Old Trafford Metrolink stop
5 min walkStep-free access recorded
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15
Red Devils · #MUFC · Glory Glory Man United
THE MATCHDAY GUIDE · Manchester
Getting to Old Trafford
Use Manchester Piccadilly as your mainline arrival station, then change to Metrolink for Old Trafford. In normal operation the Altrincham-line tram serves Old Trafford stop, a short signed walk from the football ground; Wharfside and Imperial War Museum are alternatives on the Trafford Park line.
Plan a stay at Manchester United ↗BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Put your trip together
01 · Arrive
Your route into Old Trafford
Go to the south-east corner of Old Trafford for the visiting-supporter turnstiles, rather than entering by the Stretford End. The club opens the away gates two hours before kick-off. Recent visiting-club guidance names S22 and E30, but follow the exact entrance shown on your ticket. From Old Trafford Metrolink stop, walk towards the stadium on the signed pedestrian route and continue round to the south-east corner. From Wharfside or the Trafford Park side, approach the East Stand and keep going to the away section. Allow extra time for security queues and any temporary pedestrian barriers. If you need an accessible entrance, do not assume the standard turnstiles are suitable. Recent visiting-club guidance uses AE8, while older materials name different accessible entrances; confirm the entrance for your allocated seat with your visiting club or Manchester United before travelling.
Visiting Supporters Guide ↗02 · Reach the away end
After the match
If you are taking Metrolink, expect queues at Old Trafford and other stops nearest the stadium. TfGM often adds double trams for home games, but a packed service may still require waiting. Give yourself a generous margin before any timed intercity train from Piccadilly or Victoria. Drivers should expect police-managed exits and closures on Wharfside Way, Sir Matt Busby Way and Warwick Road. Trafford Village’s longer walk may keep the car outside the closest stadium parking exit queues, but it does not guarantee a quick departure. TfGM warns of road delays that can reach 50 minutes. For 25 October 2026, do not return to the normal tram platform expecting an Altrincham or Trafford Park tram. TfGM directs city-centre passengers to load-and-go replacement buses at Chester Road by the Ford garage or Wharfside Way near E2. Follow the matchday signs and allow extra time.
Getting to Old Trafford ↗03 · Stay or head home?
Choose your base before your hotel
Stay around Manchester Piccadilly or Deansgate if you want the strongest balance of rail links, restaurants and a night out. Both put the city centre within easy reach and normally connect to Old Trafford by Metrolink.
Hotel to compare: Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel · Old Trafford / Sir Matt Busby Way
Compare the stay areas →Rail, Underground & tram
Use Manchester Piccadilly as your mainline arrival station, then change to Metrolink for Old Trafford. In normal operation the Altrincham-line tram serves Old Trafford stop, a short signed walk from the football ground; Wharfside and Imperial War Museum are alternatives on the Trafford Park line.
Do not plan a connection through Manchester United Football Ground railway station. National Rail says its former matchday services are suspended indefinitely. If your train arrives at Victoria or Oxford Road, use the city-centre tram connections and check the route that runs on your match date.
For fixtures from 19 October to 1 November 2026, the normal tram approach is unavailable on the affected lines. TfGM is running replacement buses; for the Bournemouth match on 25 October it directs fans from Piccadilly to Trafford Bar or Wharfside by express bus. Allow considerably more time.
- Recommended mainline arrival
- Manchester Piccadilly, followed by Metrolink or the fixture-specific replacement service.
- Normal closest tram stop
- Old Trafford (Altrincham line), about five minutes to the stadium perimeter.
- Other suitable tram stops
- Wharfside and Imperial War Museum on the Trafford Park line; Trafford Bar and Exchange Quay also used for matchday journeys.
- Disused matchday rail station
- Manchester United Football Ground (MUF): train services suspended indefinitely.
- Major planned tram closure
- 19 October–1 November 2026: no trams on Altrincham, Trafford Centre or Eccles lines; East Didsbury/Airport routes terminate at Firswood.
- 25 October 2026 express replacement
- From Piccadilly: TfGM advertises services approximately every 10 minutes to Trafford Bar and 15 minutes to Wharfside for Manchester United v Bournemouth.
