getting around
greater manchester
Navigating yourself around any city you’re not familiar with can sometimes be a daunting task.
We’ve designed a sightseeing pass to help you make the most of your trip, so you can visit the city’s top attractions without the hassle.
We’re here to eliminate the travel worries, so you can get from A-to-B seamlessly!
Whether it be around the key must-see sites, from the city centre into the surrounding regions, or from a nearby town or village into Manchester, we’re on hand to help you get around conveniently and efficiently. Take a look at our handy guide to getting around below…
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
If you are looking for information about the latest events or suggestions for days out, call into Manchester’s Visitor Information Centre, where the knowledgeable team can help make the most of your trip to Manchester and the surrounding areas.
The centre stocks a range of leaflets and a city centre map, along with tickets for trips you might want to do after exploring the city with your Manchester Pass, such as Mountain Goat Day trips. Their entrance is just by the two red telephone boxes on St. Peter’s Square.
Address
Manchester Central Library, St. Peter’s Square, M2 5PD
Opening times
Monday-Saturday: 09:00-17:00
TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the local government body responsible for delivering Greater Manchester’s transport strategy and commitments.
Its website has a wealth of information and a number of journey planning tools to help you travel across Greater Manchester effectively and efficiently.
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE AND SUBURBS
METROLINK
Manchester’s Metrolink tram system has been developed to encourage easier and faster travel in the city centre and beyond.
With free WiFi and connecting all major railway stations and tourist attractions, the Metrolink runs every few minutes so you don’t need a timetable – you can just turn up and travel anytime from early morning until late in the evening.
Don’t forget that your Manchester Pass is already activated for Metrolink travel across the entire tram network. All you have to do is present your valid Manchester Pass on inspection.
Plan your journey using the Metrolink map and download the free Get Me There App to buy tickets in advance, should you be travelling without a valid Manchester Pass.
For more information go to metrolink.co.uk or call Traveline on +44 (0)871 200 2233
BUS
Within the city centre, Manchester’s free bus (formerly Metroshuttle) provides a free ‘hop on, hop off’ service linking all of the main rail stations, city centre sights, shopping districts and business areas, all with free on board WiFi.
There are services which operate on circular routes every 10-20 minutes each day, just check out TfGM’s Free Buss webpage for details of routes and timetables.
There are also a variety of bus providers to some attractions away from the main Metrolink tam stops, particular those on Oxford Road such as Manchester Museum, the Whitworth gallery and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. Being one of the busiest bus routes in Europe, most of the services on Oxford Road are very cheap (around £2 per journey) and are very regular.
ON FOOT
Manchester is also easily explored on foot, with a city centre that you can navigate within 20 minutes.
Manchester’s ‘City Hosts’ are dotted around the city centre to guide you with directions, public transport information and details on events taking place.
BY BIKE
The home of the British Cycling team, Manchester is also a bike-friendly city with many marked bike lanes, cycle highways and dedicated routes throughout the city centre and beyond.
Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester cycling website for everything you need to know about cycling in Greater Manchester, from maps and route planning to local events and news.
SOUTH MANCHESTER
TO/FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT
There are a number of train services running between Manchester Airport and Manchester city centre, mainly by the providers ‘Northern Rail’ and ‘Transpennine Express’. Journeys typically take around 15-20 minutes.
In addition to train travel, if you’re staying in Wythenshawe, Chorlton-cum-Hardy or Didsbury, take the regular Metrolink tram to/from Manchester Airport. Trams also go to the city centre, which takes approximately 50-60 minutes.
With a valid Manchester Pass, all Metrolink is auto-activated, so you can travel across the tram network freely.
TO/FROM STOCKPORT
There are regular train links to/from Manchester Piccadilly, most frequent being trains provided by Avanti. You can, however, use services such as Transpennine Express and Northern Rail, so ensure you have the correct transport option on your Manchester Pass transport activation service.
In order to activate your return train ticket between Stockport and Manchester, simply add your details to the Manchester Pass transport activation service before you travel on the train.
Alternatively, the can take the 192 bus between Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly, via Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme and Longsight, but this is much slower than by train. Bus tickets for this service are roughly £5 for the day’s unlimited travel (not included on your Manchester Pass).
TO/FROM SALE AND ALTRINCHAM
The Metrolink operates regular service throughout the day between the city to/from both Altrincham and Sale. It takes roughly 35-25 minutes to get into the city centre from these locations.
Don’t forget to activate your Metrolink travel via the Manchester Pass activation service or purchase your ticket from the machine at the platform before you board.
TO/FROM MACCLESFIELD
There are regular train links to/from Manchester Piccadilly, most frequent being trains provided by Avanti. You can also use the service from Transpennine Express too, so ensure you have selected the correct transport provider option with your Manchester Pass.
In order to activate your open return train ticket between Macclesfield and Manchester, simply add your details to the Manchester Pass transport activation service before travelling.
NORTH MANCHESTER
TO/FROM OLDHAM AND SADDLEWORTH
Northern Rail trains operate along these lines around the rural areas, so ensure you book this provider via the transport activation service upon your arrival, after purchasing your Manchester Pass.
You can also use the Metrolink between Oldham to/from Manchester, which is the most effective way to get around Manchester and into the city centre to/from Oldham town centre.
In order to activate your open return tickets on these trains, simply add your details to the transport activation service upon purchasing your Manchester Pass. You can activate your Metrolink pass at the start of each day, via the same activation service.
TO/FROM ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE AND TAMESIDE
Northern Rail trains operate along these lines around the rural areas, so ensure you book this provider via the transport activation service upon your arrival, after purchasing your Manchester Pass.
You can also use the Metrolink between Ashton-under-Lyne to/from Manchester, which is the most effective way to get around Manchester and into the city centre to/from Ashton town centre.
In order to activate your open return tickets on these trains, simply add your details to the transport activation service upon purchasing your Manchester Pass. You can activate your Metrolink pass at the start of each day, via the same activation service.
TO/FROM BURY
The Metrolink operates regular service throughout the day between the city to/from Bury. It takes roughly 35-25 minutes to get into the city centre from these locations.
Don’t forget to activate your Metrolink travel via the Manchester Pass activation service or purchase your ticket from the machine at the platform before you board.
TO/FROM ROCHDALE
Northern operate along the train line between Rochdale and Manchester city centre. This is the fastest way to travel between to the two locations, taking just 15-20 minutes.
Please ensure you book this provider via the transport activation service after purchasing your Manchester Pass.
The Metrolink also operates regular service throughout the day between the city to/from Rochdale. It takes roughly 45-50 minutes to get into Manchester city centre from this location.
Remember to activate your Metrolink transport to travel this option after purchasing your Manchester Pass!
TO/FROM BOLTON
Northern Rail operate along the train line between Bolton and Manchester city centre. This is the fastest way to travel between to the two locations, taking just 20-25 minutes.
Please ensure you book this provider via the transport activation service after purchasing your Manchester Pass.
VISIT MANCHESTER
The official tourism site of Greater Manchester, where you can search for things to do and find out what’s on, as well as getting inspiration for your visit to this great city.
Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK right now, where everybody and anybody is very warmly welcomed.
Visit Manchester hosts the most up-to-date listings and news about the city’s unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels, places to stay and travel.
