Radar Festival

Trafford Park lies just west of central Manchester and is easy to reach from many directions. Air travellers can fly into Manchester Airport (MAN), about 9 miles from the venue, with frequent trains into the city centre. From the airport, take a train to Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road and then transfer to the Metrolink tram or a local bus to reach Trafford Park. Other regional airports like Liverpool (LPL) and Leeds Bradford (LBA) are also within around 30-35 miles and offer coach or rail links into Manchester. For intercity travel, Manchester's main stations – Piccadilly, Victoria, and Oxford Road – receive trains from all over the UK. Once you're in the city, the festival site is just a short tram or taxi ride away.

By car, drivers can reach Trafford Park via Manchester's motorway network. Exit the M60 ring road at Junction 9 or 10 (just beyond the city center) toward the A580/A5063, then follow signs for Trafford Park and O2 Victoria Warehouse. The M602 (Junction 3) also leads directly into Trafford Park, and travelers from the north can use the M61 toward Manchester. Use postcode M17 1AB for sat-nav guidance. Please note that there is no on-site parking at the warehouse, but several public car parks and metered street parking spaces are available nearby (fees and times vary). For convenience, many visitors car-share or take a taxi instead; a marked drop-off point is provided at the venue entrance for quick access.

Public transport within Manchester is excellent. The Metrolink tram’s Trafford Park line stops at Wharfside station, which is just a two-minute walk from the venue. Trams run roughly every 12 minutes from Cornbrook (a major interchange), making this an extremely convenient link from the city center. Several bus routes from central Manchester (for example from Piccadilly Gardens) serve the Trafford Park area as well. If you prefer to travel by train, the Trafford Park station (on the line toward Preston) is about a mile away, reachable by a short taxi or bus ride. In general, once you're in Manchester, hopping on a tram or grabbing a taxi to the festival takes only a few minutes.

Accommodation in Manchester is plentiful. Most visitors book hotels, hostels, or apartments in the city centre or near Salford Quays, all easily reached by public transit. Staying around Manchester Piccadilly or Deansgate, or in the MediaCity (Salford Quays) area, will put you a short tram or taxi ride from the festival. Because Radar is held in summer, rooms can fill up fast, so early booking is recommended for the best deals. A few hotels around Old Trafford (near the sports stadium) and across Greater Manchester may also suit those wanting quieter surroundings. Wherever you stay, you'll find great dining and nightlife nearby, and plenty of transport links (trams, buses, and taxis) to keep you moving to and from the venue.