For many football fans and sports lovers, planning a trip to Old Trafford for a Manchester United game is a dream come true. It’s true – Old Trafford could use a fresh coat of paint and some roof repairs for those rainy Manchester nights, but the atmosphere is still absolutely world-class.
There’s a lot to think about when you’re planning a trip to a Man United match, including how to actually get yourself to Old Trafford. In this guide, we’ll walk you through different Old Trafford transport options, whether you’re driving, taking a train, or getting yourself to the Theater of Dreams some other way.
Different Options for Getting to Old Trafford
When it comes to traveling to Old Trafford, there are a lot of different ways you can get to the stadium to see Manchester United. If you’re already in Manchester to and looking for transportation travel tips for Manchester United match at Old Trafford, you can:
- Walk
- Bike
- Take a tram
- Take a taxi
- Drive
If you’re traveling for sports from further afield, we’ll also cover those options for getting to Old Trafford later in the article.
How to Drive to Old Trafford and Parking Near Old Trafford
In short, driving is one of the hardest ways to get to Old Trafford. If you can avoid it, plan your trip to see Manchester United without a car. If you’re already in Manchester with a car, leave it at your home or hotel.
The area around the stadium becomes incredibly crowded on game days, and there’s almost no official stadium parking. Most of the streets surrounding the stadium also don’t have parking, and it can quickly turn into a stressful nightmare! If you really do have to drive, Manchester United does sell limited on and off-site parking spaces per fixture.
If you’re visiting Old Trafford for a tour of the stadium on a non-match day, parking is much easier. The stadium offers free car parking for tour guests in the E2 car park, which can be accessed from Wharfside Way West. You can use postcode M16 0SZ for navigation, and there are accessible parking spots available in that lot.
Buses to Old Trafford for Manchester United Games
Buses are one option for getting to Old Trafford, especially if you’re already in the city of Manchester. Buses from the city only take about 20 minutes, and often aren’t as busy as the trains, especially if you go earlier and leave plenty of time before the game.
From Piccadilly Gardens you can take the 255, 256, or 263 bus from Stop L to the Chester Rd / Warwick Road stop. From here, the stadium is about a 5-minute walk. A single bus ticket in Manchester costs £2 for adults and £1 for children under 16. A day’s travel costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.
Getting to Old Trafford for Manchester United by Tram
Manchester has a really good tram network that connects all corners of the city, including Old Trafford. If you’re planning a football trip to see Manchester United at Old Trafford, traveling by tram is a great option. You can take the Purple or Green Metrolink lines from the city center to Old Trafford – it only takes about 20 minutes, plus a 10-minute walk to the stadium once you get to Old Trafford Station.
It’s worth mentioning that the trams can get really busy on gamedays, especially around the Deansgate, Castlefield, and St. Peters Square stops. One option is to get on the trams before these stops, which is why Piccadilly Gardens is a great place to start your journey. You can also take the Red Line to the Wharfside Station – it’s just a short walk to the stadium from there.
If you’re planning a sports trip to Old Trafford for Manchester United, make sure you leave plenty of time for trams – you might not be able to squeeze onto the first tram that comes along, so it can take longer than you’d expect to get to the stadium. A 1-day tram ticket in Manchester costs £2.70.
The Best Way to Get to Old Trafford from London
If you’re traveling up to Manchester from London, there are a few different ways to get to the stadium. For football lovers planning a trip to a Manchester United match, here are some options for getting to Old Trafford from London.
London Trains to Old Trafford and Train Stations Near Old Trafford
One of the easiest ways to get to Old Trafford from London is by train. There are a few different options, but one of the easiest is to take a direct train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. You can figure out the exact booking based on your travel dates and times using Avanti.
A direct journey can take less than three hours, but costs can vary. You can expect to pay around £80 for an off-peak ticket or around £200 for a ticket that can be used any time. Once you get to Piccadilly Station in Manchester, you can use the tram or bus directions above to get to Old Trafford.
London Buses to Old Trafford
You can also take a bus from London to Manchester, and it’s sometimes cheaper than a train ticket. One-way bus tickets from London to Manchester start at £10.90 when you book through National Express, and there are lots of different times to choose from. The fastest journey is 4 hrs 45 mins, but your bus may be significantly slower if you’re on a non-express route with a lot of stops.
Most buses, including the National Express routes mentioned above, terminate at the Manchester Central Coach Station. From here, the 255, 256, and 263 buses mentioned above will take you directly from the station to Old Trafford station.
Driving to Old Trafford from London
If you’re planning a sports travelers trip from London to Old Trafford by car, the drive will take you around 4 hours, but it can vary dramatically depending on traffic, and where specifically you’re leaving from in London. This is a more difficult, time-consuming way to get to Old Trafford, so I wouldn’t recommend it unless you absolutely have to bring a car.
As I mentioned earlier, the parking around Old Trafford is extremely limited, and the roads get very congested on game days. If you’re staying in Manchester overnight and have somewhere safe where you can leave your car, that’s a much better option than trying to drive directly to the stadium and find parking.
Biking or Walking to Old Trafford
For those in Manchester, biking and walking are both good options for getting to Old Trafford. Plus, if you’re traveling for sports, it’s a great way to see more of the city and take any fun detours you find on your way to the stadium, like the best bars around Old Trafford.
Biking to Old Trafford
If you’re traveling to Old Trafford by bicycle, there are free cycle racks located in several of the main car parks, including N2 (the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand), E2 (the East Stand), and W2 (the West Stand). These are the only areas where you can leave your bike, as bikes left in other car parks or areas of the stadium may be removed. Remember to bring your own bike lock!
Walking to Old Trafford to See Manchester United
Whenever I’m planning a trip for a football game, I try to fit as much walking in as possible. I think it’s the best way to see new cities – you get a feel for the vibe, and it’s so easy to stop anywhere you pass, whether it’s an atmospheric pub, a cute shop, or an interesting-looking restaurant near Old Trafford.
Of course, one thing you have to consider if you’re planning on walking to Old Trafford is the weather – it doesn’t always cooperate with your plans! But as long as you have an umbrella (small, fold-up umbrellas are allowed into the stadium) and some good shoes, you shouldn’t be too miserable. Depending on where you are in the city, a walk to Old Trafford might take you up to an hour.
Can you Take a Taxi or Ride Share to Old Trafford?
Another option for sports lovers planning a football trip to see Manchester United at Old Trafford is to get to the stadium via a taxi or ride-share service like Uber or Bolt. If you’re traveling to Old Trafford by taxi or ride-share, you can use the postcode M16 0RA.
The price, of course, varies depending on where you start your journey. If you are travelling from Manchester Airport, a taxi will take around 20-30 minutes and the average cost is £35. If you’re traveling from Piccadilly Station, a ride will take around 15 minutes and cost around £10.
Prices can also vary depending on how much traffic there is. In general, ride-shares like Ubers tend to be a similar price to taxis – you can compare prices for your specific journey to find the cheapest option on the day.
Take the Time to Plan How to Get to Old Trafford
For any football traveler, traveling for Manchester United at Old Trafford is an absolute dream come true. The Theater of Dreams is one of the most iconic venues in the world, and it’s important to visit Old Trafford without experiencing a sense of awe and nostalgia. Hopefully, these travel tips for Manchester United games will help you get to Old Trafford without hiccups or delays, whether you’re on foot, public transport, or driving.
