Same sort of question was asked recently on another thread.
Personally, as the weather forecast is, I think, reasonable, thinking of walking to OT from Manchester city centre and back and picking up the tram from Victoria home.
One tip is to go to Trafford Bar (the stop before OT), turning left on coming out, and walking down Talbot Road towards the cricket ground, and then turning right towards the football ground.
On returning, pick up the tram marked for Rochdale, as this uses the same line as the one for the cricket ground (Altrincham). This return will take you to Victoria rail station, but NOT Piccadilly rail station.
You could pick up the cricket ground tram at Trafford Bar as well if you're lucky to find one with room on, but, as stated, it's likely to be packed.

Gotta say, you deserve all you got only going to manchester at 1pm. !!
most peeps are on their umpteenth pint by then, on top of a good breakfast in manchester.
This is the Grand Final ................ what you doing up until 1pm ?
Get into Manchester, join in the singing and jollity outside of Mitre / Old wellington /Sinclairs pubs, Beltin.

Some of us are going to watch a game of Rugby League also.

Was gonna say im not planning on getting a train until early afternoon to be honest. Hoping to get to manchester around 2 then have a few drinks before heading to the stadium.

Might look at going a bit earlier now reading some of this

Getting to Manchester isn't the problem it's getting over to old Trafford

If you're fairly fit, walk from Deansgate or Salford Crescent.

To be honest we are thinking of getting a cab to the stadium when we are ready. For the sake of a couple of quid each looks worth it to skip hassle. Dont mind wandering back or getting a tram maybe.

I'm coming in from the south of Manchester on the tram. I am hoping the East Didsbury to Trafford Bar route isn't all that busy, and going home I think I will being going against the flow.

Same, we're getting the East Didsbury to Trafford Bar tram early in the afternoon, then having a few drinks round the ground. The atmosphere in the city centre's usually brilliant on GF day, but I really can't be bothered being squashed in a tram from Piccadilly to Old Trafford!

Northern normally run special trains to and from Old Trafford
Piccadilly > Oxford Road > Deansgate > Old Trafford station.
The last time I caught it, I seem to recollect that the journey was covered (but please check when you purchase!) by the "Machester Stations" on the ticket into Manky.
Failing that, and you use the tram, don't get the tram to Old Trafford, use the Eccles line and get off at Exchange Quay... less busy, and probably a shorter walk.

These are Wigan fans Yed ...... haven't they got the highest average fan size, just ahead of Hull? .....



.... and before you start - of course it's a pokety poke poke wind up .... it's the week before the GF .... what did you expect?

Can anyone confirm they do this every year? It would be ideal but I can't find any details on the net or by ringing Northern Rail

Quote ="Grimmy"Can anyone confirm they do this every year? It would be ideal but I can't find any details on the net or by ringing Northern Rail'" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester ... ay_station Same here. Manchester United games only?

Quote ="Grimmy"Can anyone confirm they do this every year? It would be ideal but I can't find any details on the net or by ringing Northern Rail'" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester ... ay_station Same here. Manchester United games only?

I've [udefinitely[/u used the service in the past for non Wendyball events at OT.
But do agree that the Northern Rail info. service is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.



Why not just turn up at, say, Deansgate station and ask? If problems, then it's only a couple of minutes hoof to the tram stop at Central / G-mex or whatever they call it nowadays.

<Edit> I have it on good authority (from a Northern staff member) that trains to and from MUFC station WILL run on Saturday, but probably only from Oxford Road & Deansgate. However, timetables have yet to be issued.

Definetely ran against Saints I got on at Oxford Road

Be surprised if they are not running on Saturday but you never know with the brains trust who organise public transport

See my edit

I'm pretty sure when we played stains it was only those 2 stations. I come over from Leeds & the Leeds/Manchester train goes to Piccadilly so maybe with no Yorkshire team playing they deem it unnecessary

Jeez, you lot really are fooked whne you leave that sleepy little hamlet of yours aren't you?



75,000 get to the ground week in week out to watch Utd games without too much hassle you just need to use a bit of common sense. If you're getting the tram from town either get on at Piccadilly Train station or Piccadilly Gardens. The Mosley Street stop has gone now but if you try getting on at St Peters Square or Deansgate you've got feck all chance of getting on. Alternatively, if you're boozing in the Printworks area get the East Didsbury tram from Shudehill. You'll need to get off at Trafford Bar but for the sake of an 15 minute walk it's worth it. Otherwise, there are 3/4 bars at Salford Quays (Chiquitos etc) which tend to be popular on match days but you'll need to catch the Eccles tram to get there. It's a 15-20 minute walk to the ground.

After the game I'd recommend going for a couple of pints down at the Lowry complex and wait for all the crowds to disperse. There's Lime Bar and The Beefeater which shouldn't be too busy.

"Special" train times:-
Trains leave Piccadilly at 1611, 1642, 1711 and 1742 with extra trains from Oxford Rd at 1635 and 1701.

Trains back are at 2019, 2050 and 2110 with Trains to Oxford Rd only at 1955 and 2035

Legend!

Are the trains back you mention from man utd stadium to wigan?

All trains are back to Deansgate / Oxford road / Piccadilly, where you'll have to change to get back to Wiggin However, there is just one direct service from Wallgate TO the stadium departing at 15.53 (arriving 16.41) The journeys are now finally showing on the National Rail Enquiries website. www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (The station code for the stadium is MUF)

All trains are back to Deansgate / Oxford road / Piccadilly, where you'll have to change to get back to Wiggin However, there is just one direct service from Wallgate TO the stadium departing at 15.53 (arriving 16.41) The journeys are now finally showing on the National Rail Enquiries website. www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (The station code for the stadium is MUF)

Quote ="tedglen"All trains are back to Deansgate / Oxford road / Piccadilly, where you'll have to change to get back to Wiggin However, there is just one direct service from Wallgate TO the stadium departing at 15.53 (arriving 16.41) The journeys are now finally showing on the National Rail Enquiries website. www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (The station code for the stadium is MUF)'" "A single to MUF please"

Quote ="tedglen"All trains are back to Deansgate / Oxford road / Piccadilly, where you'll have to change to get back to Wiggin However, there is just one direct service from Wallgate TO the stadium departing at 15.53 (arriving 16.41) The journeys are now finally showing on the National Rail Enquiries website. www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (The station code for the stadium is MUF)'" "A single to MUF please"

Shame you can't book them before the day

Myself and the missus will be turnout early and blagging it, I'm not really bothered if I have to walk on my hands all the way from Manchester City Centre to the ground to be honest!
I think a lot of people will just be blagging it on the day too, following the masses. that's what I've experienced in the past - so if you are a bit clueless, just look for the cherry & white shirts and follow them like me!