Staying in Piccadilly and Chinatown
The station end and the Chinatown end serve different daily routines. Near Piccadilly station, you can drop bags quickly after a train journey; around Faulkner Street, meals and gallery visits are closer. Check the actual hotel entrance before booking, since a station address can still involve a walk along London Road or a turn into a side street.
At a glance
- Best for
- Trains, trams, value
- At night
- Busy and lit; noisy by the gardens
- Getting around
- Piccadilly station, Piccadilly Gardens
- Price level
- €€
The practical base: the main station, the tram interchange and Chinatown together, if not the prettiest streets.
Good for
- Early trains, the airport train and the trams
- Dim sum and late-night food in Chinatown
- Central, mid-range hotels
Think twice if
- You want a calm, characterful street
- The room faces the gardens or the bus station and you are a light sleeper
How Piccadilly and Chinatown compares with the rest of Manchester
What is near Piccadilly and Chinatown
Chinatown arch
The arch on Faulkner Street is about ten minutes on foot from Piccadilly station, through the streets west of Portland Street.
Manchester Art Gallery
Walk about five minutes from the Chinatown arch to the gallery entrance on Mosley Street.
Canal Street
The canal-side stretch is about five minutes from Chinatown on foot, making it an easy addition before returning to your hotel.
Eating in Piccadilly and Chinatown
Chinatown has Chinese restaurants, bakeries and other Asian dining options concentrated around Faulkner Street and neighboring streets. Check menus outside before choosing, especially if you want a quick meal rather than a longer dinner. Higher Ground is another option nearby on New York Street.
Getting around from Piccadilly and Chinatown
Piccadilly railway station has its own Metrolink stop beneath the main concourse, with services toward the Etihad Campus and Ashton-under-Lyne. From Chinatown, St Peter's Square is often the simpler tram stop to walk to. Allow about ten minutes between Chinatown and the railway station.
Hotels in Piccadilly and Chinatown
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Other areas of Manchester
Staying in Piccadilly and Chinatown
Should I stay beside the station or in Chinatown?
Choose the station end for an early train with luggage. Chinatown puts you closer to the art gallery and a wider concentration of evening meals.
Is Piccadilly Gardens inside the railway station?
No. Piccadilly Gardens is a separate outdoor space and tram stop, roughly ten minutes on foot from the railway station.
Can I reach Canal Street without taking transport?
Yes. Canal Street is a short walk from both Chinatown and Piccadilly station. Allow around five to ten minutes, depending on your starting point.