Manchester Airport | International | UK

Information about Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport (code IATA: MAN) was initially named Ringway Airport (a name which remains in local use). It is an international airport situated eight miles (12 km) southwest of Manchester city centre. MAN handles about 27 million passengers annually, and is thereby ranked the third busiest airport in Great Britain and one of the top 20 in Europe. The airport is distinguished by its possession of two runways, which sets its potential capacity to 50 million travellers per year. However, this capacity is limited by the airport's restriction to 61 aircraft movements per hour and the terminal's size. Ranked in thirteenth place globally for total destinations served, Manchester Airport provides flights to 199 destinations. The airport has been extended over the years and now covers an area of 560 hectares.

MAN is currently the largest UK-owned airport operator. As a part of The Manchester Airports Group Plc, MAN Airport is jointly owned by the 10 Greater Manchester councils.

How busy is MAN Airport?

MAN Airport is busiest on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday, during normal business hours from 9 am to 5 pm. During this time, the terminal staff is working hard to avoid Manchester Airport delays. However, passengers who have tickets for these days are advised to arrive at least three hours before departure, given possible Manchester Airport queues. MAN also provides FastTrack for security and passport control (from £5 per person).

MAN Airport contact information

The customer contact centre can be found on the second level of the Olympic House, Manchester Airport, M90 1QX, UK. Check the Manchester Airport map to better navigate the premises.

You can also get info on flights, airlines, or any services by calling +44 (0)808 169 7030 or (0)808 169 7030. Lines are open from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

COVID-19 information

Although international travel has been restored, some countries are still imposing entry restrictions. Therefore, make sure to check which COVID-19 test is needed for the destination you are travelling to. Please note that from March 18th passengers arriving in England no longer need to provide negative COVID-19 test results, or fill out a Passenger Locator Form.

Randox health travel centre offers various departure testing options at Manchester Airport:

• RT PCR (Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) is one of the most common tests. A sample is taken by swab; results usually take between 3 - 48 hours (the price varies depending on the speed of the result's delivery, from £30).

• Rapid Antigen is required for entry into certain countries. A swab or saliva sample is taken, and the results take less than 1 hour.

There are several Randox locations at the airport building:

• The Station Testing Centre.
• T2 Testing Centre which is on the ground level of Terminal 2.

Testing centres are open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm.

Flight alerts at Manchester Airport

Due to unforeseen circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions, Manchester Airport flights may be cancelled or delayed; in the event of such changes, passengers may have to wait at the airport for several hours. Check your flight status using our website to make sure it is on schedule.

Weather in Manchester

If you plan to visit Manchester, keep in mind that the weather is very changeable throughout the year. Summer in Manchester is comfortable, with an average temperature of 59°F-63°F (15°C-17°C). Winter is, on the contrary, cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. The rainiest months in Manchester are November, December, and January. We, therefore, recommend you bring an umbrella, and also check the current weather before making your plans.

Terminals at Manchester International Airport

Manchester Airport consists of three terminals. To find which terminal you need, consult the details of your airline printed on your ticket or itinerary. You can easily move between terminals using a Skylink connecting Terminals 1 and 2. This trip takes around 15 minutes. The distance from T1 to T3 is approximately a 5-minute walk through a covered walk pass.

Manchester Airport Terminal 1

Manchester Airport Terminal 1 is the main terminal for scheduled and charter airlines to various destinations both in Europe and around the world. On the lower floor, you can find the Arrivals hall, as well as elevator and escalator access to the Skylink walkway. The Manchester Airport drop-off area of Terminal 1 can be found in the car park on the left side, next to the Hilton Hotel and the Clayton Hotel. To get to the pick-up point, exit the M56 at junction 5 and follow the sign for Terminal 1, pass T1 M&G and underneath the Sky link and turn left into T1 Short Stay/pick-up car park.

Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport

The Terminal 2 Arrival zone is located on the lower level. The check-in desks are situated on the upper level of the Terminal. The security control point is placed on the same floor, after zone E. More than 20 airlines depart from Terminal 2, including Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Brussels Airlines, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic International. If you would like to get info on your flight, find an information desk located next to the baggage reclaim zone. The Terminal 2 upper forecourt is conveniently situated near the main check-in hall. The drop-off point on the forecourt can be found in Zone 2. The Terminal 2 pick-up area is available on the ground level of the Terminal 2 West Multi-Storey Car Park.

Manchester Airport Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is located next to Terminal 1 and mainly serves UK and Ireland flights. Airlines operating from Manchester Airport Terminal 3 include Iberia Express, British Airways, Ryanair, and Vueling among others. The drop-off area is situated in front of the terminal straight ahead. Once you exit the M56 at Junction 5, enter the T3 Multi Storey Car Park, and follow signs on the ground level to get to the pick-up zone.

