around 8am.

However, 50 minutes to get off, get through immigration, get your bags and get to the station from T2 is a bit tight. Fine if you have flexible tickets, not otherwise. I'd leave myself at least 1.5 hours between landing time and train time.

 

[Al_Smith]

Thanks for this - a great help!
I hadn't asked about tickets, the flight is from Atlanta, I think the Offpeak return will be less hassle, we will be back just within the month validity.

Think we will aim to change at Sheffield, will now study the timetable for suitable trains. Also thanks for the tip about Coach C

Alan

 

[button_boxer]

It's unlikely to be a cross-platform connection at Sheffield unless you happen to get one of the northbound ex-London trains from Chesterfield that comes in to Sheffield platform 8 instead of the more usual 5. But even if not, there are lifts to all platforms so it's not too awkward to transfer over the footbridge if necessary.