Manchester Piccadilly Connection Times

[AgeoftheTrain7]

Hi there,

I am planning my return journey from Newcastle to Hereford, via Manchester, for later in the year, but have a question about the connection time for certain trains at Piccadilly.
I was planning to get the TPE from Newcastle to Manchester Victoria, then connect on the Metrolink across to Piccadilly for my train home, but found out that there are plenty of services running at the same price onwards to Piccadilly.

So, if I left Newcastle on the 14:47 TPE to Piccadilly, and that arrived in at 17:19; and I wished to catch my connecting train (Transport for Wales service terminating at Carmarthen/Milford Haven) at 17:31, is that allowing enough time to connect through Piccadilly?

I have been to Manchester Piccadilly before, and know that the TfW trains depart from the main platforms (1-12) or something like that, but I am not sure as to which platforms TPE are running their services to? This would tell me whether I would be able to make that connection in time.

Feel free to vote in the section above as a reply!

Many thanks.

 

[yorkie]

Under normal circumstances the train will go via Victoria and will therefore usually arrive into platform 13. You can then use the footbridge to change platforms (no need to go all the way to the concourse).

Of course anything can happen on the day; things are better now but several months ago I was on a train where it would have been quicker to get off at Victoria as there were delays near Oxford Road; when disrpuption occurs in the Victoria/Oxford Road area or if the train is to be curtailed at Piccadilly (e.g. due to late running or delays on the Airport branch) then you cannot rule out being sent via Guide Bridge into the terminal platforms at Piccadilly.

It's an official connection; if your arrival time is not absolutely crucial to you then I would go for it; if the train to Manchester is delayed you will be automatically entitled to take the next appropriate train service (though this may involve an hours' wait, but there are plenty of facilities at Piccadilly) as well as being eligible to Delay Repay compensation.

If your arrival time is absolutely crucial to you, then you should use a booking site which allows you to specify additional interchange time, or simply book to depart Newcastle an hour earlier. It depends on what your requirements are really and whether your departure time or arrival time is the crucial factor.

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

Thanks for getting back to me on this.

I remember when I took the train from Sheffield to Manchester Picc via that Victoria/Oxford Road interchange, and arrived 17 minutes late because of congestion in the area - so that really proves the point for me of how things can go wrong in the Manchester area.

As you say, I wouldn't mind waiting in Piccadilly station for an hour or so, and the delay repay is good for sorting compensation out etc.
Balancing it up, I will probably see how it goes on the day - see if there are any delays in the area, and see what time I feel I need to leave Newcastle on whether I catch the train to Victoria and allow time to change, or whether I catch a later train and go straight to Piccadilly.

Anyway, the ticket is valid for all Manchester stations, so I can change my mind on the day if necessary!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Just be aware that the 1730 train to Hereford is known for being full and standing departing Manchester (regularly produces a 2-car 175), obviously with the current circumstances people may still be working from home and it might not be busy even after travel restrictions have been lifted but just bear it in mind. You'll want to get on the train and get a seat. I once got on a 2-car 175 two minutes before departure time (got held up by 25 minutes due to a delay on the tram) and I had to stand to Shrewsbury. I'd maybe recommend getting a slightly earlier train from Newcastle if you can, or maybe get the 6.30 from Manchester.

 

[185143]

That connection will be tight.

I can tell you from lots of experience that the 17:19 arrival will NOT be on time. I'd have money on you missing the connection...

 

[Statto]

It depends how well you know Manchester Piccadilly station that tight connections can be made if the connecting train has been delayed, for example when leaving P13/14 don't use the moving walkway to go down to the main concourse, instead use the footbridge to the right, then walk down to the other platforms, sites like traksy will show what platform the connecting train is on

 

[Ianno87]

It depends how well you know Manchester Piccadilly station that tight connections can be made if the connecting train has been delayed, for example when leaving P13/14 don't use the moving walkway to go down to the main concourse, instead use the footbridge to the right, then walk down to the other platforms, sites like traksy will show what platform the connecting train is on

And exit from the rear of the train when arriving on Platform 13. ~90 second connections to the main shed are do-able in the event of a late arrival.

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

Just be aware that the 1730 train to Hereford is known for being full and standing departing Manchester (regularly produces a 2-car 175)

I think that I may just play it safe and leave Newcastle 35-40 mins earlier so I get that ample connection time at Manchester. I can really see how the 1730 would be full and standing, as the Milford-Manchester is my local route, and I know they normally just chuck on a two carriage 175 or 150.

