Tag: Manchester

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Manchester to Birmingham

When visiting either Manchester or Birmingham – or why not, both of them – travelers have plenty of choices when it comes to transportation. First of all, they are just 80 miles apart, so you can fly into either of them or into London – especially if you come from other parts than Europe – and then travel by land.

Buses and trains offer excellent connections between Manchester and Birmingham. You can also rent a car if you prefer the freedom at moving at your own pace.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel between Manchester and Birmingham is by bus. Fares start at £3.00 one way and the travel time is about 2 hours. Trains are slightly faster, but more expensive.

Trains from Manchester to Birmingham

Birmingham’s main station is New Street, which offer direct connections to Manchester Piccadilly , about every 10 to 15 min daily. The travel time is 1 ½ h to 1h 50 min and single fares start at £32.50.

Details, schedules and prices can be found here .

>>read more about Train Travel in England

Buses from Manchester to Birmingham

All intercity buses arrive at Birmingham Coach Station, a modern new station which is located close to the city center.

National Express offers daily connections, departing hourly or every two hours from Manchester Coach Station. The travel time is between 2h 50 min and 3h 15 min and the single fare starts at £5.50.

Megabus offers nine departures per day, about every 2 hours. The travel time is close to 2 h and the single fare starts at £3.00 and depends on the time of the departure.

>>read more about Bus Travel in England

Driving from Manchester to Birmingham

You can rent a car in Manchester and drive the 83 miles to Birmingham in about 1 ½ h. Of course, the travel time depends on the traffic on M6.

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from York to Manchester

York has a history which dates back to the Roman times and is home to some of the best preserved historical buildings in England and Europe. In Roman times, it was known as Eboracum and was one of the important Roman cities in Britain. The Vikings also ensured a major urban revival for the city. Nowadays, it’s a small but charming English city , home to plenty of festivals.

The closest airport to York is Leeds but it doesn’t offer too many options for flights. In fact, it’s a more expensive option than Manchester’s Airport , which is the largest British airport outside of London, served by a variety of carriers.

Quick summary

Getting from York to Manchester is easy: the cheapest option is the bus, but the fastest is the train (and the fare difference is not too much between the two means of transportation).

Trains from York to Manchester

Trains connect York to both Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road. The travel time is similar : about 1 ½ h , but it’s cheaper to travel to Manchester Piccadilly at certain hours. Single fares start at £12.00 and there departures every 15 to 30 minutes daily. Details, schedules and prices can be found here.

First also operates daily trains between the two cities, leaving every 10 to 30 minutes. The travel time is the same and the fares start at £12.00 one way.

>>read more about Train Travel in England

Buses from York to Manchester

National Express offers buses every hour, daily between York and Manchester. The travel time is 2 ½ h and the single fare starts at £10.30 but depends on the time of departure.

>>read more about Bus Travel in England

Driving from York to Manchester

You can rent a car in York and drive the 75 miles to Manchester – or the other way around. The travel time is about 1 ½ h but it does depend on the traffic.

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Manchester to Dublin

Dublin , the capital of Ireland, is the most important entry-point for the foreign visitors. The city is known for its nightlife and tourist attractions. With a center small enough to be tackled on foot, Dublin has made it to the traveler’s destinations list a long time ago.

The second largest city in the UK, Manchester is well connected to the rest of the country and the near-by European countries. Home to a large airport, the city has been quite popular among travelers for a long time.

Quick summary

The cheapest option to travel between Manchester and Dublin is by bus (you won’t even need to get off the bus for the ferry crossing). Other good option is the train and ferry, but the price is higher. For a fast option, choose to fly but pay attention to when you book the flight (about 4 to 8 weeks prior to departure is ideal).

Flights from Manchester to Dublin

Manchester Airport (MAN) is the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom and is the largest airport outside of London. Hub for Flybe, the airport handles flights within the UK, to other European cities, to Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and North America.

Dublin Airport (DUB) is the busiest airport in Ireland and is located about 10 km from the city center. Hub for Aer Lingus, Air Contractors, CityJet, Orbest Orizonia Airlines , Ryanair and Thomson Airways, the airport handles domestic flights, flights to other European cities, to Middle East and North America.

Flights between Manchester and Dublin are operated by: Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The flight time is an hour. In mid-May 2012, expect to pay from £20 one way on Ryanair. Slightly higher fares – from £32 one way – are available in mid-July 2012.

However, do remember that you need to consider the carry on limitations (and fees if the bag ends up as checked baggage), the booking fees and the fact that you need to book in advance in order to get a good deal.

Read more about:

>>Flights to Dublin Airport
>>Cheap flights to Manchester

rains and ferry from Manchester to Dublin

It is possible to travel overland between Manchester and Dublin, by using a combination of trains and ferry. National Rail offers an easy option for this route:

  • Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe by train
  • Crewe to Holyhead by train
  • Holyhead to Dublin Port – Stena by ferry
  • Dublin Port – Stena to Dublin Connolly by train

The total travel time is about 8 ½ h and there are two departures per day from Manchester, at 9:55 a.m. and 9:50 p.m. The single fare is £37.00 for the morning departure and £32.00 for the evening departure. The price includes the trains only, for the UK section. A one way ferry ticket is £28.00.

