Getting from Chester to Manchester Airport Hotel on Saturday

You can use this webiste to look at train times and tickets

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Some trains are direct, others require a change

I think most folk will find your post - but you posted it in Wales and your entire trip will be in England.

That said, the TfW Transport for Wales fares tend to run less expensive than other companies. Perfectly reasonable trains.

Try to avoid a change at Crewe - a station that can be a bit confusing and the stairs are steep and old fashioned.

the 13:52 and 14:52 are both direct, no changes, Transport for Wales, an cheapest - from £10.70 pp (not counting any Railcard you may have)

Note that Chester station will be busy due to the Chester (horse) Races.

Nigel, have been in Wales for 2 weeks and still am so hence my error. lol
I am hoping to spend the day or as much as I can in Chester, and then as little time as possible en route.

Nigel, the 3 pm might work.i will look further into it.

You don't have to use stairs at Crewe- there are lifts (elevators) to all platforms.

On the direct trains you can reduce the Advance (fixed timed train) by buying it as a split ticket in one transaction (on the Scotrail website, even though you are not using Scotrail)- Chester to Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Pic to the Airport) and staying on the same train at Manchester. The last of the direct 52 minutes past the hour train is at 2052.

at Crewe- there are lifts (elevators) to all platforms.

I worked through Crewe for about 10 years and learned not to trust the lifts at Crewe. All depends on the day and the luck of the draw in my experience.

If you are on the direct TfW you won't need to worry about it anyway.

Thanks! I have spent a couple of hours working on it and will proceed.
This trip has been done entirely using buses and trains and while cheaper than renting a car, it certainly is more complicated. It has been an interesting experience!
The systems and various bus companies complicate it and each place we base ourselves from, seems to operate differently. A somewhat steep learning curve.
However an absolute wonderful vacation in Wales!
Thanks to those individuals who provided advice along the way. Priceless!

Chester on race day, you are in for quite an experience and can I apologise in advance....:-)
It is quite a party event and people travel to it from across the northwest. I'm not sure how many have any actual interest in horse racing. You will certainly see some 'spectacular' outfits, people dress up. Alcohol will have been consumed by some from quite early in the day.
Locals avoid town on race day like the plague, but that means that the areas further away from the RooDee (the race track - oldest continuously operating track in the world, built in the silted up port) tend to be a little quieter.

I have just noticed there are various things going on for heritage open days at the moment, there might be something of interest here, if you have time on the day

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/cheshire-west-and-chester.html

I'm local so if you want any specific advice just ask.

Well that sounds like Saturday will be an interesting people watching day!

Walking around the walls is a good way to see many of the sights of the city and they do give you a great view down into the race course.