Trains to Old Trafford Cricket Ground: A Comprehensive Guide

Not to be confused with its Mancunian footballing big brother, Old Trafford Cricket Ground is home to Lancashire County Cricket Club as well as the men’s and women’s English cricket teams. 

The cricket ground is a major stadium in the world of English cricket, and accordingly, many people need to travel from around England to reach it. That’s why it’s best to travel by train, as it minimises inconvenience and makes it easy to get to from wherever you’re travelling from. 

This article will explore the cricket ground a little more, before looking into the best options to get to it via the rail network. 

Whilst not as old as Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Old Trafford Cricket Ground has still earned its place in the annals of cricket history. It hosted the first Ashes Test in England in 1884 between Australia and England and has hosted the Cricket World Cup a gob-stopping five times in 1975, 1979, 1983, 1999, and 2019. Additionally, Old Trafford holds the record for hosting the most World Cup matches and the most semi-finals.

In the 1993 Ashes Test, Shane Warne bowled Mike Gatting with the fabled ‘Ball of the Century’, which signalled a revival of leg spin bowling. Since 2009, Old Trafford Cricket Ground has sought to modernise its facilities and restore its pavilion. 

The cricket ground has a capacity of 19,000 for domestic games, rising to 26,000 for international matches. 

The simplest way to reach Old Trafford Cricket Ground by train is by using the main stations in Manchester City Centre: Piccadilly and Victoria. From there, you can take public transport to Old Traffic Cricket Ground by hopping on one of Manchester’s Metrolink Trams, which can take you directly to the stadium. The ground is only a few minutes’ walk from there.

Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria are two busy stations on the UK rail network. Northern, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, and East Midlands Railway all run from Piccadilly. Meanwhile, Northern and TransPennine Express run from Victoria. Here are some popular routes to the stadium:

1: London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly

It takes just over two hours to get from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly with Avanti West Coast. Once you arrive in Manchester Piccadilly, you’ll need to take public transport to Old Trafford Cricket Ground by hopping on one of the Metrolink Trams underneath the station. 

2: York to Manchester Victoria 

The journey from York to Manchester Victoria takes roughly two hours when travelling with TransPennine Express. Upon arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, you'll need to use public transportation to reach Old Trafford Cricket Ground by boarding one of the Metrolink Trams located just outside the main barriers within the station.

3: Newcastle to Manchester Victoria 

It takes just over three hours to get from Newcastle to Manchester Victoria with TransPennine Express. Once you arrive in Manchester Piccadilly, you’ll need to take public transport to Old Trafford Cricket Ground by hopping on one of the Metrolink Trams within the station, just outside the main barriers.

4:Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly

On average, it takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes to get from Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly with CrossCountry. After reaching Manchester Piccadilly, you'll need to use public transportation to get to Old Trafford Cricket Ground by catching one of the Metrolink Trams located beneath the station.

No cricket fan’s trip to Old Trafford Cricket Ground is finished without a guided tour of this almost holy ground. On the tour, you can experience generations of history with a visit to the Members’ suite, visit the famous pavilion, and follow in the footsteps of cricketing heroes with a visit to the changing rooms, and much more. 

If you’re there on match day, you could even treat yourself to some hospitality with incredibly high levels of service. Based in the 1864 Suite, enjoy extremely high standards of service in a formal setting and bask in premium seating located directly behind the bowler’s arm for stupefying views. If you’d prefer to stop the night after a day of cricket, then the Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford is a four-star hotel in the home of cricket in Manchester. 

Before you leave, don’t forget to pay a visit to the Lancashire Cricket store for all your mementoes, merchandise, and more. 

Planning is always an excellent prerequisite for travel. That’s why booking your train tickets early is so important; it helps you save money, plan your journey, and ensures you get the seats you want, all at the same time. Plus, it gives you the option of choosing to travel off-peak and bypassing busy crowds, as well as saving a few more quid that could be better spent propping up the bar or in the gift shop.  

It's always advisable to regularly check for live travel updates on your journey to avoid being caught off guard, as well as to leave plenty of time for your trip. It’s recommended that you reach the event around one hour before it begins to ensure you get to your seats smoothly and have the chance to grab a drink or a snack. 

It’s certainly worth adding a Railcard when you book your tickets too, as some Railcards grant you up to 30% off your train fare. 

This blog provides a comprehensive guide for travelers planning to visit Old Trafford Cricket Ground. By detailing how to utilize train travel, it helps readers understand the best transportation options and ways to save money. Using TrainPal not only allows you to find the cheapest train tickets but also makes travel planning easier and more efficient. Whether it's your first visit or you're a frequent visitor, readers can gain practical advice and economical travel solutions, enhancing the overall travel experience!

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