I have plans to go to every tram stop in Manchester, in less than the current record. I am planning to do it public transport only. I am going to do Airport and East Didsbury first. However I am not sure about what to do from there to do it most efficiently. Altrincham and Bury seem to be annoying to get to from the other lines, without double backing. Any advice?
Some comments that may be useful:
There are good bus links between some of the outer termini:
- Bury to Rochdale - routes 467/468/471 (frequent)
- Eccles to Trafford Centre - routes 20/21/22/52/100 (frequent)
There is a good frequent bus service between Ashton and Oldham (409) which could be used with a double back on the Rochdale line between Oldham and Monsall. Alternatively, one could terminate the trip at Ashton, but that means using buses to get from the Airport line to Altrincham.
The Airport line is very long and slow, as it weaves around Wythenshawe, so one wouldn't want to double back all the way on it, and there are frequent fast trains between the Airport and Piccadilly for a return to the centre of the Metrolink network. There is a large Metrolink car park at East Didsbury, if starting the journey there. If starting at East Didsbury, one can turn back at Firswood to cover the Airport line.
Bus links to/from Altrincham are slow and infrequent, so it would probably be best to end one's journey there. There is a bus between Altrincham and the Airport taking 25 minutes (route 288), and but it is only hourly, so if using it one would need to plan one's schedule carefully. There are more frequent buses from Southmoor Road (where Metrolink crosses the A560) to Altrincham, but Metrolink doesn't stop that close to this junction.
Don't forget that there are several intermediate stops on the routes across central Manchester, one or two of which could be inadvertently overlooked.
