To ask how to get from Manchester Piccadilly to the Trafford Centre

[BigFatPuddingMonster]

I'm meeting friends and staying overnight at the Premier Inn by the Trafford Centre next Sunday. I'm travelling on the train from Brum to Manchester Piccadilly and thought I'd ask what is the best way of getting from the station to the Trafford Centre? Is a taxi likely to be super expensive or is it easily accessible by public transport? Any Mancunians about to help me out? Thanks in advance.

Google maps is your friend.

You can get the x250 bus from Piccadilly gardens which is like a 5 minute walk from Piccadilly station. Or catch a tram which also goes to the Trafford centre. The tram is probably your easiest and quicker option.

Tram, change at Cornbrook for the Trafford centre line iirc.

Walk to deansgate and get the tram, think Barton Dock Road is the stop you’d need for the Trafford centre

You can get a tram. Nicest way to travel. Takes about 50 mins.

Tram from Piccadilly (towards Altrincham) off at Cornbrook. Tram to Trafford centre.

The metrolink goes to the Trafford Centre now. A taxi would be far more expensive.

Check on the Transport For Greater Manchester page (tfgm.com) as last I saw I think there were some changes to the piccadilly tram line (I don't go into town too often) but they may well be resolved now.

Your best bet is probably the tram

You want the red line

https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/live-departures/bus/x50-piccadilly-gardens
https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/live-departures/bus/250-the-trafford-centre

Agree with PP that google maps would be very helpful to you.

Local knowledge is 1,000x better, that’s why people ask on here. If someone wanted to know how to get from A to B in my neck of the woods I would help as opposed to making a snide comment. Usually when people come on here to ask they have already done some research and there is conflicting information.

I use Rome to rio on my phone

They’ve probably already looked, found a range of information and are now seeking local knowledge to try and come to the best solution for them.

You want an Eccles or MediaCity-bound tram from Piccadilly. Change at the Cornbrook stop for a Trafford Centre tram.

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies. I really appreciate it!!

There are direct buses from Piccadilly gardens- 250 and X50

Get the Metrolink (tram) from Piccadilly railway station to Deansgate-Castlefield or Cornbrook (dir. Altrincham, Manchester Airport or Eccles) then change to a Trafford Centre tram. It's an easy, although fairly slow, journey. Cornbrook is often windy IME though, so I'd change at Deansgate-Castlefield. Also, you're more likely to get first dibs on seats if there's a tram waiting to set off.

You can get a ticket for the whole journey from the machine on the Metrolink platform and you pay for the zones you'll travel through, so you'll need to look at the network's route map stuck to the machine or on the platform) and just follow the steps on the machine. You can check the Bee network website too.

Thanks @TheRoseBear really helpful and detailed directions. I'm such a nervous traveller.

Another vote for the tram

Here is the most helpful reply. Don't go to the Trafford Centre. Its all shiny and full of absolute shite, full of people and too crowded. Stay in Manchester itself and I can recommend some amazing places with amazing food, quirky bars and culture.

If you download an app called citymapper it gives you directions where to go, what tram to catch etc.

I've used it for London. It was amazing.

My daughter wants to go to Trafford centre shopping for her birthday, but worried travel maybe difficult due to Gay pride weekend , travelling to Manchester Piccadilly 26/8/2024, advice please

@Jacksara it'll be fine tomorrow. Manchester is only really busy in the city for pride on the Saturday daytime because of the parade and lots of families going. The rest of the weekend it's pretty much just busy in the venues where Pride is held (which you won't stumble on accidentally as it's cordoned off/wristbands only, around canal st and a couple of other venues)

^This is by far your easiest option if you don't know Manchester, and you'll get to see a bit of Manchester along the way 😀