Manchester Shudehill could certainly be a lot better especially for a major city, but it certainly…read moreisn't too bad either, with a good number of connections via bus, while also having Metrolink services and being a short walk away (or one stop on the Diamond Number 8 bus and/or Metrolink towards Bury) to Manchester Victoria Railway Station. The station's layout is easy to follow, although it is split into two bus stations, most of which do go from the main terminal. Buses from here serve most of Manchester including Bury, Bolton, Salford, Rochdale, Middleton and the MRI. National Express also run coaches from here going across the country. I would love to see digital bus timetables showing when the next bus is, which I've seen in other locations across England, which perhaps could list destinations and towns showing the next bus to go there, which means you can always get the next bus and know how long it'll take without the need for third-party mobile phone apps. The staff inside the station seem friendly, and although they do try to help it stay clean, it doesn't always stay that way, mainly down to members of the public openly making a mess including smoking (which is forbidden), or the occasional litter or pigeon problem. There is an ATM outside (Be careful as this is a common spot for homeless people), newsagents and a coffee shop (which never seems to be open) at Shudehill. 3*

Shudehill Interchange is one of Manchester's transport hubs that is far less scummy than Victoria…read morestation and much less stressful than the bustling Piccadilly Station. You can catch the metro from Shudehill either as well as many local buses. It's also the Manchester stop for Megabuses which I love because the bus station is only five minutes away from my flat. Mega useful. Inside the bus station is a newsagents which sells confectionary and crisps and stuff for your journey, and generally the station is clean, light and well maintained. There's a few seats if you've got a long wait too. Ooh, also dead useful is that there is a cash machine just outside the main entrance. Dead handy if you're over in Trof or tv21 and need some more cash quickly.

Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink is one of the most used stations on the Manchester Metrolink Station,…read moreit opened in 1992 before being rebuilt in 2009. It consists of a single island platform with services mostly running every 12 minutes on key routes. It's pretty much your bog standard tram platform, there are some backrests and seating while waiting for your tram, and some shelter, although on days with heavy rain and wind, it won't do much at all. Each side of the platform has ramped access and stairs making it easy to get in and out of, it's also facing Piccadilly Gardens bus station and City Tower, making it easy to continue on your journey. Ticket machines are available on the platform, but it's easier just to tap in and out with contactless nowadays, where the fares are now capped. It's a very busy interchange, so can get very crowded on the platforms, one thing I think isn't well thought out at the Metrolink stops in the city centre is that people just stand in the way, which makes it difficult if you're rushing for a tram, or trying to get off, there isn't really anywhere to go. Due to the central location, Piccadilly Gardens is on multiple lines and serves trams to Altrincham, Ashton Under-Lyne (via Piccadilly Station and Etihad Campus), Bury (via Victoria Station), Eccles (via Media City) and other part-route variations of the above. 3* - Bog standard tram stop, right in the heart of the city centre. It isn't somewhere you'd want to spend too long and can be uncomfortable at peak times, but with trams coming every couple of minutes, you shouldn't need to be there long.

Piccadilly Gardens acts as a busy interchange for buses and trams in and out of the city. You can…read morepretty much get a tram or bus to anywhere from here. So if you're in town and need to get out, Piccadilly Gardens will probably have a bus or tram going to somewhere at least vaguely near you. With the high volume of traffic going through, things can get pretty hectic down there, so make sure you're looking both ways when you're crossing the street and finding which stop is yours. It seems as if buses and trams are coming from all directions! If you're getting a bus up from Fallowfield on an evening, chances are you'll be sharing the bus with loads of pissed-up students on their way to some club. When you finally arrive in Piccadilly Gardens, they'll barge past you to get out of the bus and then they'll literally run as fast as they can to the nearest doorway or corner to empty their bladder. Lovely.

An upgrade as this is one of the nicer Metrolink stations on the network, despite its' flaws, it's…read morestill a pretty modern station with connections into Deansgate Train Station offering slower more regional services. The station has nice views of the city, including the huge Deansgate Towers including Beetham Tower, home to the Hilton Hotel on the same side as the Piccadilly Bound Platform. The station is modern and clean in most areas, I do think the lift could be given more regular maintenance though, but this can be said for the network as a whole as they can often become smelly/dirty. To get between the city centre bound platform and the Cornbrook bound platform it is a little difficult as if you're unable to go up steps it involves walking the whole length of the platform and back again, it's a shame this couldn't have been constructed better. The double platform in the middle is useful as it means trams can start and terminate here, which is rare to find on the network - Strangely most trams on the Trafford Park lines carry on from here after "terminating at Cornbrook" to go back, which makes no sense. The station seems to be reguarly supervised and staffed, as with most city centre zone 1 stations. 4*

Beautiful new station with greenery on the train tracks and glass overhanging. Passes right next to…read morethe Hilton and has a very futuristic feel. Definitely a good addition to the Manchester city scape! PS: Right next to the railway station.

