Public Transport in Manchester: Buses, Trams & Taxis (2026 Guide)
Manchester’s transport looks like a maze—different tickets, overlapping routes, shifting rules. Yet on the ground, it’s faster and simpler than its reputation.
With Bee Network buses, Metrolink trams, and
In 2026, the opposite is true.
Manchester now has one of the simplest, cheapest and most integrated public transport systems in the UK — and most visitors (and even locals) don’t realise how much they’re overpaying or overthinking it.
This isn’t just a list of buses and trams. It’s a practical map for moving through Greater Manchester without wasting time, money or energy.
Welcome to public transport in Manchester — updated for 2026.
Buses in Manchester (Bee Network, 2026)
If you remember Manchester buses as confusing or unreliable, that memory is outdated.
As of 2026, most buses in Greater Manchester are part of the Bee Network, run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). Routes, fares and standards are now controlled locally — similar to London.
The result is simple pricing, frequent services and one rule that matters more than any other:
You never pay more than £2 for a single bus journey.
Manchester bus fares (2026)
Adult single (hopper ticket): £2
Child single (ages 5–16): £1
Under 5s: Free
The £2 ticket is a hopper. You can change buses as many times as you like within 60 minutes at no extra cost.
Fares are frozen until at least 31 December 2026.
Older and disabled residents with a concessionary pass can travel free at any time of day from March 2026.
How to pay for buses in Manchester
1. Contactless (recommended)
Tap your debit card, credit card, phone or smartwatch when you board. No paper ticket needed.
2. On board with cash
Still accepted on many routes, but exact change is advised.
3. Bee Network app & Get Me There
Buy day, weekly or monthly tickets in advance. Official site: https://tfgm.com
Free buses in Manchester city centre
Yes — genuinely free.
Manchester operates two free bus routes around the city centre, linking Piccadilly, Victoria, Oxford Road, Deansgate, Spinningfields and shopping districts.
Operating hours (2026):
Monday–Friday: 7:00am–11:30pm
Saturday: 7:00am–11:30pm
Sunday & public holidays: 10:00am–6:30pm
Frequency: every 10 minutes during the day.
Taxis in Manchester (2026)
Taxis still matter — especially late at night, with luggage, or when buses and trams don’t fit your route.
Manchester’s black cabs and licensed taxis follow fixed maximum fares set by Manchester City Council.
Day rate (6am–10pm):
Flag fall: £3.40
Approx. £5.80 for 1 mile
Approx. £16.20 for 5 miles
Night rate (10pm–6am):
Higher per-distance rate applies
Airport drop-off charges range from £1.80 to £3 depending on terminal.
Popular operators include street-hail black cabs, app-based private hire vehicles and airport transfer services. Always check the licence plate and meter.
Manchester Metrolink Trams (2026)
The Metrolink isn’t a tourist extra. It’s the spine of the city.
With 99 stops, 103km of track and around 42 million passengers a year, it’s the UK’s largest light rail system.
Trams run every 6–12 minutes on most lines, from early morning until after midnight.
Lines connect the city centre to:
- Manchester Airport
- Altrincham
- Bury
- Rochdale
- East Didsbury
- Eccles & MediaCityUK
- Trafford Centre
How to pay for Metrolink trams
1. Contactless tap-in / tap-out
Use the yellow readers on platforms. Daily and weekly fare caps apply automatically.
2. Ticket machines at stops
Card or cash accepted.
3. Get Me There app or smart card
Best for weekly or monthly travelcards.
Metrolink fares are frozen throughout 2026. Prices depend on zones travelled — check https://tfgm.com for current caps.
The quiet truth about Manchester transport
The biggest mistake people make in Manchester isn’t choosing the wrong bus.
It’s assuming public transport is a hassle — and defaulting to taxis or cars.
In 2026, Manchester quietly flipped the script: capped fares, integrated payments, and free movement through the city centre.
Once you understand the system, the city opens up — cheaply, quickly, and without friction.
The transport was never the problem.
Not knowing how simple it had become was.
