Coronavirus information
Manchester’s principal station
Manchester Piccadilly was at the heart of the industrial revolution when the railway came to the city in 1830. The potential to link the city with other industrial towns and cities made Manchester an important centre for railway investment, and its role as a hub continues to this day.
Passenger satisfaction levels are at 86.5 per cent and 30.2 million passengers pass through the station annually.
The busiest of five stations in Manchester, with 14 platforms, Piccadilly opened in 1842.
All timings contained in this website are subject to local change due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Please refer to national and government guidance regarding travel.
Station opening hours
- Until further notice, Manchester Piccadilly is closed from 0100 until 0315, subject to the arrival of the last train and the departure of the first train in the morning.
Tickets and travel information
National Rail Enquiries
03457 48 49 50
Textphone: 0345 60 50 600
Welsh language line: 0345 60 40 500
Station enquiries
Network Rail helpdesk and general station enquiries: 03457 11 41 41
Find your way around using the Manchester Piccadilly Station Map (PDF 556 KB)
British Transport Police
For assistance speak to any member of station staff or contact the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 (24 hours) or text 61016. In an emergency call 999.
British Transport Police in our stations
Face coverings
You must wear a face covering for the full duration of your journey on public transport in England, Scotland and Wales.
You could be fined up to £6,400 if you refuse to wear a face covering. Find out more about specific exemptions.
Car pick-up / drop-off point
In the Fairfield Street short stay car park. Parking is free for 10 minutes.
Sat nav postcode: M1 2QF (short stay) / M1 2RP (long stay)
There is no access to the long stay car park from Ducie Street.
Cycle
If you want to take your bicycle on a train, please check with your train operator first:
- Transport for Wales – 0333 3211 202
- CrossCountry – 0844 811 0124
- East Midlands – 0345 712 5678
- Northern – 0800 138 5560
- TransPennine Express – 0345 600 1671 option 4
- Avanti West Coast – 0344 556 5650
Pedestrians
Main City Centre entrance – up the approach road from the corner of Ducie Street and London Road.
Use the Fairfield Street entrance for taxis, short stay parking and the number 147 bus.
Train
For information about trains and tickets go to National Rail Enquiries or call on 03457 48 49 50
Bus
Free bus routes 1 2 and 3: Depart from the Piccadilly entrance on circular routes around the centre. They’re free and wheelchair accessible.
147: Departs from Fairfield Street to the universities and central hospitals via Oxford Road, then returns to the station.
Local buses leave outside the Fairfield Street entrance and from Piccadilly Gardens.
Tram
Metrolink trams run to:
- Altrincham
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Bury
- City centre
- East Didsbury
- Eccles
- Manchester Airport
- Media City UK
- Rochdale
There are escalators and a lift to the platforms. Tickets machines on the platform.
Tickets and information
Tickets, timetables and live service updates are available from National Rail Enquiries, 03457 48 49 50, or contact the train company.
Ticket office
Current ticket office and advance ticket counter opening times:
- Monday to Sunday 06:00 – 21:00
The ticket office is run by Avanti West Coast.
Ticket machines
There are machines around the station selling tickets for all train companies. They’re run by Northern or Avanti West Coast.
Information point
- Monday to Saturday 07:00 – 22:00
- Sunday 08:30 – 21:00
The times of opening are subject to change during the pandemic.
Help Points
Help points are located at the entrance of Fairfield Street, the entrance from the long stay car park, near to platform 1 and in the Satellite lounge to the left of the toilet facility.
Reception
The reception has moved to the Fairfield Street mezzanine level, next to WHSmith.
- Monday to Friday 07:00 – 22:00
- Saturday 07:00 – 22:00
- Sunday – 10:00 – 17:00
When closed, press the buzzer for assistance (24 hours).
Toilets and baby changing
Toilets are free of charge.
Men’s, women’s, accessible toilets, baby changing:
- Opposite platforms 11–12
- Satellite lounge near the footbridge, towards platforms 13–14
A Radar key is required for the accessible toilets or contact any member of station staff.
Meeting point
Please use the train information point or contact any member of railway staff
Lost property
At the station
Items lost at the station and on board trains terminating at Manchester Piccadilly, will be taken to the lost property office on platform 10. Report lost property online or call 0330 024 0215.
Lost property (contractual hours are):
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:30
Saturday/Sunday – Closed
However operationally permitting we will endeavour to deal with all enquiries including booking in and collections where we can.
On board a train
Items found on a train terminating at Piccadilly station will be taken to the lost property office on platform 10. For all other items,please contact the train operating company travelled with.
Left luggage
You can leave luggage at Excess Baggage Co, between platforms 10 and 11.
- Monday to Saturday 07:00 – 23:00
- Sunday 08:00 – 23:00
You can pre-book storage for your heavy, awkward or high-value luggage at one of our station left luggage facilities.
For more information visit Excess Baggage or call 020 8090 9935
Trolleys
Trolleys are available throughout the station and in the long-stay car park. There is a £1 coin deposit, which is refunded when the trolley is returned to a bay.
Wi-Fi
Pay as you go wireless internet access is available from BT Wi-Fi.
