Four people Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh (EDB). What if plane is late?

[suzanneparis]

Can anyone please help with a 'cheapest ticket' question.

Four people travelling from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) on Sunday 2 June after 5pm. Returning on 6 June early in the morning (departing EDB about 7.30am ish).
People are: 1 adult with senior railcard, 1 adult no card, 1 child aged 12, 1 child aged 4.
related problem: What happens if their plane is late landing?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I can see £135 for all 3 of you (4 year old is free)

18:00 dep MIA 21:38 arr EDB
08:12 dep EDB 11:47 arr MIA (there's another train at 6:15 which is a bit cheaper)

These are airport advances so you can get the next train from MIA which would be the 20:00

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

2 June is a Tuesday?
If you have an Advance (train specific) fare to/from Manchester Airport, you can travel on the next available service (up to 3 hours) if delayed.
The ticket needs endorsing at MIA.

Just tested a few dates, Advance fares are about £30 each way on the direct trains (1800 and 2000 from MIA, 0812 back from EDB, 1147 at MIA).
The railcard user would be £20 each way, the 12 year old £15 ew.
The 4-year-old is free but if you want a seat you pay the child rate (£15 each way).
That's £160 all up (seats for everybody).
If you look at buying a Friends and Family Railcard, that gives the adults 1/3 off, children 60% off, but the card itself is £30 for a year.
That would be £158 all up, but you have the card for a year.

Trains are new 4-car TPE electrics, with a refreshment service.
Probably very busy on the evening train, not so much on the early train back.

The walk-on Off Peak Fare (any train, including Virgin options as well as TPE) before discounts is £74.20 return.

 

[suzanneparis]

Sorry, my dates are out on Sunday 30 May and return on Thursday 4 June.

Thank you both for your replies.
'gordonthemoron'. I am sorry but I don't know what an 'airport advance' is. And I don't know how to book them on National Rail Enquiries. Also I cannot see how you arrived at £135?

LNW-GW joint, again thank you. A few questions: If I don't book a seat for the 4 year old and there is an empty seat are they allowed to sit in it? I don't fully understand the business of getting a ticket endorsed. Do you mean that I buy a train specific fare from MIA to EW and then if the flight is late I go to the ticket office at MIA and they will somehow stamp it so that we can travel on a later train? Also does that apply to me as I am not flying into Manchester - I am travelling there by train to meet them.

Many thanks again both

 

[gordonthemoron]

use www.tpexpress.co.uk, airport advance tickets for TP services from Manchester Airport are the first option from the airport. For those dates I can see £102 for all 3 of you (+ 4 year old is free). Train times are 18:00 from Manchester airport and 6:15 from Edinburgh. Note, there is no later service from Manchester Airport

 

[suzanneparis]

I am sorry but I do not know what you mean by an 'airport advance ticket'.

Is this some special kind of ticket? I cannot see how to buy one.

Thanks again

 

[Romilly]

If you buy an Advance ticket on a Transpennine Express train out of Manchester Airport station, it will be an Airport Advance. It is exactly the same as any other Advance ticket (i.e. booked train only, cannot be refunded, but may be swapped beforehand on paying an admin fee and any difference in fares), but with the added benefit of being capable of being used on a later TPE train in the event of your incoming flight being delayed by up to 3 hours (although that's not much help if you are booked on the 6pm train from the Airport to Edinburgh as that's the last TPE train of the day to Edinburgh).

When I looked at your travel dates and times, it would be £51 each way on an Advance (i.e. Airport Advance) on the 1800 from the Airport and the 0615 back from Edinburgh (buying for one adult, one adult with a Senior Railcard, and one child).

 

[rg177]

Book here http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck
I can see them for £102. Input your details and an Airport Advance will be the 2nd option on the top row.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

You can use a spare seat for the free child if there is one available, but he/she is not entitled to one unless you pay for it.
The delay issue is moot as there is only the 1800 on the Sunday (31 May, not 30 May), but the procedure is just to ask at the MIA ticket office and get a stamp on your ticket.

There are £23.60 Advances on the 1800 northbound on the 31st and 0615 southbound on the 4th.
The 0812 southbound is expensive (£64.90 Advance) and you would be better with the £74.20 Off Peak return if you want to use this train.
Availability of Advance tickets is limited.

The pricing is 34% off for a senior railcard, 50% for a child.
A Friends and Family railcard at £30 then gives 4 adults the 34% discount, and children get 60%.
You can buy all these tickets on any rail operator web site (not NRE), or at any station.

 

[suzanneparis]

Forgive me writing again but there is an issue to do with timing of trains due to potential late arrival of flight.

Is there a way of breaking the journey between MIA and EDB to save money and allow a little flexibility in train times?

