(22 Dec 2016, 5:00 pm)James101 wrote Or even using metroshuttle 2 which runs door-to-door between the two, pretty much direct via northern quarter. Still faster than the tram. 

I don't think there's any restriction on off peak on a Saturday?

Off-peak starts at 0915, so no problem with either a Wednesday or Saturday visit, and MetroShuttle 2 is indeed a good option, especially from Vic to Picc as apart from the walk being uphill, the bus will give you a free circuit of Shudehill Interchange. The lack of direct trains from Picc is indeed due to Engineering works - specifically to do with the "Ordsall Chord", with all trains to/from the west of Manchester terminating at Victoria or Oxford Road, rather than Piccadilly