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| Manchester | ||
| country | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 547.627 (2018) | |
| height | 38 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Manchester is the largest city in the northwest England. It is the economic and cultural center of Greater Manchester (also called "Manchester Metropolitan Area"), which is the second largest urban and economic area in the United Kingdom with 2.6 million inhabitants. Along with Birmingham one competes for the title "UK's 2nd City". But Manchester seems to have won this fight long ago!
Districts
Wikivoyage holds a guidebook for that center Manchester ready.
background
Manchester is one of the most multicultural cities in Europe and has the largest campus university in Great Britain. With a total of around 100,000 students, the campus is one of the largest in the world.
getting there
By plane
The
is located in the south of the city and ranks third in the ranking of British airports after London airports. All major UK airlines are represented here.There are the following direct flights from German-speaking countries: (as of March 2016)
- Lufthansa. Frankfurt am Main, Munich.
- Germanwings. Cologne / Bonn.
- Eurowings. Düsseldorf, Hamburg.
- Austrian Airlines. Vienna, Innsbruck.
- Swiss. Zurich.
- easyJet. Berlin-Schönefeld, Geneva, Hamburg, Munich.
- Thomson. Salzburg.
- Ryanair. Bremen, Eindhoven, Stuttgart, from October / November also Berlin-Schönefeld, Hamburg, Nuremberg.
The airport consists of three terminals. Terminal 1 and 3 are located in the same building. Terminal 1 and 2 are via the Skywalk (10-15 minutes on foot), which also connects the airport train station to the terminals. From the train station there are several hourly, direct connections from different ones National Rail Companies in the direction Manchester Piccadilly, the main train station of the city from which there are connections to the whole country. A ride in the direction Manchester Piccadilly takes 15 to 25 minutes and costs 4.80 or 4.10 pounds at peak or off-peak times. There are also connections in the direction Manchester Oxford Road and Deansgate. From 2016 the airport is also connected to the tram network Metrolink connected.
The airport is also connected to the local bus network. The stagecoach bus line 43 runs in the same direction 24 hours a day, every 10 minutes during the day and every half hour in the evening Piccadilly Gardens. The journey takes at least 48 minutes. Again, it might be worthwhile to do so under the section mobility described Dayrider ticket for 4 pounds. Intercity buses from National Express operate from the airport station to all parts of England and Scotland. The ticket office is located at the train station and is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Taxis are also available at the airport exit. A fixed-price streetcar can also be booked via the airport website. Street cars or Taxi private hire Unlike the typical British taxis, these are booked and cannot be called with a show of hands.
However, not all street car companies have a good reputation and you should seek advice or trust official bodies and hotels.
By train
Of London Euston there are hourly connections with Virgin Trains in the direction Manchester Piccadilly. The journey time is approximately 2:30 hours.
By bus
Manchester has its own bus station on the National Express lines. Megabus.com also drives to the city.
With the National Express buses you can easily arrive from cities like Liverpool (approx. 1 hour drive).
In the street
By boat
mobility
Manchester city center is very compact and most points except Trafford Center or Castlefield can be reached on foot.
However, if you don't always want to walk, there are three lines within the city center Metro shuttleswhich can be used for free. With the exception of line 3, which does not run on Sundays, all lines are on the move 7 days a week from at least 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and connect many tourist and central locations in a circular route. From Monday to Friday, all three lines run from 7:00 a.m. As the lines, like all buses in Manchester, unfortunately do not have a GPS information system, it is helpful to print out the information and maps provided by the bus company.
Piccadilly Gardens in the city center is the main hub for buses. Some buses (there are the typical double deckers) run every 10 to 15 minutes in the morning.
In Manchester, unlike in London, the buses are not red and the private bus companies here have kept their own color scheme. Single tickets are usually only valid for the respective bus company and cannot be used with other companies.
Information about public transport, as well as a travel planner and PDF route plans (Find a timetable) can be found at the superordinate Transport for Greater Manchester.
The bus companies such as Stagecoach / Magic Bus and First offer day tickets, Day rider and FirstDay, for the price of 4 pounds, which is often worth it for a round trip. However, the Stagecoach / Magic Bus Dayrider ticket cannot be used on First buses and vice versa. Stagecoach / Magic Bus (Megarider) and First (FirstWeek) also offer weekly tickets for 13 pounds and 13.50 pounds, respectively. If you have to change the bus driver, it's worth it DaySaver any bus for 5.60 pounds or DaySaver any bus off-peak (during the week from 9:30 a.m., unlimited on weekends) for 5.20 pounds from SystemOne at. There you can find information about other tickets that also include the tram lines. These tickets are also available from the driver.
FYI: Magic Bus is a no-frills bus company on main Stagecoach routes and operates routes 142, 143 to Wilmslow and Didsbury in Manchester on routes that First or Stagecoach also operate themselves. However, the 143 does not go to the airport like the 43 from Stagecoach.
Children under 5 travel for free with adults. In any case, a reduced price applies up to the age of 11. Normally the reduced price applies up to and including 16 years of age. A special one Igo pass however, is required for local children and is only available to them. Perhaps drivers also allow a foreign child passport to be valid. (Prices as of June 2014)
Sometimes the bus connection looks problematic in more remote parts of the city, as buses run less here and do not stick to the times when they should actually arrive at the respective stops.
Tourist Attractions
The city itself is a sight to see. The rare half-timbered houses that one finds again and again are interesting. Manchester Cathedral doesn't really compare to the beauty of Cologne Cathedral, but it's well worth a visit. As is common in England, many museums are free. Manchester Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Industry, People's Museum and many more are recommended! Constantly changing exhibitions are normal here. Since there are six universities in Manchester (including one for art), it is normal to have pictures by local artists displayed in pubs. There are always small private art studios in side streets.
