Trains to Manchester

Travelling in the UK doesn’t get much better than a trip to the ‘capital of the north’. Hop on a train to Manchester and explore this buzzing city - you’ll find the culture synonymous with a big city whilst being side-by-side with the Lake District’s serene countryside. A truly contemporary city, its modernity is visible in its stylish architecture and world-class sport offering. The city perfectly blends its historical past with a modern outlook. A variety of museums, galleries and art centres dot the city, while the party scene injects a spark of energy after nightfall. There is truly nothing this city can’t do, so why not experience  it yourself and book a train to Manchester? Whether you want a day trip, weekend away or to stay a little longer, you’ll love spending time here.

Popular Routes to Manchester

Manchester is a fantastic city, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of our most popular destinations. CrossCountry provides direct routes from many stations all over the UK to Manchester Piccadilly. Below, we’ve outlined some of our most popular routes.

FAQs

Shopping in Manchester

Manchester’s a fab place to shop! From your favourite high street stores, to quirky boutiques or designer shops where you can splash the cash, you can find it all. There are several large shopping malls like Manchester Arndale and intu Trafford Centre, which offer a wide range of shops, cafés, and restaurants. For something a little different, head to the Northern Quarter -- a trendy neighbourhood with colourful street art, bohemian bars and a wide variety of independent shops selling everything from vinyl records to sustainable fashion. Wind your way through the streets around King Street, Spinningfields, or New Cathedral Street for cute, independent boutiques.

Food & Drink in Manchester

Manchester is fast establishing itself as one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations. With so much to explore you’ll wish you were staying longer – and so will your tastebuds. New restaurants, bars, gastropubs, micro-breweries, and cafés open weekly, from fine dining to pop-up markets and tasty street food. Whether you’re looking for a proper pint, a family friendly chain restaurant, or a Michelin-starred experience, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Corn Exchange is home to an exciting and eclectic mix of restaurants, offering a fusion of flavours from around the globe. The city is full of independent and quirky coffee shops, so make sure you visit a few. Head to the Northern Quarter for a night out, you’ll find some of the best independent bars and traditional pubs in the city.

Culture in Manchester

With its industrial roots, impressive music scene and two famous football teams, Manchester is oozing with culture. Discover contemporary art, theatre and film at the HOME arts centre or attend a concert at the Manchester Opera House or Albert Hall. Manchester Cathedral, The Museum of Science and Industry and The John Rylands Library are all well worth including on your itinerary. Music plays a huge part in the culture of Manchester, unsurprisingly when you think that it’s the city that produced The Smiths, the Bee Gees, and Joy Division. Discover the next big act at one of the city’s many intimate live music venues, like The Castle Hotel, Gullivers, and Gorilla.

Catching a train to Manchester

We want to help you travel cheaply, so as long as you buy your ticket 15 minutes before departure via our website or app, you can still enjoy great savings! To get the very best out of your train travel, read our top tips to find cheap train tickets and learn about our exclusive benefits offered to registered customers.

If you want to explore Manchester and all it has to offer, you’ll want to stay longer than a day! So, make sure you book a great value hotel in Manchester before you arrive.