Heading to Lowry, MediaCity or Salford Quays for a show, event, weekend away or group trip?
From theatre performances and exhibitions to television recordings, restaurants, business events and nights out, Salford Quays has become one of Greater Manchester’s busiest leisure and entertainment destinations.
If you’re travelling from further afield, DM Airport Transfers provides pre-booked private transfers, MPVs and minibuses to Lowry, MediaCity and Salford Quays, including direct journeys from Manchester Airport and long-distance pickup locations across the UK.
Whether there are two of you arriving for an evening performance or a larger group travelling together for an event, your transport can be arranged before the day.
Where Is Lowry?
Lowry is located at:
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
It sits directly on the Salford Quays waterfront, immediately beside MediaCity.
The venue combines theatres, galleries, restaurants and event spaces and attracts visitors throughout the year for theatre, comedy, musicals, dance, exhibitions, family productions and other live entertainment.
Its position makes it easy to combine a Lowry visit with the wider MediaCity and Salford Quays area.
Nearby destinations include:
- MediaCity
- BBC buildings
- MediaCity Studios
- Imperial War Museum North
- Quayside MediaCity
- Coronation Street Experience
- Restaurants and bars
- Salford Quays hotels
- Old Trafford
For visitors unfamiliar with Greater Manchester, it is worth remembering that Lowry and MediaCity are in Salford, despite often being described online as Manchester attractions.
Manchester Airport to Lowry Transfer
If you’re flying into Manchester specifically for a show, event or weekend at Salford Quays, you can pre-book a private transfer directly from Manchester Airport to Lowry.
Salford Quays is approximately 10 miles from Manchester Airport by road.
Current journey planners put the road journey at around 9.6–10 miles depending on the exact destination and show driving times of roughly 16–17 minutes when traffic is clear.
That should be treated as a best-case journey rather than a guaranteed travel time.
Traffic around Greater Manchester can significantly increase the journey, particularly during:
- Morning rush hour
- Afternoon rush hour
- Manchester United home matches
- Large concerts
- Major events
- Roadworks
- Friday evenings
If you’re flying in on the same day as a theatre performance, leave plenty of time between your scheduled airport arrival and the start of the show.
An aircraft landing at 4pm doesn’t mean you’ll be outside Manchester Airport at 4pm.
You still need to allow time for the aircraft to reach its stand, passengers to disembark, any passport checks and baggage collection.
Going Straight From Manchester Airport to a Show?
It can be done, but we’d recommend building plenty of spare time into your plans.
Lowry recommends that theatre visitors arrive at least 30 minutes before the advertised start time so they have time for ticket collection, security and finding their seats.
If you’re flying into Manchester on the same day, we’d go further than that.
Air travel and road traffic can both be unpredictable, so don’t plan a journey that only works if your flight lands exactly on time and Manchester’s roads are completely clear.
Where possible, travelling earlier in the day or staying overnight around MediaCity or Salford Quays can make the trip considerably more relaxed.
Private Transfers to Lowry
DM Airport Transfers can arrange pre-booked transport directly to Pier 8, The Quays or to your nearby hotel.
A private transfer can be particularly useful when you’re travelling as:
- A couple
- Family
- Group of friends
- Theatre group
- Corporate group
- School or college party
- Wedding group
- International visitors
- Older passengers
- Passengers with significant luggage
Unlike travelling into Manchester city centre first, your vehicle can take you directly to the Salford Quays area.
Minibus Transfers to Lowry
Lowry is a particularly good destination for group and minibus travel.
The venue itself offers dedicated arrangements for groups of six or more, including group ticket benefits, and the wider Salford Quays area is set up to receive organised group visits.
If several passengers are travelling together, booking one larger vehicle may be easier than arranging multiple cars.
DM Airport Transfers can arrange MPVs and minibuses depending on group size, luggage requirements and vehicle availability.
This can work well for:
- Theatre trips
- Family groups
- Work nights out
- Birthday celebrations
- Hen and stag groups
- Conference visitors
- School or educational visits
- Tour groups
- Groups arriving together at Manchester Airport
When booking a minibus, always tell us the number of passengers and amount of luggage.
