People arriving in Manchester for the first time often ask our drivers the same questions on the way in from the airport. Where is the city centre? Is Salford a different city? Where do people go out? This is a simple guide to the parts of Manchester that visitors ask about most, from people who drive around them every day.
It is not a full list. Manchester and the towns around it are a big place. But it should help you get your bearings.
Manchester and Greater Manchester
First, a bit of geography. "Manchester" can mean the city itself or the whole of Greater Manchester, which is made up of ten boroughs: Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Wigan. Each has its own towns and centres. Salford, for example, is a separate city, right next to Manchester city centre across the River Irwell.
Manchester Airport is in the south of the city, around 10 miles from the centre. The drive in usually takes 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
The city centre
The city centre is compact enough to walk across in about half an hour. A few areas are worth knowing:
Piccadilly
Around Piccadilly Gardens and Manchester Piccadilly station. It is the main arrival point for trains from London and the south, and has lots of hotels. The station is a short walk from the gardens.
Deansgate and Spinningfields
Deansgate is the long main road along the west side of the centre. Spinningfields, just off it, is the business district, with offices, restaurants and bars. If you are in Manchester for work, there is a good chance your meetings are around here.
The Northern Quarter
Between Piccadilly and Ancoats. Independent shops, cafés, bars and music venues in old warehouse streets. It is lively at night and at weekends.
Ancoats and New Islington
Just north-east of the Northern Quarter. Former mill buildings turned into flats, with a lot of well-known restaurants. Many visitors stay in apartments here.
Castlefield
At the southern end of Deansgate, where the canals meet. Old warehouses, Roman remains, and bars by the water. A quieter part of the centre.
St Peter's Square and the Civic Quarter
Home to the Town Hall, the Central Library and Manchester Central, the conference and exhibition venue.
Just outside the centre
Salford Quays and MediaCityUK
West of the centre, on the old docks. MediaCityUK has the BBC and ITV studios, and the Quays have The Lowry arts centre and the Imperial War Museum North across the water. A lot of offices and hotels are here too.
Old Trafford
Close to the Quays, in Trafford. Home to Manchester United's ground and Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.
The Oxford Road corridor
Running south from the centre, Oxford Road passes the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the big hospitals, including Manchester Royal Infirmary. Buses run along it day and night.
East Manchester and the Etihad Campus
Around two miles east of the centre. Manchester City's stadium and the Co-op Live arena are here, along with the National Cycling Centre.
South Manchester suburbs
These are the areas we know best, because we are based here.
- Didsbury: a well-off suburb with a village feel, lots of restaurants and bars, and easy access to the airport.
- Chorlton: independent shops and cafés, popular with families and young professionals.
- Withington and Fallowfield: busy student areas close to the universities.
- Levenshulme and Burnage: residential areas along the A6, with good links to Stockport and the city centre.
- Wythenshawe: right next to the airport, and home to Wythenshawe Hospital.
Towns around Manchester
Beyond the city, each of the Greater Manchester boroughs has its own town centre. Stockport, Altrincham, Sale, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan all have their own shops, stations and character. To the south, the Cheshire towns of Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford are close to the airport. To the east, the Peak District starts just past Glossop and Marple.
Getting around
Manchester has the Metrolink tram network, which runs from the city centre out to many of the suburbs and to the airport. Buses run across the whole area, and there are frequent trains to most towns. For short trips in the centre, walking is often quickest.
A car is most useful for airport runs, early starts, late finishes, journeys with luggage, and places not on a direct tram or rail line. Remember that private hire cars in England must be booked in advance. You can't wave one down in the street.
Weather
Yes, it rains. Not all the time, but often enough to bring a coat whatever the forecast says.
Where visitors often stay
Most visitors stay in the city centre, because it puts the shops, restaurants and venues within walking distance. Hotels around Piccadilly suit people arriving by train. Deansgate, Spinningfields and St Peter's Square suit business trips. Ancoats and the Northern Quarter have a lot of short-stay apartments. Salford Quays is a good choice if you are working at MediaCityUK or going to a match at Old Trafford.
If you are here for a hospital appointment or visiting a student, staying near Oxford Road or in south Manchester may be more convenient. Didsbury and Chorlton have some hotels and plenty of places to eat.
Football, music and culture
Manchester is known for its football clubs, its music and its galleries and museums. The Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford are on opposite sides of the city. Co-op Live and the AO Arena host the biggest concerts. The Science and Industry Museum, the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery are all easy to reach from the centre.
Parks and days out
For something outdoors, Heaton Park in the north of the city is huge and free to walk around. Dunham Massey near Altrincham and Tatton Park near Knutsford are easy trips south, and the Peak District is under an hour away.
Coming to Manchester?
If you are flying in, we can meet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel or apartment. Add your flight number and choose meet & greet (£5) so the driver waits in arrivals with a name board. The price is fixed when you book, and you pay by card. Book your arrival transfer online.
