Great Ticket Savings on the Mid Cheshire Line
There are some great rail ticket saving to be made if you book the right ticket when travelling on or to The Mid Cheshire Line.
Off-Peak Day Returns
Off-Peak Day Returns are valid for outward and return journeys starting after 0900 between any two stations on the Line from Monday to Friday and at all times on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
Note for journeys which start and finish between Hale and Manchester Piccadilly (inclusive) they are only valid for journeys which start between 09:30 and 16:00 (inclusive) or after 18:29.
For off-peak travel, if your journey involves changing trains or to or from a tram:
The conditions for off-peak travel treat a journey as one not requiring a change.
If you have to change to reach your destination, that is two or more journeys, each journey will have to meet the requirements for off-peak travel for its particular route and operating company.
Note there is no restriction to off-peak travel after 1600 on Metrolink
Northern DUOs
Northern DUOs are return fares for two people travelling together. They are available between any two stations on the Line for journeys starting after 0900 from Monday to Friday and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays except that:
– they are not available for journeys, which start and finish between Hale and Manchester Piccadilly (inclusive).
– they are not available on Saturdays and Sundays in December
– on Mondays to Fridays (except Bank Holidays) DUO return journeys from Manchester, Stockport, Navigation Road, Altrincham or Hale must start by 16:00 or after 17:59.
The price of a DUO is equivalent to a 25% discount off the normal Off Peak Day Return. No Railcard discounts are available on DUOs.
Child fares
Child fares (for children aged 5-15) are generally 50% of adult fares.
Railcards
Railcard fares are generally 2/3 of adult fares (ie 34% off).
Visit the National Rail Railcard website for full details of eligibility and validity.
All Railcards are not valid for through bookings to Metrolink
Senior, Disabled and Family Railcards – Railcard fares apply at all times except that there are peak time restrictions in South East England
Two Together Railcards fares apply after 0930 from Monday to Friday and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
16-25 Railcards and Forces Railcards fares apply: (1) after 10:00 from Monday to Friday; (2) for tickets costing more than £12 at all times; (3) all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays and in July and August.
Railcard and child discounts do not apply to DUOs.
Note residents of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council can buy Senior Railcards and Disabled Railcards at a discount.
Greater Manchester Wayfarer
If you are travelling onto the Mid Cheshire Line from the Greater Manchester Wayfarer area and and your journey on the Mid Cheshire Line is between Manchester and Northwich, this ticket may be for you.
Check this map to see if you are in the Wayfarer area. It stretches to Parbold, Chorley, Darwen, Bury, Rochdale, Littleborough, Greenfield, Warrington, Northwich, Holmes Chapel, Macclesfield, Buxton, Grindleford, Hadfield and Glossop.
So if you wish to travel from Grindleford to Northwich to visit the Anderton Boat Lift, it can cost as little as £8 if you have a concessionary travel pass.
The Wayfarer lets you travel for a whole day by bus at any time and by train and tram after 9.30am weekdays and anytime Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
The current prices of the Wayfarer are:
Group £26 – Up to 2 adults and 2 children. Children must be aged under 16. Proof of age may be required.
Adult £13
Concession £8 – For holders of ENCTS (English National Concessionary Travel Passes for older or disabled people).
Child £6.50 – For any children aged 5-15 years (inclusive) Proof of age may be required.
Click here for more information
Travelling on the Manchester Metrolink
If you are travelling on the Manchester Metrolink, there are some great saving to be made by purchasing the correct Travelcard.
A Metrolink Travelcard allows you unlimited travel on the Metrolink.
A Peak Day Travelcard, which allow you to travel before 9.30am on Mondays to Fridays, costs £7 for an Adult and £2.50 for a child.
A Off-Peak Travelcard, which you can use after 9.30am on Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays costs £5 for an Adult, £2 for a child £6 for a family costs £6.20 and extends to two adults and three children.
Remember, if you are travelling from stations from Northwich into Manchester, the Wayfarer ticket covers travel on the Manchester Metro.
Further Information
For further information on fares or timetable enquiries please contact the:
Northern Rail Customer Experience Centre on 0800 200 6060.
This centre is open 24 hours a day on days that Northern trains are running.
For further information on the Manchester Metrolink please contact their:
Customer Services Centre on 0161 205 2000.
This centre is open 0600 – 2300 Monday to Thursday, 0600 – 0000 Friday and Saturday and 0700 – 2200 Sunday and Bank Holidays.