- Normal tram-zone location
- Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, Exchange Quay and Wharfside are in Metrolink Zone 2.
Station to ground & away entrance
Go to the south-east corner of Old Trafford for the visiting-supporter turnstiles, rather than entering by the Stretford End. The club opens the away gates two hours before kick-off. Recent visiting-club guidance names S22 and E30, but follow the exact entrance shown on your ticket.
From Old Trafford Metrolink stop, walk towards the stadium on the signed pedestrian route and continue round to the south-east corner. From Wharfside or the Trafford Park side, approach the East Stand and keep going to the away section. Allow extra time for security queues and any temporary pedestrian barriers.
If you need an accessible entrance, do not assume the standard turnstiles are suitable. Recent visiting-club guidance uses AE8, while older materials name different accessible entrances; confirm the entrance for your allocated seat with your visiting club or Manchester United before travelling.
- Away seating location
- South-east corner of Old Trafford, adjoining the East Stand.
- Recent standard away entrances
- S22 and E30 named by Tottenham Hotspur in its visiting-supporter match guidance; ticket controls.
- Away turnstile opening
- Two hours before kick-off, according to Manchester United.
- Accessible entrance (visiting-club example)
- AE8 in recent Tottenham away-supporter guidance; confirm for the specific allocation.
- Assistance and duplicate tickets
- Supporter Services in car park W2; duplicate visiting tickets only after authorisation from away club and with photo ID.
- Supporter Services telephone
- 0161 676 7770.
- Matchday bag-drop location
- E2 car park includes the designated away-supporter bag drop; £5 per item.
Buses & local travel
In normal service, take Metrolink to Old Trafford or Wharfside rather than looking for a taxi close to kick-off. Old Trafford tram stop is on the Altrincham route, while Wharfside serves the Trafford Park route. Tap in and out correctly, and expect a managed queue after a big game.
Bee Network buses 30, 250, 255, 256 and 263 also serve the district. They divert from roughly 30 minutes before kick-off until an hour after the game, so use TfGM’s matchday stops rather than assuming the usual Chester Road stop will be available. Adult single bus fares are currently £2.
On 25 October 2026 the Altrincham and Trafford Park tram lines are closed for engineering works. Dedicated buses from Piccadilly and post-match services from Chester Road and Wharfside Way replace parts of the usual journey. Check the fixture-specific map before setting off.
- Normal tram service
- Altrincham line for Old Trafford; Trafford Park line for Wharfside and Imperial War Museum.
- Local bus routes
- 30, 250, 255, 256 and 263; matchday diversions apply.
- Bee Network adult single bus fare
- £2.
- Typical diversion window
- Approximately 30 minutes before kick-off and one hour following full time; fixture-specific.
- Service 79 special restriction
- Service 79 runs only between Salford Shopping Centre and MediaCityUK for two hours before/after Manchester United home matches.
- Postmatch city-centre shuttle departure
- Chester Road outside Ford garage by Throstles Green; TfGM advertises load-and-go city-bound buses after home matches.
- 25 October replacement bus departure
- Piccadilly express buses to Trafford Bar and Wharfside; post-match special boarding locations shown on the fixture map.
Away coaches
If you are travelling on an official visiting-supporter coach, follow the departure and collection instructions issued by your own club or coach organiser. Do not drive an independent coach straight to Sir Matt Busby Way expecting to stop at the away turnstiles. Matchday traffic controls and stewarding can change the route.
Coaches should agree their authorised unloading and post-match collection point with Manchester United in advance. The south-east corner is the away entrance, but the published visitor guidance does not establish one permanent, public coach pick-up point for every fixture. Drivers should confirm where to meet passengers before the match starts.
After the final whistle, allow for pedestrian controls and roads reopening before expecting the coach to move. Trafford’s post-match closures affect Wharfside Way, Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way, so collection instructions from your operator take priority over a sat-nav route.
- Away spectator entrance
- South-east corner, ticket-designated gates.
- Postmatch traffic-control roads
- Wharfside Way, Sir Matt Busby Way and Warwick Road.
- Official stadium enquiries
- 0161 676 7770, or the visiting club’s travel organiser.
