https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/london-northwestern-railway-announces-direct-train-service-birmingham-manchester
https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/london-northwestern-railway-announces-direct-train-service-birmingham-manchester
From May 2027, families in the Midlands area will be able to take a direct train from Birmingham New Street direct to Manchester Airport, changing holiday planning options for 2027’s summer season. This connection will offer another airport transfer option for holidays to Disney World and Universal, Orlando.
London Northwestern Railway has confirmed that its new service will connect Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire directly with Manchester Airport, removing the need to change trains at Crewe, Wilmslow or in Manchester city centre.
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What’s The Significance For Disney World Holidays
An efficient and direct transfer option from Birmingham New Street station that connects Midlands areas with Manchester Airport, which is one of only three UK airports offering daily flights to Orlando is worth taking note of if you’re planning or have already booked a Disney World holiday from May 2027.
How does the new train route affect holiday planning? | A new direct transfer option to Manchester Airport from Midlands areas |
|---|---|
When does the Birmingham New Street to Manchester Airport route start? | The direct line opens in May 2027, and will call at 17 stations linking the Midlands, the Potteries and Manchester Airport. |
How frequent is the train? | The train is going to run hourly |
Is the train cheaper than driving and parking? | This is an unknown as ticket prices for the route have not yet been released, but it will depend on where you are parking and the length of your Disney World holiday |
How long is the journey vs driving? | Reports suggest that the train is going to take around 2 and a half hours, which |
Virgin Atlantic currently offer daily direct flights to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO) from Manchester Airport (MAN). It’s a route that looks set to continue, and for UK Disney World planners, this makes the new Birmingham direct train transfer option more interesting, as it opens up another transfer option to consider when choosing which UK airport to fly from.
As part of celebrating 30 years of offering direct flights to Orlando from Manchester Airport, Virgin Atlantic confirmed that they intend to grow and improve the service further. They said:
"The carrier also plans to increase capacity for Winter 2026 by upgauging Orlando services to its A350-1000 aircraft, with further increases expected to follow for Summer 2027."
What’s The New Train Route Connecting Birmingham & Manchester Airport?
Calling at a total of 17 stations the new route will provide people in the following areas a direct train link with Manchester airport:
Birmingham New Street,
Tame Bridge Parkway,
Darlaston,
Willenhall,
Wolverhampton,
Stafford,
Stone,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Longport,
Kidsgrove,
Alsager,
Crewe,
Sandbach,
Holmes Chapel,
Wilmslow,
Styal
Manchester Airport.
The service will begin operation in two phases. The first phase starts on 13th December 2026, when the existing Crewe-Stoke-on-Trent-Stafford service is extended south to Birmingham New Street.The airport extension is the second phase and is scheduled to begin in May 2027, when trains continue beyond Crewe through Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Wilmslow and Styal to Manchester Airport.
Speaking about the impact this connection has for holidaymakers heading out on long-haul routes, such as to Disney World and Orlando, Chris Woodroofe, managing director at Manchester Airport, said:
"This new service is great news for them, but also for long-haul travellers from the region who might currently fly indirectly from other airports, or face a long journey to the South East."
Does This Connection Affect Disney World Travel Planning?
To an extent, yes it does. There are no direct daily flights from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Disney World, so people currently on this train route have the option of fling from Manchester Airport, London Heathrow or London Gatwick for a direct Orlando flight depending on what time of year you’re travelling. With jet lag something to consider on the rout home, airport transfer options have been limited to driving or a taxi, UBER or Lyft. This adds another direct option, that’s regular.
While pricing is yet to be released, a train may well be a good transfer option for families heading down the night before, or for anyone travelling light. If you have a lot of luggage this option could be a bit too much for manoeuvring two cases each, bags and a pushchair for example.
Magic In A Minute
A new airport transfer option to Manchester Airport has been announced by London Northwestern Railway, to begin in 2027. Holidaymakers based in the Midlands and the Potteries planning Disney World holidays for summer 2027 have a new way of getting to Manchester Airport to consider when working out UK airport transfers.