FAQs

You can find the latest departure and arrival times on our website and on the information screens in the check-in area, departure lounge, and arrivals hall. Major updates can be found on our Twitter and social media accounts.

Visit our which terminal page for information on which terminal you're travelling from. You can also contact your airline directly for this information.

Take a look at our security rules for a full list of what you can take through security. Some airlines will also have different rules on hand luggage, so contact your airline directly for this information before you fly. 

These are self-service, touch-screen kiosks in the terminal, enabling you to skip the queues and check in and print your boarding card yourself. Some airlines do not offer express check-in, so please check with your airline.

Check-in times vary by flight type, so please arrive with enough time to complete check-in and security. Checking-in times can usually be found on your individual ticket or itinerary. You can also contact your airline directly.

Timings vary depending on your type of flight, so please contact your airline directly for this information. 

If you booked separate tickets with different airlines, you’ll need to collect your baggage and check in again at the correct terminal. Our two terminals are within walking distance. If you have a transfer in place, just follow the signs to the Flight Transfer Centre in the relevant terminal.

The transfer process varies depending on the type of flights you're connecting between. Learn more about how connecting flights work.

You’ll find a generic map, along with additional details about each of our terminals.

As well as shops and restaurants, we have several different facilities and services. Find out more about our facilities at the airport.

You can smoke in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings both before check‑in and after arrivals. These areas are clearly signposted.

There is also a clearly signposted outdoor smoking area in the Terminal 2 departure lounge (T2). Please note that electronic cigarettes are not permitted indoors anywhere within our buildings.

At Terminal 3, there are no outdoor smoking areas in the airside section. We recommend using the designated smoking areas outside the terminal before going through check‑in.

The transfer process varies depending on the type of flights you're connecting between. Learn more about how connecting flights work.

Yes, we offer free access for up to 2 hours in a 24-hour period. Find out more about our Wi-Fi service.

Our terminals offer a wide selection of shops, including beauty, technology, fashion, and more. You’ll also find World Duty Free, where you can shop world‑leading brands at great discount prices.

Find out more about World Duty Free allowances.

Yes, there is a printer in each terminal.

The only dogs we allow in our terminal buildings are Assistance Dogs. If you’d like to travel abroad with your pet, find out more about the Pet Travel Scheme.  

We have a wide range of restaurants in each of our terminals. Select the terminal you will be visiting at the airport and explore the full list.

You’ll find dedicated baby‑changing rooms with breastfeeding seating in all three terminals, positioned either within or near the ladies’ toilets.

Yes, trolleys are available and cost £1, or a €2 coin.

Yes, post boxes are available in every terminal, next to check-in desks.

We don’t currently offer shower facilities. However, the Radisson Blu Hotel at Manchester Airport, located in Terminal 2, provides a shower and change service.

Yes, in every terminal, offering GBP, Euros and US Dollars.

Whether you’re travelling by car, train, bus, or coach, it’s easy to find Manchester Airport. Get directions and public transport information. 

Manchester Airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, if you’re travelling on an early‑morning flight, please avoid arriving before your scheduled check‑in time.

Overnight stays inside the terminal aren’t permitted, so we recommend exploring our available overnight accommodation options and travel options if you need to arrive earlier than check‑in.

You can smoke in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings both before check‑in and after arrivals. These areas are clearly signposted.

There is also a clearly signposted outdoor smoking area in the Terminal 2 departure lounge (T2). Please note that electronic cigarettes are not permitted indoors anywhere within our buildings.

At Terminal 3, there are no outdoor smoking areas in the airside section. We recommend using the designated smoking areas outside the terminal before going through check‑in.

You can set up an account for Drop-Off, Pick-Up and T2 West Multi Storey – P3 by adding your vehicle registration and payment card, which will automatically process payment after each journey. Payments cannot be made before you visit.

To create an account, please visit: https://pay.manchesterairport.co.uk/

Payments for barrierless parking in T2 West Multi Storey – P3 and all Drop‑Off and Pick‑Up zones must be made by midnight the day after your visit.

If you do not pre-register or pay as a guest before midnight the next day, additional charges will apply. Further information will be provided closer to the system's launch.

No, payments must be processed remotely through an online portal or by phone. Guest payment options and pre-registration will ensure flexibility and convenience.

Yes, we will continue to offer a free drop‑off option at our JetParks 1 car park. You can stay for up to 60 minutes before any overstay charges apply. A free 24/7 shuttle bus will take passengers directly to their chosen terminal.

For full details, please visit: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/pick-up-and-drop-off/

You can amend your booking up to 72 hours before your car parking begins, either online or by contacting us directly.

If your plans change by less than 6 hours, for example, a minor shift in your flight time, you don’t need to update your booking. You may arrive at the car park up to 6 hours earlier or leave up to 6 hours later without any additional charges.

