Flying from Ireland, destination Sheffield. Which airport is better: Leeds/Bradford or Manchester?

[Connacht]

I am thinking of flying from Dublin to visit Sheffield, on Sat 26-Oct.

I wish to use trains in the UK.

I could fly to Manchester, good choice of flights. This airport has a railway station.

I could also fly to Leeds/Bradford, which seems like a similar distance to Sheffield.

It looks like this airport does not have a railway station? Horsforth seems close?


My second question is: what's the easiest way from MAN airport to Sheffield?

Take a TPE train, one change in Man Picc?





Or is Northern better? I can't find their network map.


I had a quick look at fares. I don't know why there aren't protests on the streets. A 1h20 journey in Ireland might be 20 euro, yet it's over 40 euro.





Thanks.

I welcome any advice.

 

[rg177]

The usual way of getting out of Leeds Bradford Airport would be the A1 bus (£2, contactless or cash on board) to Leeds then a train from there.

It's about 40 minutes or so on the bus then a short walk to Leeds Station. The good news is that Northern will usually flog cheap Advance tickets for this route up to a few minutes before the train leaves - so no need to really book miles ahead.

Manchester would certainly be easier (and shouldn't be as expensive as the screenshot suggests) but Leeds is probably the cheapest option - if a bit slower.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

An alternative if travelling from Manchester Airport to Sheffield, with not much luggage, might be to get the 199 bus from the Airport bus station into Stockport, then the train from Stockport railway station onward to Sheffield.

 

[sh24]

Manchester Airport itself is a pretty horrible experience with notoriously awful security. While there are train connections from MAN, LBA is a much nicer airport.

 

[Iskra]

Manchester Airport is much better for getting to Sheffield. I use that service frequently, changing at Piccadilly. Using the forums ticketing system may help with the price. Have you looked at splitting or the price of a return ticket rather than singles? There is engineering that week around Manchester, so it's possible advance tickets (the cheapest ones) haven't been released yet.

Manchester Airport itself is a pretty horrible experience with notoriously awful security. While there are train connections from MAN, LBA is a much nicer airport.

It's fine for arrivals, and security is only an issue at peak times. I use it frequently and have few issues. Leeds Bradford is hardly a pinnacle of aviation, Manchester might be a bit tired but it's easier to get to, faces less disruption and serves its purpose.

 

[fishwomp]

I am thinking of flying from Dublin to visit Sheffield, on Sat 26-Oct.
[.]
My second question is: what's the easiest way from MAN airport to Sheffield?

Take a TPE train, one change in Man Picc?

Change in Man Picc by whichever operator gets you there fastest. If you buy a regular ticket that isn't one operator only - like the standard ticket there, you can do that.

Also, a pre-booked ticket valid only on one train when you're relying on a flight to get you there on time is not a good idea - you either end up over cautious or gambling.

[..]
I had a quick look at fares. I don't know why there aren't protests on the streets. A 1h20 journey in Ireland might be 20 euro, yet it's over 40 euro.
[..]

If you're following the thread on the hope valley line resignalling, you'd appreciate that you're paying for there to be two fire marshals sitting all day on the platform at Dore, just in case, you know. That kind of service doesn't come cheap.

Note in the UK, a return is often not much more than a single - so buy a return. https://www.brfares.com/!fares?orig=MIA&dest=SHF&period=20240705 - off-peak return is £39.20 - and peak is £51 - both valid for a month .

 

[MrJeeves]

Also, a pre-booked ticket valid only on one train when you're relying on a flight to get you there on time is not a good idea - you either end up over cautious or gambling.

Thankfully TPE do airport advances that relieve some of this worry.

If your flight is delayed on the way home, you can catch the next available TransPennine Express train up to 3 hours after the departure time stated on the ticket. Just don't forget to endorse your ticket at the ticket office before you get on the train.

Any advance TransPennine Express ticket from Manchester Airport comes with the added flexibility, no matter how you buy it. So you can buy your train ticket the way you usually would. Easy!

Manchester Airport Advance Train Tickets | TransPennine Express

Book an Airport Advance ticket to Manchester Airport and you can save money on your airport transfer. Find out more here.

www.tpexpress.co.uk

 

[fishwomp]

Thankfully TPE do airport advances that relieve some of this worry.

Manchester Airport Advance Train Tickets | TransPennine Express

Book an Airport Advance ticket to Manchester Airport and you can save money on your airport transfer. Find out more here.

www.tpexpress.co.uk

OP should be sure to follow their instructions for his trip - ".. smother yourself in sun cream, grab an inflatable flamingo, and start your holiday early by taking the train to your plane."

 

[MrJeeves]

OP should be sure to follow their instructions for his trip - ".. smother yourself in sun cream, grab an inflatable flamingo, and start your holiday early by taking the train to your plane."

If OP was travelling on Avanti, with the current rate of A/C failures, it might make sense!

 

[Connacht]

Thanks for all the replies.

I see the good value Northern fares.

I see the bus to Stockport, and that TPE runs from Stockport to Sheffield.

I see the TPE advance tickets with added flexibility.