Manchester airport parking: can you pre-book cheap car parking?

With airport chaos continuing at Manchester Airport, it can be worth pre-booking your parking spot in order to find the cheapest means of storing your car ahead of travel

Manchester airport parking: can you pre-book car parking?

Manchester Airport has been struck by the travel chaos this summer, with travellers faced by flight delays, lengthy queues for security, and last-minute cancellations.

According to ManchesterWorld data analysis, airport had the fewest flights leaving on time of any UK airport, in the first three months of 2022, and 40% of flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes in April - with more than 100 cancelled.

Advice for travelling through Manchester Airport

Travellers have been advised to get to the airport as early as possible ahead of their flights, with a spokesman for the airport saying people should ‘arrive at the earliest time your airline recommends.’

If you can afford it, it is advisable to book Fast Track security, which costs £5 - although you will need to book well in advance as this service is currently over-subscribed.

If you are travelling to the airport by car, that means leaving your car in long-term parking, or short-term if you are being dropped off. With queues inside the airport stretching on, passengers are well advised to pre-book their airport parking.

Can I pre-book parking at Manchester Airport?

Manchester Airport has myriad options for long, mid- and short term parking that can be pre-booked online here.

Money saving expert Martin Lewis notes booking a car park spot at the airport well in advance can save travellers large amounts of money, especially compared to showing up and paying on the day.

Martin said: "Parking at the airport, book ahead. Even if it’s on the day.

"Given an example, we found one case where, if you turn up at Manchester Airport and paid there it’s £400 for the week.

"If you had pre-booked that morning, it was £130.”

He added: “Better still, if you had booked earlier, [it can be even cheaper]."

The cheapest option for parking at Manchester Airport

Comparison site Purple Parking notes that Park & Ride is the cheapest option for parking long-term at Manchester Airport - passengers park a short way from the airport (at Bradnor Road) and then catch a complimentary shuttle to the terminal, which takes 7 minutes.

This costs £39.92 for seven days, or £4.99 a day, and can be booked online here.

The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes and operates 24 hours a day.

How to park directly outside the Terminal at Manchester Airport

The most popular option, according to Manchester Airport, is to pre-book ‘Meet & Greet’ parking, where travellers drive their car to just outside the terminal and are greeted by a valet who will park their car - this costs £79.99 for 8 days.

It’s a good option for those travelling with children or heavy luggage.

You can book the Manchester Airport Meet & Greet option here