Eight passengers heading to a theatre performance for the evening require very little luggage space.
Eight passengers arriving at Manchester Airport for a three-night stay with eight suitcases require considerably more.
The correct vehicle depends on both.
Group Trips to Lowry
Organised group visits are a major part of Lowry’s audience.
Lowry currently defines group bookings as six or more people and provides dedicated group-booking facilities.
If your group is travelling from another town or city, it may be possible to arrange a long-distance transfer directly to Salford Quays rather than everyone travelling separately.
DM Airport Transfers provides pre-booked long-distance transfers across the UK as well as airport journeys.
That makes the service suitable for groups travelling to Salford Quays from locations outside Greater Manchester too.
Manchester Airport to MediaCity Transfers
Lowry and MediaCity sit right beside one another, so many visitors combine the two.
If your destination is actually a MediaCity hotel, television studio, office or attraction rather than Lowry itself, enter the exact address when booking.
MediaCity covers a sizeable area and simply entering “MediaCity” isn’t as accurate as providing the building name and postcode.
DM Airport Transfers also provides direct Manchester Airport to MediaCity private transfers, including cars, MPVs, minibuses and executive vehicles.
Salford Quays Minibus Transfers
Salford Quays attracts considerably more than theatre visitors.
Groups might be coming for:
- MediaCity
- Imperial War Museum North
- Television recordings
- Coronation Street Experience
- Restaurants
- Corporate events
- Manchester United matches
- Conferences
- Family celebrations
- Weekend breaks
That makes Salford Quays particularly suitable for pre-arranged group transport.
If everybody is staying at the same hotel or attending the same event, travelling together can make organising the day much easier.
Visiting Lowry for a Theatre Show
One of the most common reasons people visit Salford Quays is to attend a performance at Lowry.
Shows can attract visitors from across the North West and much further afield.
Rather than worrying about driving, parking or who is going to avoid having a drink, a pre-booked private transfer means the journey can form part of the evening.
For larger groups, an MPV or minibus means everyone can arrive together.
If your show has a fixed start time, tell us when requesting your journey so you can plan a sensible collection time.
Remember that traffic conditions can change and enough time should be allowed to arrive comfortably before the performance begins.
Getting to Lowry by Tram
Private transfer isn’t the only way to reach Lowry.
The venue is well served by Metrolink.
Lowry states that the MediaCity tram stop is approximately five minutes’ walk away, while Broadway and Harbour City are each around seven minutes away.
The Imperial War Museum North stop on the Trafford Park line is also around seven minutes away via the Millennium Bridge.
Those services connect with the wider Greater Manchester tram network.
Passengers travelling from Manchester Airport can also use public transport, although this generally takes longer than a direct road journey.
Current journey planners show public-transport journeys between Manchester Airport and Salford Quays typically taking around 40 minutes or more depending on the route and interchange, compared with approximately 16–17 minutes by road when traffic is clear.
For one person with no luggage, public transport may be ideal.
For a family, larger group or passengers travelling with luggage, the convenience of a direct transfer may be more attractive.
Parking at Lowry
Lowry does not have its own general on-site visitor car park.
The venue directs visitors towards nearby options including Quayside MediaCity and other Salford Quays parking facilities.
That is another reason some groups prefer to arrange transport rather than bringing several cars into the area.
For organised coach groups, separate coach arrangements are available. MediaCity’s visitor information currently states that free coach parking can be booked at Lowry Theatre Coach Park, subject to advance arrangements.
For smaller groups, an MPV or minibus transfer can provide a simpler door-to-door option.
Transfers to Lowry for Families
Families regularly travel to Lowry for children’s theatre, musicals, exhibitions and seasonal productions.
A private transfer can be especially useful when travelling with younger children because everyone can stay together.
If you’re arriving through Manchester Airport, make sure you include any pushchairs and large luggage when describing what you’re bringing.
The number of seats alone doesn’t determine which vehicle will be suitable.
