By train
The North West benefits from a good network of commuter and rural trains, most trains within the region are operated by [www.northernrail.org Northern Rail]. While trains are not as quick as those seen in Europe, they are normally quicker than travelling by car, and some lines are quite scenic especially outside urban areas. If you intend on travelling around the region, then a North West Rail Ranger offering unlimited travel within the region costing either £54.00 for four days travel in any eight or £66.00 for a week is worthwhile.
By car
The North West is a small area and is easy to get around by car. It takes around three hours to travel from North to South and about two hours to travel East to West. There is a dense network of motorways and dual carriageway roads. However certain parts of the area are very densley populated, so traffic congestion is a common occurrance, especially between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm. Also, as with everywhere else, the motorway frequently undergoes works, and accidents are an almost daily occurrance, so motorway can suffer congestion at any time.
By bus
Bus services are useful in rural areas where trains do not run, and for short journeys. They are cheap especially if "day tickets" are bought which allow travel all day in an area. There is also a place for buses within the major cities, as buses are fairly frequent. Bus travel can be slow owing to frequent stops and traffic congestion. Long distance coach services are infrequent in the North West apart from on the Liverpool-Manchester-Leeds route.