Manchester airport located just under 10 miles from Manchester city center is the U.K.’s fourth largest airport and has seen passenger numbers increase dramatically over the past decade. In this article we examine at whether you can sleep at Manchester airport and how to make the experience for comfortable if the situation arises.
This post is part of a series of posts on airport travel – you may also be interested in more about Gatwick or Heathrow airport.
Is Manchester airport open 24 hours?
Yes Manchester airport is open 24/7, with the busiest hours between 11am-4pm and the quietest hours late at night from 9pm to 3am therefore if you are planning on sleeping at Manchester airport it would best after 9pm.
Can you sleep at Manchester airport?
Yes you can, the public area after entering the airport and before security is open 24/7. While there is no designated sleeping area here so you can make do with seats or the floor area, it’s worth bearing in mind that Manchester can be cold and brightly lit so pack warm clothing and an eye mask. Make sure you have you boarding pass and passport ready to show any airport official that might ask to see it. After security there are more comfortable areas to sleep, you can pass through security three hours before you flight departs.
How many terminals does Manchester airport have?
Manchester airport has 3 terminals, not sure which terminal you are flying from? find out here.
Can you smoke and vape at Manchester airport?
You can only smoke outside at Manchester airport in the designated smoking areas. These are located outside Terminal 1 accessible by the food court or another outside Terminal 2 near Gate 300. It is forbidden to smoke and vape inside the airport. See map here for smoking areas
Is it safe to sleep at Manchester airport?
Yes it is safe to sleep at Manchester airport as the space remains busy throughout the night. You may be asked for boarding passes and sometime cleaning staff will need to clean the space your’e occupying, additionally be aware of you valuables and luggage at all times as thefts have been known to occur.
What facilities does Manchester airport have?
Looking for something entertaining to do while at Manchester airport to while away the time then consider visiting Runway Visitor Park, home to spectacular aircraft including Concorde and Nimrod. (See link below).
Does Manchester airport have a McDonald’s or KFC? Manchester airport does not have a McDonald’s restaurant however it does have a KFC! Location of all restaurants and bars can be found here.
Additionally if you want to bring your own food and drink into the airport this is perfectly allowed.
Does Manchester airport have free Wi-fi?
Yes Manchester airport has free W-fi but unlike other U.K. airports it is only freely available for 60 minutes! The free Wi-fi will not be good enough to stream videos but you can upgrade to the premium if needed. If you are planning on sleeping at Manchester airport best to download podcasts and shows before arriving.
What hotels does Manchester airport have?
If you would rather get accommodation for the night in Manchester airport then consider these hotels near Terminal 2. as this area has the most hotels gathered around it and has easy access to the airport. Alternatively if you’ve just landed head into central Manchester and book a hotel near the action.
What shops does Manchester airport have?
Manchester airport has a great range of shops including, Hamleys, Hugo Boss, Fat Face, Accessories and then you more usual high street brands like Boots and WHSmiths. For a complete list with opening times read here. There are food options available but they won’t be open past midnight so if you plan to sleep here best to buy before then.
Manchester airport is no slouch when it comes to Duty free with a massive range. See info here for products available.
Where to pick up and drop off at Manchester airport?
Manchester airport operates a drop off pay zone that is applicable to all terminals. Price starts at £5 for 5 minutes, £6 for 10 minutes and then a fixed amount of £25 after 10 minutes, a fine of £100 is issued for non payment, more info can be found here. It is possible to drop someone off for free but they will need to take a shuttle bus for 6 minutes to get to the airport.
How to get to Manchester airport?
The most efficient way to reach Manchester airport from Manchester central is by train from Piccadilly station which runs 7 days a week and only takes 20 minutes. Once you arrive at Manchester airport the walk to the terminal only takes 5-15 minutes. If you want to book a ticket or check times then check out Trainline. If you have a very early morning flight it may be best to book the last train to the airport so you can sleep at Manchester airport for as little time as possible.
Can you sleep at other U.K. airports?
Other U.K. airports do also allow you sleep in the public areas, we’ve also written guides for sleeping overnight about Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted.
Where can I get a sim card?
Need a sim card on landing or about to fly off? Rather than the hassle of finding/getting a physical sim card, an easier method these days is to get an e-sim. Simply select the country or region you are in and get data and calls on your phone. More info can be found here.
Prices are reasonable, usually only $25 for 20GB of data. We now always use this method when travelling as it just saves so much time and bother!
Items to consider
Long journeys don’t get any easier, here are some ideas we had to make the road more pleasant. Find them here on Amazon.
Silk Sleep Mask, 2 Pack 100% Real Natural Pure Silk Eye Mask
MLVOC Travel Pillow 100% Pure Memory Foam Neck Pillow
ZIHNIC Bluetooth Headphones Over-Ear, Foldable Wireless
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals with Plant Based Alcohol, Citrus Scent
Neutrogena Cleansing Fragrance Free Makeup Remover Face Wipes
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Oat Lotion for Dry Skin, 3 x 2.5 fl. oz
WATERFLY Crossbody Sling Backpack Sling Bag Travel Hiking Chest Bag Daypack
Anker Portable Charger, 313 Power Bank (PowerCore Slim 10K) 10000mAh Battery Pack with USB-C
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