Coventry vs Man United: getting from Manchester to the CBS Arena

Coventry City host Manchester United at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CV6 6AQ), just north of the city centre off Jimmy Hill Way. Coventry Arena railway station is beside the ground, giving rail travellers a short final walk to the stadium.

How to get from Manchester to Coventry by train

Straightforward by rail: CrossCountry runs direct from Manchester Piccadilly to Coventry in a little over two hours, calling at Stoke, Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street on the way. From Old Trafford, the tram into Piccadilly takes about 20 minutes, so allow for that at the start.

• The direct train: CrossCountry services heading for Reading, Bournemouth or the south west call at Coventry, roughly hourly through the day.
• If the times do not suit: Avanti West Coast to Birmingham New Street, then a Coventry-bound train for the last 20 minutes.

You arrive at Coventry city-centre station. From there, check the live local rail timetable for Coventry Arena station or use the extended Number 20 bus service towards the Arena area. A taxi from the city centre is another option. Check your return journey before you travel, especially for an evening kick-off.

How to get from Manchester to Coventry by car

By car it is around 100 miles and about two hours, almost entirely on the M6: south past Stoke and Birmingham to junction 3, then the A444 towards Coventry, which runs past the arena. Expect the Birmingham section to be the slow part on a Saturday. Put CV6 6AQ into your sat nav to bring you straight to the arena.

The one thing worth sorting before you set off is parking. Matchday restrictions operate around the Arena and nearby streets, so use an authorised pre-booked car park rather than arriving without a plan.

How to get from Manchester to Coventry by coach

National Express runs coaches from Manchester to Coventry, usually changing in Birmingham. It is the cheap option rather than the quick one. Coaches arrive in the city centre, a short taxi or local train from the ground.

Getting to the ground once you arrive

Coventry Arena railway station is within walking distance of the stadium. If you come by car, use your pre-booked space and follow event signage and steward instructions. From Coventry city centre, rail, the extended Number 20 bus and taxis are all practical final-leg options.

Where to stay in Coventry

If you are staying overnight, choose between the arena area for the shortest matchday journey and Coventry city centre for more food, bars and transport options. For an evening game, a city-centre hotel can also make the trip home easier if you do not want to rush for a late train.

See every hotel near the CBS Arena and in Coventry on a map, with Google ratings and how long each one takes to reach the ground.

Making a day of it in Coventry

With the travel sorted, the rest is the fun part. Get there early, find a spot for a pre-match drink and time your walk to the turnstiles so you are not rushing:

• Pubs and bars near the CBS Arena, with walking distance from the ground.
• Where to park and how far it is from the arena on foot.
• The matchday timetable, built around the next home kick-off.
• Plan your day: your trip from home to the turnstiles, with a pub or a car park on the way.

First time at the ground? Our Coventry City matchday guide for away fans covers everything else around your visit.

Frequently asked questions