Driving to Manchester Airport is straightforward, thanks to excellent motorway links and clear signposting from all directions. The airport sits just off the M56 motorway, with a dedicated link road at Junction 5, making access quick and simple.
The airport’s full address is:
Manchester Airport, Manchester, M90 1QX
(Perfect for plugging straight into your sat nav or Google Maps).
From Manchester city centre, the journey usually takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. The airport is also within easy reach of nearby towns and cities: around 20 minutes from Stockport, 40 minutes from Chester, and under an hour from Liverpool, Preston, and Sheffield.
Whether you’re heading for a short break or long-haul adventure, driving is a convenient option with plenty of on-site and nearby parking available. Be sure to check live traffic updates before setting off, as the M56 and surrounding routes can get busy at peak times.
| Blackpool | 57 |
| Carlise | 125 |
| Chester | 33 |
| Leicester | 97 |
| Macclesfield | 12 |
| Manchester City | 10 |
| Merseyside | 34 |
| Stockport | 8 |
You'll find The Station located at Manchester Airport which includes rail, coach and tram services which can be used to travel into Greater Manchester and further afield. Below we have detailed the various services available, their frequency and approximate journey time:
Terminal 1 Departures drop off is easily located; follow the signs to the Terminal and on your left, you will see a sign for the "Hilton Hotel" and the "Clayton Hotel" - take the left-hand ramp that follows these signs and enter the car park under the "Drop Off" entrance.
Terminal 2 Drop Off is located just off the exit for the terminal. You will see the "Raddison Hotel" directly in front of you - the drop off entrance is off of the 3rd exit on the ramp and straight ahead.
Terminal 3 Drop off is a little further on from Terminal 1's. After the "Clayton Hotel" sign, take the first exit on the roundabout. At the next 2 mini roundabouts, take the 3rd and 2nd exits respectively - the drop off is located straight ahead.
Manchester Airport drop-off and pick-up zones operate a barrierless system with automatic cameras and strict enforcement of waiting times. Picking up passengers at drop-off zones is not allowed, if you want to pick someone up, use the designated Multi-Storey car parks or pick-up zones near terminals. If you have to park for more than a few minutes you should use the Short Stay car parks.
Short and Long Stay airport parking is available at all terminals. With covered walkways from the short stay car parks and regular shuttles running between the long-stay parking areas, the transition from car to airport should be seamless. Please note, that if you plan to use any option other than Short Stay, it is best to book in advance. Check out the latest parking deals at Airport Parking Shop to ensure you get the best price!