Bicycle hire
Outside the main entrance at the top of the approach road – see Brompton Dock.
Photo booths
There are booths for passport photos on the concourse opposite Café Nero, 2 on platform 10 and in the satellite lounge waiting area.
Telephones
Located opposite WH Smith on the main concourse and the Fairfield Street exit.
Water fountains
There are two water fountains at the station:
- Next to the toilets on the main concourse opposite platform 10
- Next to the toilets and Costa Coffee
Short stay
For pricing and general car park information, please visit the APCOA parking web page.
Accessible parking
There are three Blue Badge spaces within 50 metres of the Fairfield Street entrance. Normal charges apply. Station access is step-free.
Bicycle parking
There are cycle racks on Fairfield Street, in the long stay car park and on Station Approach (off Ducie Street).
For information about taking your bicycle on the train, see the to and from section.
About the car parks
The car parks are managed by APCOA, 0345 222 4224 .
Complaints and refunds: NWRparkingrefunds@apcoa.com
They have been awarded the Park Mark for safer parking.
Long stay
For pricing and general car park information, please visit the APCOA parking web page.
Proximity parking
For pricing and general car park information, please visit the APCOA parking web page.
Accessible parking
There are 35 Blue Badge spaces, normal charges apply. Access to the station is step-free.
Station accessibility
Step free access
All entrances are step-free, and there is level access to all platforms.
Lifts:
- Platforms 8/9 – overbridge
- Platforms 10/11 – overbridge
- Satellite Lounge – Fairfield Street car park – platform 12
- Multi-storey car park (x2)
- Upper concourse – platform level – Fairfield Street car park
- Platforms 13/14 – overbridge
- Concourse to retail level (x2)
- Concourse level – mezzanine – Metrolink platforms (operated by Metrolink)
The ticket office has a low counter, and there are accessible ticket machines around the station.
Accessible routes within Manchester Piccadilly station with photos – see National Rail Enquiries’ route planner.
Induction loop
The train information booth (outside the ticket office) has a loop.
Visually impaired
Platforms 1–12 have tactile warning strips; 13 and 14 do not.
Requesting assistance
Coronavirus information: Book passenger assistance as you normally would. Please wear your own face covering and our staff will do likewise, this reduces the risk to you and our staff. At our stations we have face coverings and hand sanitiser available to help us help you.
To book help, contact your train operator giving at least 24 hours notice where possible. Please give as much information as possible:
- Transport for Wales – 0333 005 0501, textphone 08457 585 469
- CrossCountry – 0844 811 0125, textphone 0844 811 0126
- East Midlands Trains – 0800 011 3323, textphone 0800 011 3323
- Northern Rail – 0800 138 5560, textphone 0800 138 5561
- TransPennine Express – 0800 107 2149, textphone 0800 107 2061
- Avanti West Coast– 0800 0158 123, textphone 0800 0158 124
If you wish to book assistance but are not sure which train operator you are travelling with, you can call 0800 022 3720. On calling, you will be referred to the appropriate train operator.
Alternatively, ask a member of station staff or go to:
- Information point – Monday to Saturday 07:00 – 22:00, Sunday 08:30 – 21:00. Timings subject to change due to the pandemic.
- Reception – Located on the mezzanine level within the Fairfield Street entrance, next to WH Smith. Opening times, Monday to Saturday 07:00 – 22:00 and Sunday 10:00 – 17:00. When closed, press the buzzer for assistance (24 hours). Timings subject to change due to the pandemic.
Accessible toilets
Radar key required or contact a member of station staff.
- Opposite platforms 11–12
- Satellite lounge, near the footbridge towards platforms 13–14
Wheelchairs / mobility buggies
Please ask a member of station staff if you need a wheelchair.
Mobility buggies are available, please book with your train company giving 24 hours notice where possible.
Getting to and from the station
Bus
Buses to and from the city leave outside the Fairfield Street entrance and from Piccadilly Gardens.
Free bus routes 1 2 and 3: Depart from the Piccadilly entrance on circular routes around the centre. They’re free and wheelchair accessible.
147: Departs from Fairfield Street to the universities and central hospitals via Oxford Road then returns to the station.
Tram
Metrolink trams are accessible for wheelchair users. A lift and escalators connect the train station to the platform.
They run to:
- City centre
- Altrincham
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Bury
- East Didsbury
- Eccles
- Manchester Airport
- Media City UK
- Rochdale
You can buy tickets from machines on the platform.
Car
Pick up/drop off: in the short stay car park (details below).
Parking (short stay): Fairfield Street, sat nav M1 2QF.
Three Blue Badge spaces within 50 metres of the station entrance. Access is step-free. Lifts within the station entrance connect to the upper concourse and main station. A lift, located near to the vehicle entrance of the short stay car park, connects with platforms 12, 13 and 14.
Parking (long stay): Boad Street, vehicle access on Station Approach. Sat nav M1 2ND. 35 Blue Badge spaces.
Taxi
Taxi rank: at the Fairfield Street entrance. There is a lift to the concourse.
For more information visit traintaxi.
View the PDF below to search for food, drink and shopping outlet opening hours and services at Manchester Piccadilly station.