Manchester to Belfast Flights

  About Manchester

After London, Manchester is the second most important city in England. The city boasts a rich industrial history since the 18th century and continues to flourish as a textile fortitude. The city also hosts a good footfall of tourist crowd thanks to its association with the football club Manchester United as well as Manchester City. Aside from the same, the city also has a slew of museums that bring back ancient history. There are traditional museums as well as interactive ones that continue to engage the tourists.

Manchester enjoys a good population as well as a thriving food and drinks culture. The city is bombarded with lovely distilleries and food joints too, which further elevate a tourist's experience. Plus, it is well-connected with the rest of the UK. The city's charm comes from its lush green expanses, and even though the weather could be a little too cold, the experience of being in Manchester is worth all the frostbites.

Best time to visit Manchester

Manchester is its best between June to August, especially if you're planning a fun trip. Although Manchester is predominantly a cold city with barely good sunlight to keep people's spirits up. However, between June and August, when the city witnesses lovely sun's rays and summer heat, there is a vibrant vibe that envelopes the spirit of Manchester. In fact, even the city calendar is packed with intriguing events. Festivals such as Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, Parklife Festival, Manchester Pride, RHS Flower Festival are some of the fun events that take place. Many performers and musicians flock over to participate while the markets are erected to attract tourists. Although the temperatures are a decent 18 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it is pleasant and beautiful. Just make sure to carry an umbrella during your trip as the city might see some erratic showers amid summer. Since it is the peak season, it is highly recommended that you make your hotel reservations in advance. Booking a hotel in Manchester a few months before the peak season is the only way to gain some great deals.

It's easier to get flight tickets to Manchester for cheap too, provided you book a few months in advance. Another highlight of Manchester that should be mentioned is the football season that kicks off from August. If catching a match of your favourite (well, everybody's favourite), FC Manchester United is on your list of things to do, this is definitely a good time. Make sure that you have prior flight tickets to Manchester booked to avoid complications later. The months from September through December is also favourable in terms of the weather. Even though the fall is quite cold in Manchester, the fervour of football season that starts from September and continues through these months is enough to keep you fuelled. Plus, the city also honours its culture with festivals such as Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Manchester Literature Festival and of course, Manchester Christmas Markets.

Places to visit in Manchester

For a football fan, Manchester is like a haven, especially if you're a fan of either FC Manchester United or FC Manchester City. For United fans, at the Old Trafford, you'll find fervent fans sharing the same enthusiasm towards the team and their game. It will surely be the icing on the cake if you can watch a United match which you're at the stadium. As for City fans, the Etihad Stadium would give the same zealous vibe. The stadium is known to be one of the UK's biggest stadiums with a massive capacity of 55,000 seats for fervent spectators. From here, you will be thrilled to visit the National Football Museum, which is a six-storey glass structure that celebrates the sport and exhibits a plethora of collections from whatever has been retrieved. From trophies to exhibits on stadiums, there are many interesting collections that will marvel you. Once the football fanfare subsides, you might want to check out some of the other tourist attractions in Manchester. These include The Lowry (an amalgam of art gallery and theatre), Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery, People's History Museum, Museum of Transport, to name a few.

Things to do in Manchester

The first and foremost thing for you to do in Manchester after all the sightseeing would be to indulge in some brewery and distillery hopping. Manchester has a plethora of options where you can hang out and enjoy the food and liquor culture. Chinatown is the second-best place to be in to explore more in the said zone. You will be amazed by the lively atmosphere of the streets here. John Rylands Library is another amazing place where you can get lost amid books and documents. They are interesting and will keep you engaged with their compelling collection. A fun and satiating retail therapy at Afflecks is also something that would be of interest to you. You can also opt for a Manchester Hop-On bus tour to sightsee some more of the locales and interact with fellow tourists.

Food and Restaurants in Manchester

Manchester's food culture is quite thriving and something worth indulging in, when in the city. their food halls and market places are a trip that will pique your interest. In fact, you should head to Altrincham Market to get the best of food hall experiences. At Altrincham, you can find some amazing purveyors. You can further elevate your experience at the GRUB Food Fair where you will be blessed with some eccentric but astounding street food as well as craft beer. During your food excursion, do not miss out The Corn Exchange. The establishment basically holds multitudes of restaurants from around the world. The city also has lip-smacking Indian cuisine that you simply cannot miss. Manchester has a soft spot for Indian curry and delicacies and celebrates the same. Curry Mile is one such place where you will find the highest cluster of Asian restaurants. It is for being one of the only places in all of the United Kingdom to have so many Asian establishments concentrated in one spot.

