Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest airport and currently handles in excess of 20 million passengers a year, offering direct flights to more than 180 destinations worldwide by over 80 airlines. The passenger catchment area of Manchester Airport covers the whole of Northern England up to the Scottish borders and a large part of the Midlands and North Wales.

Airport Location
The airport is situated 11 miles southwest of Manchester City Centre. The airport is directly accessible via J5 from the M56, for more details see the “Getting to and from Manchester Airport” Section below. View Manchester Airport Map

Car Parks at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has nearly 15,000 on airport parking spaces and there are numerous off airport car park operators within the local vicinity offer good facilities. If you are parking at the airport follow the individual terminals parking signposts from the J5 exit of the M56 motorway. The signs are colour coded for T1, T2 and T3. Most passengers use the conventional turn up at the Airport and use the long or short stay car parks method. Collect your ticket on arrival and pay on departure. Don’t forget to pay at the parking pay stations before going back to your car, (see below for pay station details and locations). If you are going to be away for any length of time write down the level and location of your car if you are using a multi story car park and keep it safe with your parking ticket. If you are using the open long stay car park jot down the number or letter of the row or zone you have parked in, the courtesy bus stops in the Manchester Airport long stay car park are also numbered.

Where to Pay
There are pay station machines within the Terminal buildings and on most levels of the short stay car parks. The automatic pay machines accept all major credit and debit cards or cash and change can be given, usually! Payment can also be made using your credit card by feeding it into the machine when you arrive at the barrier. The machine will then scan your card and return it to you. On departure from the airport insert the same credit card, which will be debited and returned to you with a receipt.

Car Parking for the Disabled
Dedicated parking bays are provided for the convenience of Disabled Badge holders in the Short Stay Car Parks. The bays on each level are next to the lifts in each terminal. Disabled passengers travelling for a period of eight days or more can use the short stay parking facility at long stay prices. However, seven days notice must be given to the parking operators in order to arrange this facility. They will need details of your travel dates, car registration number and your disabled parking badge number. Full details can be obtained from 0161 489 3723. Wheelchair transfers can be arranged from the car parks to the terminals by call the general information office on 0161 489 3723.

Check-in and Arrivals

Manchester Airport Terminals
3 terminals. When entering the airport follow the colour coded signs to your Terminal, marked T1, T2 and T3. (T1 Main airlines include Air Canada, SAS, Olympic, Lufthansa and Iberia; T2 For flights with Delta, Continental, US Airways, EL AL, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic; T3 Is used by Emirates and Finnair but is essentially the British Airways and and domestic flights Terminal.) Allow at least 10 minutes journey time between terminals.

Manchester Airport Opening Hours