TransPennine Express have been improving, which for a train company is rare, hence the need for an…read moreupgraded rating. The improvement of their fleet has been the highlight for me, not only do the Nova trains look better, they're much more comfortable too. I've travelled with most train operators in the UK, and the interior has probably the sleekest, most modern look/feel, and the comfiest seats too, as well as AC and USB charging. Services do seem to be improving with time-keeping on main routes, although it isn't perfect I've not had to do a delay repay claim for a good amount of time. I do find their call centre to be a little harder to get through due to the un-pausable hold message, this should hopefully be worked on. Train Prices do seem to be consistent, and there has been huge cuts to their timetable with trains not as frequent, with prices also seeming to go up slightly, I don't think that's too good. Most of the staff on board seem friendly and happy to help, something I find common when travelling with TPExpress, Northern and also Avanti, the latter who is also partially owned by First Group who own Transpennine Express. It is a shame to see some of the older train units which I find in some cases to be worse than Northern, to still be running on certain routes, I originally thought this was down to the platform sizes at certain stations but as they can and previously have just used the first few carriages on other routes, this can't be the case, regardless I hope they can sort something out soon. 4* - Finally comfortable trains on a good portion of TPExpress routes, especially on the Manchester - Liverpool route which is one of the routes I use the most.

We chose to do first class when we went from Manchester to Portsmouth. That was a really good…read moredecision because we were able to have our luggage in a safe place and we were able to dine on a nice little breakfast and drinks.

I've had many good experiences of Trailfinders over the years. However, with the popularity of…read morebooking flights directly over the internet I feel they are losing their way somewhat. They need to offer something more. Maybe I was served by the wrong person but the passion or enthusiasm and love of travel was just lacking. On a positive note, they don't charge any extra for credit card payments which is unusual nowadays.

This is a brilliant travel option. Especially good if you are planning a travelling trip, ie a…read more"round the world" trip etc. Many different independant travel companies are available and all branches have many different brochures to look through. The staff are very helpful and friendly and have undergone specialist training in this area.

With the rise of internet bookings and cheap flights (which may soon be curtailed what with the…read moretalk of per-plane tax) there seems less and less use for a physical Thomson holiday presence on the high street. Honestly though, it would be sad to see it go. All of my early holidays independent from my parents were booked here; Tenereek, Megaruf, Megaruf again (we enjoyed it so much). The staff were patient and helpful, explaining to us in the most friendly way that most hotels would probably not be willing to take a booking of fifteen eighteen year-olds and that it might limit where we could actually go. On the first occasion the assistant even argued (albeit in the same friendly manner) with the hotel bookings department to allow the holiday to go through. She was honest too, about the sort of accommodation we would be getting - it wasn't exactly tripadvisor but she did warn us that she knew it was a little basic. The internet is a fantastic tool, if you know what you're searching for, but often if you want a selection of possible options then it can be best to talk to an actual person in an actual shop which is exactly why Thomson Formby is so good.

FREE!! City centre bus service, that runs on 3 lines: 1…read moreorange every 5 mins, 2 green every 10 mins and 3 purple every 10 mins (no sunday service), that service most of the NCP car parks and All the train stations linking them up with shops and hotels, Great for tourists, city dwellers, and workers who have to cram a lot into an hour lunchbreak! They run from 7-7 Mon-Sat and 10-6 on Sunday. A great way to get across town fast and cheap, especially if you're wearing heels! There's lots of stops on each route too.

