Car Service from Manchester Airport to Llandudno

My suggestion is to just take the train, there are direct trains between Manchester airport and Llandudno.

We recently traveled by train Manchester to LLandudno — starting in the center city at Manchester Piccadilly rather than the airport, but those trains do normally call at the airport before passing through the city. The service is good, direct hourly or so, takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We didn’t take it the other way as we continued on to London. However, I think you are smart to be looking into a car service for this as an option that would likely be faster and could be comparable in price for three, although I don’t know more about that. Especially for the return trip as I think it would be difficult to get to MAN by train from Llandudno with a comfortable time margin for a noon flight without coming the previous night.

Something else to include in time calculations if taking the train is that it is a 10-15 minute walk between MAN terminals and train station.

Plus getting to and from Llandudno station from wherever you are staying there. Llandudno is not a big town and the station is pretty central, but about a 10-15 minute walk from there to the north end of the seaside promenade by the pier. (where we stayed).

Check train costs for 3 against the cost and travel time of a taxi:

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/getting-to-and-from/by-taxi/

Given an 1155 departure that means an 0855 check in if it's a transatlantic flight.

Whatever means of transport you use it is questionable to be starting 2 hours away from any airport, Manchester or Anytown for such an early check in. Yes the drive should be 2 hours or less but what happens if there is an incident or closure on the motorway at a time of the morning when traffic into Manchester is building to the morning peak?
Every other road in that gets very congested very fast and it all becomes very, very slow. Assuming the taxi isn't trapped on the motorway between exits.

As it happens there is an 0550 train from Llandudno Junction (a 3 mile taxi ride away), arrives Manchester Airport 0812. But again with that you are hostage to good fortune.

However you get there a more prudent plan IMO would be to go across the previous evening and stay overnight at the airport.

EDIT- If this is VS109 to Atlanta the airport website says to be checked in and at security by 0955

My initial thought was to take the train. It is direct to Llandudno Junction which is just outside the town. The cost varies between £55-£100 for three, and takes over 2 hours.
Picking a taxi company in North Wales I can see prices starting around £115 and taking around 1.5 hours door to door, so it may be better to do that.
Random site is https://airporttransfersconwy.co.uk/
Best to pick a North Wales company as they may have just dropped off and would welcome the return trip to be occupied.
Things to bear in mind are that Llandudno station is in the centre of town and not served by direct intercity trains, although Llandudno Junction station is and there are frequent and easy links beween the two.
You pay more for flexibility with the trains which can be a problem especially with incoming flights.
Check trains here www.nationalrail.co.uk

Thank you so much-I will look into the car service and see the cost--update: the airline changed my 11:55 flight, so we are now departing at 14:15, gives a little breathing room! We will still be leaving early that morning, but hopefully avoiding any issues with checking in.

that should be easier

Given the later time, are you still minded to go for the car?

The comment above that Llandudno station is not served by direct trains is incorrect. Last month we took a train from Manchester direct to Llandudno. It made a brief stop at Llandudno Junction but there was no need to change there. And it certainly wasn’t the only direct service to Llandudno that day. But I think it’s true that some trains pass on to the west after Llandudno Junction which would require a change, so that’s something to watch out for when booking. Similarly, when leaving Llandudno we had a direct train to Chester (continuing on to Manchester) and changed there for London.

I am looking at all options now--especially if the cost of a car is a great deal higher than the trains. My only worry with the trains is the luggage, and the safety of the luggage. My daughter has high anxiety and worries about things like this.

I am looking at all options now--especially if the cost of a car is a great deal higher than the trains. My only worry with the trains is the luggage, and the safety of the luggage. My daughter has high anxiety and worries about things like this.

With 3 adults, you should not have any problem getting luggage on and off the train. There are luggage racks in each train car and you can see your luggage from your seat (might need to stand up, turn around). I have ridden trains all over the UK and never had any problem with luggage.

The reason for 1st class is that some of the three change 32 minutes past the hour connections have you changing to Avanti at Chester, who convey first class and there is just time for a meal service. I've had both Avanti and LNER meals in 50 minutes.
Probably still not worth the uplift in price.
The third change is at Llandudno junction.

You can only buy 1st class tickets on those relevant connections.

However you would normally take the direct train at 25 minutes past the hour, unless you had arrived in the intervening 7 minutes. The 32 minutes past is headed for Liverpool. You then change at Earlestown onto a Leeds to Chester train.

Note that on the 3 car variant of their new trains Transport for Wales have a pseudo first class, called Standard plus. It is a 25% uplift, paid on train, on a standard class ticket.
I've seen it and used it when it was declassified on a Chester to Liverpool via Runcorn run in April.
On a long haul from say West Wales to Crewe I might think of paying the upgrade.
I suppose if it is on your train and the train is very busy, it just might possibly be worth the on board upgrade for more room. No other perks though.
On departure boards it shows as 1st class, even if it's a very weak version.

This morning the 25 minute past the hour direct trains all have Advance fares. So at 0655 the 0725 has £30.30 Advance Fares per person. Coming back you could book further ahead and probably get cheaper Advance Fares, if you opted for the train.

Add on a Llandudno plus bus ticket for £3 each for all buses in Llandudno and Conwy that day.

I checked out the car service link and was quoted 250 for there and back, but I'm not totally understanding how it works (pay cash upon arriving to Wales-do they really come get you the following week??) Trains sound most economical and probably least worrisome as far as traffic. So, is it suggested I prebuy the tickets, or just wait until we arrive, buy the tickets that day (and then prebook the return trip?)
I appreciate all the information!

If using the train I would buy on the day outbound, and as far ahead of time (up to 8 weeks for TfW) on the way back.
For the car service I can't imagine you would pay in cash. You would either pay in advance or the driver would have a hand held card reader. You would have to ask them if you pay each leg at the end of the journey, or pre pay and trust them to turn up.
£250 for a return journey, of 74 miles each way sounds super competitive to me.
That is where using a Llandudno car company is best. If they fail to turn up you can go knock on their door or call them, but also vitally they have a vested interest in maintaining their reputation. Bad news spreads like wildfire in a small town.

Just had a look at the Northern Rail app (you can book on any train operating company for any trains), turning up at the airport station now and buying 3 Single tickets to Llandudno Junction, I can buy direct train tickets for £90-99 in total.
Booking Advance tickets I can see the 0733 wednesday morning train requiring a change costs £136. The next train 20 later is direct and costs £74 but gets to the airport at 1015 which is too late for your check in. Personally, I would be looking at booking an Advance train the day before for £74 and staying in a Manchester hotel or one at the airport. It would be good to explore Manchester for a few hours.
There is another way to save a few pounds. Two of you could buy a Two Together Railcard, that would give 33% discount on off peak fares. It would cost £35 but if you spend more than £105 for two of you, you are in pocket. The savings on this trip would be marginal though if any.

Ever single direct train Manchester Airport to Llandudno yesterday and today has had Advance Singles in the £25 to £35 range, depending on the train, available to purchase until 5 minutes before train departure.
It has been impossible to pay £45 per person on the direct services.
The cut off time depends on the company, but TfW are 5 minutes.
These may have been two abnormal days, or possibly not.