Further in your food expedition, get yourself some lovely pints of beer at The Oakfield, located in Chester Zoo. You should also visit The Eagle Inn, situated in Salford, where they make delicious craft beer. It is close to the Victoria train station, so your transport after some drinks is also quite sorted. While these are basic bars and British pubs, for a posh experience, check out Cloud 23, located at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate. It has the city's coolest view as it sits on the 23rd floor of the Hilton hotel. The place offers appetizers and finger food that go well with alcohol. Manchester has nearly 30 breweries so you can imagine the number of places you need to check off your list to cover them. As an expansion to your brewery-hopping expedition, you can check out Dunham Massey Brewing Company and Martland Mill Brewery. For some British feels interspersed with international cuisine, head to The Laundrette Chorlton. As for some tasty steak, visit Dakota Bar and Grill. The city also has seafood kitchens that would add to your food experiences. The Hip Hop Chip Shop is one such place to serve the classic fish and chips with good beer.

How to reach Manchester (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Manchester from India is excellent with a lew of flights flying regularly. After London, Manchester is the second city in the UK that sees a high demand from India. Metropolitan Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore have regular flights to Manchester. Although usually, there are regular direct flights reaching Manchester from India, sometimes due to their unavailability, connecting flights are considered. There are connecting flights from London to Manchester, which is quite convenient. Many people tend to take direct flights to London, and from here, they opt for rental cars or other local transport. Manchester Airport has great connectivity to the city as there are express trains networking between the airport and the city. Aside from London, many also choose to fly to Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and take a taxi cab from there to reach Manchester. These methods are usually taken up by budget-travellers. Some of the airlines that fly from India to Manchester include British Airways, Thomas Chook Airlines, Condor and Thomson Airways.

These flights to Manchester usually take the popular air route via Europe to reach the city. Since that is the most viable option, plus comes with airports where you can acquire connecting flights. Cities such as Paris, Munich, Zurich, Dubai, etc., have flights connecting to Manchester or London. The accommodation options in Manchester are extravagant. If you do want to experience the fancy living, you should book your hotels in one of Manchester's swanky choices such as Crowne Plaza Hotel or The Edwardian Manchester, a Radisson Collection Hotel, to name a few. You will be overwhelmed and amazed by the exquisite rooms and their services. They don't come cheap though so booking hotels in Manchester way before the trip would be ideal.

  About Belfast

Belfast is a city in Northern Ireland that you must visit at least once in your life. Add the City to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Ireland. One of the major attractions in Belfast is the Titanic Studios where Game of Thrones was shot. The City is also known for its music festivals, art, lush greenery and the friendliest people in the world. No one parties harder than Irish people, and you will love every second of it. You will leave the City with a lot of friends in your phonebook. No matter what your budget is, you can book a hotel in Belfast that is luxurious, in your budget and fits all of your necessities. The City is also popular for its mighty mountains and a captivating view of the City from up top. You will also find stunning, breathtaking castles in the City. Belfast is also known for murals of the Peace Wall. You will want to extend your holiday by a few more days the moment you reach Belfast.

Best Time to Visit Belfast

Summer is considered as one of the best seasons to visit Belfast and is a high season here. It is every traveller's dream destination, especially in summer. The City experiences summer from April to June. Not only will you get to attend a lot of music festivals and events during this time, but it is also a great time to go pub crawling and make loads of friends. You can also attend the Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival in May that is quite popular here. You will come across a lot of maritime-themed restaurants, shows and activities in the City during this time. The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon also takes place in May and is the perfect activity for all sports and fitness enthusiasts. A lot of beer festivals and outdoor pub events also happen in summer, and being a part of those will only spruce up your vacation. Booking a hotel in Belfast during this time can be quite hectic if not done in advance. Please make sure you also book your flight tickets to Belfast well in advance since it is peak season and getting tickets at an affordable price at the last moment will be difficult.

July to October is autumn season in Geneva, and the heat becomes bearable for tourists. The number of tourists does drop, but the weather remains pleasant, making it yet another ideal time for tourists to head to Belfast. Since it is the onset of winter, the weather can get a tad chilly, so make sure you pack your jacket, too, to keep you warm in the evenings. Since it is not the high tourist season, you will get cheap flight tickets to Belfast in autumn. You will get a great deal on flights to Belfast and affordable accommodation, too. August has a lot of open-air festivals in store for you and the Inn Farmers' Market, too.