- Coach collection instruction
- Confirm in advance with the away coach operator; a universal point is not documented in the inspected visitor guidance.
Accessible journeys
Arrange any accessible parking or specific seating needs before matchday through Manchester United’s accessibility team and your visiting club. The ground has dedicated accessible areas and an Ability Suite. Matchday Blue Badge parking is allocated in advance rather than available just by arriving with a badge.
Old Trafford Metrolink stop is described by the club as wheelchair accessible, but consider the full pavement and stadium route before selecting your stop. Accessible supporters normally use a dedicated entrance in the south-east corner. Recent visiting-team information names AE8; older club materials mention AE1 or AE2, so confirm the entrance printed for your allocation.
The stadium offers accessible toilets and audio-description headsets, which away supporters can request in advance. Contact accessibility@manutd.co.uk or the club’s accessible ticketing team on 0161 868 8001. Allow extra time if lift access, a drop-off or support from stewards needs arranging.
- Accessible ticketing telephone
- 0161 868 8001.
- Accessibility email
- accessibility@manutd.co.uk.
- Away accessible seating route
- Recent visiting guidance uses AE8 in south-east corner; verify ticket and club confirmation.
- Older alternative entrance details
- Older club and visiting-club guidance also names AE1/AE2; do not assume the same entrance on every allocation.
- Dedicated facilities
- Ability Suite, accessible toilets and designated wheelchair viewing areas.
- Audio description
- Audio commentary headsets available; away supporters should request in advance via accessibility@manutd.co.uk.
- Matchday accessible car parking
- Book through Manchester United accessible ticketing/accessibility team in advance; price and exact allocated lot need confirmation.
- Old Trafford tram stop step-free
- Club describes Old Trafford Metrolink stop as accessible to wheelchair users; check route and works.
- Postmatch accessibility warning
- Crowd-management delays and traffic closures; check assistance arrangements and latest service alternatives.
After the match
If you are taking Metrolink, expect queues at Old Trafford and other stops nearest the stadium. TfGM often adds double trams for home games, but a packed service may still require waiting. Give yourself a generous margin before any timed intercity train from Piccadilly or Victoria.
Drivers should expect police-managed exits and closures on Wharfside Way, Sir Matt Busby Way and Warwick Road. Trafford Village’s longer walk may keep the car outside the closest stadium parking exit queues, but it does not guarantee a quick departure. TfGM warns of road delays that can reach 50 minutes.
For 25 October 2026, do not return to the normal tram platform expecting an Altrincham or Trafford Park tram. TfGM directs city-centre passengers to load-and-go replacement buses at Chester Road by the Ford garage or Wharfside Way near E2. Follow the matchday signs and allow extra time.
- Potential post-match road delay
- Up to 50 minutes cited by TfGM for closures and congestion.
- Normal city-centre postmatch shuttle
- Load-and-go buses from Chester Road outside Ford garage at Throstles Green towards Deansgate-Castlefield, Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
- Road closures
- Wharfside Way, Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way.
- Official E1 E2 exit restriction
- May be held by police after the game.
- 25 October 2026 return
- Use planned replacement buses from Chester Road by Ford garage or Wharfside Way by E2 for city centre.
- Intercity train buffer
- Add time for security egress, queuing and transport transfer; a precise guaranteed connection margin cannot be stated.
Wharfside Metrolink stop
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Imperial War Museum Metrolink stop
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Manchester Piccadilly railway station
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Trafford Bar Metrolink stop
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Manchester United FC Rail Station
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Wharfside (Manchester Metrolink)
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Wharfside (Manchester Metrolink)
TMU station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Would an overnight stay help?
Check your return services, then compare a station, stadium or town-centre stay.
Where to stay
Stay around Manchester Piccadilly or Deansgate if you want the strongest balance of rail links, restaurants and a night out. Both put the city centre within easy reach and normally connect to Old Trafford by Metrolink. For the late-October engineering works, however, plan the replacement bus journey before booking a tightly timed return. If walking straight back to your room matters most, Hotel Football opposite Old Trafford is the obvious stadium-side option. The Hilton Garden Inn by Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground is another practical choice. Both trade a convenient matchday return for fewer late-night food and drink options than central Manchester. For an evening after the match, Deansgate, Spinningfields and the Northern Quarter offer much more choice than the stadium streets. Compare prices for your actual fixture: large Manchester United matches and other local events can make otherwise reasonable hotel rates climb sharply.
