Manchester Metrolink Stations Fares Routes

Manchester Metrolink

The Manchester Metrolink is a light rail system that connects the center of Manchester from Piccadilly Station to outlying suburbs in the Greater Manchester area.

Train to Victoria

Lines

Metrolink presently has seven lines: Altrincham – Cornbrook Line, Bury – Droylsden Line, East Didsbury to Rochdale Line, Piccadilly – Eccles Line, Altrincham – Bury Line, and Airport Line.

These run to Altrincham from Cornbrook (Altrincham – Cornbrook Line), from Bury to Droylsden (Bury – Droylsden Line), from East Didsbury to Rochdale Railway Station (East Didsbury to Rochdale Line) from Piccadilly Station to Eccles (Piccadilly – Eccles Line), from Altrincham to Bury, the Altrincham – Bury Line and the Airport Line to Manchester Airport.

Piccadilly bound train

Extensions

There have been extensions of the Metrolink to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Sportcity (the venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and now the home stadium of Manchester City FC), the Trafford Centre, and out to Manchester Airport. There are plans for extensions to Oldham, Rochdale, and possibly Stockport.

The line to Chorlton-cum-Hardy, also called the South Manchester Line opened in 2011. A South Manchester Line extension to East Didsbury was completed in 2013 with new stations at Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury.

Also in 2013 the East Manchester Line from Bury to Droylsden extended from Piccadilly to Droylsden with stations at New Islington, Holt Town, Etihad Campus (convenient for the Etihad Stadium), Velopark, Clayton Hall, Edge Lane, Cemetery Road and Droylsden.

Train carriage

History

After over a decade in planning and construction, the first Metrolink line opened in 1992. The driving force behind the system was to link Manchester’s two main stations of Piccadilly and Victoria. Within Manchester city centre the Metrolink runs as a continental-style street tram, whereas out towards the suburbs it runs on previous heavy rail tracks.

Train at Old Trafford

Interchange Stations

The following stations interchange with the rail system either within the same station or a short walk: Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield serving the historic Castlefield area, Victoria, Altrincham, Eccles and Navigation Road.

Hollingwood Station

Tickets

Tickets on the Metrolink are issued from machines at each stop. They include, for example, single, return, all day, and all weekend tickets as well as season tickets for commuters. Fares are calculated on fare zones travelled through as in the London Underground. Tickes are more expensive at peak times of the day.

Be warned travelling without a ticket occurs a fine of £100. Presently the cheapest off-peak ticket is £0.90. First trains from Piccadilly are at around 6 pm with last trains on weekdays from around 11.30 pm to just before midnight. Trains run later on Friday and Saturday nights.

Train at Old Trafford after a Manchester United match

Places

Manchester’s Metrolink is useful for getting to such places as Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium and the adjacent Lancashire’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground. As well, The Lowry, The Imperial War Museum North, and MediaCityUK in Salford Quays are all close to tram stops.

Queens Road on the Bury Line is close to both the Irish World Heritage Centre and the Museum of Transport.

Moreover, the Metrolink is also handy for King Street, the Arndale Center, Urbis, the Royal Exchange Theatre, the Wheel of Manchester (now moved) and also Manchester Cathedral.