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I was looking to get over for a match in the next month or so but the prices of flights to Manchester/Liverpool or even Birmingham are a bit prohibitive for a day trip for the likes of the Watford game. West Ham is a late kick-off so doesn't suit for the return flight and the next on after that is Newcastle.

I looked up Irish Ferries and you can do a 24 hour turnaround (If you ring them...limited places) for around €160. This would give me a bigger window of turnaround so I could take the early morning boat over and the 02:40am home from Holyhead.

I'd have to drive of course, so no drinking! Do any of you drive to the ground and do you use the parking facilities there? What are the opening times etc.?
Are there better alternatives in town?

Was hoping the wife would come over with my young lad also for the Watford game, but with him starting secondary school on the Monday, she won't go for it.
Might try for the West Ham game if driving is an option.

I normally park near Ashbury Train station on Pottery Lane, places that charge £5-7 and have stewards on them during the game. Dead handy just off the A57 at Belle Vue and is about 1 1/4 mile from the ground which is great after getting out the car after a 3 hour drive, gives me chance to stretch my legs.

Head north on Pottery lane across Ashtron Old road into Alan turing way and the cut up Grey Mare lane past Mary D's, always great to walk past even if you are not drinking.

I always come off the M56 & up Princess Parkway (A 5103) for nostalgic reasons and then on to the A57, but you could easily just crack on round the M60 and then in on the A57 and turn right (especially whilst the 57 is shut in town).

This should give you an idea of roughly where... https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Han ... efe5d30e01

Loads and loads of managed secure parking in and around the Etihad . It is usually £5 to park if a good walking distance to the Etihad and £7 - £8 to park close (short walk) to the Etihad . There is a good one just off a side street just before the Mercedes garage right next to the stadium , it has plenty of space and a nice short walk just look out for the match day parking signs . Also you could also think about staying overnight in the city center in one of the many hotels , quality bars and restaurants and loads to see and do if you bring your family over ........ Trams now run to the Etihad from the city center or just get one of millions of black cabs cheap as chips ! ;-)
Options are endless , good luck ! :-)

City64 wrote:Loads and loads of managed secure parking in and around the Etihad . It is usually £5 to park if a good walking distance to the Etihad and £7 - £8 to park close (short walk) to the Etihad . There is a good one just off a side street just before the Mercedes garage right next to the stadium , it has plenty of space and a nice short walk just look out for the match day parking signs . Also you could also think about staying overnight in the city center in one of the many hotels , quality bars and restaurants and loads to see and do if you bring your family over ........ Trams now run to the Etihad from the city center or just get one of millions of black cabs cheap as chips ! ;-)
Options are endless , good luck ! :-)

I've stayed in town many times, so know the drill. I've always flown over though, never driven. I'm thinking of bringing the car as it's cheaper and gives me a better option of matches for a one day trip. Although would have liked to drop into The Townley or Mary's. I've never been but know where they are. I suppose I still could without drinking, we'll see.

CTID Hants wrote:I normally park near Ashbury Train station on Pottery Lane, places that charge £5-7 and have stewards on them during the game. Dead handy just off the A57 at Belle Vue and is about 1 1/4 mile from the ground which is great after getting out the car after a 3 hour drive, gives me chance to stretch my legs.

Head north on Pottery lane across Ashtron Old road into Alan turing way and the cut up Grey Mare lane past Mary D's, always great to walk past even if you are not drinking.

I always come off the M56 & up Princess Parkway (A 5103) for nostalgic reasons and then on to the A57, but you could easily just crack on round the M60 and then in on the A57 and turn right (especially whilst the 57 is shut in town).

This should give you an idea of roughly where... https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Han ... efe5d30e01

Thanks for that CTID. What time do the carparks stay open until.

iwasthere2012 wrote:
Thanks for that CTID. What time do the carparks stay open until.

Sorry IWT not sure, I casually walk back to the car after the match ready for what is always a longer drive home, (typically 4 hours so i tend not to stick around).

I doubt it would be for much more than 90-120 minutes after final whistle though........

