City in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Internet in Manchester: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Manchester?
Median fixed broadband in United Kingdom is 184 Mbps and mobile is 75 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in most cafés and bars; coworking spaces and Central Library are fast.
Getting online in Manchester
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre or cable from BT, Virgin Media, Hyperoptic or Community Fibre; 150 Mbps to 1 Gbps for about £25–45 a month. |
| Cafés and coworking | Free wifi in most cafés and bars; coworking spaces and Central Library are fast. |
| Tourist SIM | Supermarkets, newsagents and phone shops sell prepaid SIMs (giffgaff, Lebara, Three, Vodafone); £10–20 buys a month of generous data. No ID needed. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | EE, O2, Vodafone, Three |
| Monthly data plan | £10–20 ($13–26) |
Coworking spaces in Manchester
Spaces we checked are open in 2026. Prices change; confirm on their sites.
| Space | Area | Day pass |
|---|---|---|
| Huckletree | Ancoats | — |
Internet speeds in Europe
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| France | 332 Mbps | 133 Mbps |
| Iceland | 283 Mbps | — |
| Switzerland | 281 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Denmark | 278 Mbps | 161 Mbps |
| Romania | 276 Mbps | 83 Mbps |
| Hungary | 271 Mbps | 94 Mbps |
| Spain | 263 Mbps | 84 Mbps |
| Portugal | 252 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Andorra | 244 Mbps | — |
| Netherlands | 226 Mbps | 158 Mbps |
| Luxembourg | 221 Mbps | 173 Mbps |
| Poland | 215 Mbps | 109 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Manchester?
Median fixed broadband in United Kingdom is 184 Mbps and mobile is 75 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Free wifi in most cafés and bars; coworking spaces and Central Library are fast.
Which SIM card should I get in Manchester?
Supermarkets, newsagents and phone shops sell prepaid SIMs (giffgaff, Lebara, Three, Vodafone); £10–20 buys a month of generous data. No ID needed.
Can I use an eSIM in United Kingdom?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
Are there coworking spaces in Manchester?
Yes: Huckletree.
More about Manchester
Going to Manchester solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Manchester meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: United Kingdom
- EE
- O2
- Vodafone
- Three
- Transport for Greater Manchester
- Manchester Airport
- Visit Manchester
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.