Manchester Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Manchester Airport has its own railway station beneath the terminals, with trains to Manchester Piccadilly in about 20 minutes and to Oxford Road in 13-25 minutes: that's why most people visiting the city prefer to sleep in the centre. Anyone with a dawn flight or a late-night return instead finds it handy to stay right at the airport: only one hotel is linked to the terminals by the covered Skylink walkway, others are a few minutes away by shuttle. Anyone looking for a quieter stay, among the fields of Cheshire, can head out to Wilmslow, about ten minutes by car.

Airport, linked to the terminals

At the airport · The Radisson Blu is the only hotel linked to terminals 1 and 2 by the covered Skylink walkway, reachable in under 15 minutes on foot; the DoubleTree is about 5 minutes away by free shuttle.

Best for: For those with a dawn flight or a late-night return who don't want to rely on shuttles or taxis.

Pros

You reach the terminal on foot under cover, without a bus or taxi
Convenient for those with heavy luggage or a very early flight

Cons

An area of just hotels and car parks, nothing to do in the evening
Higher rates than other areas during peak periods

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport: The only hotel linked to the terminals by the covered Skylink walkway, useful for those arriving or departing at any hour.
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport: Free shuttle to the terminals, with an on-site restaurant and the classic welcome cookie.

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A few minutes from the terminal

Airport area · The Crowne Plaza is about 500 metres from the terminal with a round-the-clock shuttle; the Holiday Inn Express is about 1.5 km away, with a shuttle to the terminal and the station.

Best for: To stay close to the terminal while spending less than in the first area.

Pros

Free shuttle to the terminal even late at night
Lower rates than the hotel linked to the terminal

Cons

You still need to wait for the shuttle, you can't walk there
The same area of just hotels and offices, little else around

Recommended hotels in this area

Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport: About 500 metres from the terminal with a round-the-clock shuttle, handy even for those arriving on overnight flights.
Holiday Inn Express Manchester Airport: Quiet rooms away from the noise of the terminals, with an early breakfast for those flying out early.

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City centre and Cathedral Quarter

City centre · The train from the airport to Manchester Piccadilly takes about 20 minutes; for Manchester Victoria, near the Cathedral Quarter, you need a change or a short walk from the centre.

Best for: To see Manchester while staying within walking distance of Piccadilly, the Arndale and the centre's evening life.

Pros

Walking distance from shops, museums and the centre's evening life
More choice of restaurants and transport than the airport area

Cons

Further from the terminal, you always need the train or a taxi
On weekends the centre is noisier in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Maldron Hotel Manchester Cathedral Quarter: Two minutes from Deansgate and five from the Arndale, recently opened with an on-site restaurant.
Leonardo Hotel Manchester Piccadilly: A few minutes from Piccadilly station, handy also for those continuing by train to other cities.

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