Another option is to travel through London. First, take the train to London and then travel by train and ferry all the way to Dublin. It’s a more expensive and longer route, though.

>>read more about Getting from London to Dublin

Buses and ferry from Manchester to Dublin

There is also the possibility to take a direct bus from Manchester to Dublin. Of course, it involves the ferry crossing, but you don’t actually need to get off the bus.

National Express offers two departures per day. The 7:45 p.m departure from Manchester is direct and arrives the next day at 6:30 a.m. in Dublin. The single fare is £42. The second departure, at 8:15 p.m. , requires a change in Liverpool , but you’ll arrive at the same time in Dublin and the fare is also the same.

Driving from Manchester to Dublin

You can rent a car in Manchester and drive to Dublin. But you need to ask whether you are allowed to take it over the border and need to consider the ferry crossing fees.

The ferry crossing is via the Holyhead – Dublin route. Ideally, you should spend 5 hours traveling (including the ferry crossing) but you need to time your arrival at the port with the next ferry departure. The ferries are operated by Stena Line and the fares for an adult and a compact car start at £129.00, one way.

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Edinburgh England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Manchester to Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a very popular city among travelers of all ages. Whether you want to attend interesting festivals, enjoy the history and the sites or taste the “weird”-ish local cuisine, Edinburgh is the place to be.

Manchester is one of the major cities in England, with good connections to the rest of the country of continent. If you need to travel between Manchester and Edinburgh, there are plenty of options: plane, bus, train and car.

Quick summary

The cheapest option to get between Manchester and Edinburgh is the bus (fares from £11 one way). The fastest option is the plane but, of course, the fares are higher (but not higher than train fares).

Flights from Manchester (airport code: MAN) to Edinburgh

Manchester Airport (MAN) is the third busiest airport in the UK and the largest outside of London. It is hub for Flybe and handles flights within the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East.

Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) is the busiest airport in Scotland and the sixth busiest in the UK. It is located about 10 km from the city center. While not a hub for any airline, the airport handles flights within the UK, Europe and to North America and Africa.

Flights between Manchester and Edinburgh are operated by BMI and Flybe. The flight time is an hour. In late May 2012, expect to pay from £45 one way on BMI. Slightly higher fares are available from Flybe. Similar prices are available for flights in mid-July 2012 (from £49 one way on the same carrier).

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to Edinburgh
>>Cheap flights to Manchester

Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh

Direct trains connect Manchester Piccadilly station to Edinburgh’s station. The travel time is about 3 ½ h . There are departures every 2 to 3 hours daily. Single fares start at £59.90. You can also choose to change trains in York but the fare can be higher in some cases (and the travel time increases).

Details, schedules and prices can be found here .

Buses from Manchester to Edinburgh

Chorlton Street Coach Station serves Manchester and is located close to the city center. There are two companies to choose from when planning to travel between Manchester and Edinburgh:

  • National Express : there are several buses per day, the fastest one taking 6 h 20 min to get between the two cities. Single fares start at £31.40.


  • Megabus : offers two buses per day , leaving Manchester at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The travel time is about 5 ½ h and the single fare is £11.00.

Driving from Manchester to Edinburgh

You can rent a car in Manchester and drive the 216 miles to Edinburgh via M6. The travel time (estimated) is about 4 hours but does depend on the traffic.

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Liverpool to Manchester

Liverpool and Manchester are located just 35 miles from each other, making traveling between the two cities easy and cheap. If you arrive from Europe, you can fly into either city as both are served by airports. Of course, choose the most convenient flight. If you arrive from any other continent, you’ll have to connect through London.

Quick summary

The train and bus fares are similar for traveling between Liverpool and Manchester, so it’s basically a matter of choosing how fast you need to travel and whether you prefer the bus or the train.

Trains from Liverpool to Manchester

Trains connect Liverpool Lime Street station to Manchester Piccadilly station. There are departures every 10 to 30 minutes daily. The travel time is about an hour. Single fares start at £4.00 but they do depend on the time of departure.

Details, schedules and prices can be found here .

>>read more about Train Travel in England

Buses from Liverpool to Manchester

The central station in Manchester is Chorlton Street Coach Station and is located close to the city center. There are two companies to choose from when planning to travel between Liverpool and Manchester:

  • National Express : offers departures every 15 min, daily. The travel time is between 1h 20 min and 1h 45 min. Single fares start at £3.50 but depend on the time of departure.


  • Megabus : offers only two departures per day (leaving Liverpool at 6:35 a.m and 3:50 p.m.) ; the travel time is about 1h 25 min and the single fare is £4.00.