Manchester Airport service

Manchester Airport provides their passengers with plenty of services available in each of the three terminals:

• Shopping in more than 20 stores that offer gifts, beauty products, and popular travel items;
• Free Wi-Fi to stay connected during your stay at the airport;
• Restaurants to have a tasty meal while waiting for a flight;
• Parking areas where you can leave your vehicle while you are travelling;
• Lounges to relax in silence and enjoy a cup of coffee;
• FastTrack to save time at security and passport control;
• Duty-free in Manchester Airport with a wide range of tax-free products;
• Smoking areas;
• Concorde Conference Centre;
• Currency Exchange to get local sterlings;
• Hotels to stay for a night;
• Car Hire to make your trip comfortable and hassle-free;
• Luggage services;
• Lost & Found offering assistance in search of items lost on the airport premises;
• PremiAir — a new private terminal with discreet security, modernist lounges, personal luggage processing, premium Manchester Airport transfers, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Things to do at MAN Airport

Manchester Airport shops

Travellers passing through MAN Airport have a wide selection of shopping venues at their disposal. Catering to a range of preferences and budgets, MAN terminals offer the following stores to delight even the most demanding travellers:

• Terminal 1 provides a variety of shopping locations in the departures hall where you can buy cosmetics, clothing, sports items, electronics, and much more. Visit the Bobbi Brown store to enjoy a complimentary make-up lesson or Biza to buy some suncare products, fragrances, sunglasses, or make-up items. You can also update your wardrobe with a cosy hoodie from Fat Face or stylish footwear from Adidas in JD Sports. If they prefer, shoppers may pick up the items they purchase upon return from their trip.
• Terminal 2 has several fashion and beauty brand shops in Manchester Airport such as Accessorize, Boots, and JD Sports. There you can select new handbags, jewellery, shoes, and cosmetics for every taste. You can also visit WHSmith in Terminal 2 to pick up any last-minute travel essentials, newspapers, books, and much more.
• Terminal 3 offers its passengers several shopping options which include Biza, Boots, and WHSmith. There you can find any items you might need on your trip.

Lounge at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport lounges welcome travellers from any airline, providing a variety of services and allowing you to take a break while waiting for a flight.

• The Aspire Lounge is a cosy, family-friendly zone, where you can enjoy a relaxing start to your journey. Lounge access includes complimentary snacks and a selection of beverages, airfield views, charging facilities, unlimited Wi-Fi, free digital newspapers, and much more.
• The Escape lounge is a perfect place to pull away from the noisy terminal and enjoy a cosy atmosphere over a cup of coffee or a soft drink. This lounge will provide you with all the facilities you would expect, including high-speed wifi, TVs, magazines, flight information screens, and mobile charging points. Pre-book starts from £29 per person; the price also includes freshly prepared food, a wide selection of spirits, and unlimited soft drinks.
• 1903 Lounge is ideally suited to couples and solo travellers, offering guests magnificent floor-to-ceiling runway views, a Manchester Airport Fast Track security lane, freshly made chef's gourmet dishes, handpicked wines and champagne, and other premium services. 1903 lounge at Manchester Airport welcomes passengers from any airline and any ticket class from £45 per person.

Food & drink

Whether you have time for a complete dinner or a few minutes to get a snack before your flight, MAN Airport offers an excellent selection of food courts to meet your needs:

• Terminal 1 has various venues serving mostly light meals and snacks. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee in Starbucks or Greggs, enjoy fruit juices in Giraffe or taste one of the classic cocktails with high-class French spirits in Café Balzar. Fast-food restaurants such as Burger King and PizzaLuxe serve tasty burgers and freshly baked pizzas generously topped with mouth-watering ingredients.
• Terminal 2 offers several options for Manchester Airport food with traditional Italian meals (San Carlo), Mexican street food (Barburrito), burgers (KFC), and a vegan and gluten-free menu (Pret). Don't miss the chance to enjoy a glass of the finest beverage served by artisan bar Apiary, alongside stunning airfield views.
• Terminal 3 has slightly more limited dining options compared with the other two terminals at Manchester Airport, but you'll still be able to grab coffee and snacks in Kiosko, enjoy handcrafted Italian coffee in Caffè Nero, or taste gourmet meals served by chefs in Hangar.

Manchester Airport transportation

Manchester Airport is located on the ring road, next to the M56 and with easy links to the M6, M60, and M62. It is still known as the Ring Road Airport among residents. The airport also has well-functioning transport connections with the north of England and the lowlands/central Scotland. No matter where you get from, there are many convenient transportation options available, such as: car rental, bus, or a regular train to Manchester Airport. Below you will find more info about all available modes of transportation.

