Between Wednesday 31 May and Sunday 4 June, there are major events taking place across Manchester as the city welcomes global stars such as Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Elton John to play at some of the largest venues. Along with a planned rail strike for June 3 and both Manchester City and Manchester United fans heading for London to attend the FA Cup final.
Whether you plan on attending any of the events or just need to get around the city, be in the know for how to get from point A to point B.
The RMT and ASLEF unions have announced a series of industrial action on the railways, with strikes set to affect train journeys on a number of dates, including Wednesday 31 May, Friday 2 June and Saturday 3 June.
If you are travelling into and out of Manchester city centre from local, regional or national destinations, our travel advice is:
- Consider whether you can make your journey on another day when there isn’t a strike planned.
- Check the status of your full journey with your operator – both in advance and right before you travel. The National Rail Enquiries website is continually updated with the latest impacts of the strikes.
Coldplay tour to the Etihad on 31 May, 1, 3 and 4 June.
Metrolink
- There will be a 6-minute service between the Etihad Campus and the city centre until approximately 1am on Wednesday 31 May, Thursday 1 June, Saturday 3 June and Sunday 4 June.
- The last tram to the city centre from the Etihad Stadium will depart at 1.11am on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The last tram will depart at 12.31am on the Sunday.
- The last tram to Ashton from the Etihad Stadium will depart at 12.11am on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The last tram will depart at 11.35pm on the Sunday.
Bus
- There are a number of commercial buses that stop in and around the Etihad, including the 216, which stops along Ashton New Road and provides a connection between the Etihad and the city centre and Stalybridge.
- Bus services will be operating to their advertised timetable.
Arctic Monkeys at Emirates Old Trafford for two nights on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June.
Strongly recommend the use of public transport for the events, as journey times and congestion are likely to be significantly higher than usual – especially on Saturday 3 June, when there are multiple events and rail strikes on the same day.
Metrolink
- Old Trafford tram stop (Bury/Altrincham lines) is located next to the ground, and the best stop to use to arrive at the venue.
- After the concert, please use Old Trafford for journeys back into the city centre and Trafford Bar for southbound journeys on the East Didsbury or Airport lines. Please do not use Trafford Bar for trams to the city centre.
- Alternatively, you may find it quicker to get to the city centre by walking 10 minutes to Wharfside and boarding a city centre bound tram there.
- The last tram from Old Trafford to the city centre will depart at 1.08am and towards Altrincham at 12.29am.
- The last tram from Trafford Bar to East Didsbury will depart at 11.46pm and to the Airport at 11.31pm.
Train
- On both Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June, there are planned rail strikes which will impact local and national journeys to the event. Extremely limited services will operate, if any at all, and you should find an alternative means of travel to the venue.
Elton John tour to the AO Arena for three nights on 31 May, 2 and 3 June.
Strongly recommend the use of public transport for the events, as journey times and congestion are likely to be significantly higher than usual – especially on Saturday 3 June, when there are multiple events and rail strikes on the same day.
Metrolink and Train
- The arena is adjacent to Victoria tram stop/railway station with both offering excellent transport connections to areas across the North West.
- Rail strikes will take place on all concert dates. Extremely limited services will operate, if any at all, and you should find an alternative means of travel to the venue.
Manchester City will play Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 3 June at 3pm.
However, there is significant strike action planned across the rail sector on the day of the final, as well as the day before (2 and 3 June).
All people travelling to this year’s FA Cup Final are advised to consider alternative travel arrangements.
Travel advice for those hoping to attend the event:
- No rail services are expected to operate and should find alternative means of travel.
- The FA will be operating additional coach services, to and from Wembley Stadium on Saturday 3 June, in collaboration with both clubs.
- Both Radcliffe and East Didsbury Park and Ride sites will be used as coach pick up and drop off points for FA Cup Final coaches travelling to London. This means that these sites are expected to be extremely busy and you may not find a space on Saturday 3 June.
- Prepare for severe congestion on the roads around Wembley, as those who would usually take the train will have no choice than to travel by road.
- Any fans who had already bought a rail ticket to travel to the FA Cup Final can use their ticket to travel at any time on Friday 2 June, or up to and including Tuesday 6 June. If you choose not to travel by rail on the alternative dates, you are entitled to a full, fee-free refund. For more information and refund claim details, you can visit the Avanti West Coast website.