I won't be going on this journey until well after the lockdown is lifted, so hopefully the flow of commuters/travellers will be back to normality!

I will have the reserved seats because I am booking in advance, but still, I take your point...

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

That connection will be tight.

I can tell you from lots of experience that the 17:19 arrival will NOT be on time. I'd have money on you missing the connection...

On balance, I think it is best I stick to the earlier train from Newcastle so I will have that ample 30-40 minute connection time which will allow for delays.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I think that I may just play it safe and leave Newcastle 35-40 mins earlier so I get that ample connection time at Manchester. I can really see how the 1730 would be full and standing, as the Milford-Manchester is my local route, and I know they normally just chuck on a two carriage 175 or 150.

I won't be going on this journey until well after the lockdown is lifted, so hopefully the flow of commuters/travellers will be back to normality!

I will have the reserved seats because I am booking in advance, but still, I take your point...

I would just in case. The Milford Haven train usually departs from platform 8 (obviously it could be anything on the day), so I recommend huddling around that area. It arrives from its previous at 5.15ish (15 minute turn around for a 6 hour journey is wild mind!)

 

[yorkie]

On balance, I think it is best I stick to the earlier train from Newcastle so I will have that ample 30-40 minute connection time which will allow for delays.

If your arrival time is crucial, and delay compensation wouldn't be of any use, then I would use a booking site that allows you to specify additional interchange time.

For example Trainsplit allows this by clicking 'advanced options', select changing at, choose Manchester Piccadilly then specify the additional interchange time you require; adding 10 minutes additional time will suffice to be offered an earlier itinerary.

If you wish to avoid a further change at Huddersfield, you would either need to specify a longer period, or restrict the number of changes to one. This would give you over 70 minutes at Piccadilly.

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

If your arrival time is crucial, and delay compensation wouldn't be of any use, then I would use a booking site that allows you to specify additional interchange time.

For example Trainsplit allows this by clicking 'advanced options', select changing at, choose Manchester Piccadilly then specify the additional interchange time you require; adding 10 minutes additional time will suffice to be offered an earlier itinerary.

If you wish to avoid a further change at Huddersfield, you would either need to specify a longer period, or restrict the number of changes to one. This would give you over 70 minutes at Piccadilly.

Thanks very much for the info, I think on balance I will take an earlier train from Newcastle (only 35-40 minutes earlier) and play it safe there, after comparing connection times and train times etc. on TrainSplit and other websites.

Many thanks for the help I have received from everyone who has replied, it has proven to be very helpful!

 

[_toommm_]

Depending on if you have a 16-25 railcard too (not sure of your age), but if you do, book the Newcastle to Manchester direct with TPE. If on the website, go via the ‘Student Travel’ link, or in the app, use code TPESTUDENT with your railcard. It’s a bit of a misnomer as you don’t need to be a student, but it boosts the discount from 33% to 50% on TPE trains.

 

[AgeoftheTrain7]

Depending on if you have a 16-25 railcard too (not sure of your age), but if you do, book the Newcastle to Manchester direct with TPE. If on the website, go via the ‘Student Travel’ link, or in the app, use code TPESTUDENT with your railcard. It’s a bit of a misnomer as you don’t need to be a student, but it boosts the discount from 33% to 50% on TPE trains.

Don't have a 16-25 railcard, but do however have a Family & Friends one which I am eligible to use on this particular trip (others are coming) - this is good because if I choose the option for two singles, it only makes it £34 return at the moment, so will probably do that!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Depending on if you have a 16-25 railcard too (not sure of your age), but if you do, book the Newcastle to Manchester direct with TPE. If on the website, go via the ‘Student Travel’ link, or in the app, use code TPESTUDENT with your railcard. It’s a bit of a misnomer as you don’t need to be a student, but it boosts the discount from 33% to 50% on TPE trains.

Is this just from Manchester to Newcastle? Or Leeds too? Also what about 26-30 railcard holders?

 

[_toommm_]

Is this just from Manchester to Newcastle? Or Leeds too? Also what about 26-30 railcard holders?

It doesn't work for 26-30 I'm afraid. The code is valid all over the TPE network, as long as that particular journey offers advance tickets (but it can't be used for on-the-day advances).

I use it to commute Manchester to Leeds. At the moment, there aren't many cheap advance tickets, but normally I get tickets for £4.30 each way if I book a month in advance. Manchester to Sheffield is even cheaper, with the cheapest advances being £2.50 with this offer.