That's a fair walk that mate. An hour at the very least but more likely around an hour and a half. Can't really suggest any routes though, sorry.
Can you not just get off the train at Salford Crescent rather than Picadilly? Then at least you only have the walk down Trafford road pretty much.
The time taken to walk it seems to vary between 45 minutes and an hour-and-a-half, but I'd get into the city quite early so wouldn't in too much of a rush. The train doesn't stop anywhere else particularly useful, the calling points are Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Nantwich, Crewe, Wilmslow, Stockport and then Manchester Piccadilly.
When heading to Old Trafford, try to be slightly earlier then you can avoid the traffic by taking the tram. But when going back, it takes up to 2hours queuing for the tram.
Yeah queuing for the tram on the way back is what puts me off using it, just figure if the weather is reasonable, it'll be 'easier' just to walk.
Wherabouts in Shropshire have you moved to? I live in Shrops and still find it easier to drive, usually head for a meal after the match though to miss most of the traffic - even if we do head straight back we aren't usually in traffic for more than about half an hour.
Live in Church Stretton and I've done the drive a few times and you're right, it is quite an easy route. But this season I'll be heading into Manchester on my own and meeting mates there. I don't really fancy sitting in the car on my own - with the train I can just chill out and read a book or something. That said, there are going to be awkward games when I'll have to drive - the early kick-off against Everton at the start of October is the first one that wouldn't work on the train, I think.
Done the walk quite often. About 45 minutes going at a pace. There is the direct way or you can walk up the canal...maybe takes nearer an hour.
Walk down the canal - I used to do that for mid week matches after work if the weather was nice. Will take an hour from piccadilly.
Just had a look at the map and the canal path actually looks quite nice! Are there usually people about on that route? Sounds much better than the dual carriageway...
I usually take the Eccles line tram to either Pomona or Exchange Quay from Piccadilly. Sometimes I'll get off at Salford Quays and have a wander to OT from there. Depends how much time you've got before/after the match.
I'm getting into Manchester pretty early before the Swansea game so I'll probably do the latter.
Given myself loads of time for most games. Figured I may as well make a day of it each time, so I'm usually going to have a few hours spare either side of the game - useful for stopping somewhere to watch other important games happening on the day.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I think I'm leaning toward canal path on a nice day and the tram when the weather's a bit iffy.