Manchester United guide: getting here and hotels ↗Choose Old Trafford when the match is the priority, especially if you want to walk back after the final whistle and avoid the first wave of packed trams. Choose the city centre around Deansgate, Spinningfields, St John's or St Peter's Square when the evening matters as much as the football. Those central areas have much more depth for restaurants and bars, while Metrolink still makes the ground straightforward.
For the evening
For a post-match night out, Deansgate and Spinningfields/St John's are the most natural fit for this hotel brief: plenty of restaurants, cocktail bars and late venues in a compact central area. Visit Manchester also identifies the Northern Quarter, Canal Street and the Printworks as major nightlife areas, but they are less directly aligned with the stadium-to-Deansgate tram corridor.
For the train
Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria and Oxford Road are the useful heavy-rail gateways. TfGM says Old Trafford is about a 20-minute Metrolink ride from Piccadilly and notes that the old heavy-rail 'Old Trafford' station shown on some maps is no longer in use. After matches, Old Trafford, Wharfside, Trafford Bar and Exchange Quay are all practical Metrolink options, with crowd-management advice varying by direction.
Hotels to compare
Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio HotelOld Trafford / Sir Matt Busby WayAll-round choice · For the shortest ground journeyDirectly opposite Old Trafford, making the post-match walk almost trivial.
Bear in mind: The surrounding Old Trafford area is much weaker than central Manchester for a full evening of bars and restaurants.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Very strong recent review evidence for cleanliness, comfort, staff and location.
Football-specific atmosphere, Cafe Football and stadium-facing rooms make the stay part of the match trip rather than just somewhere to sleep.
Booking.com coverage is verified.
Normal sampled rates were not dramatically above good central hotels, although that changes on match nights.
Matchday pricing is highly event-sensitive: the 10 October 2026 home-match snapshot was £399 versus a sampled non-match weekend average around £129.
Parking is limited/off-site and Marriott states matchday parking can cost more.
A stadium-area stay is less convenient than a central hotel for Piccadilly/Victoria rail departures and a late city-centre night.
Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old TraffordEmirates Old Trafford cricket ground / Talbot Roadnear-ground-valueAround an 11-minute walk from Old Trafford.
Bear in mind: Recent review evidence includes some maintenance/room-condition complaints alongside strong praise.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Old Trafford Metrolink stop is immediately useful for city-centre access.
Booking.com location and comfort scores are strong.
Often significantly cheaper than Hotel Football on ordinary dates.
Parking and larger-hotel facilities can suit drivers and families better than some central properties.
There is an isolated serious September 2026 service/disability complaint; it is not treated as a recurring pattern, but it is material enough to flag.
The cricket-ground setting can create its own event-driven price spikes and parking restrictions.
The evening offer around the hotel is limited compared with central Manchester.
Moxy Manchester City CentreDeansgate / SpinningfieldsFor the eveningRight in the Deansgate/Spinningfields city-centre nightlife zone.
Bear in mind: Not walk-home practical from Old Trafford for most supporters; use Metrolink or a taxi.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Strong Booking.com scores for location, cleanliness, comfort and value.
Six to nine minutes' walk from St Peter's Square or Deansgate-Castlefield tram options.
Good fit for supporters who want restaurants and bars immediately after returning from the match.
Booking.com coverage verified.
Rooms use the Moxy minimalist format and can feel basic for longer stays, with limited storage.
Some recent reviews mention outside/adjacent noise.
Weekend/event pricing is noticeably higher and can become poor value.
Check current rates and availability for your dates.
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Sources, limitations and matchday changes
Reviewed transport publication. This permanent guide uses the existing approved research; admission, opening hours, services and parking controls may change for each match.
Station mappings identify arrival options. They do not guarantee a walking route, step-free access or a train timetable. Confirm current club guidance and your actual service.
Official club guidance ↗