How to navigate Manchester Piccadilly train station

Manchester Piccadilly is one of the main transportation hubs for the North of England, and one of four main stations within Manchester. The others being Manchester Victoria, Manchester Deansgate, and Manchester Oxford Road. This bustling station is the third busiest outside of London and may seem daunting for first-time visitors. Luckily, we’ve put together this helpful guide with all the essential information you need to know in order to successfully navigate Manchester Piccadilly train station.

1. Ticket purchasing and collection
2. Manchester Piccadilly station layout
   • Exits
   • Facilities
3. Manchester Piccadilly train station parking
   • Short-stay parking
   • long-stay parking
4. Things to do in Manchester Piccadilly station
5. Accommodation and aparthotels near Manchester Piccadilly train station
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Ticket purchasing and collection

The ticket office can be found in the main concourse as is available seven days a week. From Monday to Saturday, it is open from 4:30am until 10:30pm; on Sunday, it is open from 7am until 10:30pm. Ticket machines are also available in the main concourse to both purchase tickets and to and collect tickets bought online prior to your journey.

Manchester Piccadilly station layout

Manchester Piccadilly station consists of two connected sections. The first section contains the main concourse and platforms one to 12. These are the station’s terminus platforms, all of which are on one level and are easy to spot.

The other section holds platforms 13 and 14 as well as the satellite lounge which caters to these platforms. If your train departs from either of these platforms, make sure you have at least five minutes to make your way to this section of the station. A series of travellators are there to speed up your journey, but we all know there’s no joy in having to rush to catch your next train!

Helpfully, Network Rail provides a Manchester Piccadilly station map. The station is also well sign-posted to make it easy to navigate.

Ticket barriers separate the main concourse from the platforms, except for platforms nine to 12, which is instead monitored by ticket inspectors.

Exits

Manchester Piccadilly station has multiple exits, each leading to different parts of the surrounding area. Here’s a general overview of the main exits:

1. Station Approach: This exit is located at the front of the station and leads directly to Station Approach, which is the main entrance/exit area of the station. From here, you’ll find bus stops, tram stops, and various transportation options. It’s the main exit for accessing public transport – including the free bus service to the city centre.
2. Piccadilly Plaza: This exit is located towards the northeast section of the station. It leads towards Piccadilly Plaza, which is a busy area with shops, restaurants, and office buildings. It’s a convenient exit if you’re heading towards the city centre or Piccadilly Gardens.
3. Fairfield Street: This exit is situated towards the southwest section of the station. It leads to Fairfield Street, where you’ll find the station’s taxi rank.
4. London Road: This exit is located towards the southeast section of the station. It’s a convenient exit if you’re heading towards Manchester University or the Northern Quarter.

Additionally, there may be other smaller exits or entrances located throughout the station, providing access to different parts of the surrounding area. Signs and maps within the station can help you navigate to the exit that best suits your destination. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask station staff for assistance – they’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Facilities

Toilets are found across from platforms 11 and 12. These are free of charge. Further toilet facilities can be found in the satellite lounge near platforms 13 and 14.

Manchester Piccadilly train station parking

Short-stay parking

For short stays or drop offs, APCOA provides just under 50 car parking spaces, including three accessible spaces, in proximity to Manchester Piccadilly station (within 50 metres). It is open 24/7, and tariffs range from 10 minutes to three hours, with each additional hour incurring a further charge. If you’re staying for less than 10 minutes, then parking is free. The cost of a two-hour stay at this short stay car park is more expensive than at the long-stay car park mentioned below, so make sure to choose the long-stay car park if you will be hanging around for a while.

Address: Piccadilly Station, Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2QF.

Long-stay parking

For longer stays, Manchester Piccadilly station has a multistorey carpark owned by APCOA available 24-hours, seven days a week. Over 850 spaces are available, including 35 accessible spaces. It’s also worth noting that this car park has CCTV. Spaces can be prebooked, and tariffs range from two hours to 24 hours.

Address: Piccadilly Station, Broad Street, Manchester M1 2RP.

Things to do in Manchester Piccadilly station

32 million passengers pass through Manchester Piccadilly each year, so it’s not surprising that a wide variety of businesses have set up shop here to make the most of the foot traffic. So, if you’re travelling through this station, you will have a lot to choose from when deciding how to spend your time.

You could explore the variety of shops within the station, from convenience stores to boutiques, where you can pick up snacks, drinks, magazines, or even a souvenir to remember your visit.

Or treat yourself to a meal or quick snack at one of the station’s cafes, restaurants, or food outlets. Whether you’re around for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, your tastes will be catered for. The station also has numerous places to grab a quick drink before your next train arrives.

You can stay connected with friends, family, or work by taking advantage of the station’s free Wi-Fi. Whether you need to check emails, browse the web, or catch up on social media, you can do so conveniently from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Exciting though Manchester Piccadilly is, if you have some time before your train departs, why not venture outside the station and explore the surrounding area? You’ll find plenty of attractions, shops, and restaurants nearby, allowing you to make the most of your time in Manchester.

Accommodation and aparthotels near Manchester Piccadilly train station

Situ offer a fantastic selection of accommodation near this train station, including aparthotels. These accommodations are similar to a hotel, but provide more space as well as cooking facilities. Aparthotels in Manchester Piccadilly are sure to elevate your stay, especially when complemented by Situ’s top-notch service. Browse our available accommodation in Manchester Piccadilly today and make sure your stay is ‘Booking Brilliant’.

Conclusion

To conclude, Manchester Piccadilly station is one of the easier large train stations to navigate. If you remember to leave yourself a bit of extra time if you’re departing or arriving at platform 13 or 14, you will be sure of a peaceful commute.