Going to Manchester soon and want to know how Manchester public transport works? You’ve come to the right place! Manchester is the third biggest city in the UK and, as everywhere in England, has a very good public transport network.
There are many things to do in Manchester and knowing how to get around is important as it will make your stay way easier! Especially if you are only staying for one day!
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Manchester public transport, how to use it and how to save money.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
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Types of Public Transport in Manchester, England
Firstly, we will explain what the types of transport in Manchester are. It’s important to note that we do not have an underground system in the city so we usually get around by bus, tram or train.
Tram: Manchester Metrolink
The tram is the main transport in Greater Manchester.
It’s operated by Metrolink. There are 7 lines from Manchester city centre to Termini at Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, East Didsbury, Eccles, Manchester Airport and Rochdale.
The tram network in Manchester is split into 4 zones and the fare you will pay depends on how many zones you travel through.
The price of tickets is depends on the zones, the time of travel (off peak is cheaper) as well as how many times during the day you take the tram.
But to give you an idea, a single journey ticket cost £1.40 for 1 zone and £3.20 for 4 zones.
To take the tram, you simply need to go to one of the stops. Once you are there, you will find ticket machines as well as contactless machines.
If you go to the machine, you can choose your destination or the number of the zones you want and can buy your ticket.
There are options for single tickets, return, day tickets as well as weekend tickets from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
This is practical if you want to pay by cash or want to get a weekend ticket.
If you only want a single journey, return or day ticket, using the contactless machine is more practical.
You need to tap in before getting on the tram and tap off on your way out.
Don’t forget to tap off otherwise, you will be charged the highest fee.
The machine will automatically work out what is the best fare for you and charge you accordingly.
That way, you don’t have to worry about the zones or types of tickets.
It’s also important to note that there is a daily cap so if you reach it, it won’t charge you beyond that.
Buses
There are a lot of buses in Manchester. They cover a lot more ground than the tram does and are a great option for travelling within Greater Manchester.
Most of the buses are operated by Stagecoach and Go North West. There are 100s of bus routes so you should always be able to get to destination with one of them.
If you want to see what the best route is, you can do so on Google Maps.
Once you know, head to the bus stop and wait for the bus.
You can wave at the bus to ask the driver to stop. Once you get in, tell the driver what your destination is and whether you want a day ticket, a return or just a single and the driver will charge you accordingly.
You can pay with your contactless card or cash but try to have the exact amount if you’re paying in cash.
Trains
Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria are the main stations in Manchester.
That’s where all the national trains are leaving from. You will be able to get anywhere in Britain including Wales and Scotland from either of these two stations.
But the Manchester railway network is way bigger than that, it includes dozens of local and regional stations that will represent a much quicker alternative to buses or trams depending on where you’re going.
Some of these stations include Oxford Road, Burnage, Didsbury and many more.
How to plan my journey on Manchester public transport?
The best way to plan your journey would be to use the following apps: Google maps and CityMapper.
The entire network of Manchester public transport is updated on Google Maps and CityMapper.
You only need to put your starting point and destination and it will show you the different options.
It will also recommend you the easiest and quickest option. In terms of cost, if your journey includes a train you can check the price on Trainline.
Everything is indicated in real time which makes it very accurate.
You also have the option to indicate the time and date you want to leave or arrive by and the app will calculate everything for you. It’s free and extremely convenient.
Manchester Public Transport: Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know what options are available in terms of public transport in Manchester, it’s time to answer all the questions you may have.
Are the trams free in Manchester?
No, trams in Manchester are not free. The only exception is if you buy a combined Rail Tram Bus ticket. This can be done at the machine. You will find an option for a combined travel ticket and it will include the train journey as well as trams outside of zone 1.
Do you tap in and out on trams Manchester?
Yes, if you choose to use your bank card and contactless, you need to tap in and out of the trams in Manchester. If you bought a ticket from the machine, you do not need to do that. If a controller comes, you can simply show your ticket. If you used contactless, you will need to give the card to the controller so they can check it with their machine.
Are trams in Manchester dog-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed on trams in Manchester as long as they are well behaved and kept on lead.
How long is the tram from Manchester city centre to airport?
The tram from Market Street to Manchester airport takes 1 hour. It can be a bit longer or shorter depending on which tram stop you board. The line that goes to the airport is the Navy Line. You can also take it from Victoria or Shudehill.
How to get to Manchester Airport by tram?
You can get to Manchester Airport by tram from any stops on the Navy line which includes Victoria, Shudehill and Market Street.
What is the closest tram stop to Manchester Airport?
The closest tram stop to Manchester Airport is Manchester Airport itself. The tram stop is located in the station, on the other side of the train station.
How often is the Manchester Airport tram?
Trams in Manchester run every 12 minutes between 9AM and 5:30PM. If you are travelling outside of these times, the schedule is reduced. You can check the exact times on the Metrolink website.
How do you get to Manchester Airport without a car?
You can get to Manchester Airport with the train from Piccadilly Station or with the Navy tram line from the city centre and South Manchester.
Where can I buy bus tickets in Manchester?
The best place to buy your bus tickets or passes is in the bus itself.
You can simply hop in, ask the driver and pay on the bus.
It is possible to buy them online however it’s way more hassle than it should and it won’t be any cheaper.
Whether you are in Manchester for a visit or to live here, you will find it easier to buy your ticket on the bus.
How do you pay for the bus in Manchester UK?
You can pay directly on the bus with cash, card and phones (Google & Apple Pay). Every bus is equipped with a contactless card reader. Quick and effective!
If you pay in cash it is recommended to have the exact amount or at least as close to it as possible. You can pay for single, return tickets and weekly passes.
Do I need a bus card?
You don’t need a card for any single or return tickets. If you wish to take a weekly or monthly pass, you will need to have a bus card but don’t worry about it, it will be provided by the driver.
There is a £1 fee for the card but you can have it back if you bring your card back. There is no name on the card which means you can also borrow it from someone. Only one pass can be added per card though.
How much do buses cost in Manchester?
The standard fares on Manchester buses are £2 for a single ticket, £5 for a day of unlimited travel and £21 for a weekly pass.
This is the case on all buses in Greater Manchester except the Magic Buses. They cost £4.80 for a day pass and £12 for a weekly pass.
Magic buses provide the same service as any other bus in Manchester. You can recognise them by way they look, they have a magician on them, and the number, they are all the 100s lines.
They were originally created to help the students travelling around Manchester at a reduced price but anyone can take them for the same fare. Most magic bus lines are in South Manchester near the universities.
Here are a few examples of Magic bus lines: 143 goes West Didsbury to Piccadilly Gardens through Fallowfields and Rusholme. 142 goes from East Didsbury to the city centre through Fallowfields and Rusholme.
Can an Oyster card be used in Manchester?
No, you cannot use an Oyster Card in Manchester. The Oyster Card is only for public transport in London.
There is no equivalent to the Oyster Card in Manchester. You need to buy your tickets separately (for the bus, tram or train) but can get a travel card from any services.
Do Manchester buses take contactless?
Yes, you can pay with contactless on Manchester buses. When you get on the bus, simply tell the driver where you are going and you can tap your card to pay.
Now that you know everything about public transport in Manchester, the only thing left to do is to explore.
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