# Leaving Manchester Airport (MAN): train, tram, or Uber?

> MAN has trains to almost everywhere in the north, a Metrolink tram to the city, and cheap Uber. Match your route to the right one.

- Published: 2026-07-22
- Updated: 2026-07-22
- Author: Airport Exit
- Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/blog/leaving-manchester-airport-man-train-tram

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Manchester Airport (MAN) has the best rail connections of any UK regional airport. The station is a 5-minute walk from any terminal via the covered Skylink.

## Train (Northern / TransPennine / Avanti)

£5.60 to Manchester Piccadilly in 20 minutes, every ~10 minutes. Direct trains also run to Liverpool (£15, 90 min), Leeds (£20, 90 min), Edinburgh (£70, 3h30), and even Scotland. Buy in advance via *Trainline* or at the station machines to avoid Anytime prices.

## Metrolink tram

£4.80 to St Peter's Square in 55 minutes. Slower than the train but drops you closer to hotels around Deansgate/Northern Quarter. Every 12 min.

## Uber / Bolt / Free Now

£25–40 to the city centre in 25–40 min. Pickup at the multi-storey car park short-stay zone across from each terminal — free for the first 5 minutes. Legal and abundant.

## Taxi (black cab)

£30–45 metered to the centre. Fine but no reason to pick over Uber unless you're a corporate expensing it.

See [Manchester Airport exit guide](/airports/man-manchester) and compare: [Train vs Uber at MAN](/compare/train-vs-uber-at-man-manchester).

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