Expert: Michael - 4/11/2009

Question
"Hello Michael,

             Basically I need to get from the Men Arena in Manchester to the London 02 in 1 day, I know there a train station next to the Men arena but can't seem to find out the locations it offers online. Aslo I've tried looking at coaches from Manchester Airport to London and then I can get a taxi but again I'm unsure as to whether which locations a coach will serve in Manchester to London (National express).



Please Michael any advice, see I'm travelling from birmingham to the men arena which is no problem but i really need to get to the 02 for the next night, so im in a bit of a pickle, so any help would be tremendously appreciated.

Answer
Hi Lee,

Thanks for your question, which I'll do my best to answer.
Firstly, although there is a rail station at the MEN Arena (Manchester Victoria), you are better off taking the short Metrolink tram journey from that station through to the main Manchester Picadilly for services direct to London Euston. Once you reach London, it is a short journey via the Northern and Jubilee Lines on the Underground to reach the O2 and North Greenwich. The rail journey to London is likely to take just over 2 hours, with 30-60 minutes added at each end for the tram/tube journeys.

Failing that, there are regular coach services from Manchester's central coach station to the Victoria coach station in London. These, though, are likely to take nearer to 5 or 6 hours, and still require connecting services at each end.

Of course, you haven't said whether you're planning to stay over in Manchester, or in London on the night between the two events, and that may affect your decision of journey type.

For your information, I have added some useful links about the respective services, including the Transport Direct website which will help you to plan door-to-door journeys nationally. I hope that they are of some use.

Regards
Michael

www.transportdirect.info
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.gobycoach.com
www.metrolink.co.uk
www.tfl.gov.uk/tube