Please note that if you have booked Security FastTrack, Passport Control FastTrack or a lounge with your parking, the original booking times for those services will still apply, even if your parking times shift.

To amend your booking online, return to the website you originally used and follow the instructions provided there. You can also use the links below:

You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your booking when you book directly with Manchester Airport.

If you have purchased Upgraded Cancellation Protection from Manchester Airport, you can cancel up to an hour before your booking.

To cancel your booking, return to the website you originally used and follow the online instructions, or use the links below:

Please note that cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions of your booking. Some promotional or special‑offer products may be non‑amendable or non‑refundable, as stated in their product details.

Cancellations made within 72 hours of your arrival time are not eligible for a refund, unless different conditions apply to your specific product.

If you purchased Cancellation Protection, you may cancel up to 1 hour before your arrival time.

Bookings made less than 72 hours before departure are non‑refundable, unless Cancellation Protection was added at the time of booking.

If you've booked via a third party, contact them directly.

If you are trying to amend or cancel your booking online, please follow the online instructions on the links below:

If your booking reference has not been recognised, it might be because the booking was made through a third-party site.

Please check your booking confirmation email for information regarding how to amend/cancel your booking or contact your third party directly.

After completing your booking, you will see an on‑screen confirmation displaying your booking reference and important instructions. Please read these carefully. We recommend printing this page, as you may need the details when you arrive at the airport.

You will also receive a booking confirmation email. Please ensure that your vehicle registration details are correct, as these are required for car park access. If you plan to arrive in a different vehicle, you can amend your booking to update these details.

You are responsible for providing a valid email address. We cannot be held liable for confirmation emails that are not delivered due to transmission errors or incorrect address details.

If you do not receive the confirmation email, your booking is still valid.

Yes, you can make a booking up to at least 2 hours before your arrival time at the airport, or up to 6 hours before arrival for all Meet & Greet bookings.

All car park bookings are subject to availability, and the airport reserves the right to withdraw availability for any date at its discretion.

You can amend your vehicle details on your booking up to 24 hours before your car parking begins, either online or by revisiting the website you used to book. Follow the online instructions in the links below:

If you booked with one of our sales agents, please get in touch with them directly.

We want your parking experience to be as smooth and stress‑free as possible. If you remain in the car park longer than expected, additional charges will apply, based on the overstay rate for the specific car park and airport.

If you’ve booked our Meet & Greet or Drop and Go parking service and expect a delay, or if you need to collect your car earlier or later than planned, please contact our Meet & Greet team as soon as possible.
The earlier you let us know, the better we can assist you.

You’ll find the Meet & Greet contact details on your booking receipt, provided by the receptionist when you dropped off your keys.

To change or amend a car park, including JetParks, Short Stay and Multi Storey, or lounge booking, please call our After Sales Team on 02081 638001.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 (closed on Bank Holidays). 

For more information on overstay charges, please refer to the terms and conditions in your booking confirmation or see Section 6: Car Park Conditions of Use.  

A quick reminder: Overstay charges only apply if you leave the car park more than 6 hours after your scheduled departure time s stated on your booking. 

All our car parks are on-site and are managed locally by the airport. 

However, the price can vary depending on availability, car parking facilities, and distance to the terminals. Explore our full list of car parks. 

All our Airport car parks have a tarmac surface, with the exception of our JetParks car parks, which have a gravel surface. We're also an IPC Accredited Airport Parking Provider, so you can be confident your vehicle is in safe hands.

A height restriction of 2.0 metres (6 ft. 6 inches) applies to all Meet & Greet car parks and all Multi Storey car parks across all the airport sites.

For our Terminal 2 over-height car park, please follow signs to P5. For our Terminal 3 over-height car park, please follow signs to P13.

Roof boxes and trailers are not permitted in any of our parking facilities.

Passengers who hold a valid blue badge will be able to access drop-off areas free of charge. Please remember this is for drop-off only. To use this service, the travelling passenger must produce their blue badge to the traffic marshals when entering the forecourt area.

Find out more about Blue Badge parking for pick-up or drop-off.

We're an IPC Accredited Airport Parking Provider, so you can be confident your vehicle is in safe hands.

When you arrive at the airport, please note that the T2 Multi Storey East car park is now signposted as P1, and the T2 Multi Storey West car park is signposted as P3.

Only the signage has changed; the locations, access, and convenience remain the same. You’ll still benefit from the same smooth, secure parking facilities, all just a short walk from Terminal 2.

Yes, you’ll find the coordinates on your email booking confirmation. These will direct you to the car park entrance. 

There is no minimum stay duration for our Meet & Greet, Short Stay or Multi Storey car parks. However, the following car parks have the following minimum stay criteria:

Please note that these stay durations are subject to change due to car park availability.

