Location of Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport (MAN) is owned and operated by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and is the largest regional airport in the UK. With access to over 200 destinations all over the world, it’s the northern gateway to travel and adventure. It is located 8.6 miles (13.9 kilometres) south-west of Manchester city centre, with great transport links to the city centre and surrounding areas, including Liverpool, Leeds and Wales. Trains, trams and buses all operate frequent and reliable services from The Station, easily accessible by a short 5-10 min walk from all 3 terminals.  

Which terminal

Manchester Airport operates 3 terminals which accommodate flights from most of the world’s major airlines.  

Terminal 1  

The oldest of the three terminals, it was opened in 1962 and is predominantly used by domestic and European airlines, including easyJet, Jet2, Aer Lingus, Delta, Emirates and SAS. 

As well as a range of Duty Free shopping and delightful restaurants and bars to dine in before your flight, you can also book a visit to one of the airport lounges. Escape Lounges is the perfect spot to grab some rest before you take off, with the added bonus of unlimited food and drink!  

Terminal 2 

Terminal 2 serves the majority of international flights at Manchester Airport, with airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, TUI, Air Canada, airBaltic and Ethiopian Airlines operating from here.  

As well as Escape Lounges, T2 is home to a premium alternative, 1903 Lounge. Similar to Escape Lounges, the food and drink are unlimited: you can pick from bespoke daily food menus, handpicked wines, Champagne and craft beers, as well as relax in a specially designed space.  

Terminal 3 

Although smaller than T1 and T2, Terminal 3 hosts flights from some popular airlines, including British Airways, Ryanair and Eastern Airways. Aside from this, you can also enjoy some pre-flight shopping in Duty Free, as well as some fine food at a selection of restaurants and bars. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy terminal, head over to Escape Lounges, at T3 and relax before your flight.  

Car 

Manchester Airport is located at Junction 5 of the M56. You can navigate there via the postcode M90 1QX. 

If you’re travelling from afar, you can reach the M56 via the M6 and the M60. If you’re travelling from a local area, just follow the signs for the A34, the A5103 or the A555. 

The car parks at MAN are all locally situated and signposted on approach, as are the corresponding terminals for ease of navigation. Make sure you note down the name of the car park you are booked in before you set off so you can easily identify it on the signs as you approach the airport. 

Train 

The airport's Station is accessible from Manchester Piccadilly, taking approximately 20 minutes, with frequent services running every 10 minutes to and from the airport. This ensures easy travel to Manchester city centre. The Station also provides direct connections to other major cities. Passengers can easily reach cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Preston within 90 minutes by train. The airport is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from The Station, accessible via elevators and escalators. 

Tram 

The Metrolink tram service offers travellers direct access to Manchester city centre and surrounding areas. The journey from the airport to Manchester city centre via Cornbrook station takes around 35 minutes, while reaching Old Trafford football or cricket grounds takes approximately 25 minutes, and Etihad Stadium is accessible in 50 minutes. Tickets for the tram must be purchased before you board the tram; you can also pay using the smart readers at the beginning and end of your journey.  

Bus and coach 

Manchester Airport is well-connected with regular bus and coach services to and from local areas and beyond. Similar to travellers arriving by train or tram, The Station serves as the drop-off point for all bus or coach passengers, with the airport conveniently reachable within a 10-minute walk.  Some services operate every 20 minutes, and you can refer to the provided bus and coach timetables for detailed scheduling information. 

Prebook your airport parking 

There’s nothing worse than leaving your airport parking to the last minute: not only do you risk not finding a spot or having to park further away than you’d like, but you’ll also end up paying high prices for last-minute bookings. When you pre-book, you can save up to 60% on parking fees versus paying turn-up fees at the airport.  

Arrive 2.5 hours before your flight 

Make sure you leave plenty of time to navigate through check-in, security and passport control, especially when travelling at peak periods, as Manchester Airport (MAN) is bustling, both inside and out, and you may have to queue. The routes leading to the airport, including motorways and A-roads, can be congested during peak hours, potentially causing delays. To ensure a seamless journey, leave ample time for all necessary tasks before boarding your flight. 

Book an airport lounge visit to Escape the busy terminal 

Airport lounges like Escape and 1903 are the perfect havens for those who wish to avoid the hustle and bustle of an airport terminal. With unlimited food and drink, as well as free Wi-Fi, device charging ports and runway views with comfortable seating, they make the perfect luxury addition to any journey.  

