# Manchester Airport (MAN)

> Manchester, GB · 14 km (9 mi) south of Manchester city centre

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/man
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/man.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: MAN
- **ICAO**: EGCC
- **Timezone**: Europe/London
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 25.2M/yr
- **Hub for**: easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways
- **Official site**: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/

## Overview

## Welcome

At Manchester Airport, travelers experience a stark contrast between its old and new facades. In the midst of a once-in-a-generation rebuild, the airport boasts a vast, light-filled Terminal 2 extension, offering a modern European hub experience for those on long-haul flights or flying major carriers. In contrast, Terminal 3, home to budget carriers like Ryanair, feels cramped and dated, leading frequent flyers to often declare “T2 or bust” as they prioritize comfort and amenities when choosing airlines.

## At a glance

Handling 25.2 million passengers annually, Manchester Airport features two runways and serves as a hub for carriers including easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, and TUI Airways. It's situated just 14 kilometers south of Manchester city centre. T2 is associated with airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Emirates, providing a high-end experience, while T3 caters primarily to budget airlines like British Airways and Ryanair.

## Terminals & layout

Manchester Airport has two terminals, T2 and T3. T2 offers a broad range of dining options, upscale shopping, and recently expanded facilities including a new Escape Lounge and the popular Bridgewater Exchange gastropub. In contrast, T3 remains a more utilitarian space with limited lounges and dining options, making it less desirable for discerning travelers.

### Terminal 2 (T2)

T2 is the star of Manchester Airport's redevelopment. It's where you'll find Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Etihad Airways. Dining options here range from the gastropub taste of The Bridgewater Exchange to quick bites at Barburrito or Greggs, and indulgent stops like San Carlo Cicchetti. Lounges in T2 such as the Escape Lounge and 1903 Lounge provide respite with runway views and quality food.

### Terminal 3 (T3)

T3 services airlines like British Airways and Ryanair, often characterized by longer waits and more basic amenities. Dining venues here include Costa Coffee and The Grain Loft. Despite its challenges, it hosts the 1903 Lounge, a notable stop for its quieter, adults-oriented atmosphere, offering a haven amidst the relatively hectic terminal experience.

## Getting to and from the city

Manchester Airport is well-connected to the city centre and beyond. The Manchester Airport Station provides rail links including Northern Trains to Manchester Piccadilly in 18-22 minutes, and TransPennine services extending as far as Edinburgh and Liverpool. For bus travel, Stagecoach 43 connects to the city centre in 60-90 minutes, whereas Metrolink trams reach central Manchester in 45-55 minutes. Rideshare options like Uber and licensed local Black Cabs typically take 25-45 minutes, traffic permitting.

## Traveller essentials

Building in extra time is crucial for navigating security, especially in T3 where queues can exceed 60 minutes at peak times. Pre-booking parking is advisable, as on-the-day costs at the Multi Storey and JetParks can be significantly higher. The Skylink connects the terminals and the train station, though it's worth noting that broken travelators might extend your 15-20 minute walk.

## Dining & shopping highlights

T2 hosts a myriad of eateries such as Brew'd and Joe & The Juice, while Grindsmith on the lesser-known satellite pier offers a quieter coffee stop away from crowd-heavy chains. For shopping, T2 features brands like M&S Simply Food, LEGO®, and WHSmith. T3 is more limited but includes spots like WHSmith Café and The Spinning Jenny.

## Lounges

Between the ten lounges across Manchester Airport, notable mentions include the revamped Escape Lounge in T2, praised for its comfort and views, and the 1903 Lounge in T3. The latter offers a peaceful reprieve with prosecco on tap. Both lounges, along with several others, accept Priority Pass and DragonPass, making them easily accessible for frequent flyers.

## Insider tips

- Build in extra time for security at T3: queues can reach 40-60 minutes during peak periods. **Tag: Time**

- Pre-book your parking to save £10–20 per day compared to drive-up prices at JetParks. **Tag: Money**

- Purchase an off-peak return rail ticket to Manchester Piccadilly for savings over a single fare. **Tag: Money**

- The Skylink can be a 15-20 minute walk; expect to traverse it without working travelators occasionally. **Tag: Insider**

- Choose carriers operating from T2 over T3 for better amenities and a more pleasant atmosphere. **Tag: Local**

- Frequent coach travelers suggest heading to the seating area by the bus station for a calmer wait. **Tag: Quiet**

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 2** — Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Jet2.com
- **Terminal 3** — British Airways, Ryanair

## Dining (29)

- **Apiary** — T2
- **Bar MCR** — T3 · $$$
- **Barburrito** — T2 · $$
- **Brew'd** — T2 · Café · Coffee and Beer · $$
- **Burger King** — T2 · $
- **Burger King** — T3 · $
- **Cafe Nero** — T3 · $$
- **Costa Coffee** — $$
- **Costa Coffee** — T2 · $$
- **Costa Coffee** — T3 · $$
- **Fever-Tree** — T2 · Bar · Premium Mixers · $$
- **Flat White** — T2 · $$
- **Greggs** — $
- **Greggs** — T2
- **Grindsmith** — T2 · Coffee · Local · $$
- **Hangar** — T2
- **Joe & The Juice** — T2 · Café · Juice Bar · $$
- **KFC** — T2 · $
- **Pret A Manger** — T2 · $$
- **San Carlo Cicchetti** — T2 · $$$
- **Starbucks** — T2
- **The Bridgewater Exchange** — T2 · $$
- **The Grain Loft** — T3 · $$
- **The Lion and Antelope** — T2 · $$
- **The Nook** — T3
- **The Spinning Jenny** — T3
- **Trattoria Milano** — T3 · $$$
- **Upper Crust** — T2
- **WHSmith Café** — T3

