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Manchester Airport
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester Airport
Northern England's largest international gateway.
- ›Manchester Airport is the third busiest airport in the UK by passenger numbers, after Heathrow and Gatwick.
- ›It is the only airport outside London with direct rail connections to a wide range of UK cities.
- ›The airport has two parallel runways, allowing simultaneous operations.
- ›It is owned by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which also owns London Stansted and East Midlands airports.
- ›Manchester Airport first opened as Ringway Airport in 1938.
Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside London and the third-busiest in the United Kingdom, serving the North of England and beyond since its opening in 1938. Originally known as Ringway Airport, it has grown into a major international hub handling over 28 million passengers annually in its peak years. The airport plays a central economic and connectivity role for the North West region, linking Manchester to cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Terminal 1 — The original and largest terminal, handling a wide mix of European and long-haul carriers including Jet2 and various charter operators.
- Terminal 2 — A recently redeveloped, modern terminal serving major airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and other international carriers as part of the £1 billion transformation project.
- Terminal 3 — A smaller terminal primarily used by Ryanair and some low-cost European carriers, connected to the main terminal complex via walkways.
- Manchester Airport Rail Station: direct trains to Manchester Piccadilly in around 20 minutes, with connections to Leeds, Liverpool, and Edinburgh
- Metrolink tram: regular services connecting the airport to Manchester city centre and surrounding areas
- National Express and local bus services operating routes to Manchester, Stockport, and nearby towns
- Taxi and private hire vehicles available at designated ranks outside all three terminals
- Car rental desks from major providers including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget located in the terminal buildings
- Airport Express coach services to destinations across the North West including Liverpool and Sheffield
- Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport
- Hilton Manchester Airport
- Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport
- Holiday Inn Express Manchester Airport
- Premier Inn Manchester Airport
Inside the terminals, passengers will find a broad selection of outlets ranging from familiar chains such as Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger, Wagamama, and Frankie & Benny's to coffee shops and grab-and-go kiosks. Airside dining expands considerably after security, with options catering to all budgets across all three terminals. For a wider restaurant experience, the neighbouring Wythenshawe and Altrincham areas offer everything from Indian cuisine to classic British pubs within a short taxi ride.
- Allow extra time during peak morning hours (5am–8am) as security queues can be lengthy, especially in Terminal 1.
- The inter-terminal transit system connects all three terminals and the rail station free of charge — factor in up to 15 minutes for transfers.
- Pre-book airport parking well in advance as on-site options fill quickly during school holidays and bank holiday weekends.
- Fast Track security is available for purchase and is well worth it during busy travel periods.
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Manchester Airport is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England. It lies 7 miles (11 km) south-west of Manchester city centre. In 2025, it was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passengers, and the 20th-busiest airport in Europe in 2024, with 32.1 million passengers served.
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