Manchester Airport is the UK’s third busiest airport after Heathrow and Gatwick. In 2023, more than 28 million passengers passed through its three terminals, and numbers are set to rise.
It is therefore essential to plan your route to the airport well in advance. Here we discuss the easiest ways to get there, including advice on avoiding bottlenecks and the best ways to get there by train.
How do you get to Manchester Airport by road?
What are the main routes to the airport?
Manchester Airport is approximately a half-hour drive from the city centre. Drivers should follow the M56, take junction 5 for the airport and follow signs to the required terminal. The M60, which loops around Manchester itself, is to the north; the M6 and M62 also run close by.
Are there any traffic jams?
Traffic can get heavy at the junctions with the M56, especially around rush hour. If you do need to travel via the M60, be warned that commuters, along with other airport passengers, will be on the road – making the journey much more difficult. The Worsley junction, where the M60 crosses the M61, is notoriously busy and slow-moving traffic is common during the day. Junctions 18 and 26 can also be tricky. It may be worth allowing extra time into your journey if you plan to travel to the airport via these routes.
What parking options are available?
Regardless of which terminal you’re travelling from, the airport has several official options. At T1, T2 and T3, passengers can book long-term parking for trips of more than a week, and short-term parking for weekend getaways. “Mid-stay” is available at Terminals 1 and 3. There are also Meet & Greet options, where an airport employee will park your car for you while you check in. Or there are three JetParks, located on the outer edges of the airport, from which you can take a free shuttle bus. Of course, there are also similar park-and-ride schemes in operation, which are not affiliated with the airport itself, which can be cheaper.
For more advice on the best airport parking, see our guide.
Do I have to pay for dropping off passengers?
As with other major airports in the UK, Manchester charges a fee to anyone using a private vehicle to drop off a passenger at the terminals (fees are the same for T1, T2 and T3). For drop-off, five minutes costs £5; 10 minutes costs £6.20. After that, the fee increases to £25. For pick-ups, there is a flat rate of £6.20 for 30 minutes. All payments are made at the exit barrier by card or cash.
If you attempt to collect the car from the drop off point you can expect a fine of £100.
To avoid the fee, visitors can use the free drop-off area at JetParks 1, using the shuttle service from the parking lot to the airport. The ride takes about six minutes and is operational 24 hours a day.
How do you get to Manchester Airport by train?
What are the main train connections to Manchester Airport?
Passengers can take direct trains to Manchester Airport. From Manchester Piccadilly, in the city centre, trains operated by TransPennine Express and Northern take around 20 minutes and run every 10 minutes. There are also trains from other cities such as York, Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds; all stop at Manchester Piccadilly first.
The train station is located at Terminal 2. Use the Skylink walkway to move between terminals. The walk takes between five and fifteen minutes.
How early and how late do the trains run?
Trains run seven days a week, from 4am to 1am. It is worth checking the National Rail website before your journey in case of disruption and for up-to-date departure information.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased online via the National Rail or carrier websites, or from machines at all stations.
How do you get to Manchester Airport by tram?
Can you get to Manchester Airport by tram?
Passengers can take a Metrolink tram from Manchester Victoria station in the city centre to the airport. There are also frequent services to Altrincham, Bury, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Eccles, Rochdale and the Trafford Centre. More information can be found at Bee Network.
How do you get to Manchester Airport by bus?
Are there public bus services to Manchester Airport?
Yes. There is a 24-hour public bus network to and from Manchester Airport, operated by Stagecoach. The 43 bus service runs between the city centre and the airport, the X5 to Warrington and the 313 to Stockport. Check the timetable here.
Can I travel to Manchester Airport by bus?
Yes, absolutely. The main UK long distance coach companies all offer regular services to Manchester.
National Express has regular departures from cities including London, Birmingham and Leeds (prices start at £6). Megabus has a similar service, with more information on their website.
Flixbus operates routes from cities such as Edinburgh, Leicester and Bristol, as well as overseas destinations such as Antwerp.
How do you get to Manchester Airport by taxi?
How much is a taxi to Manchester Airport?
It all depends on where you start your journey. However, according to the airport’s price guide, an average black cab fare should cost between £29.20 and £38 per 10 miles, depending on the exact distance, traffic and time of day. You can find more information on fares here.
Can I travel to Manchester Airport with Uber or another taxi service?
You can travel to Manchester Airport from the city centre using Uber; the company advises an average price of £22. Manchester also has arrangements with transfer specialists StreetCars.
Any other questions?
When is Manchester Airport busiest?
Manchester is a hectic airport. On average 226 flights depart per day, with the busiest time being 7am to 5pm. Thursday, Sunday and Monday are the busiest days.
Is it worth staying in an airport hotel?
That probably depends on the time of your flight and whether you want to avoid a train or taxi ride long before the dawn chorus has started singing. But there are plenty of accommodation options, including a Holiday Inn, an Ibis Budget Hotel, a Crowne Plaza, a Doubletree by Hilton and more. You can find more information on the Manchester Airport website.