CTID Hants wrote:

iwasthere2012 wrote:
Thanks for that CTID. What time do the carparks stay open until.

Sorry IWT not sure, I casually walk back to the car after the match ready for what is always a longer drive home, (typically 4 hours so i tend not to stick around).

I doubt it would be for much more than 90-120 minutes after final whistle though........

OK Ta.

iwasthere2012 wrote:

City64 wrote:Loads and loads of managed secure parking in and around the Etihad . It is usually £5 to park if a good walking distance to the Etihad and £7 - £8 to park close (short walk) to the Etihad . There is a good one just off a side street just before the Mercedes garage right next to the stadium , it has plenty of space and a nice short walk just look out for the match day parking signs . Also you could also think about staying overnight in the city center in one of the many hotels , quality bars and restaurants and loads to see and do if you bring your family over ........ Trams now run to the Etihad from the city center or just get one of millions of black cabs cheap as chips ! ;-)
Options are endless , good luck ! :-)

I've stayed in town many times, so know the drill. I've always flown over though, never driven. I'm thinking of bringing the car as it's cheaper and gives me a better option of matches for a one day trip. Although would have liked to drop into The Townley or Mary's. I've never been but know where they are. I suppose I still could without drinking, we'll see.

No worries .

When I come up I usually park at the official 'Blue' car park at the bottom of Joe Mercer Way(Just off Alan Turing Way), it's £10 so not the cheapest but they're nice and close and you also get a fantastic view of the ground on the walk up.. The staff are also usually pretty friendly too!

iced_blue wrote:When I come up I usually park at the official 'Blue' car park at the bottom of Joe Mercer Way(Just off Alan Turing Way), it's £10 so not the cheapest but they're nice and close and you also get a fantastic view of the ground on the walk up.. The staff are also usually pretty friendly too!

I parked there all last season due to my lad being on crutches. Pricey but it's OK, secure, plus getting out seems slow but is surprisingly quick.

Now the Velodrome stopped doing it we park in ASDA for a tenner. Leisurely Macdonalds before the long drive home. Will find out on Saturday if they still do it and of course get there early

We followed advice on here and now park at Ashton Moss. It's free and the tram goes to the doorstep of the ground.

If you are hanging around for more than an hour after kick off try Store Street (open car park under Piccadilly Station) bit of a walk but quick getaway onto the Mancunian Way

I e-mailed the Velodrome and it seems they are doing it again. Close, secure, might be a tenner now though.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I might get over for the West Ham with my son. If not I'll try get the missus to cone over as well for the Newcastle game. She works every other weekend.

park at the airport and get the tram in ?

Hazy2 wrote:park at the airport and get the tram in ?

The cost for leaving it there for the day would be too much. Getting quotes of around £40 online.

aristation wrote:If you are hanging around for more than an hour after kick off try Store Street (open car park under Piccadilly Station) bit of a walk but quick getaway onto the Mancunian Way

I know people hate old threads being bumped but, I'm coming over saturday week with the car. Is this the carpark you're talking about at Store Street.
I'll have a bit of time on my hands after the game so this may be a good option. Might grab a bite in town before heading for 02:40a.m. ferry.
Is it safe around there? Does anyone know?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4783047,-2.2306251,3a,37.5y,315.33h,79.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skc5Ut7shqT4q6jaJTgdNiQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

iwasthere2012 wrote:

Hazy2 wrote:park at the airport and get the tram in ?

The cost for leaving it there for the day would be too much. Getting quotes of around £40 online.

You should be able to park, for free,close to pretty well any of the tram stations. As long as you are not in a hurry to get somewhere.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

iwasthere2012 wrote:

Hazy2 wrote:park at the airport and get the tram in ?

The cost for leaving it there for the day would be too much. Getting quotes of around £40 online.

You should be able to park, for free,close to pretty well any of the tram stations. As long as you are not in a hurry to get somewhere.

Yes, someone mentioned Ashton Moss. I was nearly going to book into The Village Hotel out there, but will probably head for the 02:40 a.m. sailing instead.
It means I'll have a few hours to kill after the game. Wondering what way to play it.