Manchester’s buses and trams run under the Bee Network, led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). Here’s what it costs and how the main student options work, checked against official sources on 20 August 2026.
The basic fare
A Bee Bus adult single hopper fare is £2. Another Bee Network bus within 60 minutes costs no extra (TfGM, checked 20 August 2026). All Greater Manchester bus and tram fares, including the £2 adult bus single, are frozen until the end of 2026 (Salford City Council, checked 20 August 2026). Trams are priced by zone rather than a flat fare.
If you’re mixing bus and tram, combined products are available. The price depends on the tram zones and whether travel starts in the weekday morning peak; use TfGM’s current fare table before buying (TfGM contactless fares, checked 20 August 2026).
The student ticket that’s actually worth getting
If you’re a full-time student aged 16 to 26, System One membership lets you buy discounted weekly, monthly and annual tickets. The card is free, requires an email address and a digital passport-style photo, and lasts until the day before your 27th birthday or until you’re no longer a student (TfGM, checked 20 August 2026).
An All Terms Bee Bus student ticket costs £330 and is valid from 1 September to 30 June. It is available to students at Greater Manchester colleges and universities; TfGM accepts an official college or university ID, not an NUS card alone. It can be bought in the Bee Network app or as a smart ticket at an Information and Ticket Office (TfGM, checked 20 August 2026). Compare the £330 cost with your own likely journeys before buying.
If you’re 18 to 21 and live in Greater Manchester, a separate 18-21 pass has a £10 administration fee and lets you buy a £40 28-day Bee Bus ticket. TfGM lists the required age and address evidence on its application page (TfGM, checked 20 August 2026).
Getting the app sorted before week one
The Bee Network app can plan journeys, show live departures and buy tram, Bee Bus and combined travelcards. It is one payment route, not the only one: TfGM also accepts contactless tap and go, smart cards, cash and card, depending on the product (TfGM ways to pay and Bee Network app, checked 20 August 2026).
Night buses: better than they were, still limited
Manchester has a current night-bus network, but routes and frequencies vary. TfGM lists route 43 departures from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport every 30 minutes from midnight to 4am. Its 24-hour pilot page says the V1 and 36 run all night every day, except the listed Christmas and New Year exclusions, while the 17 and 135 run all night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (TfGM night-bus list and 24-hour pilot, checked 20 August 2026). Check the current timetable before travelling.
What this means practically in week one
Choose a payment method before your first journey. If you’re considering the £330 all-terms ticket, compare it with your own expected bus use. For occasional journeys, the £2 hopper fare is available without a student pass. If you’re relying on a night bus, check the current timetable before travelling.
For the rest of your arrival-week admin, use our Manchester freshers week-one checklist.
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