Winter sets in from November to February. January and February are the coldest months in Belfast, and it is not the best time to visit the City. Even though the City does not witness heavy snowfall, the temperature drops below 0 degree Celsius, and there is mild snowfall. However, if you are in the City during winter, you will love the Christmas and New Year celebrations here. The City is also adorned with fairy lights and decorations for the festive spirit. February to April is the spring season in Belfast, and it is a pleasant time to plan a holiday here. The City looks far more beautiful in spring, and you will love it here. Make sure you also attend the Belfast Film Festival in April if you are a movie buff. Make sure you also attend the Spring Fair and Flower Show. It is a great place to take your kids to, and you will also get to binge on some great food. Flight tickets to Belfast are comparatively cheaper since it is not tourist season yet. If you want to avoid crowds, spring and autumn are the ideal seasons to plan your trip to Belfast.

Places to Visit in Belfast

If you are visiting Belfast in summer, you must go for a stroll at Victoria Park. Starting your day with a morning walk at the park is the perfect start to a great day in Belfast. Cathedral Quarter is known as Belfast's mini village and is the perfect place to experience the City's tradition. From pubs and restaurants to the cobbled street walkways and a picturesque landscape, it makes for a perfect getaway. Grand Opera House is another popular tourist attraction here. You will find yourself admiring the Victorian-styles walls along with the performances. St Anne's Cathedral is one of the main reasons behind the inception of Cathedral Quarter's name. The cathedral was constructed in 1904, and the architecture is simply marvellous. Not only will you love the view from outside the cathedral but also from inside. Crumlin Road Gaol is a historical site and had once served as a jail. You can learn all about the history of the place, the prisoners it housed and what led to its closing.

The City Hall is located in the centre of Belfast, and you can go on a guided tour here. If you have sightseeing planned for the day, make sure you also add City Hall to it. City Hall is near Queen Victoria's statue and the Titanic Memorial site. If you are in the City with your family or want to get to know the City better, head over to the five-storeyed Ulster Museum. Titanic Belfast is one of the best attractions in the City and a highly recommended one, too. The City also has botanical gardens that you cannot miss if you love nature. Queen's University and Naughton Gallery is next to Botanic Gardens and is one of the most beautiful campuses in the United Kingdom. Victoria Square is yet another tourist spot that is quite popular here. Belfast Castle is another popular tourist in the City that you must visit.

Things to do in Belfast

You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the City, or you can explore the City on your own. Put on your fanciest outfit and head over to attend a performance at the Grand Opera House. You can either head to the opera house after dinner or go for dinner at the fanciest restaurants after catching a performance at the opera house. Put all of your photography skills to use at City Hall and the cathedrals in Belfast. The City is also known for its vibrant nightlife and going on a pub crawl is mandatory. The Irish are known for being the friendliest people, and they do know how to party. You can either try the traditional, older places in the City or head to the new clubs. Go on a hike at the Black Mountain, which is one of the most popular attractions here. You can head to Titanic Studios and take a tour of the place where Game of Thrones was shot. You can also sign up for a special Game of Thrones tour if you are a fan of the show.

Foods and Restaurants in Belfast

Not just pubs and bars but Belfast is also known for its cuisines and restaurants. Be it grilled steak, fresh seafood or a variety of vegetarian food, and you will find everything here. Molly's Yard is a popular place to try authentic Irish food. It is located near Queen's University and is almost always full. The food here is also quite affordable. Hadskis, in Cathedral Quarter, is a popular restaurant for delicious European and British delicacies. Head over to Belfast for its unique food cocktail menu. Make sure you try their fish soaked in gin. The restaurants here serve you fresh seafood, right out of the shores of Ireland. You can visit Coco for delicious salted caramel pudding and cocktail.

How to reach Belfast

Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport are the two airports that serve the City. The flight connectivity to Belfast from India is excellent. Aer Lingus, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways are some of the airlines that fly to and from Belfast quite frequently. However, there are no direct flights to Belfast. Layover at London or a change of flight from London is one of the popular routes to Belfast. If you book in advance, you will get cheap flight tickets to Belfast. If you are planning a multi-city tour of the United Kingdom, you can also reach Belfast by rail or road. It is well-connected to the other cities in Ireland and the UK, though reaching the City by air is the most preferred and convenient way to reach. If you want to experience the lush greenery and magnificent views through your journey, you can take a taxi or train from another city to get to Belfast. Travelling within the country is quite convenient.