Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Manchester Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
As Summer approaches T1 will remain very busy throughout the night and can resemble a refugee centre at times. -a traveller
MAN Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Manchester Airport.
What to Expect
Manchester Airport (Code: MAN) has three terminals (1, 2 and 3). Terminals 1 and 2 are linked by a skybridge with moving sidewalks to assist with the 10- to 15-minute walk. Terminals 1 and 3 are connected by a covered walkway. The airport has garnered a reputation for rude personnel, poor service, outdated facilities and large crowds. Terminal 1 seems to get the fewest complaints, while Terminal 3 edges Terminal 2 for most complaints. There are plenty of dining and shopping options throughout the airport, with Terminal 1 having the largest selection and Terminal 3 having the least. Head to the Spar Grocery Store for last-minute snacks (in all 3 Terminals); they are open 24 hours daily. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below.
Sleeping in Manchester Airport
Travellers of the airport’s three terminals report the best seating in Terminal 1, where you’ll find plenty of armrest-free seats and benches, especially on the airside. Terminal 2 has many benches, too, but can be louder at night. Terminal 3 is the least comfortable, with few seating options and limited amenities. If you arrive late at night or early in the morning, before security lines open, expect full benches and many travellers scattered on the floors. Remember your earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones wherever you rest for the night, as noise is a common complaint.
Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form. Read traveller airport reviews for more tips. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel at the airport attached to Terminals 1 and 2 and others nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Good to Know
Showers are available for a fee in the T2 hotel.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Manchester Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. A reader tells us, “Security gates at Terminal 3 close at 11pm and dont open again until 3.30am. ” (February 2020)
Rest & Relaxation Zones
A reader tells us, “There is a quiet zone in T3 (labelled Additional Seating but with signs asking for quiet) at airside past duty-free. (December 2022)
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Manchester Airport, including one that is connected to the terminals:
- Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport – Connected to the terminals. Access from Terminals 1 and 2 via a covered, moving walkway called Skylink. » Check Rates
Hotels near the airport
- Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport – Five-minute walk from the terminal. Free 24-hour airport shuttle. For pick-up at the airport, use a courtesy phone located in the Arrivals Hall and at Information Desks. The driver will inform you of the pickup spot. » Check Rates
- Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport – Located next to Terminal 1 and 3 and in easy reach of Terminal 2, a short 15 minute walk away. » Check Rates
- Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Airport » Check Rates
- ibis Budget Manchester Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express Manchester Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Manchester Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
Terminal 1
- Escape Lounge (Terminal 1) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Executive Lower Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Aspire Lounge (Terminal 1) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Terminal 2
- Escape Lounge (Terminal 2) – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, opposite Gate 209. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- 1903 Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Upper Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door (£45).
- Aspire Lounge (Terminal 2) – Location: Terminal 2, Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Terminal 3
- Escape Lounge (Terminal 3) – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, Gate 19. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Manchester Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us “2 water refilling stations are available in T1, one just after security checks. Another one is just before the entrance to the toilets past the accesorize shop” (April 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate from the day’s first flight departure until the day’s last flight departure. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. If you are Airside in Terminal 1, a Grain Loft is open from 6:00 AM – 4:00 AM, or you can head to Terminal 3, Landside, where WHSmith is open 6:00 AM – 4:00 AM.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Need to store your bags? Excess Baggage offers luggage storage. Location: Terminal 1, Arrivals Level. Rates: £5 per item per 24-hour period.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us one place to charge your devices is in Terminal 3 arrivals (a table near the information desk).
Showers
Freshen up before or after a long flight with a shower at the Radisson! You can opt for basic access to shower and change facilities at £6.50 per person, or for £12.00, you can shower, change and use the hotel’s leisure facilities. Location: Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport in Terminal 2, accessible by an elevated walkway from all terminals. Hours: Open from 6:00 AM-9:00 PM (Mon-Fri) and 8:00 AM (Sat, Sun). Dean tells us the “shower facilities close at 21:00 even though the gym facilities they’re attached to close at 22:00. Really inconvenient.” (July 2022)
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available in Manchester Airport for up to 4 hours within a 24-hour period. Connect to the “_FreeWifi” network. You may also purchase the faster, premium service at the following rates: £1.00 per hour, £10.00 per day or £30.00 per month.
More Airport Information
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available. Rate: £1 coin or 2 euro coin.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are located in or near the women’s restrooms. All baby changing facilities have comfortable chairs for breastfeeding. Boots Drugstore, located both landside and airside, offers a pre-order service for baby milk. Simply place your order five days before your travel and pick it up post-security, freeing up space in your hand luggage for other essentials. You can warm up baby bottles at Starbucks in Terminal 1, Broderick’s or Caffe Nero in Terminal 2, and Costa Coffee or Caffe Nero in Terminal 3.
- Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Location: Terminal 2, Airside, Departure Gate 213.
- Family Services -Travellers with children in strollers are allowed free fast lane service through the security checkpoints. The airport is trialling a breastfeeding facility in Terminal 1, Departure Lounge. The room allows up to four women to use the room at once. Please note this facility is for breastfeeding mothers only; if they are travelling alone, their young children may accompany them. Opposite the facility is a Children’s TV Zone, so partners and children can comfortably make use of this area while waiting.
Fast Track Service – As a premium service, customers with Fast Track security passes will be given priority service to keep waiting to a minimum. Cost: £5.00. Book on-line.
Grocery Store – If you need to pick up groceries on your way home to your destination in Manchester, stop at Spar. A wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches, take-away meals and general groceries are available. Location: landside in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Hours: 24 hours.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs operated by Travelex are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: in all three terminals, including currency ATMs.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex currency exchange is available throughout the airport in all three terminals.
Pharmacy – Boots Pharmacy has two airside locations in Terminals 1 and 3. Hours: T1 (3:30 AM-7:00 PM/4:00 AM-8:00 PM). T3 (4:00 AM-7:00 PM).
Postal Services – Mail out those last-minute postcards at the Spar (Terminal 1), which provides post office services (postal counter).
Prayer Room – Four multifaith prayer rooms are available in the airport. The rooms are deliberately kept neutral, aside from the “qibla” directional sign for Muslim visitors. Religious prayer books and Muslim prayer mats are available from the Chaplaincy. Special “wudu” washing facilities for Muslim visitors are available landside and airside in Terminals 2 and 3. Here are the locations of the four prayer rooms:
- Terminal 1: Christian prayers are held at 8:30 AM (Mon-Fri). Location: T1, landside, Ground Level Check-In, next to the Chaplaincy’s main office (There are no airside prayer rooms in T1).
- Terminal 2: Locations- airside, Departures, in the main retail area • landside, Main Arrivals concourse at Ground Level, near the Chaplaincy’s T2 office.
- Terminal 3: Jummah prayers (Islamic) are held every Friday at 13:00 GMT, 13:30 BST. Location: on the far right of the building (from the kerbside), on the first floor (below Departure level, above Arrivals).
Shopping – Biza Duty-Free shops and a small selection of popular retail shops are available in all three terminals. WHSmith shops are available in each terminal and operate according to flight schedules.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Designated smoking areas are available in Terminal 1 (access through food court) and Terminal 2 (by Gate 300). At the time of this update, the airport is investigating adding a smoking area in Terminal 3.
Spa & Salon Services – Pamper yourself with an express beauty treatment, manicure or massage at AeroSpa before your flight. Location: T1, airside.
Things to do & see
- Runway Visitor Park – Watch planes take off, enjoy exhilarating views of the runway from the onsite restaurant, or take a guided tour of the Concorde Hangar at the Runway Visitor Park. An aviation-themed gift shop, orbital cycleway, raised viewing mounds, and children’s play area are available. Entry to the park is free for visitors who arrive on foot, bicycle or public transportation. Location: Less than a 3-mile walk from the airport. Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (winter months), 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (spring and autumn months), 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (summer months).
Bus and Coach
MAN airport is well connected to the local and long-distance bus system, with at least nine buses connecting at the airport. Bus 43 (Piccadilly Gardens – Manchester Airport) operates 24 hours daily. For routes, schedules and more information, visit the Manchester Airport website.
Car Rentals
Onsite car rentals are handled in a designated facility known as the Car Rental Village, linked to the airport terminals by free shuttle bus service, with departures available every 10 minutes. The following car rental agencies are available: Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Hotel Shuttles
A few area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport • Etrop Grange.
Courtesy phones are located on the arrivals level, near the Information Desk.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Metrolink
Metrolink light rail trams serve the Greater Manchester Area with 92 stops along the line. The Metrolink stop is inside the airport, adjacent to the rail platform. Trams depart every 12 – 15 minutes during service hours. Automated ticket vending machines are available at all tram stops. For tram routes and stops, timetables and fares, visit the Metrolink website.
Taxi
“Black Cab” taxis are available in the ground transportation area of the terminal on a 24-hour basis. Fares for trips within the Manchester Licensed Area are charged according to the meter. However, drivers are not required to use the meter for trips outside the licensed area. A list of maximum fares is available at the taxi rank to help you negotiate a fair price for your journey.
Train
Manchester Airport Station is served 24 hours a day by local and regional trains operated by TransPennine Express and Northern Rail. Trains depart every 10 minutes between the airport and Manchester Piccadilly in the city center (total trip time 20 minutes). Some destinations connected to Manchester Airport by train are Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and more.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.