Home › Manchester › On a budget
Manchester on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Manchester is good on a budget thanks to free museums and cheap food. Allow about £80 a day per person for a hostel or shared room, simple meals and public transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | £40 | £80 | £160 |
| Food & drink | £30 | £55 | £100 |
| Sights & tickets | £5 | £30 | £60 |
| Local transport | £5 | £8 | £25 |
| Per person, per day | £80 | £173 | £345 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Manchester day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The John Rylands Library on Deansgate
- The Science and Industry Museum
- Manchester Museum and the Whitworth art gallery
- Manchester Art Gallery
- IWM North in Salford Quays
- The Northern Quarter's street art and independent shops
Cheap eats
- Curry on the Curry Mile: about £12–20
- Chinatown dim sum: about £10–18
- Pie and mash or a pub lunch: about £10–15
- Market stall food at Mackie Mayor or Arndale food market: about £8–14
- Chip butty or kebab late at night: about £5–8
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in the city centre and Northern Quarter, with dorm beds roughly £20–40 (more on football and concert weekends).
Getting around cheaply
Walk the compact centre and use Metrolink trams or Bee Network buses for further trips. From the airport, trains to Piccadilly cost a few pounds and take about 15–20 minutes; the Metrolink also runs but more slowly.
A sample budget day
- Morning: John Rylands Library and the Science and Industry Museum (free)
- Lunch: market food hall, about £12
- Afternoon: Manchester Art Gallery and the Northern Quarter (free)
- Evening: curry in Rusholme, about £15, and a pint
- Total: about £80 including a hostel bed and transport
More ways to save
- Book hostels early for match weekends, or stay midweek.
- Buy train tickets to Liverpool or the Peak District in advance for lower fares.
- Look for free gigs and open-mic nights in Northern Quarter bars.
- Use bus day tickets if you plan several trips.
- Bring a refillable bottle; tap water is free in pubs and cafés.
- Skip stadium tours if football does not interest you; the city's free museums are excellent.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About £80 per person: £40 for a bed, £30 for food, £5 for sights and £5 for transport.
What is free in Manchester?
The John Rylands Library, the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Museum, the Whitworth, Manchester Art Gallery and IWM North.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Take the train to Piccadilly, about 15–20 minutes and a few pounds.