Cheap trains to Blackpool

Trains to Blackpool

The seaside town of Blackpool is one of the most popular summer destinations in the UK. Located in the country of Lancashire you can find plenty of attractions and landmarks there including several piers. Due to its popularity as a tourist destination you can get direct and connecting trains to Blackpool from several major UK cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool and York via Avanti West Coast and Northern. These two main operators of intercity rail service also provide commuter and suburban rail transport to Blackpool from locations across northeast and northwest England via the Blackpool Branch Lines. Blackpool is served by three main stations: Blackpool North Station, Blackpool South Station and Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station.

Trains to Blackpool: Overview

As a popular tourist destination in the UK, travelling to Blackpool by train is simple. Despite its location on the north-west coastline, Blackpool can be reached. There are in-direct trains to Blackpool available from all corners of the UK.

Highlights of the famous British seaside resort include the Pleasure Beach amusement park, Blackpool Tower Skywalk and the city's famous Illuminations. The latter runs for 66 days from August to November and are a must-see attraction if you are in town during this time. Blackpool also offers an opportunity to see life-like wax statues of your favourite celebrities at the Madame Tussauds museum. Circuses, magic shows, stand-up comedy, zoos, and magnificent sunsets over the promenade are amongst the plethora of attractions here.

Avanti West Coast trains to Blackpool

Avanti West Coast took over the railway portfolio formerly held by Virgin Trains in 2019 and operates direct and in-direct rail service from its terminal at London Euston Station destined to Blackpool daily with some trains having to switch at Preston before continuing on. If you travel by train to Blackpool from Central London you can get at least one train per hour from London Euston station Monday to Friday calling at Blackpool North, Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach stations with the earliest departures during the 5:00 a.m. and the last train departing London Euston Station around 11:30 p.m, including weekends and holidays.

You should be advised that almost all of the departures from London Euston to Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach will involve transfers at Preston enroute to their destinations. The average journey time on Avanti West Coast trains to Blackpool will vary according to station but you should expect the trip to take about 3h 15min on average.

Northern trains to Blackpool

Northern Trains replaced Arriva Rail North as one of the main providers of intercity rail service to Northern England in 2020 and therefore provides the bulk of the trains from cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and York calling at Blackpool North, Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach stations. You can get direct service from Manchester or in-direct service with transfers at Preston (via the Blackpool Branch Line) while trains from Liverpool can be direct, involving one transfer at Preston or an additional one at Wigan North West.

Northern service from Leeds along the East Coast Main Line offer direct trains as well as transfers at Leeds before journeying on to Blackpool. The earliest departures from these cities occur during the 5:00 a.m. hour and the last during the 11 p.m. hour except for Leeds whose last departure is around 9:30 p.m. Average journey time from Manchester to Blackpool is about 1h 30min and the average trip from Liverpool takes about 1h 45min while the average journey from Leeds takes about 2h 40min to Blackpool.

Blackpool Tram Heritage. Source: Shutterstock

Main train stations in Blackpool

Blackpool North Station is the main railway station serving the town of Blackpool and is situated about 1.1 miles (1.7 km) from Blackpool town centre. If you travel to Blackpool by train you should know that this station has limited facilities to offer beyond a ticket office with vending machines, WC (with baby changing facilities for families with infants/toddlers), refreshment facilities and public phones. Blackpool North Station is accessible to disabled passengers and while the ticket office is open there is staff on hand to provide assistance or wheelchairs if necessary. Ticket office hours at this location are Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 6:40 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Blackpool South Station is located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from Blackpool town centre and is the closest of the three main railway stations serving the town. If Blackpool South Station is your destination then you should know that this location has very limited facilities to offer.There is no ticket office so outbound passengers will have to purchase tickets from the vending machine onsite since e-tickets may not be permissible on this route. There are no available WC facilities either so time your arrival there to coincide with the next arriving station to use the facilities onboard if necessary. Blackpool South Station is accessible to disabled passengers but the lack of staffing at this location means that additional assistance is not possible.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station is the farthest of the three main rail stations in Blackpool from the town centre, a distance of about 1.7 miles (2.7 km). Passengers using Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station should know that this location also has very limited facilities onsite. There is no ticket office so you’ll have to use the vending machine onsite unless you have a return ticket in hand and be advised that electronic tickets may not be permissible at this station. The statin also lacks WC facilities so you’ll have to wait for the next arriving train to use those onboard. This station is accessible to disabled passengers the lack of staff means that additional assistance is unavailable.

Onboard facilities

You can carry two luggage cases and one personal bag on Avanti West Coast which can be stored in overhead racks and or luggage compartment or under your seat. Two pets are allowed per passenger provided the animals are transported in carriers and dogs are leaded at all times with exceptions for assistance and service animals which travel free from restrictions by law. You can store a folding bike in the overhead racks but there is limited space for full bicycles so reserve a space at the time you make your ticket purchase. Avanti West Coast trains provide an at-seat ordering service where you can buy food and refreshments without having to leave your seat when you feel like enjoying some refreshments.

