Getting Around Manchester

Getting around the city and surrounding areas is easy once you’re here thanks to the fleet of buses, trams and trains available. The compact nature of the city centre also makes walking a popular choice.

Journey Planning

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the official public transport body for the city. Its website has a wealth of information and a number of journey planning tools to take the stress out of travelling.

tfgm.com | @OfficialTfGM

free bus

Within the city centre, free bus (formerly Metroshuttle) provides a free ‘hop on, hop off’ service linking all of the main rail stations, shopping districts and business areas. There are services which operate on circular routes.

tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/free-bus

Bus

Commercial bus services run right across Greater Manchester helping you get out and about.

tfgm.com/buses

Tram

The Metrolink network is one of the most successful light railway systems in the UK. With frequent services there’s no need to worry about a timetable, just head to your nearest stop and the next tram won’t be far away. Metrolink can transport you to popular venues and attractions across the region and, if you’re planning on sightseeing, Travelcards offer unlimited travel across the network.

Please make sure to purchase a ticket from the on-stop ticket machines before boarding or use a contactless card or device to tap in on at one of the smart readers on the platform, at the start and end of your journey.  

metrolink.co.uk | @MCRMetrolink

Train

In addition to the inter-city links, the rail network connects you to the neighbouring towns and districts of Greater Manchester including Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Wigan.

tfgm.com/trains

System One

Want to travel on any bus? Or a combination of bus, train and tram? Why not purchase a System One Travelcard. They’re accepted by most bus, train and tram companies running locally, meaning you can transfer seamlessly from bus to bus or from one transport mode to the other as many times as you like.

systemonetravelcards.co.uk | @SystemOneTravel

Cycle routes

Manchester is a bike-friendly city with many marked cycle lanes 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. 

Manchester on foot

Manchester is easily explored on foot, with a city centre that you can navigate within 20 minutes. City Hosts are dotted around the centre to guide you with directions, public transport information and details on events taking place.

Manchester maps

Download one of our maps to help guide you around the region.