Car rentals at Manchester Airport

If you are used to travelling in comfort and without making compromises, consider that the most convenient way to do so is by renting a car. Agencies at MAN Airport offer a great choice of attractive deals at affordable prices from Minis to Full-size SUVs and Luxury cars. To rent a car for a lower price, select and order it in advance. When choosing a vehicle, pay attention to technical characteristics, available extras (GPS, free additional driver), appropriate fuel policy such as fuel-to-fuel tank, and unlimited mileage. If the cost of the Manchester Airport car rental is higher, some of these bonuses may compensate for the difference.

Mini

Fiat 500

from €17.6 per day

Rent a car

Mini

Chevrolet Spark

from €25 per day

Rent a car

Mini

Volkswagen Up

from €33.5 per day

Rent a car

Mini

Kia Picanto

from €38.9 per day

Rent a car

Manchester Airport train station

A route by regular train from MAN Airport to the city centre (Manchester Piccadilly station) takes 20 minutes. Trains run daily every 10 minutes, through TransPennine Express and Northern Rail operators. From Manchester Piccadilly, you can travel anywhere in the UK with ease.

Bus to and from Manchester Airport station

Manchester Airport is connected to the city centre with a well-developed network of 24-hour Stagecoach local and regional buses, running 7 days a week from early morning to late night (including weekends and bank holidays). The bus station at MAN is located in the train station, and all three terminals at Manchester Airport are situated within a 10-minute walk.

Taxi at MAN Airport

At Manchester Airport you can use the service of a wheelchair-accessible licensed "black cab" taxi. Taxi stands can be found just outside of all three Terminals and The Station (no booking is required). Set fares for within the Manchester Licensed Area are shown on the taxi metre with the average daily rate of £12 for 5 miles (8 km). Credit cards are accepted with no fees.

Parking at Manchester Airport, UK

Check the list of Airport parking in Manchester available for passengers in each of the three terminals. All car parks are near the terminal, only a short walk or quick bus transfer from check-in.

• Meet & Greet is the most popular option for those who are travelling with children or heavy luggage. This MAN car park is just a 1-2 minute walk from the terminal. This service is available only with pre-booking. The price for an 8-day stay is £70.
• Multi Storey is a convenient, mainly covered parking, which is located next to the terminal. The 3-day parking cost in case of pre-booking is £62.
• Mid Stay car park is a 3-minute walk to Manchester airport Arrivals at Terminal 3 and less than 10 minutes’ walk to T1. This is a good option for weekend and business trips. Places are available only upon prior reservation.
• JetParks are suitable for those who are leaving their vehicle for a week or more. You can get to the terminal building from this park by taking a transfer (5-10 minute drive). The price of an 8-day stay is £56.

• Drop & Go is a convenient parking option for longer trips. The trip to T1 and T2 from this parking area takes 5 minutes by bus, and it’s a 5-minute walk to T3.

Hotels at Manchester Airport

Recently, the demand for long and short-haul flights in Manchester has increased. So, travellers are more frequently booking comfortable rooms in hotels near the airport, in order to have enough time to relax and not think about longer transportation times. MAN offers various hotels of your choice, located just a short walk from the 3 terminals. There are four hotels on-site that can be reached in 10-15 minutes, including Radisson Blu Manchester Airport, Hilton, and Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport. Other popular hotels located within a radius of 3 miles (4,8 km) from Manchester airport are the following:

• Premier Inn Manchester Airport;
• Etrop Grange Hotel Manchester Airport;
• Britannia Manchester Airport;
• Marriott hotel.

These hotels offer many services for travellers such as parking, restaurants, free wi-fi access, a shuttle, and much more.

Popular places to visit in Manchester

Being a major industrial city and a multicultural urban paradise, Manchester city attracts travellers from all over the world, and its popular destinations offer great insight into its history. Check out our list of top places to visit during your journey:

• The Whitworth Art Gallery is one of the most remarkable art hubs in the north and one of the more quaint and offbeat tourist destinations to visit in Manchester. The Whitworth is home to over 55,000 striking artworks.
• Castlefield Urban Heritage Park is a great place for pleasant walks around historical sites and landscaped open spaces. Travellers will have a chance to see a Roman fort, the first modern canal in Great Britain, and the site of Manchester's industrial boom.

• Chester Zoo will amaze both children and adults with over 500 different animal species populating its large territory. Visiting this family-friendly spot guarantees you a great day out, full of adventure.

• Etihad Stadium is the ideal spot to get acquainted with the history of the Manchester City football club, giving you the chance to walk in the footsteps of greatness.