Market Street Metrolink is located right at the top of Market Street, in Manchester city centre, it…read moreis opposite Primark and is one of the busiest stops on the network as a whole. If you're heading to the Manchester Arndale, Piccadilly Gardens and many attractions/events in the city centre, this stop could be handy for you. It is on the yellow, green and dark blue lines meaning trams from here go to Piccadilly, Altrincham, Manchester Airport and Bury (via Victoria). As with all stations on the Metrolink network, this stop is step-free. You are able to use ramped access on both sides of the platform, although there is the option of taking a couple of steps too if you're in a hurry. The station isn't too exciting - it does have adequate shelter for the regular rainy days we have in Manchester, as well as a couple of seats, it generally isn't a place you're going to spend too much time due to the regular services from here. While the station isn't staffed 24-7, at peak times and whenever there are maintenance works at the station or on the network as a whole, you can expect staff members on the platform to offer assistance. 4*

The Metrolink tram system covers a good part of Greater Manchester (from Bury to Altrincham and…read moreManchester Piccadilly to Eccles). When making an onward connection at Manchester Piccadilly, it's clearly sign-posted, simple and speedy to find. The maps on the platform are easy-to-follow. On-site machines permit you to get your ticket just before you board (although you might need to allow a little extra time for this). Trams run very regularly, around every 12 minutes. Once on-board, the large windows are a boon - even in the rain - as they give you a good perspective on Manchester's diverse offering - from the impressive new super-modern developments to the canalside, former mill areas and historic buildings.

Exchange Square is one of the newer stops on Manchester's Metrolink network in the city centre,…read morewhich opened in December 2015. The location is good, being in Exchange Square, it is opposite the Manchester Arndale (Next entrance), while also being close to The Corn Exchange and The Printworks (for dining, nightlife and a VUE cinema) and department stores including Marks and Spencer, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. The tram stop is fairly clean and modern, there is some seating. One side has ramped access, while the other has steps. The stop is located between St Peter's Square and Victoria, on the East Didsbury - Rochdale line, with some services terminating before Rochdale, at Shaw and Crompton. Services run on average every 6 minutes. I do find it frustrating how this station does not serve key stations in the city, such as Piccadilly Gardens, and Piccadilly Station, so it is much easier to use different stops for them as you end up going further out of your way to reach those stations if you do want to change services, but I guess it isn't possible due to the construction of the network. 4* - Probably my favourite station in the direct city centre in terms of the overall look and feel of the platform, it still feels cool and modern despite being six years old now, but in terms of line connections, it could be better.

I'm surprised the Metrolink station at Victoria Station hasn't been reviewed since 2010, especially…read moreconsidering the recent refurbishments of late at Victoria, which included a new Metrolink area, which is pretty nice and modern, and in the central part of the station. Victoria Station has had £44 million spent on it, making it all look really nice, and for a metrolink station it is quite nice, and much nicer than the one in Piccadilly which is a little dark, gloomy and "Underground" They is a ramp or a few steps to get here, and it is in line with the other platforms, of course you have places for coffee nearby and the facilities of Victoria Station. Victoria is on quite a "few mini lines" but the main line it is on is Rochdale - Ashton Under lyne and Bury - East Disbury, but it does have trams from other places and central Manchester too. If I'm correct, they is plans to build a connection with city center locations and Piccadilly Station soon, which would be good. They isn't much to comment on further, as it is pretty much an above average metrolink station, and I don't want to start commenting on Victoria Station in general too much as that is a different review, but it is defiantly one of the nicer metrolink stations I have seen as well, under shelter as well so I feel it does deserve 3 stars.

This particular metrolink stop is located right inside the Victoria Station - very similar to…read moreManchester Piccadilly. This is a stop on the Bury line, and to get there you need to walk across the rails. Apart from its location in Manchester's oldest train station, this must be the most exciting feature of Victoria metrolink. However, if you like watching the buildings flying past, then there may be additional pleasure in riding past Manchester's Green Quarter, with its glass-and-concrete apartments.

