You can’t go a day in Manchester or Salford without hearing that iconic Metrolink toot, it’s the sound of the city on the move. Whether you’re heading into town or out to the suburbs, getting around here is easy. We’ve put together a quick guide to public transport across Manchester to help you explore every corner of Cottonopolis, from trams to buses and everything in between.

🐝The Bee Network

The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s big plan to create a truly joined‑up, modern transport & travel system. It’s an integrated transport network under Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) that aims to link together buses, trams, cycling & walking, and eventually, local rail services. Find out more here.

🚋 Metrolink Tram

Best for quick travel across Greater Manchester without the hassle of traffic.

Manchester’s Metrolink is one of the most extensive tram networks in the UK. It connects the city centre with surrounding areas like Altrincham, Bury, Eccles, Rochdale, East Didsbury, and even Manchester Airport.

Monday to Thursday
6am to midnight
Every 12 minutes
Friday and Saturday
6am to 1am (following day)
Every 12 minutes (up to midnight)
Every 24 minutes (midnight to 1am)
Sunday
7am to midnight
Every 15 minutes
Purchase from machines at stations or use contactless payment. Daily caps apply.
Use the TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) website or app to check live times and plan your route.

A quick and convenient method of getting around Manchester, Metrolink has a stop local to almost all areas in and around the city. Check the map of the stops here.

🚌Bus Service

There are around 577 Bee Network bus services operating across Greater Manchester. Plan your route here.
A single fare anywhere on a Bee Network bus is £2 for adults. Children pay a lower fare.
The hopper system means you can hop on multiple buses within an hour of purchase using the same ticket.
Contactless payment is available, fares are capped daily or weekly, and transfers between modes (bus + tram) are made simpler.
Check the schedule before you travel, especially for late night or weekend services. Some routes have less frequent service outside peak hours.
Use the Bee Network app or official TfGM site to see live times where available. But note - live tracking isn't perfect on all routes.
If you’re travelling late or catching events: night buses are getting better, but times and routes may vary.

🚆Trains

Manchester is well served by a dense rail network linking the city centre to surrounding towns and further afield. There are several major stations (Piccadilly, Victoria, Oxford Road, Deansgate, etc.), and many lines run regularly so you can explore Greater Manchester or travel to other UK cities with ease.

From Manchester to Salford Central, there are about 88 trains per day, and the journey can take as little as 3 minutes.

From Manchester Victoria → Salford Crescent, there are about 89 trains per day, and the trip takes ~ 5‑7 minutes.
Manchester’s main train stations offer frequent services to other cities: Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, London and more.
Some of the key rail routes you can use:
Manchester Piccadilly is the biggest hub. From there you can get direct trains from/to places like London, Liverpool, Birmingham, etc.
Manchester Victoria connects you to places like Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool.
Also there are trans Pennine routes (e.g. via Huddersfield, Hope Valley) linking Manchester with Sheffield and beyond.
Check first & last trains, some routes have early or late start / finish times, especially nights or weekends.
Book in advance for cheaper fares. Even short journeys like Manchester Salford may be cheaper if bought ahead.
Use Railcards or special tickets for frequent travel or travel during off peak.
Allow extra time when changing trains or during busy times. Stations like Piccadilly can be busy.