Articles
Manchester Airport
The Airport
Located in Ringway part of Greater Manchester, Manchester Airport is only 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) south west of the city center. The airport is the 4th busiest in the UK and is just off junction 5 of the M56 motorway which goes west towards Chester. The M56 merges with the ring motorway ring road of Manchester the M60 the north east of the airport.
The airport has two parallel runways and three terminals and is one of only seventeen airports worldwide allowed to take Category F planes which include the largest passenger plane in the world, the Airbus A380.
Terminal 1 and 2 are linked by a "skylink" which is a covered bridge with travellators (10 - 15 minutes travel time). Terminal 1 and 3 has no covered path between the terminals as one is currently under construction. Until the construction is complete there is a complementary bus service linking the terminals as well as the train station (known as "the station")
All three terminals offer free drop off facilities but cars should not be left unattended as two away and clamping are in operation. To pick up passengers you will need to park the hire car in one of the short term car parks in the multistory opposite to Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The cost for picking up is £2.00 for up to 30 minutes.
Car Hire Locations
There are many car suppliers operating within Manchester Airport with cars found on Level 13 of the multistory car park. Courtesy phones to check arrangements are located in Terminal 1 arrivals opposite the Airport Information Desk, across the two roads from the exit of Terminal 2 and opposite the exit of Terminal 3 on the entrance to the multistory car park.
The operators on site and available are as follows:
Hertz + 44 (0) 161 437 8200
Avis + 44 (0) 161 499 7622
Europcar + 44 (0) 161 436 2200
National + 44 (0) 161 499 3320
Alamo + 44 (0) 161 499 3320
Sixt + 44 (0) 161 489 2666
Enterprise + 44 (0) 161 498 3300
Budget + 44 (0) 161 437 0151
Other Car Hire Locations
Manchester Airport has excellent travel options to other locations within the UK where you can alternatively pick up your rental car.
A large number of coach operators service the airport with a wide range of destinations across the UK including Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can book a ticket in advance or there is a desk open in the station from 07.00 - 18.00hrs.
Up to nine trains an hour link the airport with Manchester Piccadilly from the station. You can also find trains to a host of cities across the North of England and beyond including Leeds, Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle.
There is also an extensive local and regional bus service to and from the airport with links across the city and region.
Parking
There are two long stay car parks owned by the airport with one serving only Terminal 2 and another serving Terminal's 1 and 3, all with frequent courtesy buses to the terminals.
The short stay parking is located in the multistory parking buildings opposite all three terminals. The prices are noticeably cheaper than London airports such as Heathrow or Gatwick.
Short term parking charges are as follows:
Up to 30 Minutes = £2.00
1 hour = £4.00
2 hours = £6.00
3 hours = £8.00
4 hours = £12.00
5 to 6 hours = £18.00
7 to 16 hours = £24.00
16 to 24 hours = £27.00
Charge per day is £27.00
Services
There are the usual shopping and eating facilities at the airport with many household names to choose from in all three terminals.
If you wish to take a shower and a change of clothes the Raddison SAS Hotel located in Terminal 2 offer this service from as little as £6.50. You can also use their leisure facilities for an additional charge should you wish.
There are excellent viewing areas with the airport being regarded as one of the best in the UK for viewing planes. Level 13 of the Terminal 1 short stay parking multistory, which is the location for many car rental car parking (Hertz and Europcar to name two), has been a favourite for over 32 years for viewing the runways.
A major tourist attraction is also on the airport grounds and easily accessible in your rental car before or after your use of Manchester Airport. Attracting over a quarter of a million visitors a year, the Runway Visitor Park gives fantastic opportunities for aircraft viewing. The complex also houses the flagship Concorde of the BA fleet of seven as well as several other retired aircraft to admire.