As before the details are:
Four people travelling from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) on Sunday 2 June after 5pm. Returning on 6 June early in the morning (departing EW about 7.30am ish).
People are: 1 adult with senior railcard, 1 adult no card, 1 child aged 12, 1 child aged 4.
related problem: What happens if their plane is late landing?


For example would braking the journey at Preston allow a later train?

Many thanks - again

 

[Merseysider]

If you select tickets from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Edinburgh (EDB) try and choose an Airport Advance. If the plane is late all they need is a member of airport staff to endorse the ticket and they can travel on the next service(s).

 

[suzanneparis]

There is no such thing as an airport advance as far as I can tell. What is an FTPE service? IF it means first trans pennine then the only trainI can get is the 6pm. But I want more fleixibility to catch the later train if required.

But that wasn't my question.

I want cheap and flexible.

The cheapest ticket bought as MIA to EDB only allows me to go on the 6pm train. If the flight is late then we are stuck.

But there is a slightly later train which still gets to EDB on the same day. However, tickets MIA to EDB on that service cost a lot. But.... for example breaking the journey at Preston seems to make it cheaper.

I was wondering if anyone knew of some bizarre combination of return tickets or singles from a variety of stations that would allow me the flexibility to go on the later train and not pay so much??

But thanks for replying.

 

[Agent_c]

There is no such thing as an airport advance as far as I can tell. What is an FTPE service? IF it means first trans pennine then the only trainI can get is the 6pm. But I want more fleixibility to catch the later train if required..

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/tickets-offers/offers/manchester-airport/

Coming Home

We understand that sometimes flights back to sunny Manchester are delayed and you may be concerned about missing the train home you bought your ticket for, don't worry with an Airport Advance you can catch the next available Transpennine Express train up to 3 hours after the departure time stated on the ticket.*

 

[najaB]

I want cheap and flexible.

Unfortunately, those are mutually exclusive.

 

[tony_mac]

It would probably have made more sense to continue the last thread on this topic.
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=115483
As has been said, you can get an Advance ticket and take a later train if your flight is late. That is the only sort of flexibility you can get, other than paying for off-peak / anytime tickets.
It's difficult to be more precise without knowing the actual date / day of travel (June 2nd is still not a Sunday)

 

[Merseysider]

It would probably have made more sense to continue the last thread on this topic.

Agreed.

I want cheap and flexible.

Unfortunately, those are mutually exclusive.

Agreed.

There is no such thing as an airport advance as far as I can tell.

See attachment.

If the flight is late then we are stuck.

No, you can travel on a later train, as already stated.

I was wondering if anyone knew of some bizarre combination of return tickets or singles from a variety of stations...

If you mean a 'loophole' ticket, then these are not disclosed publicly. If you want normal tickets, head over to trainsplit.com and input your journey requirements.

 

[suzanneparis]

Oh no I can't !!

I cannot travel on a later train with the so called airport advance. Because the later trains are not first pennine. So I would not be allowed to travel on them.

Regarding your other points:
Yes I should have continued the other post. Sorry. I worried that as it is already buried several pages down, nobody would reply.
I asked the question several times on the other post regarding 'airport advance' and remain confused. As I understand it there is no such ticket. You buy an advance ticket and if it happens to depart from an airport you can get it stamped at the ticket office to allow you to travel on a later train. Or am I wrong is it a specific type of ticket??
But still either way I cannot travel on the later trains because they are not first pennine. Or have I got that wrong as well?

As I understand it. If I buy a ticket (airport advance) for the 18:00 and miss it due to a late flight. Then I would NOT be allowed to travel on the 18:33 or the 19:29. Or am I wrong??

Thanks for all the help and sorry for not posting on my original thread.

 

[Merseysider]

You would be allowed to travel on the 1829 to Preston (or any other TPE as far as Preston/Wigan/Carlisle. Then I would 100% expect TPE to get you onwards to Edinburgh, by whatever means.

Edit: You would be allowed to travel on the 2000 MIA-EDB, as that is TPE.

 

[Agent_c]

Oh no I can't !!

I cannot travel on a later train with the so called airport advance. Because the later trains are not first pennine. So I would not be allowed to travel on them.

FTPE trains depart at 18:00 and 20:00 direct, 18:29 18:35 with a connection, 18:40 with 2 connections.

As long as you are at the station by 8pm, looks like you're fine to me.

 

[suzanneparis]

Sorry. As explained in my previous post my outward journey date is SUNDAY 31 May.

So the trains you mention don't exist.

My only options are the 18:00 (which I very much hope to get) or 18:33 or 19:29.

But I would NOT be allowed to travel on the 18:33 or 19:29 because they are not first transpenine.

 

[yorkie]

Is there a way of breaking the journey between MiI and EDB to save money and allow a little flexibility in train times?

