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Original poster

Manchester tram help!

25 replies

Cupofteaandbiscuits · 27/10/2024 08:15

At the risk of sounding like a country bumpkin! We are going to Manchester for the first time this week. Can someone tell me where I can park for free and get the tram in? We want to go shopping and my husband is going to the Etihad. I need an idiots guide!😂

OP posts:
Latenightreader · 27/10/2024 08:16

Where are you travelling from? I know some car parks in the Bury area, but not the Cheshire side…

OatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 27/10/2024 08:17

Where are you coming from?

DanceToTheMusicInMyHead · 27/10/2024 08:17

Where are you coming from as that will make a difference where you could park? The tram map has all the park and rides marked.

https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/tram/network-map

Ashton Moss and Ashton West are near the M60 and on the line to the Etihad and might be a good option

Tram Map

Greater Manchester tram network map

https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/tram/network-map

Calypsocuckoo · 27/10/2024 08:19

You can park at Altrincham train station for free if using the tram, if that car park is full there is another one right next to it for the ice rink which is cheap for a whole day.

Original poster
Cupofteaandbiscuits · 27/10/2024 08:24

We are staying in Knutsford :)

where’s best to buy tickets?

OP posts:
DeathMetalMum · 27/10/2024 08:24

We have used sale water park tram stop a few times. Never had a problem with getting a space. Right off the M60 too so very easy to get to, but we come from Cheshire side.

For the Ethiad the Ashton P&R would be convenient but it's also pretty easy to change tram routes in the city centre.

HollyGolightly4 · 27/10/2024 08:25

You can either buy your tickets on the app in advance, or on the platform, but you must have them before you get on the tram. They operate in zones which are fairly easy to work out when you look at the map 😃

Changingplace · 27/10/2024 08:28

Cupofteaandbiscuits · 27/10/2024 08:24

We are staying in Knutsford :)

where’s best to buy tickets?

I usually park at Sale water park because the car park is bigger so there’s always a space.

You either tap in and out with your card on the machine on the platform, or buy a ticket from the machine for the zones you’re travelling in - I always tap in & out, it’s just easier.

GreatNorthBun · 27/10/2024 08:29

You don't need to buy tickets, just tap your card, same as London.

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 08:31

HollyGolightly4 · 27/10/2024 08:25

You can either buy your tickets on the app in advance, or on the platform, but you must have them before you get on the tram. They operate in zones which are fairly easy to work out when you look at the map 😃

You can't buy one day tickets on the app or online. Just either tap in or out or buy tickets from the machine at the platform.

DanceToTheMusicInMyHead · 27/10/2024 08:33

If you are travelling with kids there is a really good value family ticket option that I think is only available on the machine

Redshoeblueshoe · 27/10/2024 08:36

If you are doing loads of shopping park at the Trafford centre and your DH can get the tram from there

HollyGolightly4 · 27/10/2024 08:39

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 08:31

You can't buy one day tickets on the app or online. Just either tap in or out or buy tickets from the machine at the platform.

Show quote history

Really? I knew you couldn't buy singles on there. What a joke!

Tapping in/out with usual debit card might just be easier!

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 08:41

@HollyGolightly4 Yes. You used to be able to then they suddenly stopped. No idea

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 08:42

... why

(Cat stood on phone and pressed reply before I finished my sentence)

HollyGolightly4 · 27/10/2024 08:44

🤣🤣 got to love cats

Original poster
Cupofteaandbiscuits · 27/10/2024 08:47

HollyGolightly4 · 27/10/2024 08:39

Really? I knew you couldn't buy singles on there. What a joke!

Tapping in/out with usual debit card might just be easier!

Show quote history

Can you tap in and out if you have a child with you? Can one card be used for an adult and child?

Im glad you said you can’t get the family ticket on the app…I downloaded it and couldn’t find it!

OP posts:
Redshoeblueshoe · 27/10/2024 08:47

If you do park at the Trafford Centre park at the Palazzo, as then its only a short walk to the tram.

SoleySoley · 27/10/2024 09:23

@Cupofteaandbiscuits ...I used to live in Knutsford, there's a station in the centre of town, there was a ticket office there if my memory serves me right.

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 10:08

SoleySoley · 27/10/2024 09:23

@Cupofteaandbiscuits ...I used to live in Knutsford, there's a station in the centre of town, there was a ticket office there if my memory serves me right.

But the tram doesn't travel from Knutsford. You can by a train tickets in Knutsford but not for the Manchester tram.

No I don't think you can buy children's tickets using tap in. You need to buy a fail ticket at the machine on the tram platform. It's valid for the day (or however long you choose) and covers 2 adults and 3 children under 16. Obviously if you split up your husband and whoever would have to buy a separate ticket up to the Ethihad for that part of the journey.

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 10:19

family not fail

CountTo10 · 27/10/2024 10:20

But ultimately your only option is to buy tickets from the machine on the tram platform.

JCconvert · 27/10/2024 10:25

You could also get the train from knutsford to Altrincham/Navigation road then switch onto the tram. Or the train straight into town. The trains are only 1 per hour though so maybe easier to drive.

Calypsocuckoo · 27/10/2024 16:02

From Knutsford there are three options-

  1. get on train at Knutsford and go to altrincham and then change onto the tram. You can get a straight through ticket to Manchester for train and tram from the machine. Or can pay for train and then get a family travel card from the tram stop ticket machine at alti which is cheapest if parent and a child. Only one train an hour there and back though knuts to alti.
  2. Drive to altrincham and park there and get the tram which is every five mins. Get family travel card. More flexibility then and can come straight home not sit at train station for ages. Alti is 20 mins drive to Knutsford.
  3. drive from Knutsford to Chelford which is about 10 mins away and on a different train line. Park for free in nearby residential road or pay at train station but not many spaces. Get on train from their direct to Manchester Piccadilly and then change there for quick five min tram journey to eithiad and either get tram to centre to shop, about 5 mins or do a 10 minute walk to shops. Only one train an hour to man and back from Chelford, but would only need to do tram from man Piccadilly to eithiad.
coxesorangepippin · 27/10/2024 16:05

All I can say is that if you are going to the museum of science and industry, get off at Castleford

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