Iwan2go

Hi all. The last stop on our planned May 2018 vacation is the Peak District, staying near Bakewell. I was figuring that we’d take the train to London to fly out of Heathrow the following morning, but another option would be to take a taxi to Manchester and connect through LHR instead. The flight would leave on a weekday at 2:00pm and the connection at LHR about 1:10 hours, within the same terminal, through ticketing to LAX on British Airways. It would save us a day of travel as well as attendant costs. We usually don’t do much the night before we leave, anyway (sad as that sounds...), and we were in London a few years ago so would be OK skipping it this time. I got a quote of under 70GBP for the cab from Bakewell to Manchester airport.

My questions are, how much time do you think we need to allow at MAN for security and check-in, and, if you’ve any experience with the airport, what’s it like? I see some Duty-Free shops, which I did like at Heathrow. We can pick up some Scotch for the family. Any place OK to get a bite to eat, and places to sit and while away the wait? Can you paint a picture for me?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rubicund

If your flight leaves at 2pm, you should be at the airport for 11:30 ish at the latest, while the trip to the airport will take between 60 and 90 minutes depending on traffic. If you leave Bakewell at 10am you should be OK.

Manchester is a large airport and has a big duty free shop in each terminal, as well as lots of other shops airside. There's lots of seating, bars and places to eat.

BritishCaicos

Oh dear.

I've flown out of "that" airport 200 odd times.

It's a wonderful place as it get you to where you want to be.

In terms of facilities in sub standard.

The airport is split into 3 terminals, I suspect that you will be flying out of terminal 3 which is frankly pathetic as it's role is short haul connections and the main money spending holidaying families are routed through 1 and 2.

This leaves the frequent users like business travellers routed through 3.

There's an Italian restaurant and a Family style Giraffe restaurant both of which are sub standard.

The security hold ups are generally limited on a week day in May you should have no issues.

Please do not bother or support Duty Free. Technically, they may not charge duty but their base prices are hideous which leaves most products being cheaper at an average British supermarket.

All in all, Manchester is a get in get out experience, few love to be there.

The taxi price is reasonable but DO take notice of the underlying road situation on the day. Traffic around this area can be dire, if the traffic is free moving aim to get there around two and a half hours before departure.

BritishCaicos

I have to say I don't fly BA because of

A. BA
B. MAN terminal 3
C. Heathrow Terminal 5

Not a nice trio.

There again we love Delta (just because we love Georgia), most seem to hate them!

Iwan2go

Wow, thanks so much for your feedback. I had read some bad reviews of MAN, which is why I was asking. Maybe, back to the drawing board; we haven’t yet made a final decision. I’ll talk it over w/my husband.

BritishCaicos

Goodness no.

It is what it is.

An airport.

Some airports like Singapore which are a really positive experience, you actually want to spend time there.

Manchester is just another dehumanising experience like 75% of most airports but it's not worth changing your travel plans to avoid the the place. Just arrive, wait and fly.

Whathello

I actually like the italian restaurant in Manchester airport. Or liked. Was disappointed last time.
That is where I learned to pronounce water : 'Ah Er'

There is also a bookstore (WHsmith ?) where I can spend quite a lot of time - that is one of the places where I find most of my English books.

Easy shuttle to the rental parking.

I aim at being at airport anout one hour before flying time, but I travel with only a backpack.

As for traffic, I usually go towards Leeds and I now go the night before. I have experienced my worst traffic jams just THERE. Inc one time when I simply didn't arrive at my meeting and turned back, meeting would be over when I arrived... If I arrived.I had no waze app at the time.

Alec

I agree with BritishCaicos. Don't let the negative experiences of an airport by others make you modify your plans. Manchester is no worse than a lot of other airports, and does what it sets out to do: to put you on the right flight for your next destination, and does it reliably and without too much fuss.

Iwan2go

I was weighing the option of adding a night in Oxford (which we’ve only briefly visited) on the last night, then taking the bus directly to Heathrow from there.

As you say, though, it’s only an airport, we’ll weigh the time and costs of the two and decide. Thanks for the heads-up re: allowing for the journey time to Manchester, will keep that in mind if that’s the result.

BritishCaicos

Bakewell to Oxford isn't too painful as a journey.

Oxford has a dear place in my heart, just a magical place, The Old Bank hotel in the centre offers stylish rooms good food.

What would your potential timings be?

It's a really good idea.

I absolutely hate ending trips on a mundane note. We've spent many, many weeks during many trips to the marshes of South Carolina and the restaurants of Charleston. Mucking about, fishing, kayaking with dolphins, shelling, crabbing and the rest. Only then to sit for 8 hours in Newark waiting for a connecting flight, sit there wondering where it all went wrong.

Oxford is a wonderful idea.

Iwan2go

BC, you’re absolutely spot on!!! I also enjoy ending trips on a high note, and I was looking at the Old Bank Hotel, as well as the Vanbrugh (which looks like it’s within walking distance of the Heathrow bus, a plus). We stopped in Oxford for perhaps two hours, mostly spent in an amazing seven-floor bookstore, in 1989, and it looks so beautiful. I enjoy seeing the city on Masterpiece Mystery. I realize it’s another night, but it might still be worth it to us.

Timing - We’d probably taxi over to Chesterfield and catch the train, which has one connection in Birmingham. Looks like it’s about a 2:30 hour journey, which isn’t horrible, and would give us a weekday afternoon and the next morning in Oxford. The Heathrow flight is scheduled at 4:00 - I imagine we’d need to depart Oxford around 11:30? Does that sound right?

We’ve learned that the timing of the flight into LAX needs to be before 2:00pm, or after 7:00....just too much sitting in traffic to get back home, which is about 35 miles north of the airport. We are fortunate to have a FlyAway bus to take from the airport to the San Fernando Valley, so at least someone else is doing the driving on the 405 freeway! If you’ve had any experience of it, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Thank you again to everyone for your opinions, I appreciate it.

historytraveler

For some years now I have tried to end my trips in Oxford spending one or two nights and taking the bus to LHR. Very easy as buses leave about every twenty minutes and you can buy your tickets when you board. I always stay at the Randolph and it's less than a 5 minute walk to Gloucester Green where you catch the bus. For a 4:00 departure leaving Oxford at 11:30 gives you plenty of time.

BritishCaicos

Timings seem fine.

Go for it.

Of the two hotels, TOB is hip, slick and fashionable whilst the V is old school.

I'm approaching 50, an age when you may begin to lose hope.

Wandering round Oxford gives me hope for the future.

My one ambition left in life is to get my 12 year old son into Queens College, my wife's old haunt.

Whathello

I have been funerals of several kids aged 12 or under.
My ambitions now are to see them happy wherever they go. Just alive.
I am never going to lose that Hope.
But I am above 50 !!

BritishCaicos

Thank you.

That was abhorrent.