London <-> Manchester - cheapest deal?

Cindy66

I'll be heading to Manchester twice in the coming months, once in April for Easter and another in July to go to the International Festival, each time heading there for a 3-4 day weekend. Was just wondering what's the cheapest way of doing so (saving money so I have more to spend when I get there!)

1. Is rail a good idea? If so are there any split fares which work out cheaper? I have a young person's railcard and don't need to travel at peak times.

2. Is the coach/megabus cheaper than train. If so how much longer does it take in comparison?

All help greatfully received. Thanks!! :beer:

teeb

The megabus will cost up to £10 each way; though if you book in advance I suspect it will cost a lot less than that. If you're lucky you could get £1 singles each way, making the total cost a rather absurd £4!

A quick search on the megabus website shows there to be 6 services a day either way. Though the dates you want to go aren't up yet, as soon as they're added I'd look at booking.

I'm pretty certain this'd be the cheapest way, if money is your main concern. The journeys seem to take between 4 and 5 hours.

Direct Virgin Train services take just under 2 and a half hours, though there don't appear to be direct services on a Sunday. The cheapest ticket I could find from London to Manch was a "Value Advance Single C", which was £8.25. The indirect return [if it was a Sunday] would be £40ish.

Course, train ticket prices would depend a lot on the exact dates and times you want to travel. Could probably help more if you were more specific.

Cindy66

Um few more details about the April trip - was thinking going up Thursday evening on the 5th and down on Monday 9th, any time.

Not many more details for the July trip but it will be be some time between 28 June and July 7 as that's when the new Damon Albarn show is on the festvial. I may not make a weekend now, on consideration, so consider any day you like for that.

Thank you once again!

zappomatic

National Express FunFares are usually cheaper and easier to find than cheap megabus fares, better vehicles and service too.

StockportGerbil

Hi!
The coach journey up to Manchester is probably the cheapest way here but it can drag!

The train is quicker, but the cheap fares sell out quickly (check the availability of singles which frequently work out cheaper than returns) and national rail take great delight in digging up the railway on Sundays (and not making the decision one way or another until late on when it's too late to buy cheap fares.)

Regards
Kev