>>read more about Bus Travel in England

Driving from Liverpool to Manchester

You can rent a car in Liverpool and drive the 35 miles to Manchester. The easiest route is via M62. It should take about 45 min but it does depend on the traffic.

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England

Cheap Hotels in Manchester

Manchester is located in the north west of England and is particularly known for its music scene and football. It also has a long industry history and is home to a lot of students attending its Universities.

Although much smaller than London Manchester is home to the biggest airport outside of the capital city. When it comes to finding a hotel for your stay in Manchester, it’s always a good idea to head to the city center. But you can also look for places further away. Didsbury in South Manchester is quite fashionable and a lovely area for your stay. Old Trafford is another nice area for your stay.

Hotels in Manchester range from budget 2-star to fashionable and luxury 5-star hotels. Expect to pay from £44 per night for 2 persons in a 2-star hotel located close to Old Trafford in early summer. Double rooms in 3-star hotels cost from £58 and you’ll be close to the Piccadilly Railway Station.

Pay attention that it’s possible to find discounts especially if you ahead of time. Check both the booking websites and the hotel’s own website (if they have one).

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Manchester, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Things to do in Manchester

Manchester is one of the most important cities in England, known for its nightlife and incredible architecture. It is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe. If you plan to travel to Manchester, here are some things to do.

Learn some history live: Castlefield

In the inner city of Manchester, you’ll find remains of what used to be the Roman for of Mamucium. Five main areas have been reconstructed and can be visited: the Roman Gardens, the Vicus – civilian settlement outside the fort – , the North Gate, the Defensive Ditches and the West Wall. There are canal-side bars and restaurants, so if hunger strikes, you can relax and have a bite to eat.

A day in Chinatown

Whether you want to get something to eat, plan to wonder around for some shopping or just want to kill some time, head to Chinatown. On Sundays, you can pick up wonderful herbs from here. It’s located behind the Town Hall and really close to The Village.

Clubbing in the Village

Even if you are not in the clubbing scene, an evening in a bar is something you should try while in Manchester. The staff at the hotel/hostel will be able to tell you some of the hottest bars and clubs or whether you can find something to suit your tastes.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry

Adult or child, you’ll love this interesting museum which shows impressive machineries, such as a working waterwheel. You can also see the booking halls of one of the first passenger railway station (on the route to Liverpool) , learn about Castlefied – the Roman Fort – and many more. It is open daily from 10 a.m. Entrance to the museum is free.

See the city from above: The Wheel of Manchester

London has London Eye and the Wheel of Manchester is this city’s take on the idea of getting a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Admission fee is £8.50 for an adult (£5.00 for a child). You get to see the city from the height of 60 min and the ride takes about 13 min. It is open daily from 10 a.m.

A museum for the (big) boys: Imperial War Museum

If war vehicles, weapons and war memorabilia are what interest you, then don’t miss this museum. Entry is free and the museum opens at 10 a.m.

Market Street

If you are looking for food , great shops and fun, then this is the place to check out. The pedestrian street is filled with stuff which will easily diminish your vacation money, but it’s so worth it.

Tour Old Trafford

If you are a football (soccer) fan, then this is an exciting thing to do. Of course, you can watch a match but if you happen to travel when no matches are played, then a tour of the famous pitch is the next best thing. The Museum & Tour Centre is open daily from 9:30 a.m. The museum and tour ticket is £15.00 for an adult (£10.00 for juniors). More details here

Visit Manchester Cathedral

The current cathedral dates from Medieval times but was extensively renovated and , as a result, looks much newer. It is a working church so pay attention to the visiting hours (unless you plan to attend the service). Personal guided tours of the cathedral and grounds can be requested. Find the details here .

Aerial Extreme at The Trafford Centre

If you want something different than museums, markets and cathedrals, then Aerial Extreme is a good choice. It’s a combination of amusement park with a challenge of your fitness, which will get your heart pumping.

Photo credits : Castlefield , Chinatown , The Village , Museum of Science , The Wheel , Market Street , Old Trafford , Manchester Cathedral

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England

Manchester: The Village

The Village, also known as Gay Village, is home to one of the most established gay communities in Europe. During summer the area has a special cosmopolitan and continental ambience, attracting gay, lesbians and heterosexuals alike.

Location and how to get to the Village

The Village is set around Chorlton Street and Canal Street and stretch to Dale Street. It includes Sackville Street, Whitworth Street and Princess Street. The Village is really close to Piccadilly Gardens (just a few minutes walk).

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Manchester: Chinatown

Although the first Chinese restaurants appeared in Manchester right after the World War II, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the streets surrounding Nicholas Street, Faulkner Street and George Street became a center of Chinese culture and cuisine.

Today, Manchester’s Chinatown is considered “the Chinese village for the north of England” and represents a genuine experience with people speaking Chinese and signposts in both languages (Chinese and English).

Location and how to get to Chinatown

Chinatown stretches right in the heart of Manchester, behind the Town Hall and really close to The Village and Piccadilly Gardens.

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