The Trafford Center, probably one of the most pompous shopping centers of all, is also a must. Other downtown malls include the Triangle, Manchester Arndale and The Printworks.
- 1 Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP. Tel.: 44 161 832 2244.
- 2 National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG. Tel.: 44 161 870 9275.
- 3 Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel.: 44 161 235 8888. near Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
- 4 The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH. Tel.: 44 161 306 0555. Library in a Victorian Gothic church-like building.
activities
shop
There are many huge shopping malls in Manchester, such as Arndale Center, Triangle and that Trafford Center. Designer outlets like TK-Maxx are also not missing.
The main shopping street is Market Street, which borders the Piccadilly Gardens central bus station. Market Street includes the Arndale Center and stores from all major retail chains.
There are other shopping streets around St. Anns Square, King Street and Corporation Street with Selfridges, Next and the Corn Exchange Center (Triangle).
King Street was the actual upmarket shopping street in Manchester for smaller shops, but the high rents caused problems. But the street has very nice buildings and still lots of shops.
There are now also shops in downtown Manchester like ALDI and LIDL, where you can shop a little cheaper than in conventional shops. Overall, the higher cost of living in England is also noticeable in Manchester.
You can buy drugstore items cheaper in the many pound shops, such as Bargain World, Pound World, Pound Land or Quality Save at the Piccadilly Gardens bus stops. Regular drugstore chains are boots or Super drug. Some products are also available in pharmacies.
You can rest after shopping, for example, in branches of Starbucks, Costa or Caffè Nero, which are really on every other street corner.
kitchen
There are countless dining options in Manchester thanks to the large number of immigrants. There is therefore no typical kitchen. In the so-called 1 Curry Mile on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme has one Indian restaurant after the next. There are dozens of Chinese restaurants in Manchester 2 China Town around Faulkner Street.
Cheap
- 3 Jamie's Italian, 100 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WU. Tel.: 44(0)161 241 3901. Relatively cheap restaurant of the famous chef in a beautiful building, unfortunately closed since May 21, 2019.
- 4 Wetherspoon - The Waterhouse, 67-71 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EG. One of many Wetherspoon pubs in England that also offers full English breakfasts. Certainly neither low in calories nor low in fat, but there is also a vegetarian version, American pancakes, a bagel and a fruit salad. Overall, an opportunity to get to know the English pub culture as an alternative to the hotel breakfast, even if it is a large chain. There is even a children's English breakfast. Of course there is also lunch and dinner.Open: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Yate's, 49 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 3LD. Another centrally located English chain that of course also offers menus.Open: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. or longer.
nightlife
A central exit area is the Northern Quarter around Thomas Street. There is still that The Printworks near the Arndale Center, which includes bars, restaurants and clubs as well as a cinema.
accommodation
Cheap
- Manchester youth hostel YHA, Potato Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4NB. Tel.: 44(0)845 371 9647. Open: all year round.
Learn
Work
security
Manchester may no longer be one of the UK's most unsafe cities (this was the reason why huge blocks of flats near Hulme Park were demolished and single-family homes were built instead), but caution should still be exercised. Pickpockets are normal in a big city, but in Manchester it is also advisable, for example, to leave the glove compartment open when parking to show potential thieves that there is nothing to be got in this car.
Houses without alarm systems are usually uninhabited because it is far too dangerous and break-ins are very common. As in other countries, stolen goods are welcome, e.g. car radios, navigation devices and cell phones (do not take out the cell phone on the street or while walking, it is gone immediately!).
In the city center, handbags should be carried in front of the body to avoid possible theft.
health
Practical advice
- 1 Manchester Visitor Information Center (Tourist information), Piccadilly Plaza Portland Street Manchester M1 4BT. Tel.: 44 (0)871 222 8223, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30pm, Sun 10:30 am-4:30pm.
trips
- Chester: The originally Roman legionary city with its today's medieval center and many half-timbered houses is every 30 minutes by train from Manchester Piccadilly and every hour from Manchester Oxford Road Reachable in 1 to 1:30 hours. If you drive back on the same day it costs one Anytime day return ticket 17.10 pounds maximum. Here you have to be careful and maybe order at the counter, as a single trip has the same price and you would pay twice. There is also a Off-peak day return ticket from 9:00 a.m. for 12.30 pounds, the return journey can be freely chosen. (Prices as of June 2014)
- Blackpool: Although the old English coastal town of Blackpool has suffered social and economic problems and lost its importance due to international tourism, it still shows a lot about English history and is worthwhile due to the many attractions for families with children. The three piers, Northern, Central and Southern are worth seeing. While the Central and Southern Piers are very nice with rides for children, the Northern Pier is rather quieter. Although the Blackpool Tower can only be visited for a fee, the associated traditional Tower Lounge and Cafe is and at times also the Tower Ballroom accessible free of charge. The Wintergarden houses the Wintergarden Ballroom, which can also be visited from time to time. Blackpool North Station is within 1:15 hours by train from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road every hour for 17.70 pounds with one Off-peak day return ticket reachable. From 9:00 a.m. it is 16.40 pounds. For trips to Blackpool also applies early in the morning Off-peak ticket. The railway stations Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are not with Blackpool North connected and switching to Preston on the way to Manchester is required. (Prices as of June 2014) Due to the strong tides, the sea regularly reaches the promenade.
literature
Web links
- https://cms.manchester.gov.uk/ (en) - Manchester Official Website