Accessible Travel to Lowry
Lowry states that its building is fully accessible, including step-free access, lifts and accessible toilets. The venue also offers accessibility support and assisted performances.
If someone in your group has mobility requirements that could affect the vehicle needed for the transfer, tell us before booking.
This is particularly important if a passenger travels with a wheelchair or other mobility equipment.
Wheelchairs vary considerably in size and design, and accessible vehicle requirements need to be discussed in advance rather than assumed.
Transfers for Evening Shows
Evening performances are particularly suited to pre-arranged transport.
You can arrange a pickup from your home, hotel, restaurant or another location and travel directly to Salford Quays.
For return journeys, remember that performances don’t always finish at the precise advertised time.
Applause, intervals, encore performances and large crowds leaving simultaneously can affect when passengers are ready.
When arranging transport, allow a sensible amount of time after the expected finish rather than assuming everyone will be outside the venue instantly.
Transfers for Matinee Performances
Lowry also hosts daytime and matinee performances.
These can be popular with families, older visitors and organised groups.
A daytime minibus transfer can allow an entire group to travel together, enjoy the performance and return home without needing to coordinate several separate cars.
For passengers arriving from farther away, a matinee can also make a same-day long-distance trip easier because the return journey begins earlier.
Make a Day of Salford Quays
If you’re travelling a reasonable distance to see a show, you don’t necessarily have to visit Lowry and immediately leave again.
There’s plenty around Salford Quays to turn the journey into a full day.
You could combine the performance with:
- Lunch or dinner around MediaCity
- Imperial War Museum North
- A waterfront walk
- Quayside MediaCity
- Coronation Street Experience
- MediaCity itself
Lowry sits immediately on the waterfront and close to MediaCity, so most of these destinations can be reached on foot once you’re in the area.
Transfers to Imperial War Museum North
Across the water from Lowry is Imperial War Museum North.
Visitors often combine the museum with other Salford Quays attractions.
If your group is visiting both, you can arrange your initial transfer to whichever destination makes most sense for your itinerary and explore much of the central Quays area on foot.
The Millennium Bridge provides a pedestrian link across the water between the two sides of the Quays.
MediaCity Restaurants and Pre-Theatre Food
A theatre trip often starts before the curtain goes up.
MediaCity and Salford Quays have a growing selection of restaurants, cafés, bars and food venues, making it easy to arrange dinner before a performance.
Lowry itself also offers food and drink facilities, including options for pre-theatre dining.
If your plan includes a restaurant booking, make sure the transport collection time allows enough time for both dinner and getting into the theatre.
Staying Overnight at MediaCity or Salford Quays
If you’re travelling a long distance or flying into Manchester, an overnight stay can make a theatre trip considerably easier.
There are hotels throughout MediaCity and Salford Quays, putting visitors close to Lowry and other attractions.
A typical weekend could involve:
Day One: Manchester Airport → MediaCity hotel → dinner → Lowry performance
Day Two: Salford Quays attractions → Manchester city centre
Final Day: Hotel → Manchester Airport
Airport transfers can be booked in both directions so your arrival and departure transport is organised before the trip.
Executive Transfers to Lowry and MediaCity
Not every theatre or event journey is a standard leisure transfer.
Artists, speakers, corporate guests, performers, producers and VIP visitors may require executive transport.
Executive vehicles can be requested through DM Airport Transfers subject to availability.
If a specific standard or style of vehicle is important to the booking, request it in advance.
This also applies when businesses are arranging transport for guests attending corporate events around MediaCity or Salford Quays.
Transfers for Corporate Events
Lowry and the wider MediaCity area are also used for conferences, meetings, receptions and business events.
Companies may therefore need to arrange transport for multiple delegates arriving at Manchester Airport.
Depending on the group size, this could involve:
- Individual executive transfers
- Standard private cars
- MPVs
- Minibuses
If several people are arriving on different flights, each passenger or group can have their own booking.
If everyone is arriving together, a larger vehicle may be easier.