When you arrive at the car park, please allow 30 seconds for the ANPR to recognise your vehicle. If your vehicle has not been recognised by our automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, please don’t take a token. Instead, press the intercom assistance button on the entry column, and a member of staff will then assist you. 

Taking a token will disable the ANPR system linked to your booking, meaning when you exit the car park, you may be double-charged.

Payment must be made in advance and online. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards and PayPal for pre-booking. 

We reserve the right not to fulfil your booking if: 

Your privacy and security are important to us. Our website uses SSL encryption software, the industry standard, to protect your details. 

You’ll know you’re in a secure area of our website when the website address is preceded by “https://” and a padlock symbol appears in the frame of your browser. 

All you need is your booking confirmation e-mail!

The booking confirmation will help direct you to the correct car park and also state your booking reference number. It’s good to have it to hand in case you need to speak to a member of staff. 

As you approach the barrier, our smart ANPR cameras will scan your registration number and check it against your booking details. The barrier should then open automatically. Please be patient, as this may take up to 30 seconds to happen. 

If your vehicle hasn’t been recognised by our ANPR cameras, please scan the QR code on your booking confirmation (this should be a printed copy). 

If the QR code isn’t recognised, or you don’t have one to hand, please don’t take a token. Instead, press the intercom assistance button on the entry column, and a member of staff will be on hand to help. 

Taking a token will disable the ANPR system linked to your booking, meaning when you exit the car park, you may be double-charged.   

If you have pre-booked Mid Stay or Short Stay car parking, approach the barrier, where your vehicle registration will be scanned by our ANPR cameras and verify this against your booking details and the barrier should then open automatically. Please be patient, as this process may take up to 30 seconds to happen.

If your vehicle has not been recognised by the ANPR cameras, please scan the QR code on your booking confirmation (this should be a printed copy), which looks like this:

If the QR code is not recognised, or you do not have a QR code to hand, please do not take a token, but instead press the intercom assistance button on the entry column. A member of staff will then assist you. Taking a token will disable the ANPR system in relation to your booking, resulting in issues arising when you exit the car park, and you may be double-charged.

Please be aware that under no circumstances can we reserve a space for Blue Badge holders.

For customers wishing to turn up and park, please follow the signs for your terminal and then for the multi-storey car park. All car parks have disabled bays clearly signed. For JetParks car parks, a regular bus service operates, and the buses are Equality Act compliant.

Please be advised that pre-booking your car parking is highly recommended to ensure your space.

Find out more about services available at the airport for customers with disabilities or reduced mobility. If you are concerned about accessibility on your flight, please contact your tour operator, airline or travel agent for further details.

Lack of car park availability could be due to:

Try adjusting your selection or choose another car park. For Meet & Greet bookings, please make sure you’ve entered the correct arrival time. 

If you are still experiencing problems, please contact our Customer Contact Centre on the following free phone numbers:

They can help suggest a different car park for you.

Car parks are priced per calendar day or part thereof. Prices are subject to change, and quotes are valid at the time of booking only. The number of days charged is calculated depending on the dates and times you select at the time of booking.

 

For example, if you are travelling on a Monday and returning the following Monday, you will be charged for 8 days. 

All prices shown are in GBP and include VAT at 20%. 

Car parking charges will also vary according to:

We offer a variety of pick‑up and drop‑off options so you can choose the one that best suits your journey.

Free Drop‑Off – JetParks 1
You can use the free drop‑off area at JetParks 1, which includes frequent shuttle buses running to Terminal 3.

Terminal Forecourt Drop‑Off
If you prefer to drop passengers directly outside the terminals, you can use the forecourt drop‑off areas.

Parking options vary depending on the terminal you are visiting:

Find the charges and options to book in advance for added convenience.

As our airport grows, we need to make changes to our infrastructure to enable that growth. Therefore, we have had to close our Long Stay car parks.

If you prefer to turn up and park, then you should use T2 West for Terminal 2 or Short Stay for Terminals 3.

Alternatively, you can pre-book a number of car park options. We recommend you pre-book to guarantee your space and price.

If you can’t see the answer to your question above, or for any other general enquiries, please call our Customer Contact Centre on:

Our team are ready to help with your booking Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 (closed on Bank Holidays). 

For third-party bookings, you’ll need to contact them directly.  

Payment can be made via autopay at Manchester Airport which means you set up an account and register your card before you arrive, and payment will automatically be taken after your visit. If you choose not to pay via autopay, you must pay before midnight the next day.

To avoid a parking charge, payment must be made by midnight the day after your visit. Alternatively, you can create an account and add a payment card to enable automatic payments for each of your journeys. You can create an account by visiting: pay.manchesterairport.co.uk.

Customers can pre-pay for parking by visiting: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/terminal-2/.

If you are a Turn-up customer, payments can be made once you have left the carpark by midnight the day after your visit: https://pay.manchesterairport.co.uk. This page allows you to pay for your visit or pre‑register for Auto Pay. 

