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 210 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 sits at the heart of the region’s transport infrastructure, connecting more than 27 million passengers to over 210 destinations, including 14 US cities, multiple Middle East hubs, Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.
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.
As the North of England’s only major international gateway, Manchester Airport provides vital transport links to the rest of the world, which contributed to its six-year reign as the Globe Travel Awards’ Best UK Airport since 2015.
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.
