Manchester
Hotels near Old Trafford: from the hotel opposite the stadium to the tram from the centre
Old Trafford is about three miles from Manchester city centre, and one hotel stands right opposite the stadium. Here is where to stay for a Manchester United match, how the trams work on matchday and how to avoid the queues afterwards.
7 November 20269 min
Picolo Editorial
On a matchday at Old Trafford the walk down Sir Matt Busby Way starts long before kick-off, past the statues, the scarf sellers and the queues for the megastore. The home of Manchester United lies about three miles south-west of the city centre, in Trafford. You can stay right opposite the stadium, or in the centre with a direct tram to the ground.
In short: hotels near Old Trafford
Closest: Hotel Football, opposite the stadium, rated 9.4 by guests on Hotels.com.
City centre on the direct tram: The Edwardian and The Midland, both by St Peter’s Square on the Altrincham line.
By the cricket ground: Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford, about fifteen minutes on foot.
Tram: Old Trafford stop, about 20 minutes from Piccadilly. After the match, use Wharfside back to the centre.
Allow time: road closures can mean delays of up to 50 minutes after the final whistle.
Our first choice: Check availability and prices at Hotel Football
Getting to Old Trafford on matchday
Old Trafford tram stop, on the Altrincham line, is a few minutes’ walk from the stadium, and Wharfside, Trafford Bar and Exchange Quay are also within walking distance. From Piccadilly station the tram takes about 20 minutes, and from St Peter’s Square slightly less. The old railway station by the ground is no longer in use.
Traffic builds about two hours before kick-off. After the match, Wharfside Way, Sir Matt Busby Way and Warwick Road close to traffic, and Transport for Greater Manchester warns of delays of up to 50 minutes. Use Wharfside for trams back to the city, or the shuttle buses from Chester Road, which run direct to the centre.
The best hotels for Old Trafford
Hotel Football
Hotel Football stands opposite Old Trafford, so the walk to your seat takes a few minutes. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Hotel Football, Old Trafford
Hotel Football stands opposite Old Trafford and was founded by former Manchester United players. The rooms are modern and practical, and Cafe Football on the ground floor is full of shirts and scarves before every home game. More than 1,000 guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.4. It is the hotel for a supporter who wants to walk to the turnstiles.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Football
The Edwardian Manchester
The Edwardian occupies the old Free Trade Hall in the city centre, a few minutes from St Peter’s Square, where the Altrincham line trams to Old Trafford stop. It has a spa with an indoor pool, which is welcome after ninety minutes in the rain. Guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.2.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Edwardian Manchester
The Midland
The Midland is the grand Edwardian railway hotel on St Peter’s Square, built in 1903, with an indoor pool and a spa. The tram to Old Trafford stops right outside, and the city’s restaurants and pubs are around the corner for the evening after the match. Guests on Hotels.com rate it 8.8.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Midland
Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford
The Hilton Garden Inn stands by the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, about fifteen minutes on foot from the football stadium and close to Old Trafford tram stop. It has a café, a bar and a gym that is open around the clock, and it is a practical choice for a group with a car. More than 1,000 guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.0.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford
Picolo’s choice for Old Trafford
Hotel Football: opposite the stadium
Hotel Football stands directly opposite Old Trafford, so on matchday you can have lunch, put on your scarf and be in your seat a few minutes later. Cafe Football on the ground floor fills up with supporters before kick-off, and when the crowds head for the trams afterwards, your room is already across the road. For a United weekend there is no shorter walk.
What Picolo would choose
What Picolo would choose: Hotel Football to walk to the match, and The Edwardian for a weekend with a spa and the city on your doorstep. The Midland is the grand hotel right by the tram.
Why: Hotel Football is the only one opposite the ground, while the two city-centre hotels sit on the direct tram line. The trade-off: around Old Trafford there is little to do once the match is over.
More football in Manchester
For Manchester City, read our guide to hotels near the Etihad Stadium. Picolo’s own matchday story is a football trip to Manchester, and stadium tours at the Etihad and Old Trafford covers both grounds.
Frequently asked questions about hotels near Old Trafford
What is the closest hotel to Old Trafford?
Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, stands opposite the stadium and is the closest hotel Picolo recommends. It has a football-themed restaurant, Cafe Football, and more than 1,000 guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.4. Book early for match weekends, because it is the first hotel that supporters look for.
How do you get to Old Trafford from the city centre?
Take the tram. Old Trafford stop on the Altrincham line is a few minutes on foot from the stadium. The ride from Piccadilly takes about 20 minutes, according to Transport for Greater Manchester. Wharfside and Exchange Quay are also within walking distance. The Old Trafford railway station shown on some maps is no longer in use.
How do you get back to the city after a United match?
Use Wharfside for trams back to the city centre, because trams on the Trafford Park line do not stop at Imperial War Museum after the match. Post-match shuttle buses leave from Chester Road and go direct to the city centre. Road closures around the ground mean delays of up to 50 minutes for cars and taxis.
Should you stay at Old Trafford or in the city centre?
Stay at Old Trafford if the match is the whole point of the trip and you want to walk back to your room. Stay in the city centre, by St Peter’s Square, if you want restaurants, pubs and the Christmas markets as well. The tram from St Peter’s Square runs direct to Old Trafford on the Altrincham line.
Sources
Tram stops, matchday road closures, shuttle buses and travel times come from Transport for Greater Manchester. Hotel facilities and guest ratings come from Hotels.com, last checked on 7 November 2026. The comparisons and picks are Picolo’s own.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Have a nice trip to Manchester
Picolo Editorial