manchester to leeds on train

[400bhp]

Looking at train bike options to get me across the country in the next month

With this in mind has anyone experience of getting a bike on the northern rail service from manchester picadilly to leeds around 7am on a weekday?

Thing is theres no booking system wih northern rail so it depends on how many people om train and number of bikes.

I know manc to leeds can be busy but its a long time since i got one at 7am

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've done the rush hour commute to Leeds a few times getting on at Rochdale which I guess is out of Victoria & the local service stops frequently train, but at that time they have always been busy from the off and by the the time it got to Leeds it was standing very still pressed against everyone else room only. I guess from Piccadilly it'll be less stoppy trains as they're going further afield and probably quieter at our end.

 

[growingvegetables]

The service out of Manchester Piccadilly is Transpennine? I've no idea how they compare with Northern (who are great with bikes). Just a thought - leave maybe half an hour earlier? The trains will be a lot quieter?

 

[ColinJ]

I tried catching a train out of Leeds in the other direction (towards Manchester Victoria) once with my bike in the evening rush hour. It was so overcrowded that it wasn't possible to get on. I waited 20 minutes and the next train was fine. It isn't a scientifically valid sample, but as growingvegetables suggested, going to/leaving work a little bit earlier or later than everybody else would seem to be the best solution.

 

[400bhp]

The service out of Manchester Piccadilly is Transpennine? I've no idea how they compare with Northern (who are great with bikes). Just a thought - leave maybe half an hour earlier? The trains will be a lot quieter?

You're right actually and I just realised I can get it from Manchester Airport which is the first stop which will help.

I'm trying to make my way from south manc to stansted with a bike to get there for midday but avoiding paying £200 one way to go through London..

Currently looking at Stockport via Nuneaton (7:43) or Manc via Doncaster then cycle from Stevenage. Or maybe Crewe but that would be an early start to cycle to Crewe.

 

[400bhp]

I tried catching a train out of Leeds in the other direction (towards Manchester Victoria) once with my bike in the evening rush hour. It was so overcrowded that it wasn't possible to get on. I waited 20 minutes and the next train was fine. It isn't a scientifically valid sample, but as growingvegetables suggested, going to/leaving work a little bit earlier or later than everybody else would seem to be the best solution.

I know, been on the train many times from Leeds between 4 and 6. It's just been a long time that I have needed to travel the other way so early on.

 

[classic33]

6 till 8 will be busy whichever operator you use.
Northern Rail go to Leeds via Huddersfield from Manchester Piccadilly. First Transpennine do a more direct service, which draws the most users.

 

[classic33]

Would you be able to make use of the service from the Airport to Victoria?

 

[classic33]

You're right actually and I just realised I can get it from Manchester Airport which is the first stop which will help.

I'm trying to make my way from south manc to stansted with a bike to get there for midday but avoiding paying £200 one way to go through London..

Currently looking at Stockport via Nuneaton (7:43) or Manc via Doncaster then cycle from Stevenage. Or maybe Crewe but that would be an early start to cycle to Crewe.

I have a one way fare of £35, leaving at 06:00 on Monday morning. Manchester Piccadilliy to Nuneaton.

 

[400bhp]

I have a one way fare of £35, leaving at 06:00 on Monday morning. Manchester Piccadilliy to Nuneaton.

Thanks

That's my default route. Can actually get a train from stockport at 7:43 that gets me to Stansted before 12. I was seeing if there were any alternatives.

 

[400bhp]

I have a one way fare of £35, leaving at 06:00 on Monday morning. Manchester Piccadilliy to Nuneaton.

But not for £35. Where have you found that? Edit, that's just to Nuneaton and not all the way.

 

[classic33]

Cheapest fare between the two airports £91.50!

 

[classic33]

 

[Origamist]

Def get the train from Manchester Airport if possible. I would take my bike to York on the Transpennine Express and always managed to get a bike space as the train started there. There were usually 3 carriages, IIRC. It was often harder on the way back though!

 

[the_mikey]

I'd only want to ride the TransPennine Express with a Brompton, anything else is too big, often not even able to get a seat on routes between York and Leeds