London - Manchester: 25th-27th May

[daniel78]

Hi,

I'm planning to travel from London to Manchester on the late May bank holiday. Leaving on Saturday 25th, I need to be in Manchester by 11am-ish. Returning on Monday 27th, not too concerned by what time, probably late morning.

The advance fares seem to be a bit slow going on sale (I think the 25th is 80 days from today). Does anyone have the inside scoop on when they'll go on sale? I've seen similar threads where it's said that possible engineering works on bank holidays can be an issue.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Friday has only gone on sale this week AFAIK, weekends tend to be a bit later because of potential engineering works, though it looks like they are about two weeks behind on Virgin.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/booking_horizons.html

 

[daniel78]

Friday has only gone on sale this week AFAIK, weekends tend to be a bit later because of potential engineering works, though it looks like they are about two weeks behind on Virgin.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/booking_horizons.html

Thanks, I can see the following Tuesday has already gone on sale, but not the long weekend. I'll just have to keep checking a couple of times a day.

Is there any possibility they could suddenly announce a replacement bus service? I really need to be in Manchester before midday.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

It's entirely possible. The usual reason for Advance tickets not being on sale this far ahead is that the timetable has not been confirmed yet.

 

[daniel78]

It's entirely possible. The usual reason for Advance tickets not being on sale this far ahead is that the timetable has not been confirmed yet.

Thanks, I found this on the Virgin website

Late night service to Manchester Piccadilly not calling at Stockport.
Routes:
London - Manchester
Date: From Monday 20 May until Thursday 23 May
What is happening?
The 2200 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly service will be diverted en route from Wilmslow, not calling at Stockport.
Alternative route:
The last direct service to Stockport departs from London Euston at 2140.

Hopefully that means that worst case is a reduced service via the Wilmslow route only.

 

[greatkingrat]

Looking at Realtime Trains for the 25th May, it looks like the WCML is blocked north of Crewe. So they are probably waiting for details of this to be confirmed, it shouldn't affect the Manchester trains though.

 

[daniel78]

Virgin advances between London and Manchester on this weekend have gone on sale today. Thank again to everyone for your help.