Manchester Christmas Market train travel advice released

Think in Threes is the message from Network Rail as Manchester’s famous Christmas markets return for another year. The markets open on 6th November 2026 and crowds are expected to use Northern and TransPennine Express services to get to the market. Running up till the 22nd December, the markets will feature 210 stalls across 10 city centre sites. Network Rail’s advice is: - Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk - Take an earlier train home – later services will be extremely busy - Please respect other passengers and railway staff when making your journey Last year, 382,000 people used Manchester Piccadilly on the opening weekend, and means trains and platforms are much busier than normal. “It’s time to get into the festive spirit with Manchester’s Christmas markets back once more – and we want everyone to have the smoothest journey possible if coming to and from the city by train. “To make your journeys as easy as possible, we’re urging travellers to follow our key travel tips – plan your journey, take earlier trains home as later ones will be very busy, and please respect our teams and fellow passengers. There will be extra staff in place across the network to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout the festive season.” Margaret Edge, Manchester Piccadilly station manager