Car Hire Manchester

Parking in Manchester

• Q-Park Piazza (M1 4LX) contains 225 parking spaces and six electric vehicle charging facilities you can use between 7am and midnight. It’s close to Manchester Art Gallery, St Peter’s Square and the Palace Theatre Manchester.
• NCP Great Northern – 1 (M3 4EE) contains 527 parking spaces and three electric vehicle charging facilities you can use 24/7. It’s close to Deansgate Train Station, the Science and Industry Museum and Opera House Manchester.
• NCP Manchester Central (M2 3GX) contains 643 parking spaces and five electric vehicle charging facilities you can use 24/7. It’s close to Bridgewater Hall, Opera House Manchester and Chinatown.

Electric car hire in Manchester

Charging point locations in Manchester

Choosing to hire an electric car is a great way to get around Manchester and brings environmental benefits too. With more than 35 electric charging points in the city centre, Manchester is well equipped for drivers of EVs, with the number of points only set to grow. Simply plug in, charge up and go explore. When hiring an electric car, you’re keeping noise and air pollutants to a minimum too, so you can relax and enjoy your trip to this iconic city.

Congestion charges in Manchester

Manchester’s Clean Air Zone was set to launch in 2023. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was put on hold. Now, the Clean Air Zone, or an alternative scheme, is expected to be in place by 2026. Under this plan heavy goods vehicles, vans, coaches and buses, and other commercial vehicles will be charged to enter Manchester city centre. Private vehicles will not be affected.

Key roads in Manchester

• The A57 connects Manchester with Liverpool to the East. It runs through the Pennines to Sheffield and Lincoln.
• The A6 connects towns in eastern Manchester, like Salford, with the city centre.
• The M60 motorway is a ring road that goes around Greater Manchester, through places like Wigan and Bolton.

How to get from Manchester to Salford

It takes around 20 minutes to drive the 3.3 miles from Manchester city centre to Salford.

1. From Manchester city centre, take High Street and Shudehill eastbound
2. Join Ring Road westbound
3. Turn left on to A6 Chapel Street
4. Take the exit on to Cross Lane
5. At the roundabout, take the third exit on to Churchill Way, which will lead you to Salford town centre

How to get from Manchester to Old Trafford

Old Trafford is about a 15-minute drive from Manchester city centre.

1. Drive westbound on Portland Street and take a left on to Albion Street just before Deansgate Station
2. Turn right then merge on to the A56, then follow the road for about 0.7 miles
3. Exit left on to Bridgewater Way and follow Chester Street southbound
4. Follow the road for about 0.7 miles, and you will arrive at Old Trafford

Best hotels in Manchester

AC Manchester City Centre

15 Mason Street, Manchester, M4 5FT

A sleek combination of European design and true comfort, this convenient hotel is sat just on the border of the Northern Quarter, Ancoats and NOMA. Ideally located for the MEN Arena, Retail District and the Etihad Stadium stay here to experience all that Manchester has to offer.

Wilde Aparthotels By Staycity, St Peter's Square

3 Dickinson Street, Manchester, M1 4LF

This trendy aparthotel is the perfect spot for visitors looking for a place to stay in the heart of Manchester. Stay here and you’ll be close to all the action.

Dakota Manchester

29 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JL, EV charging available on request

This sophisticated hotel in the centre of Manchester is ideal if you’re looking for luxury and comfort after a day’s shopping and culture.

Best restaurants in Manchester

Refuge by Volta

Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA

Owned by a famous Manchester DJ duo, it’s easy to see how Refuge by Volta has become one of the city’s hottest spots. Pick over some tasteful small plates in the heart of arty Didsbury.

OSMA

132 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 0AA

Oslo meets Manchester at OSMA. The seasonal small plates are sensational. With the likes of tempura soft-shell crab with shellfish bisque and roasted spring onion with harissa hummus it’s no wonder the crowds are flocking here.

The Sparrows

16 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF

If you fancy pasta, the Sparrows is the place to sample a plateful. Boasting a place in the Michelin Guide 2023, the people here let their food do the talking. Dive into a steaming pile of ragu pappardelle and you’ll know why.

Best things to do in Manchester

Science and Industry Museum

Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP. EV charging is available outside

Don’t miss Manchester’s most thought-provoking cultural attraction: the Science and Industry Museum. Pop by and learn all about the city’s rich industrial past.

Etihad Stadium

Ashton New Rd, Manchester, M11 3FF. 2 EV charging points and 2 connectors

Manchester City under Pep Guardiola have become one of club football’s greatest ever teams. Come and see where the magic in sky blue happens at the Etihad Stadium.

Afflecks

52 Church St, Manchester, M4 1PW. EV charging available nearby

Afflecks in the heart of the Northern Quarter is the home of alternative, independent Manchester. From hip vintage clothes stalls and record shops to artisan street food, it’s all here.

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