Manchester travel May bank holiday weekend: best & worst times for motorways, trains, buses & airport

The RAC has estimated when traffic will be busiest - plus the changes you need to know on bus, train and tram timetables this weekend (30 April - 2 May)
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Bank Holiday Monday is expected to be the busiest time for travel on the roads network over the long weekend, a motoring organisation says.

The RAC estimates that this weekend will be less hectic than the recent Easter bank holiday weekend, due to the short two-week gap between the two public holidays - and the rising cost of fuel.

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However, 3.3million day trips are predicted on the roads on Monday (2 May), with the AA predicting many journeys will be made to the seaside, rather than long distance trips.

TFGM has reminded people that traffic and trams will be busy in the Trafford area on Monday evening as Manchester United take on Brentford at Old Trafford at 8pm.

There will be major disruption on TransPennine Express trains this bank holiday weekend.There will be major disruption on TransPennine Express trains this bank holiday weekend.
There will be major disruption on TransPennine Express trains this bank holiday weekend.

Those hoping to get away this weekend on trains have been warned of a Transpennine Express strike affecting services on Saturday and Sunday in an ongoing pay row - meaning TPE will only run a small number of services. People have been advised to only make essential travel: for full details of affected routes see here.

Northern has also warned of railworks this weekend on parts of its routes in Greater Manchester which will see rail replacement buses introduced on some services: for full details see here. Northern predicts its services will be busier than normal throughout the weekend.

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Passengers planning journeys between London Euston and Scotland are advised to travel either side of the long weekend due to more railworks affecting the West Coast mainline, which mean no trains between London and Milton Keynes.

Meanwhile, airports are expected to be busy, with long queues seen again at Manchester Airport on Friday (29 April) as more people jet off for the long weekend. You can see our comprehensive guide to latest queues and how to get through the airport more smoothly here.

Are there changes to bus and tram timetables in Manchester on May Bank Holiday?

Stagecoach and First NW run a Sunday service on Bank Holiday Monday which generally means a reduction in the normal number of services you would expect on a weekday. You are advising to check timetables before heading off.

Metrolink will operate a Sunday tram timetable, from 7am to midnight with a 12-minute frequency, on Bank Holiday Monday.

Tram times can be checked in advance on the TFGM website.