An upgraded rating for Deansgate Station, as while it can't compare to Piccadilly, it is one of my…read morefavourite "smaller stations", the station staff seem friendly and they also have an Amazon locker inside the station which is handy whether you plan to pick up a parcel while travelling, and it is also useful if you're staying at the Hilton across the road and want to pick-up a parcel. With it being connected to the Metrolink, this not only means you can continue your journey but it also adds back-up for if either lift isn't working, meaning if you struggle with steps, there's always a back-up way out, just cross the Metrolink bridge, go down the lift, and follow the station around to the exit. Certainly not a bad little station, it might have fewer facilities compared to Manchester's other stations, but there's just something about Deansgate Station which I like. 4*

Deansgate Station deserves a mention because so many other stations that are complete rubbish have…read morebeen reviewed such as Mauldeth Road and Victoria. Whilst these stations are just boring old train stations, Deansgate Station is a piece of architecture worthy of a viewing along with the Castlefield/Deansgate canal routes and the old ruins nearby. A real piece of Manchester's historical character. As the other review is not about the station at all but about Deansgate the road and area, here's a bit about the station. It was opened as Knott Mill on 20 July 1849 and you can still see the old Knott Mill sign just above the new Deansgate one. The sign isn't as old as all that, because it was a wooden station back then. It was rebuilt to what it is today in the 1890s. It was later called Knott Mill & Deansgate, but now it is sadly plain old Deansgate. In 2006 its annual passenger total was only about thirteen thousand, but now it is well clear of a hundred and twenty thousand. This could be because its so good that its popular, or because the world is suffering from overpopulation, which will eventually kill us all

Cornbrook is one of the tram stops at the heart of the Metrolink network with trams departing to…read moremost destinations on the network. It's very busy with trams coming and going literally every minute of so in either direction. There aren't really any facilities of note but given how frequently the trams run you won't be spending much time here so that's not really an issue.

If you're travelling into Cornbrook on the Manchester Metrolink, odds are you're using this as a…read moreconnection to get another tram, Cornbrook is one of the busiest stations on the network, and at the time of writing (March 2021), it is the only station where you can get a service to any tram on the Metrolink network, as this is also the terminus of the new line which goes to The Trafford Centre. Interestingly, this stop originally opened as an interchange only station in 1999, before opening in 2005 to actually leave the station without boarding another service. It is located in Fare Zones 1 and 2. It might not be as bold and modern as St Peter's Square and Deansgate-Castlefield (The two stations after this one when heading into the city centre), but it's still an important station among the network. Despite its' importance, this stop seems to be the dirtiest, and most understaffed Metrolink station within Zone 1 and the city centre, it also doesn't have the modern glass panels and typical flooring which the other stations have. I do think they could also do with more card readers on the platform, but I guess as most people still use this station as an "interchange" station, they have decided they don't need as many as people have already touched in at a preceding station. 3* - Important location, useful for interchanging, but still for such a major and key station on the network it just lacks somewhat.

Salford Quays Metrolink is a tram stop on the Eccles Line of the Manchester Metrolink, from here…read moreyou can get a tram towards Ashton Under-Lyne (via the Etihad Stadium and city centre) or Eccles (via Media City). It opened as part of the 1999 extension to the network, and while the station isn't too exciting and modern it is reasonably well-lit at night and has ample shelter and seating. It's around 10 minutes on the tram into Cornbrook, where you can pretty much change onto any other line on the network, allowing you to continue your journey further. The location is good for Salford Quays, the Eccles bound platform is along the river, and the Manchester bound platform is right outside The Matchstick Man Pub and a Starbucks. There is parking outside however this appears to be for customers of the pub and Starbucks only, but if you're seeking a taxi or a friend picking you up or dropping you off, then you should be fine. Pretty much a bog standard tram stop, but the views of the water are pretty, the bus stop-style seats and shelter are ample given the fact you won't be spending too long here as trams usually arrive every 10-15 minutes or so. 4*

So I've ventured onto new taxi horizons and first impressions are mixed. When I rang for the taxi…read moreto take us out into the heart of Manc town they were spot on. They knew where we were, the often over-quizzed location, (there is no "flat name") was noted down with no problem, five minutes. Great one. However his route of choice was questionable. Is a shortcut a longer route around because of an inability to stop in traffic lights? It's not a shortcut, it's impatience. Traffic and traffic lights go hand in hand with town. Don't hit the empty back streets and open ring roads and give the impression that it's a shortcut. hmm. Forgiven for now. What I don't understand about many of Manchester's taxis is that they don't know where a lot of my destinations are. When I'm a little sketchy I expect the taxi driver, the authority behind the wheel to fill in the gaps. Often it's a case of guessing games, more so this time than ever. I don't know, is it to too much to expect? We paid £9 driving around Manchester city centre which was a usual £5 fare. And we never made it to the Star and Garter. Was it that difficult? So change of night and venue due to this taxi driver, hardly impressive. Northern Quarter again we find ourselves, not really questioning the failure of the taxi driver or the fare. On the way back there was less hassle thank god. Considering other reviewers have given a five star service, Manchester Cars remains in the phone device for now..

Slightly over-caffeinated but efficient. We had a minivan-worthy group with 3 adults and a baby in…read morea car seat; once we'd successfully piled into the van double-parked outside our restaurant, the driver relaxed a little and things got simpler. Our driver gave a fairly smooth ride, impressive given the traffic, and talked rapidly but personably. Phone dispatch went pretty smoothly and the rates were reasonable; overall, a pretty good experience.