Last updated: October 19, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
Old Trafford sits on Sir Matt Busby Way in Trafford, a short tram ride southwest of Manchester city center. Hotels within walking distance are limited and fill quickly before Manchester United home games, so it helps to know which areas work best: the stadium streets themselves, Salford Quays and MediaCityUK across the Manchester Ship Canal, or central Manchester with a direct tram out to the ground.
Below are hotels in each area, their distance from the ground, and matchday transport tips. Following more football? See hotels near Anfield and hotels near Wembley Stadium.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel | At 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, directly opposite the ground, with rooms overlooking the… | Check price |
| Premier Inn Manchester Old Trafford | On Waters Reach at the edge of Trafford Park, about 370 yards from the… | Check price |
| Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford | On Talbot Road at the cricket ground, about half a mile from the football… | Check price |
| Holiday Inn Express Manchester – Salford Quays | On Waterfront Quay, around a 10-minute walk to Old Trafford and about 5 minutes… | Check price |
| AC Hotel by Marriott Manchester Salford Quays | At 17-19 Trafford Road, about 0.6 miles (roughly 11 minutes on foot) from the… | Check price |
| Holiday Inn Manchester – MediaCityUK | Right in MediaCityUK, about 0.9 miles (roughly a 17-minute walk) from Old Trafford and… | Check price |
| The Midland | At 16 Peter Street with St Peter’s Square tram stop just outside, so you… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
Quick answer: For the shortest walk, book Hotel Football on Sir Matt Busby Way or the Premier Inn Manchester Old Trafford, both a few minutes from the stadium. For more choice and better nightlife, stay at Salford Quays or MediaCityUK (roughly 10 to 17 minutes on foot), or in Manchester city center and ride the Metrolink about 20 minutes to the ground.
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See hotels near Old Trafford and compare live prices for your match dates. The map below shows what is available nearby.
Hotel map: live prices near Old Trafford
Best areas to stay near Old Trafford
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Old Trafford / Sir Matt Busby Way | Steps to about 0.5 mi (up to roughly 10-15 min walk) | Walking to the match, stadium tours, early kick-offs |
| Salford Quays | About 0.5-0.8 mi (roughly 10-15 min walk) | Mid-range chains, waterfront setting, tram links |
| MediaCityUK | About 0.9 mi (roughly 17 min walk) | The Lowry, restaurants, quieter evenings |
| Manchester city center | About 2 mi; around 20 min by tram | Nightlife, shopping, rail connections, longer trips |
Walking distance to the stadium
- Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel – At 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, directly opposite the ground, with rooms overlooking the stadium, the Cafe Football restaurant and a rooftop pitch. The obvious pick for fans who want the full matchday atmosphere on the doorstep. There is no on-site parking; its off-site lot costs £25 on matchdays.
- Premier Inn Manchester Old Trafford – On Waters Reach at the edge of Trafford Park, about 370 yards from the stadium and described by Premier Inn as less than a five-minute walk. Reliable budget rooms, and on-site parking is £20 per night on match and event days (£10 otherwise).
- Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old Trafford – On Talbot Road at the cricket ground, about half a mile from the football stadium (roughly a 10-15 minute walk) and near the Old Trafford tram stop. A good fit for drivers, with on-site parking at £10 per day, though parking is restricted on event days.
Salford Quays and MediaCityUK
- Holiday Inn Express Manchester – Salford Quays – On Waterfront Quay, around a 10-minute walk to Old Trafford and about 5 minutes from the Salford Quays tram stop. Breakfast is included on eligible rates, which makes it strong value for groups of fans.
- AC Hotel by Marriott Manchester Salford Quays – At 17-19 Trafford Road, about 0.6 miles (roughly 11 minutes on foot) from the stadium and a few minutes from Salford Quays tram stop. Modern, design-led rooms suited to couples and business travelers who want a calmer base.
- Holiday Inn Manchester – MediaCityUK – Right in MediaCityUK, about 0.9 miles (roughly a 17-minute walk) from Old Trafford and a few minutes from the MediaCityUK tram stop. Ideal for families combining a match with The Lowry and the waterfront restaurants.
Manchester city center
- The Midland – At 16 Peter Street with St Peter’s Square tram stop just outside, so you can ride an Altrincham-line tram straight to Old Trafford. A grand, historic hotel for fans turning the match into a city break with restaurants, bars and shopping nearby.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
Metrolink tram: According to Transport for Greater Manchester, four stops serve the stadium: Old Trafford (Altrincham line), Trafford Bar (East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines), Wharfside (Trafford Park line) and Exchange Quay (Eccles via MediaCityUK line). From Piccadilly, an Altrincham tram takes about 20 minutes to Old Trafford, and extra double trams run on matchdays. All four stops are in Zone 2; an adult 1-day anytime travelcard from the city center is £4.30. Tap on and off with a contactless card to skip ticket machine queues. Expect a 10-15 minute walk from the Old Trafford and Trafford Bar stops.
Matchday rail station: Manchester United Football Ground station, behind the South Stand, used to open only for home games, but National Rail operator information shows all services are suspended indefinitely at the club’s request for safety reasons. Plan on arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria or Oxford Road and switching to the tram.
Buses: Routes 30, 250, 255, 256 and 263 serve the area, with diversions from 30 minutes before kick-off until 60 minutes after. After men’s first-team home games, shuttle buses run from Chester Road to Deansgate-Castlefield, Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens. A Bee Network single is £2 for adults (TfGM).
Parking: Official club car parks need a permit booked in advance, and the quickest approach is via Parkway and Wharfside Way from M60 junction 9. Permit-only restrictions apply on surrounding streets on event days; Trafford Council lists £7 pay-to-park bays in Trafford Village (M17 1JE), payable via RingGo. Road closures after the match on Wharfside Way, Sir Matt Busby Way and Warwick Road can mean delays of up to 50 minutes. Free Metrolink park and ride sites such as Parkway, Ladywell and Sale Water Park are often the easier option.
Tips for a Man United matchday stay
- Book a free-cancellation rate as soon as you have tickets. Premier League kick-off times are often moved for TV, so flexibility matters.
- Arrive early: TfGM says road congestion builds from about two hours before kick-off.
- After the final whistle, walk to Exchange Quay or Wharfside to avoid the longest tram queues, and use Old Trafford stop if heading toward Altrincham.
- Check whether your hotel’s parking is restricted on event days before you drive.
- Cycling? Free bike racks are available at the N2, E2 and W2 car parks, so bring your own lock.
FAQ
What is the closest hotel to Old Trafford?
Hotel Football at 99 Sir Matt Busby Way is directly opposite the stadium. Premier Inn Manchester Old Trafford, a few hundred yards away, is the closest budget option.
Which tram stop is closest to Old Trafford stadium?
Wharfside on the Trafford Park line and Exchange Quay on the Eccles line are both close, and the Old Trafford stop on the Altrincham line is about a 10-15 minute walk. All are in Zone 2.
Is the Manchester United Football Ground train station open?
No. Services have been suspended indefinitely at the club’s request for safety reasons, and no reopening date has been announced. Use the Metrolink from the main city stations instead.
Is it better to stay in Salford Quays or Manchester city center?
Salford Quays lets you walk to the match in around 10-15 minutes and avoid post-game tram crowds. The city center is better if you want nightlife, shopping and easy rail links, with a tram ride of about 20 minutes to the ground.
Can I park at Old Trafford on matchday?
Only with a pre-booked permit for the official car parks. Nearby streets are permit-only on event days, so most visitors use pay-to-park bays in Trafford Village or a free Metrolink park and ride site.
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
