Flights from London Stansted to Manchester

The jewel of the north-west

Manchester is a lively and vibrant city that is known for its famous football clubs, excellent shopping and fabulous nightlife and entertainment. It's a must for gourmets, and Curry Mile and Chinatown are popular attractions.

See the city at its best

Manchester is fun at any time of year and boasts an eclectic range of annual events. Some of the best known include the Jazz Festival at the end of July, while the Manchester Literature Festival in September and October is a must for book lovers. September is also a great time for gourmets, and the Manchester Food and Drink Festival appeals to every age group. Terrific events are not limited to the summer months, and the Chinese New Year celebrations from January to February are among the biggest in the UK.

A couple of tips before you travel

Though Manchester is certainly cheaper than London, the cost of living in the city is more or less average for the UK. Pop into the Manchester Visitor Information Centre at Piccadilly Plaza for details on upcoming events and local attractions that are affordable and fun.

Local information for your break in Manchester

Those arriving at Manchester airport can get to the city centre quickly and easily by train, and as single journey to Manchester Piccadilly from the airport railway station takes just 15 minutes and costs approximately £4.50. Metrolink stops at local stations, so a trip to the centre of the city is likely to take about 35 minutes and cost around £4.50. Those who prefer to take the bus can catch the number 43 from the airport, while travellers who want to arrive in style might opt for a taxi. The taxi rank can be found at Terminal one and the fare to central Manchester will be about £18 for the 25 minute drive.

There is accommodation to suit every preference in Manchester. Those on a budget can expect to pay from about £15 per person in a shared room, while 3 star city centre hotels are approximately £60 per room per night.

The free Metroshuttle bus drops passengers at all the major stations, shopping centres and attractions, though most of the city centre is easily accessible on foot. A single journey on a Stagecoach bus is about £1.50, but TfGM 'any bus day ticket' or 'system one' tickets are valid on any bus. Taxis are also available, and although they're cheaper than London taxis the city centre traffic can be slow.