Parking in Manchester

• There are several NCP car parks to choose from around the city centre. The largest is at the Arndale Centre (M4 1AZ), with 1,400 spaces, while the Aquatic Centre (M13 9SS) has room for just under 1,000 vehicles.
• Smaller NCP car parks can be found near Oxford Road, Deansgate and Piccadilly train stations.
• APCOA Parking has a car park at Piccadilly train station, with more than 700 spaces in the Long Stay car park (M1 2RP) and just under 50 in Short Stay (M1 2QF).

Traffic in Manchester

Manchester is one of the UK’s most thriving commuter cities, with major roads connecting it to the rest of the region. The busiest times tend to be between 7am-9.30am, and 4pm-6.30pm, so it’s a good idea to plan your journeys accordingly.

How to get from Manchester to Leeds

Starting at central Manchester, on Oxford Road (M1 6FT):

1. Head west on Whitworth Street, turn left onto Gloucester Street.
2. Gloucester Street turns left and becomes Cambridge Street.
3. At the roundabout, take the 3^rd exit onto A5103.
4. Take the 2^nd exit at the next roundabout onto the Ring Road A57(M) slip road to Liverpool/M62/Salford/A6.
5. Continue onto Dawson St/Ring Road/A57.
6. Turn slightly left onto Regent Road/A57.
7. Continue onto M602.
8. At junction 1, exit onto M60 towards M61/M66/Leeds/M62.
9. Keep right to continue on M62 for 31.3 miles.
10. Take the M621/A62 exit towards Leeds/Batley.
11. Continue onto M621 for 3.9 miles.
12. At junction 2, take the A643 exit.

Total time and distance: Approximately one hour – depending on traffic (50 miles).

Roads and motorways

• The city's outer ring road (M60) connects the bustling centre to the wider Greater Manchester region, including nearby towns such as Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Bolton.
• The M62 connects Manchester to Chester, Liverpool, Leeds and Hull. You can reach Birmingham to the south in about two and a half hours, and Preston to the north in under an hour via the M6.

The Inner Ring Road is the easiest way to access the city centre with your rental car, via GreatAncoats Street to the north and east, Trinity Way to the south and west and the A57(M), also known as theMancunian Way, to the south.

What to see and do in Manchester

Science and Industry Museum

The Science and Industry Museum (M3 4FP) boasts a host of exhibits linking Manchester’s industrial heritage to its notable achievements in computing and communications.

Alongside a selection of the spinning and weaving machines which put Manchester at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, you’ll also find the ‘Manchester Baby’ – one of the world’s first computers – plus intact planes and trains spanning various eras of transport.

Coronation Street: The Tour

MediaCityUK, the nation’s biggest broadcasting hub outside London, sits on scenic Salford Quays. Here, you’ll find the famous cobbles of Coronation Street(M50 2EQ) – the world’s longest-running soap opera.

Fans of the show will jump at the chance to peer inside the iconic Rovers Return – while tour guides share some of the greatest stories from six decades of filming.

National Football Museum

Celebrate the beautiful game with a look at the people and events which shaped football as we know it. Across four floors of the Urbis building (M4 3BG), you’ll find a treasure trove of temporary and permanent collections dedicated to football’s most famous figures, as well as trophy replicas and interactive displays. 

There’s also fascinating insights into everything from stadiums to those golden voices of the game – the commentators.

Runway Visitor Park

See some of the world’s finest aviation achievements just minutes from Manchester Airport. At Runway Visitor Park (WA15 8XQ) you can board iconic aircrafts like the G-BOAC – otherwise known as the Concorde. 

The supersonic airliner which could travel faster than the world turns, and is now housed in a special hangar.

Manchester’s best hotels

The Edwardian

Occupying the Grade II*-listed Free Trade Hall, the Edwardian (M2 5GP) offers luxurious comfort in historic surroundings, with more than 250 spacious rooms – and some spectacular views.

The Great John Street Hotel

Another magnificent building transformed into a stylish stay, the Great John Street Hotel (M3 4FD) is perfectly placed to experience Manchester’s buzzing nightlife, with 30 Duplex suites and Italian marble bathrooms.

King Street Townhouse

Built in the late 19^th century, the Italian renaissance-styled building (M2 4AW) houses 40 stylish rooms and a rooftop spa pool, with tremendous views over the Town Hall.

Manchester’s best places to eat

Little Yang Sing

Chinatown is one of Manchester’s most loved districts when it comes to dining, and Little Yang Sing (M1 4HE) serves up exquisite fried dim sum alongside a selection of pork, chicken and beef dishes.

Gaucho

If you like Latin flavours with a touch of class, this Argentinian restaurant in a converted Deansgate church (M3 2LB) should satisfy. Tuck into their amazing steaks and watch the magic happen in the open kitchen from the comfort of your table.

Australasia

This culinary treat (M3 3AP) specialises in Japanese dishes and sumptuous cocktails amid a bright and stylish atmosphere.

Best day trips from Manchester

Jodrell Bank

See the world-leading Lovell Telescope in the heart of the scenic Cheshire countryside. Delve into fascinating new worlds at Jodrell Bank’s Planet, Space and Star Pavilions.

The Lake District

Just 80 minutes’ drive from Manchester lies one of England’s best nature reserves. Discover the delights of a scenic walk in the Lake District, and its picturesque villages and towns. 

Liverpool

A short jaunt across the M62 brings you to another of the Industrial Revolution’s biggest boomtowns. History and culture are around every corner – and it’s the home of the Beatles to boot.

Discover all this and more when you choose Manchester car rental. Book with Hertz today.