Overnight Rail Services Between Manchester Piccadilly and Airport To Begin

TransPennine Express is launching new overnight rail services between Manchester Piccadilly railway station and Manchester Airport railway station as part of timetable changes taking effect from Sunday 17 May.

The new services will see trains operating roughly once an hour throughout the night, seven days a week, creating round-the-clock rail links aimed at supporting airport workers, hospitality staff, late-night businesses and passengers travelling during overnight and early-morning periods.

The overnight route forms part of wider plans linked to the future expansion of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, with the services previously identified in proposals to integrate local rail services into the wider transport system from December 2026.

City leaders say the move is intended to strengthen Greater Manchester’s growing night-time economy by making travel easier outside traditional daytime hours. The changes also arrive alongside a simplified rail fares structure across the region, with passengers now offered just two ticket categories — Anytime and Off-Peak — for journeys within Greater Manchester.

Supporters of the scheme argue that combining simplified fares with all-night rail connections will make train travel more accessible for shift workers, leisure travellers and visitors travelling into Manchester during evenings and overnight periods.

Andy Burnham said:

“We’re proud of our thriving night-time economy, and we’re looking to back it with transport that matches how people live and work. These all-night trains will help people get to where they need to be - whether that’s catching an early flight, getting home after a late shift, or travelling into town to enjoy everything our night-time economy has to offer. It’s a great example of partners working together for Greater Manchester, and it underlines our direction of travel with the Bee Network: one integrated, passenger-focused network across buses, trams and trains that works for the millions of people living in and visiting our city-region.”

Nicola Buckley, People Director at TransPennine Express, said:

“These all-night services are about supporting the people and businesses that keep Greater Manchester going 24 hours a day. By improving overnight connections to Manchester Airport, we’re making rail a more practical option for workers and passengers alike, while helping to strengthen the region’s night-time economy.”

The introduction of overnight airport trains marks a significant shift in rail provision across Greater Manchester, where most late-night travel has historically relied on road transport, taxis or buses outside normal operating hours.

Image: TransPennine Express