Getting to Manchester – travel information

We’d hate for you to get lost on your way to the city – so here are a few tips on Manchester travel information

Manchester Airport (to the South of the city centre) is served by a regular rail connection to Piccadilly Station (every 15 minutes or so; journeys take around 20 minutes).

Piccadilly Station is the main railway station; the Metroshuttle operates a free bus service connecting this, and the other city railway stations, to the city centre. Buses run every 5-10 minutes. Oxford Road, Deansgate and Victoria are the other city centre rail stations (both Deansgate and Victoria are close to, or house, links to the Metrolink tram service).

The Metrolink is the local tram service that connects the city centre to most parts of Greater Manchester – lines run from the centre to Altrincham, Bury and Eccles. Main city centre tram stops can be found at Piccadilly Station, Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Victoria (at Victoria Station), St. Peter’s Square and Deansgate (the latter is opposite the mainline station of the same line). Tickets for trams must be purchased before boarding, with ticket machines on the platform at all stops – more information on prices and timetables can be found at the Metrolink website.

Trains to Manchester: First TransPennine Express offers reliable and comfortable rail travel throughout the North of England.

The good thing about Manchester is that the city centre is relatively compact, with most of the major attractions within walking distance of each other. The only exception to this is Salford Quays, but trams can take you there and back without the hassle of negotiating the roads or finding a parking spot (though having said that, there is plenty of parking space at the Lowry Outlet Mall). If you’re in town and fancy a break from walking, there are plenty of black cabs. Hail one on the street or head to the on-street taxi ranks at Piccadilly Gardens (just opposite Kro) or to No. 1 Deansgate (just past Zara/French Connection).

Image: Susie Stubbs