Trains and Planes in the UK in May/June

[Andy in Germany]

It's that time of year again, and I'm planning a trip for myself and Beautiful Daughter to York. I have two options: Manchester or Heathrow in and possibly MAN LHR and Edinburgh on the return.

Have Transpennine improved since last year, or are there still issues on the ground between Manchester and the east of the country?

I tend not to bother with their website because they seem to say all is well and trains are running punctually until they announce everything is cancelled because of engineering works planned last November

 

[Punkawallah]

Heathrow and Edinburgh. At least then you only have GNER to deal with.

 

[chriswoody]

Andy, I can't help with the planes and trains, but I wanted to check if you are aware of the new immigration rules into the U.K. for dual nationals? I only discovered them a few weeks ago and have had to cancel an upcoming trip to the U.K. in Easter because my children won't be able to comply.

Essentially if you are British or British by descent, dual national, (Which my children are) you have to travel on a British Passport to enter the U.K. British people are barred from applying for an ETA and the only way you can enter on a German passport, is by applying for a Certificate of Entitlement that will cost £589.

Sorry if you already know this, but I have a lot of Dual National colleague's , who like me, were completely unaware of all of this until a couple of weeks ago and it's caused a lot of upset.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Andy, I can't help with the planes and trains, but I wanted to check if you are aware of the new immigration rules into the U.K. for dual nationals? I only discovered them a few weeks ago and have had to cancel an upcoming trip to the U.K. in Easter because my children won't be able to comply.

Essentially if you are British or British by descent, dual national, (Which my children are) you have to travel on a British Passport to enter the U.K. British people are barred from applying for an ETA and the only way you can enter on a German passport, is by applying for a Certificate of Entitlement that will cost £589.

Sorry if you already know this, but I have a lot of Dual National colleague's , who like me, were completely unaware of all of this until a couple of weeks ago and it's caused a lot of upset.

I'd heard about it by accident, but thanks anyway. As usual the UKgov didn't actually bother to inform anyone who may be affected. Fortunately I thought that was already the case, so I've kept my passport up to date.

 

[classic33]

The service between Manchester and Leeds may have issues if travelling through the Calder Valley. There's been recent problems with signals and track between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.
At times it's been down to a single line.

 

[Mike_P]

They are still rebuilding the main Trans Pennine route via Huddersfield. Seem to be quite open over the works
https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/planned-engineering-work

 

[steveindenmark]

It's that time of year again, and I'm planning a trip for myself and Beautiful Daughter to York. I have two options: Manchester or Heathrow in and possibly MAN LHR and Edinburgh on the return.

Have Transpennine improved since last year, or are there still issues on the ground between Manchester and the east of the country?

I tend not to bother with their website because they seem to say all is well and trains are running punctually until they announce everything is cancelled because of engineering works planned last November

There is also Leeds/Bradford airport.

 

[Gwylan]

Don't dismiss coach travel between major cities.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Have Transpennine improved since last year, or are there still issues on the ground between Manchester and the east of the country?

It's not that TP have improved, rather there is still a lot of disruption because of Transpennine Route Upgrade

The whole route between Manchester and York is being doubled and electrified. Massive project and lots of disruption. Save this site and check back nearer the time.

Using the line to travel between the major destinations is generally ok, but a lot of intermediary stations are even being missed or closed altogether whilst they are being rebuilt.

Ps It's not called Transpennine because of the train company, both are named after crossing the pennines.

 

[wiggydiggy]

There is also Leeds/Bradford airport.

I wouldn't use that if you paid me. Horrible airport, miles from anywhere, no public transport and extortionate charges to be picked up at the terminal.

 

[steveindenmark]

I wouldn't use that if you paid me. Horrible airport, miles from anywhere, no public transport and extortionate charges to be picked up at the terminal.

We flew there in the summer. Bus to Leeds station. Train to Hull. No problem at all. You can also hire a car.

 

[Seevio]

More importantly, will you be changing your username for the duration of the trip?

 

[wiggydiggy]

We flew there in the summer. Bus to Leeds station. Train to Hull. No problem at all. You can also hire a car.

I can see why you went to Hull if you had to go to Leeds Bradford Airport

 

[T4tomo]

I wouldn't use that if you paid me. Horrible airport, miles from anywhere, no public transport and extortionate charges to be picked up at the terminal.

that applies to most UK airports in full or part!

 

[wiggydiggy]

that applies to most UK airports in full or part!

Manchester Airport I find great on public transport, it has a train and tram station in the airport. But others are equally poor, John Lennon Airport (Liverpool) is a bus ride, nearest train station 3 miles away.