Passengers using Manchester Airport are not short of choice when it comes to facilities. The three terminals are packed with convenient stores and fun things to do. 

A range of shops that you would expect to see on every major high street make it easy to grab last-minute clothes, books and accessories, whilst the many bars and restaurants make it even easier to kick back, relax and begin your holiday before you’ve even stepped onto a plane. 

If you have any special requirements for your time at MAN, contact customer services ahead of your arrival on +44 (0)800 042 0213.

What's available: 

• Short stay parking 

• Long stay parking 

• Multi storey parking 

• Car valeting 

• Transfers 

• Information desks 

• Shopping 

• High-street brands 

• Newsagents 

• Convenience stores 

• Coffee shops 

• Restaurants 

• Breakfast 

• World cuisine 

• Fast food 

• Cafés 

• Bars and pubs 

• Toilets 

• Disabled access 

• Baby-changing facilities 

• Currency exchange 

• Faith and worship centres 

• Business lounges 

• Trolleys 

• Showers 

• Hotels 

The Runway Visitor Park 

Visitors with a bit of time to spare – or even a passing interest in planes – can visit the Runway Visitor Park on the grounds of Manchester Airport. Here, you can watch the aircrafts land and take off from an exhilaratingly close vantage point and grab a bite to eat from the restaurant. 

See Concorde 

The Runway Visitor Park experience doesn’t stop at watching planes in action. You can even book a tour to see a legendary Concorde in its hangar whilst you’re there. Trust us, it’s an impressive sight on the ground, too. 

(Indoor) Plane spotting 

If you’re travelling in the middle of winter or just prefer the comforts of the indoors, you can partake in a bit of plane spotting inside Manchester Airport. The floor-to-ceiling windows are lined with seating and designed specifically for increased visibility of the runways, so it’s one the kids are sure to love.

Escape Lounge 

Escape the busyness of the terminal and enjoy unlimited food and drink at any one of the Escape Lounges at Manchester Airport. There is one in each terminal and it’s the perfect spot to relax and refuel before a flight. Find out more on how to pre-book here.  

1903 Lounge

Indulge in a delightful pre-flight experience at 1903 in Terminal 2. Designed exclusively for adults, this premium lounge offers guests unlimited food with a bespoke daily menu, as well as premium cocktails and drinks. Find out how you can access the 1903 Lounge here.  

Wine and dine 

As well as a great pub offering, Manchester Airport has its fair share of restaurants for slightly more up-market meals. You can travel the world with your taste buds before you take off in any of the three terminals – they have everything from French to Italian to Mexican, so you won’t be short of choice. 

Shopping 

One of the reasons MAN is such an appealing airport is the vast array of high-street brands it has in its shops. You can even fill one whole bag and take it onto your flight along with your hand luggage. What’s more, if you want to splash out on an expensive item that isn’t fit for travelling with, you can leave it with them in a safe and secure place to collect upon your return.  

What disabled access and special assistance is there? 

Manchester Airport offers special assistance to anyone with reduced mobility or visible or non-visible disabilities. To request assistance from your airline ahead of arrival, please find the appropriate contact details on the Manchester Airport website here. 

What shops are there? 

There is a wide range of high-street names in MAN, so you can shop until you drop into your plane seat. From major coffee chains to popular fashion retailers, shopping in Manchester Airport is almost like shopping in Manchester city centre. 

Is there anywhere to charge electronic devices? 

Charging points are hard to come by in the main lounges of the airport, but additional sockets are available in airport lounges like Escape and 1903. You can pre-book your access to them online to guarantee your spot; they do operate walk-ins, but these are subject to availability on the day.  

Is there anywhere quiet to rest or sleep? 

The airport lounges at Manchester Airport are the best places to get some rest before your flight since the main areas are often busy and noisy. Pre-book online to gain access to the quieter lounges. 

How do I get between terminals? 

Terminals 1 and 2 are connected via the Skylink in MAN, which has a moving walkway for ease of transport. If you want to get from T1 to T3, there is a short walkway located outside the terminal building. 

How do I contact Lost Property? 

The Lost Property service at Manchester Airport can be contacted here. You can either arrange for shipping of your item; for someone you know to collect it for you; or for the service to store it for you for up to 42 days whilst you organise a way of getting back to the airport to retrieve it.