trains and directions to old trafford

hey guys, can anyone help me out by letting me know which train station is nearest old trafford, how far away it is from there etc, and how best to get there from the station, ie foot, taxi, bus etc.... also how long is it likely to take??

train journey there is around an dependent....
any help much appreciated, ta!
sara

From the city centre you can get a bus or metro to Old Trafford which are both 2mins walk from the staduim.

Bus and train enquires phone 0161 228 7811 these are pretty helpfull and will tell you the best way to get to Old Trafford. Open times are 8am - 8pm daily.

Or have a look on www.gmpte.com

from the city centre, get busses between 252-257 and ask for Sir Matt Busby Way. They will all take you there and only takes 15 mins approx and costs £1.55 one way.

Alternatively, from the city centre, you can pick up a tram (not literally). make sure you get one which says "Picadilly" on the front. You pay £1.80 return and get off at Trafford. Once outside the station you are right outisde old tarfford cricket ground. continue to walk up the road (the only way possible), cross over and you cant miss the football ground, its HUGE!

It's not that far to walk to be honest.... But public transport is probably best if you don't know you're way around...

I'm hoping I can persuade my Dad to just go into work early that day and give me a life down, if not I'll get a day pass on the bus and probably get a bus down (would walk, but one way it's £2 for me to get into town, and £2.60 to be able to use any bus all day, so for 60p)

In actual fact, I wouldn't be suprised if they're not running a shuttle bus from Picadilly train station.... They had one for Milton Keynes which didn't start till something like 9-10am, but it would make sence for them to have one running with so many people going through the city that day.

good idea about the buspass, actually i may consider this one myself,

Im sure the city will put extra busses on for the BJ fans, its only going to be like match day at old trafford so there will be over 65,000 coming to and from the stadium. There is always lots of buses around old trafford on match days, so I dont see why it wont be any different if they have organised it properly.

Mike, dya know how many tickets there actually are for the gig (and ther others if ya know em). I know the capacity of the old trafford is just under 68,000, but one stand will be closed, but then you ahve all those on the pitch as well. I reckon it will be about
Glasgow 50,000
wolves 40,000
manchester 65,000
Hyde park 90,000

k, thanks guys...
so do i want a train heading for manchester picadilly then??

I'm guessing that's where it will be going anyway, it's by far the bigger station.... I've been around on the trains a bit, and have only ever once had to go from Victoria station, and then coming back it was Pic I think.

I bet they'll do it from both station to be honest, if not you're actually closer to the ground I think at Victoria....Manchester should be used to visitors by now, with all the international football, so I'm sure where ever you are you'll be able to find you're way, or get direction to the bus stop from somebody.

FOUND THIS ON THE FOOTBALL GROUND GUIDE WEBSITE

From the South:
Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 towards Altrincham. This will lead you onto the A56 towards Manchester. Keep on the A56 for six miles and then you will come to see Sir Matt Busby Way on your left. The ground is half a mile down this road on your left, although on matchdays this road may well be closed to traffic.
From the North:
Leave the M6 at Junction 30 and take the M61 towards Bolton. At the end of the M61, join the M63. Leave the M63 at Junction 4 and follow the A5081 towards Manchester. After about two miles you will reach Sir Matt Busby Way on your right for the ground.

From The West:
Follow M56 until its end and then take the M60 (W&N) as for Trafford Centre. At Junction 7 leave M60 and take the A56 towards Stretford. Stay on the A56 for 2.1 miles then you will come to see Sir Matt Busby Way on your left. The ground is half a mile down this road on your left, although on matchdays this road may well be closed to traffic. Thanks to Brian Griffiths for providing these directions.

Parking:
Lots of small private car parks near the ground, otherwise street parking. Peter Bennett suggests parking at Old Trafford Cricket Ground (cost £5), where there is also a bar. Although try to arrive early (before 1pm) as if you arrive

Alternatively:
Park in Altrincham town centre and take the Metrolink to the ground (20 minutes). Some pubs such as the Bricklayers Arms in Altrincham town centre, will allow you to park there for the afternoon, as long as you enjoy a pre match drink (they also do good food), before setting off on the Metrolink, to the ground. Kevin Dixon-Jackson adds; 'You can also get the Metrolink to Old Trafford from Ladywell Halt, in Eccles, where there is also free secure parking. You can reach Eccles from the M60 (take the Carrington spur J8 A6144(M)) or M602 Motorway (leave at the first junction for Eccles, turn right, and right again at the lights, onto Eccles New Road. Secure parking is immediately on you right. You are also only 200 yards away from the Drinking Capital which is Eccles town Center!'

OOPS, AND THIS TOO:

Old Trafford has both its own railway station next to the ground and a Metrolink station which is located next to Lancashire County Cricket Club on Warwick Road, which leads up to Sir Matt Busby Way. Both stations are served by Manchester Piccadilly mainline station. Thanks to Mark Embling for providing this information.

Chris Kilcourse adds; 'The Metrolink also has another branch line going to Eccles from Manchester
Centre. There are two stops to leave the tram - Pomona and Exchange Quay. These are on the opposite (Salford) side of the ground - probably a quieter line on Matchdays. Pomona is the closest to the ground, only a short walk away and closer than Lancashire CC. Exchange Quay is the one to use for return journeys as the trams get full and may not stop at Pomona going back'.