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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Manchester

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the IDs1521Manchester Airport
Places in Manchester

Getting around Manchester

Public transport

Due to its relatively small size, Manchester is a great city to explore on foot (good, free pocket maps are available from the Tourist Information Centre).

However, the local travel network run by Transport for Greater Manchester (GMPTE), (tel: +44 161 244 1000; www.tfgm.com) offers a comprehensive range of city-wide bus, train and tram services. Travelcards, including day passes, are available for use on all three from System One (www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk).

The main bus station is at Piccadilly Gardens, to the east of the city centre. Free Metroshuttle services operate along three circular routes in the city, linking the main attractions and the city's four railway stations.

Metrolink trams operate through the city centre with services to Bury in the north, Altrincham in the south and Salford Quays (close to Old Trafford cricket and football grounds) and Eccles in the west.

Nightbus services operate along the main routes on Friday and Saturday nights, regularly until 0330.

Taxis

There are two types of taxis: five-passenger black cabs operated through the local council and four-passenger private hire cars. Officially, you can only flag down black cabs on the street.

Alternatively, use one of the many taxi ranks located at all the major train and bus stations. Private hire cars are usually slightly cheaper than black cabs but should be booked in advance.

To prebook a black cab, call Mantax (tel: +44 161 230 3333). For private taxis, try Street Cars (tel: +44 161 228 7878).

Driving

Manchester can get grid-locked during rush hour and its one-way system may be confusing for drivers who are new to the city.

On-street parking is available in the city centre every day between 8am and 8pm. There are zoned areas of the city, permitting maximum stays of two or three hours. The Parker app lets you check where there are free spaces and pay by phone.

Car hire

There are numerous car hire companies. Avis (tel: +44 844 544 6080; www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: +44 371 384 3467; www.europcar.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: +44 161 850 1933; www.hertz.co.uk) have offices at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle hire

Manchester is a bike-friendly city. Brompton Dock offers bike hire from outside Manchester Piccadilly railway station (tel: +44 20 8232 3931; www.bromptondock.co.uk). 

Alternatively, try Manchester Bike Hire (tel: +44 7523 092 285; www.manchesterbikehire.co.uk) which can deliver bikes to your hotel.

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Featured Hotels

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Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Housed in the 47-storey Beetham Tower, and occupying the lower 23 floors, this contemporary hotel offers stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows featured in spacious, elegantly-furnished rooms. There is a gym, a 20m (60ft) indoor pool with underwater viewing panels, a spa, restaurant and a bar on the highest floor.

Premier Inn

This budget hotel chain has several locations in and around the city, but the stay with the best setting is at Deansgate Locks, situated close to Old Trafford. It's conveniently located close to a seven-day free city centre shuttle bus service and also offers free onsite car parking.

Radisson Blu Edwardian

Retaining the vintage features of the Free Trade Hall, where the suffragettes rallied, Bob Dylan went electric in 1965, and the Sex Pistols played in 1976, the Radisson Edwardian is a contemporary hotel with every kind of creature comfort. Within easy walking distance of some of the city's best attractions, the hotel has an indoor infinity pool, a fitness centre and high-speed Internet access.

Lowry Hotel

Located in the Chapel Wharf area on the Salford-Manchester boundary, this is one of the finest hotels in Manchester, a stunning haven of glittering glass and steel, with 164 elegant rooms that include intense flashes of colour amid quietly expensive neutral colour schemes. Bathrooms are marble-lined and there's also a gym and spa, and a spectacular riverside restaurant. There is live entertainment in the River Bar and Terrace most evenings.

The Midland

The Midland is a Grade II-listed Edwardian building that exudes elegance and charm, but is reasonably priced. There are 312 en-suite bedrooms decorated in a contemporary style that's in keeping with the building. Rooms are dotted with polished wood furniture and each comes with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and Internet access.

Great John Street

Housed in a former Victorian schoolhouse, the Great John Street Hotel is one of Manchester's slickest new boutique hotels. Duplex suites come with flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi and rainforest showers. Some even have views of the set of Coronation Street. Be sure to try out the swanky bar too.

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