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Getting around Manchester

Public transport: 

Due to its relatively small size, Manchester is a great city to explore on foot (good, free pocket maps are available from the Tourist Information Centre). However, the local travel network ran by Public Transport for Greater Manchester (GMPTE), (tel: (0161) 244 1000; www.gmpte.com) offers a comprehensive range of city-wide bus, train and tram services.

The main bus station is at Piccadilly Gardens, to the east of the city centre. Free Metroshuttle services operate along three circular routes in the city, linking the main attractions and the city's four railway stations.

Metrolink (www.metrolink.co.uk) trams operate through the city centre with services to Bury in the north, Altrincham in the south and Salford Quays (close to Old Trafford cricket and football grounds) and Eccles in the west.

Nightbus services operate along the main routes on Friday and Saturday nights, regularly until 0330. Day tickets are also available from GMPTE.

Taxis: 

There are two types of taxis: five-passenger black cabs operated through the local council and four-passenger private hire cars. Officially, only the black cabs can be flagged on the street. Alternatively, use one of the many taxi ranks located at all the major train and bus stations. Private hire cars are usually slightly cheaper than black cabs but should be booked in advance.

To prebook a black cab, call Mantax (tel: (0161) 230 3333). For private taxis, try Street Cars (tel: (0161) 228 7878) or Taxifone (tel: (0161) 232 3333).

Car hire: 

There are numerous car hire companies. Avis (tel: 0844 544 6080; www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: (0161) 839 5815; www.europcar.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: 07894 072 845; www.hertz.co.uk) have offices at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle hire: 

Oybike (tel: 0845 226 5751; www.oybike.com) allow visitors to hire out bikes via a mobile phone. The Oybikes are docked at special stations and can be unlocked via a code (issued from a call centre) typed into the onboard keypad. When the bike is returned, a code displayed on the keypad must be telephoned back to the call centre, which terminates the rental period. The first 30 minutes are free of charge.

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