Avanti West Coast trains are accessible to disabled passengers providing priority seating and storage space for mobility equipment if required and Wi-Fi service is free to all passengers onboard. You are allowed the usual amount of luggage onboard Northern trains which is two cases and one carry bag which can be stored under your seat, in the overhead racks or in the train’s luggage compartments. Each passenger is allowed to carry two small pets but dogs must be attached to a lead at all times and all pets must be stored in carriers.

Exceptions only apply to assistance and service animals which can travel without restrictions. to carry your bike you’ll have to reserve space when buying your tickets but this is on a first come, first serve basis due to limited facilities onboard however folding bikes can be stored in luggage compartments or overhead racks if fully covered. Complimentary Wi-Fi service is only available on selected trains as is catering services so it’s not a bad idea to travel with your own food, beverages and entertainment to make your journey more comfortable.

Train tickets to Blackpool: useful to know

There are only Standard and First Class fares on Avanti West Coast trains. Standard tickets include Advance, Off-peak ticket and Anytime classes where Advance tickets are considered non-refundable, Off-Peak tickets are self-explanatory and Anytime tickets allow for greater freedom and is generally the most popular option. while First Class holders enjoy premium benefits such as superior seating and priority boarding. Avanti West Coast offers discounts on fares when you purchase your tickets online and you can usually find special offers for groups (Family and Friends plan), senior citizens, students and children under a certain age. You should be aware that conditions and terms apply to tickets with respect to cancellations, refunds and changes so review them before selecting your final option.

It is also recommended that you travel with a hardcopy of your ticket since e-tickets may not be allowed on all trains and be able to produce a valid form of ID if necessary. On Omio buying train tickets to London is fast and easy and can be stored in your Omio account. Northern offers its customers the choice of Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime tickets as standard options but also provides special fares such as Save on the Day, Duo and Rangers and Rovers which add some flexibility to your travel needs and Season tickets for frequent travellers like commuters. Each ticket carries varying terms and conditions regarding refunds, changes and cancellations so be sure which type is best before purchasing.

You can save money on ticket prices by buying them online and if you are a senior citizen, student, child, group or disabled person Northern usually has special offers which can lower prices even further. Northern allows the use of e-tickets on some but not all of their train service so it’s not a bad idea to have a printed copy with you as well as one form of valid ID in case it is requested by railway staff. On Omio buying train tickets to Blackpool is fast and easy and can be stored in your Omio account.

Blackpool Tower Aerial. Source: Shutterstock

To Blackpool by train: travel tips

Blackpool offers more than just beaches and when you’re ready to explore this town you can discover many of the distinctive features that make it a popular UK destination. Undoubtedly, iconic Blackpool Tower at 518 ft (158 m) rises head and shoulders above other places of interest, both literally and figuratively and allow with Blackpool Eye provide some of the most panoramic and dramatic views of the Irish Sea and inlands areas anywhere in the northeast of England.

If you’re on holiday with the family Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Adventure Golf should provide thrills and excitement for all, young or old while Heritage Tram Tours is a great way to experience parts historic parts of this large town from street level. Blackpool has an excellent public transportation system befitting a destination of its type. Besides Blackpool Transport operates the bus and tram systems which can get you around to most of the town attractions and places of interest including the beach and if you buy a PlusBus card you have unlimited bus and train access to go as you please.

The seaside of Blackpool is famous in and of itself but so too are many of the piers which ring this part of the Lancashire coastline. You can start from Central Pier and its Big wheel and Fun Fair attractions and head off in either direction. North Pier built in 1863 is the oldest of them all and you can still catch a show at North Pier Theatre (Joe Longthorne Theatre) if the mood strikes while a visit to South Pier puts you in the front seat for some of the best rides in town like SkyScreamer and Crazy Coaster. The distance from North Pier to South Pier is known as the Golden Mile but is actually about 1.6 miles (2.5 km) and you can enjoy the walk from end to end or hop on the tram and save some time. The great thing about Blackpool’s piers is that you don’t have to travel far for food, entertainment or amazing sights to see.

Most popular trains connections to Blackpool

Trains to Blackpool from London	Train time: 3h17	from £45.00
Trains to Blackpool from Edinburgh	Train time: 3h35	from £18.00
Trains to Blackpool from Birmingham	Train time: 2h35	from £10.50
Trains to Blackpool from Bristol	Train time: 4h17	from £40.30
Trains to Blackpool from Leeds	Train time: 2h45	from £11.50
Trains to Blackpool from Liverpool	Train time: 1h21	from £9.00
Trains to Blackpool from Manchester	Train time: 1h59	from £5.90
Trains to Blackpool from Newcastle	Train time: 4h23	from £73.70

Trains to Blackpool - FAQs

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