Manchester Transport

Getting around in Manchester is a stress-free affair on account of its highly organised transportation system. Both residents and visitors will find a variety of transportation options such as trains, buses, trams and taxis, and they can choose accordingly, factoring cost, speed, comfort and convenience as criteria. Buses provide the most extensive coverage of the city and the Greater Manchester area, but can be slow, especially during rush hours. Trains are faster, but stations may not always be conveniently located relative to your destination. Trams are the speediest transport option, but they are expensive and have limited coverage of the city.

By Metro

Manchester doesn't have what is traditionally considered a Metro service; however, the city's Metrolink light rail service is the closest thing to it. More commonly called ‘the tram’, this service connects Altrincham in the south of the city with the city centre and Piccadilly Station, stopping at Stretford and Old Trafford along the way. Services also operate to Eccles in Salford direct from the city centre, or via a change at Broadway, and to Bury, also with a change in the city centre. From Monday to Thursday, the last trams stop around 23:30 to midnight, while on Fridays and Saturdays trams stop operating between 24:45 and 01:00. Services are more restricted on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

By train

Greater Manchester's rail network covers 98 stations and 142 route miles, meaning visitors looking to connect with smaller destinations throughout the county can do so easily and speedily. Train services are provided by a variety of private operators and some services operate limited schedules. From Piccadilly and Victoria stations, most major suburban districts of Greater Manchester are reachable.

By bus

Greater Manchester bus services are provided by a number of private bus companies and stretch across the entire region. Buses begin running early in the morning and many areas are also served by night buses, especially those with student residences. The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is the body responsible for controlling bus operations throughout the county and they can be contacted on: +44 161 228 7811 for details of bus routes and schedules. Weekly passes can be bought on many buses and are good way to keep down the cost of frequent travel.

Taxis

Both black cabs and private hire cars operate in Manchester; however, only the former can be hailed or picked up kerbside. Private hire operators need to be called and booked in advance, after which they will collect you from a specific location in order for their insurance to be valid. Black cabs can be found quite easily during the day from various places in the city centre. At night and especially at weekends, you should expect long queues for black cabs, particularly if departing from a nightclub between 02:00 and 04:00.

Tourist services

Blue Badge Tours of Manchester (tel: +44 161 440 0277) and Northern Tours (tel: +44 1204 695006) provide a variety of organised tours of Manchester and surrounding areas. Tours take in key sights and attractions, and commentary is provided throughout.

From the airport

Trains run every 10 minutes along the route from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly Station and they take an average of 20 minutes to complete the journey. Buses are also available, while many hotels in the area will provide free pick ups for visitors booked to stay at their establishments. Taxis are available for door-to-door transportation.