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One night in Manchester - worth going downtown?

Hi, I will be taking a trip in September that will involve one day on which I will be flying into Manchester at about 5:30 PM and leaving at 9 AM the next day.

My questions:
1) Is there any point in leaving my luggage at the airport and going downtown in the evening (girl, by herself)? Are there things to see at that time, that are easily accessible?

2) Would you recommend staying downtown or near the airport? I am having trouble finding out how to get from the airport to downtown - by bus?

Thanks! I would be sad to just spend the evening in a hotel room, but haven't been able to gauge how hard/easy it is to get to downtown.

Posted by
417 posts

As already posted, getting downtown is no problem- though it can be a very long walk through the terminals to the train station.

If you are not uncomfortable being alone, then I would go for it. I certainly would.

Posted by
4684 posts

Manchester nightlife is deservedly famous. There are frequent trains from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly in the city centre. On a weekday the last trains back are at 2253, 2312, 0003, and 0104. The journey is 20-40 minutes. On a Saturday the last trains are 2308, 2317, 2355 and 0045.

Posted by
780 posts

The city center is fun. Hard Rock cafe, Printworks, the pubs near Hanging Ditch, and other areas. The giant outdoor tv screen would be a good place to people watch, plus the Manchester eye might be fun! I didn't get to ride on it since my husband was born and raised in Manchester and "couldn't be bovvered wif it" ..lol

There is lots of shopping as well. The Arndale center and the outdoor pedestrian mall is nice. (I love shopping, so...)

I loved seeing the 16th century Manchester Cathedral and downtown clock tower.

There is a free shuttle that does take you around the downtown area from Victoria and Piccadilly train stations.