Travelling by car

Driving to and from Manchester Airport

National Highways, formerly Highways England are carrying out work on the second phase of the M56 upgrade on the westbound carriageway. Please allow more time for your journey if you’re travelling to and from the airport via the motorway, and don’t forget to check for any closures on Traffic England before you travel. You can find more information about the project on the M56 junctions 6 to 8 project web page. You can also find information about driving through roadworks in this leaflet.

How to get to the airport

Manchester Airport is 9 miles south of Manchester city centre, next to the M56 and with easy links to the M6, M60 and M62.

The postcode for the airport is M90 1QX. It helps to know which terminal you’re flying from, so you can follow the signposts when you approach the airport.

Please note, your sat-nav may not reflect the most updated road layout.

Parking at the airport

There are a number of official airport parking options available, with prices to suit all budgets. To guarantee your space you can pre-book your preferred car park online, in a few simple steps.

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Terminal 2 West and East car park traffic diversions

Please be aware that from Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th December, there will be traffic diversions in place on Palma Avenue. For users of Terminal 2 West and East Multi-Storey Car Park and the over height car park, please follow the diversion signage in place and allow an extra 5-10 minutes on your journey time. Please click here for more details.

Picking up and dropping off

If you’re dropping someone off at the airport, you can do so for free at our free drop off point. The free drop off point is on Thorley Lane, next to the JetParks 1 car park and clearly signposted from the M56. From here, passengers will be able to take a free and frequent shuttle bus to their terminal.

If you want to drop passengers off directly outside their terminal or at the Station, a charge will apply. The fee for this is £5 for five minutes and £6 for 10 minutes and is payable at the exit barrier. An overstay charge of £25.00 will apply after 10 minutes. Special arrangements apply for Blue Badge holders, local residents and Private Hire operators.

If you’re picking someone up from the airport, there is a Multi-Storey car park available at Terminal 3, or a Short Stay/pick up car park for Terminal 1 and the train station.

Passengers can be picked up from these car parks with a charge of £6.00 for 30 minutes or £12 for 1 hour.

See more information about picking up and dropping off at the airport

Car rental

Choose from a wide range of cars at great value prices

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Home Bag Check-in

If getting all your passengers and luggage to the airport in one car is going to be a squeeze, why not let us get your bags to your plane for you? In partnership with AirPortr, Manchester Airport can come to your house and collect your bags at a time that suits you, check them in and seal them in front of you, and then take them to your plane. More room in the car and a hassle-free trip through the airport when you arrive. 

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*Terms and conditions apply. Please take a look at Manchester Airport's Parking T&C's for more information.