I don't know how I'd get by without metro shuttle! In fact, I will soon be living in Salford, just…read more10-mins walk away from Deansgate, and my heart already aches at the thought that I will no longer have to catch no. 1 that used to take me almost straight to my house. With buses and trams often running behind their schedule, a metro shuttle is a refreshing and almost always reliable alternative. No. 1 that connects the city centre with Piccadilly train station has recently been running well past 9pm, and since it is free it provides a quick and easy ride across town in the evening. To give you an idea about the routes, no. 1 runs from Piccadilly Train Station down King St into Deansgate and back to Piccadilly. No. 2 connects Shudehill via Victoria Train Station with Castlefield and Deansgate. And no. 3 runs from Piccadilly Train Station down Portland St into Quay St and Chapel St, before going down Princess St and Whitworth St back to Piccadilly. In other cities - Liverpool, Leeds, to name a few - they also recently began to operate free city centre buses. They often connect different parts of town, as well as bus stops, metrolink stops, and train stations. You can hop on and off this bus, and the best part is that you don't pay a penny!

Cheaper than using a car But with some minor faults. There's…read moreis a certain driver (i think she's polish) who must hate her job because I've not once seen her smile. She's always grumpy and in a rush. Also the people who smoke sometimes get told they can't get off the coach. If, like me, you are travelling from Manchester to Exeter, which takes roughly 7 hours (sometimes a lot longer) it would be nice to get off the coach for a few minutes for a cigarette without getting dirty looks for the driver.

MEGABUS - A Real Review…read more AVOID THIS SHAM OF A COMPANY AT ALL COSTS! They have no concept of customer service whatsoever. I recently got a bus to london - it was 50 mins so i missed connecting trains, had to get a taxi then on ym return journey they made my spend £25 on another ticket because I was late When they're late its totally fine - when im late i have to give money to them! One sided, shortsighted and idiotic. I have asked their so called customer services for the address of their head office twice and they refuse to give it. Try talking to them about your concerns and they spurt out prewritten scripts like robots without applying their brains, using common sense or even attempting to understand the trouble you went through. ****NEVER EVER AGAIN - AVOID MEGABUS AT ALL COSTS****

I have used Liverbird Travel to transport me between Manchester Airport and Liverpool hotels: they…read moreare always very professional and personable. Even on short notice they have always been able to accommodate me. Here is what I found most impressive: when they drop me off at MAN, they retrieve a cart (for the cost of pound) and load the luggage onto it for me! I'm a perfectly able man but they insist on providing the best service.

I think it was ok. Not like Manchester airport though but I think it's decent so I would recommendread more

One piece of advice when flying out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL): If you're hungry, don't…read moremake a dining decision until you go past the Duty Free shops. The ride from the heart of downtown Liverpool is quickest by car (25 min ... not the long slog of London's Gatwick and Heathrow.) I love the entryway ... it's easy to make your way in without the usual bustle around an airport. Liverpool does a much better job selling its favorite sons (The Beatles) than back the first time I was here in the 80s, and LPL is no exception. While the wife was buying booze in Duty Free, I spent just as much time and money in the "With Love from Liverpool", Beatles gift shop. Don't forget to check out the statue of John Lennon in the airport (called "Above Us Only Sky" on the Lower Level), as well as the Yellow Submarine out front (like you can miss it!). So, back to eating. Our first time at LPL, we're starving. We see a sign for Frankie and Benny's. Being American, we've never heard of it, looks like a great family restaurant. Well, cut to an hour later, and the worst Caesar Salads ever in our recent past, we get past the Duty Free, go down an escalator, and see (for the first time), The Estuary Bar & Grill, The Kissing Gate, Caffè Ritazza, The Beer House, a Starbucks, and even a Subway. ARGH! So yeah, power through the Duty Free (you have to go through hit to get to the terminals) for better dining options. Hey LPL: Make more clear signage about the restaurants you have!!!

Awful, inexperienced staff and lack of staff, wrong information on screens, coaches never time…read more(arrive 2 hours early and be prepared to arrive at destionation 2 hours late) it would be easier and quicker to jump on a plane from manchester airport and fly 30 mins down the road. DO NOT RECOMMEND

Over the past few weekends I have used National Express. I have nothing but praise for them, the…read moredrivers are fantastic and the coaches immaculate and always on time. Booking online is easy and the prices work out a lot cheaper than the train. As an OAP I bought a coachcard which gives a generous discount, it cost £10 for the year but I saved that on the first return journey.