Manchester free bus: Timetable and route of services around city centre including to Piccadilly and AO Arena
Manchester is served by two free bus routes - with stops across the city centre.
Getting around Manchester can be done so via several different modes of transport. The Metrolink is one, with trams reaching out into the wider Greater Manchester area.
Manchester is home to several National Rail stations that connect with each other and cities and towns across the country. The Bee Network, with buses across the region, is also a popular and easy way to get around.
In addition to this, you can also get free buses around Manchester city centre. You may have seen the buses as they travel around, and they stop at some of Manchester's biggest landmarks and train stations. There are two routes where free buses operate and shuttle passengers around completely free of charge. All of the buses are also wheelchair accessible.
Both of the routes operate on a loop from Piccadilly station. Route 1 heads through the Gay Village and out towards Castlefield, whereas route 2 visits the Northern Quarter and Medieval Quarter. The routes operate seven days a week including Sundays and public holidays. We’ve rounded up the routes, key stops and timetables of both free bus routes in Manchester.
Route 1
Key points of interest
- Gay Village
- Central Coach Station
- Deansgate station/ Deansgate Castlefield Metrolink Stop
- Science and Industry Museum
- Spinningfields
- Chinatown
Monday to Friday
- 7am to 7pm every 10 minutes
- 7pm to 11.30pm every 30 minutes
Saturday
- 7am to 8.30am every 15-30 minutes
- 8.30am to 7pm every 10 minutes
- 7pm to 11.30pm every 30 minutes
Sunday and public holidays
10am to 6.30pm every 10 minutes
From Piccadilly train station via Station Approach, Piccadilly, Portland Street, Chepstow Street, Great Bridgewater Street, Albion Street, Whitworth Street West, Liverpool Road, Lower Byrom Street, Quay Street, Gartside Street, Bridge Street, John Dalton Street, Cross Street, King Street, Spring Gardens, York Street, New York Street, Chorlton Street, Aytoun Street, Auburn Street, Station Approach to Piccadilly Railway Station.
Route 2
- Key points of interest
- Chinatown
- Northern Quarter
- Shudehill
- Victoria station
- National Football Museum
- Mediaeval Quarter
Monday to Friday
- 7am to 7pm every 10 minutes
- 7.15pm to 11.15pm every 30 minutes
Saturday
- 7am to 8.30am every 15-30 minutes
- 8.30am to 7pm every 10 minutes
- 7.15pm to 11.15pm every 30 minutes
Sunday and public holidays
10am to 6.30pm every 10 minutes
From Piccadilly train station via Station Approach, Piccadilly, Portland Street, Charlotte Street, King Street, Cross Street, Market Street, St Mary's Gate, Blackfriars Street, Chapel Street, Victoria Station Approach, Todd Street, Corporation Street, Withy Grove, Shudehill, High Street, Church Street, Oldham Street, Portland Street, Chorlton Street, Aytoun Street, Auburn Street, Station Approach to Piccadilly Railway Station.