Manchester Piccadilly Train Station is the main train station in Manchester. Built in 1842, Piccadilly Station offers long-distance, intercity and cross-country services to famous destinations such as London, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

To get from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, you have four different transfer options; taxi, private transfer, train or bus. The quickest transfer option is the train, it takes just 15 minutes to reach Piccadilly and costs £3.20 (€4) one-way. The most comfortable transfer option is taking a Manchester Airport taxi or private car as it takes only 18 minutes direct. Your final option is to take one of the two buses, costing just £3.50 (€4) one-way but takes around 45 minutes.

4 options to go from Manchester Airport to city center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€54 18min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Taxi
€50 18min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Train
€8 15min 02:59–00:38
Convenience
Read more
Bus
€8 45min 24/7
Convenience
Read more
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How to get from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly by taxi

The most comfortable way to travel from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly is by taxi. They are available 24/7 and will take you on a private ride to Piccadilly station in just 18 minutes in light traffic.

Taxi fare from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly

Taxis at Manchester Airport don’t offer a set-rate fee for the journey to Piccadilly Station. Instead, they will calculate your fare based on several factors, such as the time of day, vehicle size and number of passengers. Having said this, the average fare for a taxi from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly is £42 (€50). Bear in mind that other charges may apply and your fare could increase due to traffic levels.

If you’d rather book your transfer in advance to ensure a seamless arrival, you can pre-book with a reliable company like Welcome. We offer 24/7 customer support, sightseeing rides and even an app to keep things sweet and simple.

Where do I get it from?

Taxis are available outside all terminals at Manchester Airport. At Terminal 1 you can find the taxi rank right outside the terminal building, opposite the arrivals car park. At Terminal 2, it’s just outside the exit closest to baggage claim and at Terminal 3, it’s next to entrance door 1 at arrivals.

Convenience

Nothing beats a private and relaxing transfer, especially after a long flight. That’s why taking a taxi from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly is so convenient. No matter what time you land, a taxi will be waiting to take you directly to the front door of Piccadilly Station so you can begin your journey in style.

Useful Tips

Some taxi drivers accept card payments, but be sure to check with your driver before entering the cab.
Tips are not expected by taxi drivers in England, but you can round up your fare if you had great service.
If you're travelling at night, expect your fare to be a little higher.

How to get from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly by train

Taking the train from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly is the quickest transfer option. The station is just 14 km from the airport and you can transfer to anywhere else in England from there. The fastest train takes just 13 minutes, whilst the average journey time is about 15-17 minutes.

TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales and Northern Rail all operate the Manchester Airport to Piccadilly Train Station route, with over 154 trains per day, giving you plenty of options.

How much is the train from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly?

A one-way ticket for the train from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly costs just £3.20 (€4). You can purchase your tickets online in advance to save money, or from the ticket office or self-service machines in the station.

*Manchester Airport Station’s ticket office is open Monday to Sunday between 06:30 and 22:30.

Cost
£3.20 (€4)
Trip Duration
15 Min
There's a waiting time of up to 15 minutes for the train.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The train is available from 02:59 to 00:38.

Where do I get it from?

The train to Manchester Piccadilly is located in the train station at Manchester Airport. You can get there from all terminals by walking for about 10 minutes across the Sky Link bridge.

Convenience

Taking the train from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly isn’t just the cheapest option, it’s also one of the most convenient. The trains practically run 24/7 from Manchester Airport and run directly to Piccadilly Station in just 15 minutes. Unless you are travelling with a lot of luggage, this is a great transfer option for all budgets.

Timetables

Train from Manchester Airport

Useful Tips

You can save up to 61% if you book your train ticket online in advance.
There's WiFi available on board the train.
Be sure to arrive 5 minutes before the train is due to leave to ensure you can get a seat.

How to get from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly by bus

Two different Stagecoach buses run from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly train station 24/7, they are the 43 and 103 buses. Although this transfer option is cheap, it’s the slowest as it takes 45 minutes to reach Piccadilly Station.

How much are the buses from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly?

A one-way ticket for the 43 and 103 buses costs £3.50 (€4). You can purchase your tickets from the driver.

Cost
£3.50 (€4)
Trip Duration
45 Min
There's a waiting time of up to 15 minutes for the 43 and 103 buses.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The 43 and 103 buses are available 24/7 from Manchester Airport.

Where do I get it from?

The 43 and 103 Stagecoach buses depart from the train station at Manchester Airport. To get there from all three terminals, you can use the Sky Link bridge. It takes just 10 minutes to walk from the terminal buildings to the train station.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly is the least convenient transfer option. It takes over double the time of the other transfer options and once you arrive at Piccadilly Gardens, you will need to walk to Piccadilly Station.

Timetables

Number 43 Bus

Number 103 Bus

Useful Tips

The bus drivers accept payments in both cash and by card.
If you're paying with cash, be sure to have change in the local currency with you.
There's limited luggage storage at the front of the buses.

Manchester Airport private transfers

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Sedan

Sedan up to 4 passengers

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Mercedes-Benz E-class, Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia
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Minivan up to 6 passengers

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Book Minibus
Minibus

Minibus up to 12 passengers

€238Starting from 19.8 EUR / passenger

Frequently asked questions

How do you get from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly?

If you’re looking to make the transfer from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly, you have four options; taxi, private transfer, train or bus. Taking a Manchester Airport taxi is the most comfortable option and it takes only 18 minutes to reach the station. However, it’s also the most expensive transfer option at £42 (€50). Another quick option is the train which costs £3.20 (€4) and takes 15 minutes. Your final option is the 43 or 103 bus, which costs £3.50 (€4), but takes 45 minutes.

How far is it from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly Station?

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Transfer Options in Manchester