Combined Rail and Manchester Metrolink Tickets

[brasseagle]

I want to make a journey from Bramhall (BML) to a station in Metrolink Zone 2 this Saturday. BRFARES shows an Off-Peak Day Return CDR is available for £10.60, but when I try to buy ahead using the forum's ticketing site it says "While trains are operating, tickets for all journeys we found are sold out.". Does this mean I cannot buy in advance? Where can I get tickets from - Bramhall has a ticket office but it is likely to be closed when I travel and according to the nationalrail.co.uk site there are no ticket machines there.
Also, a question on validity: On the return leg ideally I would like to break the journey in Manchester city centre - can I break the Metrolink part of the journey, e.g. get off the tram at say St Peters Square, take refreshments, and then board a later tram to continue the return journey? I suspect not, but can't find a definitive answer anywhere.
Finally, there appear to be two different three-letter codes for MetrolinkZ1+Z2: QMB and QMH. Just curious why.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Looking on Google maps, the platform towards Manchester does have a ticket machine.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Mar 2026 ==

I've just checked and the 1-day Train + Tram Zones 1-4 (off-peak) is only £10.10, so you could get more validity for a lower price (these can be bought from the ticket machine under rovers and rangers).

 

[MrJeeves]

Is there any reason you wouldn't simply by an AnyTrain+Tram Off-Peak ticket for £10.10? That would give you unlimited travel on all trams and trains in the Greater Manchester area.

In theory, you should be able to buy these at any station within the GM area. I'm not sure how this works in practice though, or whether they show on ticket machines.

The only Bramhall to Metrolink Z1-2 tickets I can see are £11 off-peak and £14.50 anytime, which isn't great value compared to AnyTrain+Tram.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I want to make a journey from Bramhall (BML) to a station in Metrolink Zone 2 this Saturday. BRFARES shows an Off-Peak Day Return CDR is available for £10.60

£10.60 is the Off Peak Day Return fare from Bramhall to/from Manchester CTLZ, route via Stockport, isn't it? That wouldn't also include Metrolink Zone 2.

The Off Peak Day Return for that is £11.00, I think. Not sure why this is offered in view of the below-mentioned ticket existing.

The GM Daysaver Train and Metrolink, day ranger ticket at £10.10, that @pokemonsuper9 and @MrJeeves have already mentioned upthread, is, IMHO, the better, more flexible, and cheaper option.

Finally, there appear to be two different three-letter codes for MetrolinkZ1+Z2: QMB and QMH. Just curious why.

Believe one is intended to be used for origin rail stations within Greater Manchester, the other for origin rail stations located outside of Greater Manchester. Happy to be corrected on this.

 

[MrJeeves]

£10.60 is the Off Peak Day Return fare from Bramhall to/from Manchester CTLZ, route via Stockport, isn't it? That wouldn't also include Metrolink Zone 2.

That seems right, but as you say won't include Zone 2 which OP needs.

 

[brasseagle]

That's brilliant! Many thanks to all who pointed out the Dayranger ticket - I wasn't aware of it. As you said, gives me much more flexibility at a lower price, just the job.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

That's brilliant! Many thanks to all who pointed out the Dayranger ticket - I wasn't aware of it. As you said, gives me much more flexibility at a lower price, just the job.

Worth keeping in mind you can also buy a train+tram+bus one for £11.40 (+£1.30 compared to train+tram), or just train (GM Rail Ranger) for £9.

 

[Llandudno]

Surely there must be an easier way to find out which is the best ticket to buy for a relatively routine journey!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Surely there must be an easier way to find out which is the best ticket to buy for a relatively routine journey!

Even more fun determining the best value ticket(s) to buy for a multi-mode off peak day return journey, such as Bramhall to/from Metrolink Z1+Z2, if you're a holder of an appropriate railcard.