Manchester: Getting there & around

Orientation

Central Manchester is easy to get around on foot or by the excellent Metrolink tramway. The city is made up of a number of distinct neighbourhoods that lend it the vibrant character for which it is now famous. At the heart of it all - if only because all of the buses converge on it - is Piccadilly Gardens, a gardenless square that has been developed into an aesthetically charming urban space.

Immediately west and just south of the cathedral is the newly named Millennium Quarter, which has been spectacularly developed following the destruction wreaked by an IRA bomb in 1996. Directly north of Piccadilly Gardens lies the Northern Quarter, the city's bohemian district, while a few blocks southeast you'll find Canal St and the Gay Village. Next to it is Chinatown, basically a couple of streets chock-full of Chinese restaurants.

In the southwestern corner of the city centre is Castlefield and Deansgate Locks, a hyper-cool area with some of the best restaurants in town. Farther south is the University of Manchester, where you'll also find some of the best clubs and bars. Further west, near the Bridgewater Canal, are two stadiums, both called Old Trafford; the first is home to the world's most famous football team, Manchester United, while the second is a cricket ground used by the Lancashire county team and, occasionally, by the national team for test matches.

Manchester airport is 16km/10mi south of the city. Train and bus connections are good (every 15 or 30 minutes).

Getting There

• bus

  The National Express bus service serves most major cities almost hourly from Chorlton St coach station in the city centre. Destinations include Liverpool, Leeds and London.

• train

  Manchester Piccadilly is the main station for trains to and from the rest of the country, although Victoria station serves Halifax and Bradford. The two stations are linked by Metrolink. Trains go to Blackpool, Liverpool Lime St, London and Newcastle.

• air

  Manchester airport is the largest outside London, with flights arriving from multiple locations throughout Britain and Europe. The airport is situated 16km (10mi) south of the city. For getting to and from the airport there is a designated area called 'The Station' that is open 24 hours and links trains, coaches and buses in one building. It is connected to all terminals by moving walkways, lifts and escalators and includes passenger services such as currency exchange and retail outlets.

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Getting Around

• bus

  Hop on the Centreline No 4 bus and travel around the centre of the city to your heart's content for free. Hop on another bus, however, and you'll have to unravel the deregulated bus system's confusing range of services and fares. The city's bus hub is Piccadilly Gardens.

• tram

  Metrolink trams cut a swathe through the city, linking Victoria and Piccadilly with Castlefield, via Mosley St, and heading out to suburban Altrincham and Bury.

• train

  Trains circle the inner city, with stops at Victoria, Salford, Deansgate, Oxford Rd and Piccadilly.

• Disabled Travellers

  If you happen to be in a wheelchair, use crutches, or just find moving about a bit tricky, you won't have many problems. All new buildings have wheelchair access, and even hotels in grand old country houses often have ramps and other facilities added. Smaller B&Bs and guesthouses are often harder to adapt, so you'll have less choice here. All Manchester Metrolink stations have disabled access and clear signage as to which carriages to board. There's countrywide information at www.visitbritain.com. Other useful organisations, publications and websites include All Go Here (www.allgohere.com), Disability UK (www.disabilityuk.com), Good Access Guide (www.goodaccessguide.co.uk) and Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR; 020 7250 3222; www.radar.org.uk).

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