Alternatively Pay by Phone by calling: 0345 901 3318

If you have any problems or concerns about your payment for visiting a drop-off or pick-up zone or T2 West Multi Storey – P3, please contact APCOA via one of the following options:

• Customer Services webchat: Live chat with an agent

• Customer Services phone number: 03459 013318

Non-payment will result in a £100 Parking Charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

If you wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice you have received, please visit the APCOA website.

All vehicles using the Drop Off or Pick Up area must pay for their visit. However, if you require longer than the allocated 15-minute period, please speak to one of our traffic marshals on site, who will be able to provide further guidance.

The charge for using any of the Drop Off or Pick Up areas at Manchester Airport applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The payment timescale is set to midnight the following day to provide customers with ample time to complete their payment conveniently after using a drop-off or pick-up zone or T2 West Multi Storey – P3. This flexible timescale ensures that passengers can make payments at a time that suits them. To make the process even easier, customers can register for AutoPay. By doing so, payments are automatically deducted after each visit, eliminating the need to remember to pay manually and ensuring a seamless experience.

Yes, every time you use one area payment must be paid for each visit and non-payment will result in a £100 Parking Charge which must be paid within 14 days, terms and conditions will apply.

It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to make sure the charge is paid whenever they use one of our Drop Off or Pick Up areas.

Yes, electric vehicles are not exempt.

If you wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice you have received, please visit the APCOA website.

Find out more information about bringing food into Great Britain. 

The Pet Travel Scheme, offered by DEFRA, allows cats and dogs to travel between some countries and UK airports without the need for quarantine. You can find out more here.

Find out more about Visas and immigration requirements.

The UK Government have introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme as part of their transformation and digitisation of the UK border.

The ETA scheme is open to Qatari nationals, who can now apply and will require an ETA to travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023. Other nationalities do not need to apply yet.

An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner.

Explore GOV.UK for more information and regular updates on ETAs.

You can fly to over 200 destinations from Manchester Airport. For a full list, visit our Destinations page.

You must request a VAT refund form from any UK retailer that you buy goods from. You must complete and sign this before visiting the Travelex desk at Manchester Airport.

Air Passenger Duty is charged per passenger based on the rate for their final destination. Find out more details about guidance and forms covering Air Passenger Duty. 

Open 02:30 until 23:00 at all terminals

Terminal 1 - 24/7

Terminal 2 - 24/7

Terminal 3 - Open from 06:00 - 02:00 (overnight)

Yes, you can, subject to availability; however, as this is a popular service, we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Security FastTrack - book up to 1 hour before departure.

Passport Control FastTrack - book anytime before arrival.

Both Passport Control FastTrack and Security FastTrack are non-refundable and non-amendable if booked as standalone products.

If you've booked Passport Control FastTrack or Security FastTrack as part of a car park booking, you can amend your FastTrack booking when you also amend your car park booking. The amendment fee is £7.50.

The amendment fee is waived if you purchased Cancellation Protection when you made your car park booking.

Security and Passport Control FastTrack are great time savers for families. For each service, every passenger will need to purchase a pass, including children.

Please note that these services are not suitable for infants under three years old - you'll be automatically directed to the assistance lane at Security, so you do not need to book a Security FastTrack pass.

If you want the shortest wait time at Passport Control and Security, then this service is for you. Manchester Airport FastTrack is ideal for business travellers, long weekend holiday makers and those travelling without checked-in luggage.

Find out more about Security FastTrack and Passport Control FastTrack.

You can book FastTrack up to 12 months in advance, subject to availability. 

Passport Control FastTrack aims to give you the quickest access to Passport Control using the exclusive lane, so it is ideal for passengers who don’t need to wait in Baggage Reclaim for their bags to be delivered by the airlines.

There may be exceptional operational circumstances that mean we have to cancel the service, and in this case we will give you a full refund. 

There is no refund available in this case.

No, the border and passport control checks are mandatory.

Yes, the border controls and process remain the same for Passport Control FastTrack lane passengers.

Once you’ve completed the booking process, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If you don’t receive it in your inbox, it’s worth double-checking your junk folder. 

Simply follow the signs to Passport Control, Arrivals or Baggage Reclaim, and on arrival at Passport Control, the lane will be highlighted.

If you are delayed, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to use the Passport Control FastTrack lane. This will be at the airport’s discretion and will depend on whether the total number of passengers for that hour has exceeded.

You're guaranteed to start your trip in style in any of our lounges. Explore our lounges:

Yes, if you booked directly with us you can manage your booking.

If you booked with one of our sales agents, please get in touch with them in the same way you had before. For bookings made through a third party, you’ll need to get in contact with them. 

Visit our lounges for the most up-to-date opening times.