Travelling around Salford and Manchester couldn’t be easier thanks to its excellent transport links! From tram services to cycle paths, outstanding rail links to local buses, there are many ways you can get from A to B without breaking the bank.
Here are some affordable ways you can travel around the city while on a student budget.
Green Travel
Walking or cycling to your destination is not only a great way to keep fit and decrease your stress levels, it’s also the cheapest – and greenest – way to travel.
Our main campus is only a short walk away from Manchester city centre. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Spinningfields on foot from Peel Park, which makes it a great way to get those steps in!
If you cycle, there are a number of cycle routes across the city that can be used for commuting or a leisurely ride. Check out the TfGM Manchester cycle network map to help plan your journey. Here on campus, we have over 350 spaces to store your bike. Most of our spaces are within secured shelters that can be easily accessed using your student ID card. Check out the full list of our cycle parking facilities.
Not got your own bike? Not to worry as you can pick up a Bee Network pedal or e-bike on our Peel Park, Frederick Road and MediaCity campuses. Pedal bikes cost just 50p to unlock and 5p per minute to ride. E-bikes cost £1 to unlock and 10p per minute to ride or you can save money by purchasing a bundle of minutes in advance, making them an affordable, convenient and green way to travel.
Alternatively, Lime electric scooters are also available at our Peel Park and Frederick Road campuses. Each ride costs £1 to unlock and is 20p per minute to use. You will need a full or provisional driving license, which will be validated through the app when you sign up.
Bus
Get on board! Greater Manchester bus routes can take you around the city and beyond. There are free buses around Manchester city centre that make it easier for you to connect with train stations, tram or bus stops and visitor attractions. Plus, to help with the rising cost of living, all single journey bus fares for adults in Greater Manchester now cost no more than £2, with all day flexible travel by any operator costing no more than £5, making bus journeys one of the most convenient and affordable means of transport thanks to the new Bee Network that launched in September 2023.
The University has its fair share of bus routes for you to hop on and off, stopping along the Crescent and outside our MediaCity campus over at Salford Quays.
The Stagecoach 50 bus service (also known as the 50 bus), links you from Manchester and Salford to MediaCity. You can travel for free between Adelphi Street/Oldfield Road and MediaCity on this bus – just show your student ID card to the driver.
You can check out TfGM’s journey planning site to find more information on bus stops, timetables and ticket prices.
Train
Our on-campus train station located between Peel Park and Frederick Road, Salford Crescent, is right on our doorstep and can get you into Manchester in less than 10 minutes, or further afield to Blackpool, Southport and Clitheroe.
There are four main train stations in Manchester city centre – Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Deansgate. Each station can take you to towns and cities across the country.
Visit Trainline or Northern Rail to check train times and purchase tickets. Trainline have put together their top tips to save students money on train tickets, including booking in advance, traveling as a group and using a Railcard which could save you up to 1/3 on your weekend trips and everyday commuting.
Tram
The Greater Manchester Metrolink tram network stretches across the city centre and beyond, with lines from Bury to Altringham and from Rochdale to Manchester Airport.
There is a tram stop opposite the entrance to our MediaCity campus, which makes it extremely convenient to travel there by tram. The stop has direct services to Eccles and Manchester city centre.
If you’re travelling to MediaCity, the tram stop is located in Zone 2 of the Metrolink travel zones and, with a one-day travel ticket starting from £4.30, the tram is an excellent choice for affordable travel across the city.
For help with planning your journey, live updates and information on tickets and pricing, visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
