Arriving at Manchester International Airport, what to expect

Each of the three terminals at the airport are linked via an innovative people moving system called Skylink, which incorporates moving walkways, lifts and escalators to converge at the upper level of the airport’s railway station. Few airports can boast such an efficient system of moving passengers between their arrival gate and their transport into the city, which is located 10 miles southwest of the airport.

Terminals 1 and 2 are primarily used for international flights from Europe, Asia and the Americas. If you are travelling from outside the UK, it’s likely you’ll arrive at one of these two terminals, which handle dozens of global carriers. Terminal 3 is the airport’s domestic hub, used mainly by British Airways and a few other regional carriers for flights across the UK.

If you are planning to rent a car during your visit, all of the major car hire companies have desks in the Arrivals areas of each of the three terminals. These desks are open every day from 07:00 until 21:00. Exiting the airport by road is fairly straightforward thanks to well-signed roads leading to the M56 and M60 motorways, which run right into Manchester.

All three terminals house an excellent range of facilities including ATMs, bureaux de exchange, a post office and internet booths. Restaurants and pubs are open 24 hours should you need a bite to eat before heading off. Business travellers can catch up on last-minute work at the impressive Airport Business Centre, or if you need something larger like a conference hall, the on-site Radisson SAS Hotel’s Atlantic Suite is up to the task.

Airport information kiosks can be found in all three terminals and special tourist information centres are available in the Arrivals areas of terminals 1 and 2. Disabled travellers will find all the access they need via ramps and lifts which cover the entire airport. Specially heightened telephones and toilets are also readily available, and a dedicated Minicom system is located in the International Arrivals area of Terminal 1 for those who need additional assistance.

Travellers arriving late or who need lodging close to the airport will find four hotels directly on-site at the airport. Reservations for these hotels and many others in the vicinity can be made at the First Option desk in the Arrivals area of Terminal 1, as well as at either of the two tourist information desks in terminals 1 and 2.

If you have some spare time, check out the Spectator Terrace at the top of the car park at Terminal 1. Visitors can watch planes land and take off through telescopes, have a light snack and browse around the Aviation Shop for souvenirs. Another highlight is the presence of one of the original Concorde airplanes, which is open for tours. Several different tours are offered based on interest level.