Manchester International Airport - MAN Transportation

Car Rental

Rental Car companies found within the airport include Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. The minimum age for car rentals is 23, though those drivers will pay a "young driver" surcharge because it is the law for drivers age 23 to 25 to pay this surcharge on any car rental. The maximum age for renting a car is 74. Europcar and the airport work together to offer special rental prices every day, so often renting a car can be less expensive than train or taxi. Plus, travelers then have the freedom to tour other towns and to travel at their leisure.

Public/Ground Transfer

National Express offers bus service to many areas within the United Kingdom. The ticket desk is open from 7am to 8pm seven days a week and buses leave directly from the Station. All National Express buses are climate controlled and have bathroom facilities in the back. Tickets start around £3.50 ($7) per adult and children under 15 travel free with a ticketed adult. Disabled passengers travel free. A number of trains run from Manchester to many towns in the northern portion of the United Kingdom. Trains head to Grimsby, Hull, Scarborough, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, York, and more. Those wanting to head south can switch trains in Manchester Piccadilly, the train to Manchester Piccadilly takes no more than twenty minutes. Direct train service to the North Sea coastline (Hull/Humberside) starts at £99 ($198) round trip.

Local bus service also travels regularly from Manchester Airport to downtown Manchester and back. The local buses usually begin their runs at 3am and run until midnight. Tickets are purchased from the bus driver and cost around £3 ($6) for unlimited bus rides within greater Manchester for one day.

Airport Shuttles

Airport shuttles run regularly from the long-term parking garages to the terminals. This is the only airport shuttle one will find because the remaining terminals and the Station are linked by covered, climate controlled hallways. Some area hotels offer free hotel shuttles, but even then far more hotels refuse to run shuttles and require guests to pay for taxi service to the airport.

Limousine Services

Limousine service is the most luxurious, fastest, and usually is highly relaxing due to the copious amounts of leg room. It is also the most expensive. Limousine service must be booked in advance and the limousine company will pick up passengers outside of arrivals at each terminal. An airport transfer in Manchester usually costs around £150 ($300) putting it out of the price range of many travelers.

Taxi Services

Manchester Airport has a number of taxi companies that serve the airport, but they all charge metered rates. The airport only has companies come up with flat rates if the destination lies outside Manchester City. Manchester Airport Taxis, Ltd. is one of the biggest companies in the area. With Manchester Airport Taxi, a one-way trip into the heart of Manchester is approximately £25 ($50) one-way for up to three people with carry-on bags. For those with more luggage, the fare is around £38 ($76) one-way. This method of transportation is often quickest because there are no additional stops to let off passengers, but it can be expensive to those on a strict budget.