Connectivity and Transport

Located at the heart of the UK, within the North of England, Manchester is one of the best connected and most accessible cities in the UK.

Manchester’s world class, multi-modal, integrated transport facilities – including a comprehensive rail network, 30-mile outer ring road, and an international airport that serves more than 185 destinations – provide companies with significant opportunities to leverage both UK and global markets, as well as personal ease of travel for either business or pleasure.

The city region has excellent connectivity with Europe and the rest of the world, making it the place of choice to do business and providing companies with outstanding access to market.

MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment promotion agency, provides a free, confidential and bespoke package of services to help companies understand how relocating to or expanding in Manchester could be a successful business move. 

Gateway to the World

• Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway in the North and the largest UK airport outside London, with more than 185 destinations served by more than 50 airlines.

• Manchester’s long-haul catchment area places around 22 million people, and 60% of all UK businesses, within a two-hour drive time; it extends north through the Lake District into Scotland, east across Yorkshire and the North East, south to Birmingham and the Midlands, and west into Merseyside and Wales.

• Manchester Airport is investing £1.3bn as part of its transformation to revolutionise the customer experience and unlock the potential of its two full-length runways.

• The first phase saw Terminal 2 more than double in size, with the new facility having received positive feedback from passengers and airlines since opening in July 2021. This latest investment will complete the transformation of Terminal 2, delivering improvement to all stages of the passenger journey – from check-in to baggage reclaim - as well as upgrading its airfield to cater for next generation aircraft.

• The airport provides the connectivity expected from a global city and is key to facilitating the city’s international accessibility, which continuously attracts multinational interest from both foreign companies and citizens.

Getting Around

• Manchester city centre lies at the heart of an expansive motorway network, with the M60 and the inner-city ring road making access in and around the city centre and the wider region straightforward.

• Manchester’s tram/light rail network, Metrolink, radiates from the city centre to the majority of the 10 boroughs including Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, East Didsbury, Eccles, MediaCityUK, Rochdale and Manchester Airport.

• The city also boasts a comprehensive bus network as well as free bus operating two circular routes of the city centre, connecting business districts to train, tram and bus stations.

• Manchester also offers excellent access to other major UK cities. Direct services to and from London run every 20 minutes, taking just over two hours, as well as frequent, direct trains to neighbouring cities including Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and the wider UK.