Car parking at Manchester airport is, as you might expect, dynamic, well designed and laid out, and flexible enough to provide a range of solutions to meet the broad demands of its 22 million passengers each year. The largest airport in the UK outside of London, Manchester airport has flights departing to 220 destinations - more than any other airport in the country, a fact to which the 100 different airlines who operate here can bear testament.
Manchester airport has been looking actively to reduce its carbon footprint, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2015, and in the design, layout and positioning of its car parks, as well as its shuttle service, this has given rise to thoughtful and easily appreciated parking facilities. With 8 separate public car parks available, hosting almost 16,000 parking places, with a further 10 privately run car parking facilities, this is an airport which makes arriving at one of its 3 terminals as straightforward and manageable as possible.
So what are the options for car parking at Manchester airport, and how do the prices and options compare to elsewhere? Your options include off airport parking, long stay parking close to the terminals, meet and greet or valet parking services and short stay parking close to the three terminals. As with most airports, prices are cheaper if you can book in advance, and this can be done easily online. Typically you will find around a 20%-25% saving by booking in advance compared to the price you'd pay if you just show up on the day.
There are several excellent hotels in the airport vicinity which offer free or discounted parking for up to 21 days, and many also offer a free shuttle service from the hotel to the airport. You will also find some offer free or discounted child places as well, so if you're travelling as a family this is an option well worth considering unless you have a large quantity of luggage, in which case you may be better off choosing a meet and greet service.
If you decide to just turn up and park on the day without pre-booking then expect to pay £2 for up to 35 minutes in the short stay car park, £18 for up to 6 hours and £27 for 24 hours and for each 24 period after that. Although it is expensive, it is close to the terminals, and only a short walk - which is completely under cover. This is useful if you are in a hurry, only going away for a short period, or have large or bulky luggage with you.
On the other hand, the long stay car park, to which you can just turn up without pre-booking, costs £20 for the first 24 hours, £64 for up to 7 days and just £6.50 per 24 hours after that, so as prices go, and especially considering that the land around Manchester Airport is at a premium, this is a very reasonable charge for long stay parking without making any advance arrangement.
If you're looking to book in advance, one thing you need to be aware of is that the short stay car parking service must be booked for a minimum of 2 days, and must include a Saturday, and long stay parking must be for a minimum of 3 days, although there is no requirement for a Saturday to be included. Trailers are not allowed in any of the car parks, and although the short stay car parks are a few minutes' walk from the terminals, the long stay car park is further away and you will need to use the free shuttle service provided.
For sheer luxury, convenience and peace of mind perhaps the best possible option is to take advantage of the valet service which is available for all three terminals. For this service all you need to do is pull up right near the terminal of your choice, and a member of the valet team will meet you, help you with your luggage if necessary, and then drive your car away to a secure compound where it will be parked and guarded for you.
On your arrival back at the end of your trip, the valet representative will pick your car up for you, and bring it right to the terminal for you to just get in and drive away. If you have elderly or disabled passengers, children, a large quantity of luggage or very bulky luggage this can be the perfect solution. As far as peace of mind is concerned, it's virtually priceless.
Although the valet service can be arranged should you turn up and decide to use the service on the day, you will save a significant sum by booking in advance. Typical prices for peak season work out at £79 for a 7 day stay, and beyond this period prices work out at about £10 per day. This is a third of the price which would be charged should you just turn up and use the service on the day, so booking really is the best solution.
As far as car parking at Manchester airport is concerned, the options represent a very useful range, at prices which are surprising considering that this airport is the north of England's answer to the busiest airports of the capital.
More information on car parking facilities at Manchester Airport is available from Airport Essentials where you will also find information on parking at other UK airports, and other facilities at Manchester.
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