Transfers From Liverpool to Lowry and MediaCity
DM Airport Transfers isn’t limited to Manchester Airport.
Long-distance transfers can also be arranged from Liverpool and other locations.
This can be useful for people travelling from Liverpool to a theatre performance or for visitors flying into Liverpool John Lennon Airport who are staying at MediaCity.
Rather than travelling into Liverpool city centre and then across to Greater Manchester by public transport, passengers can request a direct pre-booked journey to Salford Quays.
The same applies to other UK airports and cities.
Manchester United Match Days
Old Trafford is close to Salford Quays.
When Manchester United are playing at home, roads and public transport throughout the surrounding area can become significantly busier.
If your Lowry show happens to fall on the same day as a home fixture, allow extra travelling time even if you’re not attending the match.
The roads around Trafford and Salford Quays can remain busy before and after the game.
The same applies to other major events around Trafford Park.
Returning Home After a Performance
A return transfer means you don’t need to start looking for transport after leaving the theatre.
Your return can be pre-arranged to take you back to:
- Your home
- Hotel
- Manchester Airport
- Liverpool
- Another airport
- Railway station
- Another town or city
For airport departures, always allow enough time for both the road journey and your airline’s recommended airport arrival time.
Why Travel as a Group?
If several people are attending the same event, group transport can make the whole day easier.
Everyone has the same pickup time.
Everyone arrives at the same place.
There’s no waiting for someone who parked in a different car park.
Nobody needs to volunteer to drive.
And the group can travel together rather than splitting between multiple vehicles.
For airport arrivals, there’s the additional advantage of being able to travel directly from the terminal to the hotel or venue with luggage.
Information to Provide When Booking
To help arrange the correct journey, provide as much information as possible.
For a normal transfer, that includes:
- Pickup address
- Destination
- Date
- Required pickup time
- Passenger count
- Luggage
For an airport transfer, also provide:
- Flight number
- Scheduled arrival time
- Airport
- Passenger mobile number
For groups, include information about any unusually large luggage or equipment.
If you’re attending Lowry, it can also be useful to mention the performance start time when planning your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lowry?
Lowry is at Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, next to MediaCity at Salford Quays.
Can I book a taxi from Manchester Airport to Lowry?
Yes. DM Airport Transfers provides pre-booked private transfers from Manchester Airport to Lowry and Salford Quays.
How far is Lowry from Manchester Airport?
The wider Salford Quays area is approximately 10 miles from Manchester Airport by road. Current journey planners show road journeys of around 16–17 minutes when traffic is clear.
Can I book a minibus to Lowry?
Yes. MPVs and minibuses can be requested for larger groups, subject to availability and passenger/luggage requirements.
Can you collect us after the show?
Yes. Return journeys can be pre-booked. Allow enough time after the expected performance finish for your group to leave the venue.
Is Lowry near MediaCity?
Yes. Lowry is immediately beside MediaCity at Salford Quays.
What is the nearest tram stop to Lowry?
MediaCity is approximately a five-minute walk from Lowry. Broadway and Harbour City are also nearby.
Is there parking at Lowry?
Lowry doesn’t have a general on-site visitor car park. Nearby parking options include Quayside MediaCity and other Salford Quays car parks.
How early should I arrive at Lowry?
Lowry recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before a theatre performance.
Can you provide transport for groups arriving at Manchester Airport?
Yes. Larger vehicles can be requested depending on the number of passengers, amount of luggage and availability.
Can you provide a transfer from Lowry back to Manchester Airport?
Yes. Airport transfers can be booked in either direction.
Book Your Lowry, MediaCity or Salford Quays Transfer
Whether you’re heading to Lowry for a show, MediaCity for an event or Salford Quays for a group day out, your transport can be arranged before you travel.
DM Airport Transfers provides pre-booked private cars, MPVs, minibuses and executive vehicles for individuals, families and groups.
We can arrange transfers from Manchester Airport as well as long-distance journeys from destinations across the UK.
Enter your pickup point, destination, passenger numbers and luggage requirements to receive your quote.
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