Deemed as the London of the North, the city of Manchester is one of the most popular places to live for a wide range of demographics, ranging from students and young professionals to celebrities, and pensioners.
And as one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom, it’s normal to assume that due to traffic and the sheer volume of people living very closely together, getting to and from places can be quite a challenge.
So, if you’re wondering what you can expect from Manchester in regards to transportation, read this article until the very end. Some of the topics we’ll cover today include:
- How people tend to commute in Manchester
- Whether getting around the city is possible without a car
- The different modes of transport available
- What the best way to get around in Manchester currently is
How Do People Commute in Manchester?
Manchester is vast and is home to a wide range of people. As a result of that, people who live in Manchester commute using a large variety of methods, including walking, biking, the tram, the bus, taxis/uber, driving, and more.
The way people tend to commute in Manchester also depends on where they live and where they’re going. People who live a bit outside of the city tend to drive or get the bus. People who live in the city tend to use the infamous tram/bus system, which is one of the best in the UK. Aside from those, people often walk and bike around when the weather is nice and they don’t need to go far.
Can You Get Around Manchester Without a Car?
Owning a car in Manchester, especially if you live in a more central location can be quite expensive. As a result of that, there are hundreds of thousands of people who don’t own a car and rely on other modes of transport to get around.
So to answer the question, yes, it’s absolutely possible to get around Manchester without a car. Whether you want to get a taxi/uber or use Manchester’s vast trap/bus transportation system, it’s up to you to decide.
If you own a house outside of the city, want to move closer to the city centre, and this is new news for you, you can sell your house fast and move. Many people who do that don’t regret doing so.
The Different Modes of Transport Available in Manchester
There are many different modes of transportation available in Manchester. In the section below, we’ll go over each one in more detail so you know exactly what to expect from each one.
Taxis & Uber
People who don’t own a car and don’t want to rely on public transport often end up getting a taxi or an Uber. Both of those are super convenient as they can be with you within minutes of requesting and can take you anywhere you want. Granted, they are a bit more expensive, but you do save a whole lot of time using them.
Buses, Trains & Trams
Manchester has one of the best bus, train, and tram systems in the whole country. While trains aren’t as popular to get around the city (people mostly use them to get to other places further out of Manchester), buses and trams certainly are.
Using a bus or a tram, you can get to pretty much any point within the city. Whether you want to get to the Trafford Center or hit up the clubs in Deansgate Square, any of those modes of transport can help you get there fast.
Walking & Cycling
If you’re going somewhere close, walking is a very reasonable mode of transportation. Manchester is usually very pedestrian friendly, so it’s not uncommon for people to walk places. And since Manchester isn’t situated in a hilly area, many people also bike when going to places that aren’t close but aren’t too far either.
Driving Your Own Car
Driving your own car is arguably the most convenient but also most expensive mode of transportation people use in Manchester. Traffic and high cost of parking are some of the many reasons why people don’t tend to drive their own vehicles in the city. That said, you do have the luxury of jumping in your car and driving on-demand.
What is the Best Way to Get Around Manchester?
The best mode of transport in Manchester will depend on where you live, where you want to go, and when you want to travel. If you live outside the city and are looking to travel during the off-peak hours – driving is a very decent choice. Though there will be some traffic, it won’t be bad at all.
However, if you do live in the city and want to get around during the peak hours of the day, using Manchester’s vast tram system is a fantastic idea. Not only is it cheap, but it connects to most parts of the inner city.
With that said, if you are someone who likes to stay active while travelling, biking is also an option. Manchester isn’t particularly hilly, so you don’t need to worry about getting exhausted. The only thing to keep in mind is that there aren’t many bike lanes in the city, especially in the city centre.
As one of the best commuter towns in the UK, Manchester has one of the best transport connections in the whole country. The city is home to one of the best public transport systems in the whole of the UK. Not only that, but you’ll regularly see people walking or cycling around. And if none of those are good enough for you, you can drive around or get a taxi/uber.
