Car Hire at Manchester Airport

Airport travel guide

One of the largest cities in England, Manchester has long been known as a global hub of industry and manufacturing, and more recently it has become known as a hotspot of diversity, culture, and cuisine. But while the city is undoubtedly fun to explore, one of the best things about getting a rental car in Manchester is that you can also explore its surrounding area. With that in mind, here are four suggestions for a fun day-trip from Manchester:

• Peak District. A large hilly area and a national park in the neighboring regions of East Midlands and Yorkshire, the Peak District is often considered one of the most scenic parts of England. Despite being right next door to the large cities of Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds, this region is a great place to go on a long hike, take in sightseeing tours in historic villages, or simply enjoy a slower pace of life. The western border of the Peak District is only about 32 km (20 miles) east of Manchester and, depending on traffic, can be reached by car in about 40 minutes.
• Lake District National Park. Slightly farther away, but still well within the bounds of a doable day trip, the Lake District can be reached from Manchester in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Located in the historic region of Cumbria, it attracts visitors from near and far with its splendid hills, woodlands, and lakes, as well as the well-maintained hiking trails that crisscross it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is the largest national park in England. Another beautiful protected area, Yorkshire Dales National Park, is practically next door.
• Liverpool. Although historically sometimes seen as a rival of Manchester, Liverpool is no doubt another big tourist draw if you’re in this part of the country. The birthplace of The Beatles and a former industrial powerhouse, the city has been busy reinventing itself as a hub of culture and entertainment. The drive from Manchester takes only about an hour.
• North Wales. Sparsely populated and somewhat underrated as a travel destination, the northern part of Wales is a great place to visit if you know where to look. Although its coastal resort towns are arguably past their heyday, they retain much of their historic architecture, beautiful promenades, and wooden piers; outside of them, you’ll find rough, dramatic beaches that you may have to yourself. The region is also home to rather impressive highlands dotted with mountain-top castles, heritage railways, and a fascinating, largely Welsh-speaking culture. The stunning island of Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park are two other important attractions. The scenic town of Llandudno is about a 90-minute drive west of Manchester and you can explore the rest of the region from there. 

Top international routes

• Dublin
• Palma de Mallorca
• Amsterdam
• Antalya
• Dalaman
• Paris
• Alicante
• Tenerife
• Belfast
• Frankfurt

Main airlines

Manchester Airport is one of two hubs for the low-cost carrier Flybe. Many other low-cost airlines have flights to and from Manchester Airport including Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2.com. Many other airlines provide service to and from many destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Terminals

There are three passenger terminals. You can get between Terminals 1 and 2 via a skybridge with a moving walkway. A covered walkway links Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. While there is no specific domestic or international terminal, most long-distance flights from the Middle East, Asia, and North America arrive at Terminal 2.

Location

Manchester Airport is about 14 km (8.7 miles) from the city. Motorway M56 / Princess Parkway is the main road connecting the airport to Manchester.

It also takes just an hour to drive to either Peak District National Park or Liverpool.

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at US$13 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$15 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$17 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$21 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$22 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$67 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$83 per day

Services and facilities

You’ll find a wide selection of restaurants, bars, cafés, and fast food stands in both terminals. There’s also a grocery store. For shopping, there are many stores and gift shops, as well as duty-free outlets accessible to passengers traveling outside the EU. You’ll also find ATMs, several lounges, an on-site hotel, baby changing rooms, a children’s play area, a pharmacy, spa, showers, and multifaith prayer rooms. There are luggage storage offices in the arrivals area of both terminals. Manchester Airport is accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

The best station at which to fill up before returning a rental car is a Shell station located on Styal Road. If coming from the M56, it requires a circle of a couple of miles, but there is no station located directly on the way to the airport. The station is more convenient if coming from the Manchester Airport Eastern Link on the Winslow-Handforth Bypass.

Popular one-way hires

• London (323 km / 201 mi)
• Liverpool (57 km / 36 mi)
• Preston (55km / 34 miles)
• Burnley (47km / 29 miles)
• Telford (125km / 78 miles)
• Blackburn (43km / 27 miles)
• Bolton (20km / 13 miles)
• Lancaster (84km / 52 miles)
• Blackpool (92km / 57 miles)
• Barrow-in-Furness (172 km / 107 mi)