A Break of journey is likely to increase the cost, and I don't see how it allows flexibility (other than, if you are running late, you would have less time - or no time - for your break of journey).

related problem: What happens if their plane is late landing?

This was already explained by Romilly. Here is is again:-

If you buy an Advance ticket on a Transpennine Express train out of Manchester Airport station, it will be an Airport Advance. It is exactly the same as any other Advance ticket (i.e. booked train only, cannot be refunded, but may be swapped beforehand on paying an admin fee and any difference in fares), but with the added benefit of being capable of being used on a later TPE train in the event of your incoming flight being delayed by up to 3 hours (although that's not much help if you are booked on the 6pm train from the Airport to Edinburgh as that's the last TPE train of the day to Edinburgh).

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As I understand it. If I buy a ticket (airport advance) for the 18:00 and miss it due to a late flight. Then I would NOT be allowed to travel on the 18:33 or the 19:29. Or am I wrong??

If delays occur, seek staff advice.

If it's straightforward, and the next train is operated by TransPennine Express, it will be a case of taking the next train.

In some cases that are not so straightforward, where there are other operators trains that may get you there sooner, you may - at staff discretion, or at times of severe disruption - be able to take a train provided by another operator if that will get you there quicker, so it's worth asking!

I would suggest asking TPE directly in advance if you anticipate any potential issues.

 

[Agent_c]

Sorry. As explained in my previous post my outward journey date is SUNDAY 31 May.

So the trains you mention don't exist.

My only options are the 18:00 (which I very much hope to get) or 18:33 or 19:29.

But I would NOT be allowed to travel on the 18:33 or 19:29 because they are not first transpenine.

I think then at this point your best bet is contacting TPE and explaining your concern, and getting them to confirm that connections are also covered.

 

[yorkie]

Can anyone please help with a 'cheapest ticket' question.

The cheapest ticket would be an Advance ticket (not normally flexible at all) which in this case gives you a bit of flexibility thanks to the policies described earlier in this thread by TransPennine to take into account you're arriving by plane into Manchester Airport

I want cheap and flexible.

An Off Peak ticket would be a lot more flexible, but at greater cost.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think then at this point your best bet is contacting TPE and explaining your concern, and getting them to confirm that connections are also covered.

Agreed.

 

[dzug2]

Also does that apply to me as I am not flying into Manchester - I am travelling there by train to meet them.

It doesn't apply to you.

But I'm not sure how closely they would check if you were with a group that came off a late plane

 

[tony_mac]

One thing you can do is to get a free 'Family & Friends Railcard', which would give everybody a discount.
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2158923&postcount=2057

There are Advance tickets available on the later services, but Transpennine and Virgin don't seem to mix on these Advance tickets, so you will need to buy separate tickets. E.g. Manchester Airport to Wigan off-peak day singles, and Wigan to Edinburgh Advance singles.

That may leave you trying to find something to do for a while, and it will only save any money if you can get a cheap Advance ticket for the return journey.

 

[Hadders]

One thing you can do is to get a free 'Family & Friends Railcard', which would give everybody a discount.

The free railcards have all gone!

 

[najaB]

The free railcards have all gone!

You can get them for £15 worth of Clubcard points. Interestingly, Google ads reads RailUK.

 

[suzanneparis]

Many many thanks everyone. And thanks to the moderator who melded together my two posts on the same topic!

Ok my plan is to buy tickets for the 18:00 MIA to EDB and hope for the best. (using 'airport advance' tickets)

IF things go wrong and the plane is late then as I understand it I CANNOT use my tickets on the later trains because they are not run by TPE.

However, you suggest I ask the ticket office to see if they can offer any help? (though it seems unlikely to me as tickets for the later trains are dramatically more expensive)

Additionally you suggest contacting TPE. How?

Finally, what would be the worst case scenario? Would I have to buy new tickets for all 4 of us. For example to buy on the day a ticket for the 18:46 would be horrendous?

I should mention that I am a pensioner living on a pension and hence am very price conscious !

Many thanks again for any help.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Surely, provided you have left a reasonable amount of time between train and plane, a missed train due to the plane would be a matter for your travel insurance?

You do have travel insurance, don't you?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You would be allowed to travel on the 1829 to Preston (or any other TPE as far as Preston/Wigan/Carlisle. Then I would 100% expect TPE to get you onwards to Edinburgh, by whatever means.

I wouldn't. This is not the railway's failing, it is a concession by TPE. Why would Virgin, who get none of the fare, be willing to step in in this case?

I would expect TPE to accommodate you on the next train they operate, but that may well be tomorrow, and the hotel would be at your expense.

This really is a matter for travel insurance.

 

[Agent_c]

Additionally you suggest contacting TPE. How?

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/assistance/contact-us/

There's a phone number there, but the form will likely result in an email that you could print out and take with you if you were overly worried.