## Lounges (10)

- **1903 Lounge** — Terminal 1, paid and airline-invited
- **1903 Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, paid and airline-invited
- **1903 Lounge** — T3 · Terminal 3, paid and airline-invited
- **Aspire Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, independent lounge access
- **Emirates Lounge** — Terminal 1, airline business and first
- **Escape Lounge** — Terminal 1, pay-per-use and Priority Pass
- **Escape Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, pay-per-use and Priority Pass
- **Escape Lounge** — T3 · Terminal 3, pay-per-use and Priority Pass
- **Etihad Airways Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, airline premium passengers
- **Ryanair Lounge partner area** — T3 · Terminal 3, contracted access

## Shops (29)

- **Accessorize** — T2 · Fashion
- **Biza Duty Free** — T2
- **Boots** — T2 · Beauty
- **BOSS** — T2 · Fashion
- **Dixons Travel** — T2
- **Excess Baggage** — T2 · Travel Essentials
- **FatFace** — T2
- **InMotion** — T2 · Electronics
- **JD Sports** — T2 · Fashion
- **Landside SPAR** — T2
- **LEGO®** — T2 · Toys
- **M&S Simply Food** — T2 · Food
- **MAC** — T2
- **Nero Express Kiosk** — T2
- **Pandora** — T2 · Jewelry
- **Rituals** — T2 · Beauty
- **Rolling Luggage** — T2
- **Superdrug** — T2
- **Superdry** — T2
- **The Bookshop by WHSmith** — T2 · Books
- **Timpson** — T2
- **Travelex** — T2 · Currency Exchange
- **Travelex** — T3
- **WHSmith** — .null
- **WHSmith Express** — T2
- **WHSmith** — T2 · Books
- **WHSmith** — T3
- **World Duty Free Express** — T2
- **World Duty Free** — T2 · Duty Free

## Parking (19)

- **Drop & Go** — Short stay · 5-15 minutes to terminal
- **Drop Off Zone** — Paid drop-off
- **Free Drop Off** — Remote free drop-off car park
- **JetParks** — Remote · 5-10 minutes to terminal
- **JetParks 1** — Long-stay economy
- **JetParks 2** — Long-stay economy
- **JetParks 3** — Long-stay economy
- **JetParks Ringway** — Long-stay off-site
- **Meet & Greet** — Valet · 1-2 minutes to terminal
- **Meet and Greet T2 East** — Meet and greet
- **Meet and Greet T2 West** — Meet and greet
- **Meet and Greet T3** — Meet and greet
- **Mid Stay** — Long stay · 5-10 minutes to terminal
- **Mid Stay T3** — Mid-stay
- **Multi Storey** — Short stay · 1-8 minutes to terminal
- **T1 Short Stay** — Short-stay
- **T2 East Multi Storey** — Multi-storey
- **T2 West Multi Storey** — Multi-storey
- **T3 Multi Storey** — Multi-storey

## Ground transport (15)

- **Arriva 130 Manchester Airport to Macclesfield** — Bus · Roughly every 60 min · daytime
- **Bolt** — Rideshare · 25-45 min to central Manchester depending on traffic · On-demand · 24/7 (subject to driver availability)
- **Free Shuttle Bus from Free Drop Off Car Park** — Shuttle bus · 10-20 min including wait · $0 · Roughly every 10-15 min · early morning to late night
- **Local Black Cabs** — Licensed taxi · 25-45 min to central Manchester depending on traffic · Rank taxis available · 24/7 in normal operation
- **Manchester Airport Station** — Rail · .dayonly
- **Megabus Manchester Airport Coach Services** — Coach
- **Metrolink Tram via Manchester Airport Interchange** — Tram · 45-55 min to central Manchester · Every 12-15 min · roughly 05:00–00:00
- **National Express Manchester Airport Coach Station** — Coach
- **Northern Trains Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly** — Rail · 18-22 min · Every 10-20 min · roughly 05:00–00:30
- **Stagecoach 103 Manchester Airport to Wythenshawe and local areas** — Bus · Every 20-30 min · daytime (reduced evenings/Sundays)
- **Stagecoach 43 Manchester Airport to Manchester city centre** — Bus · 60-90 min · Every 10-20 min · 24 hours (reduced overnight)
- **TransPennine Express Manchester Airport to Edinburgh** — Rail · 210-225 min · About every 2-3 hours · daytime
- **TransPennine Express Manchester Airport to Leeds** — Rail · 75-85 min · About every 30-60 min · daytime
- **TransPennine Express Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street** — Rail · 60-70 min · About every 60 min · daytime
- **Uber** — Rideshare · 25-45 min to central Manchester depending on traffic · On-demand · 24/7 (subject to driver availability)

## Insider tips

- _Time_: Build in extra time for security at T3: queues can reach 40-60 minutes during peak periods.
- _Money_: Pre-book your parking to save £10–20 per day compared to drive-up prices at JetParks.
- _Money_: Purchase an off-peak return rail ticket to Manchester Piccadilly for savings over a single fare.
- _Insider_: The Skylink can be a 15-20 minute walk; expect to traverse it without working travelators occasionally.
- _Local_: Choose carriers operating from T2 over T3 for better amenities and a more pleasant atmosphere.
- _Quiet_: Frequent coach travelers suggest heading to the seating area by the bus station for a calmer wait.