Find all the information you need on Manchester Airport Terminal 1 with Parkhero, the UK’s leading airport parking comparison site. Our quick and simple guide to Terminal 1 Manchester Airport covers the main on-site and off-site parking facilities, the FastTrack service, the airport lounges, duty free shopping, food and beverage outlets, facilities and more.
Manchester Airport has three passenger terminals in total, T1, T2, and T3, however this guide only covers Terminal 1. We hope you find our tips, hints, and resources helpful, and that they allow you to make the most of your journey through Manchester Airport Terminal 1.
Terminal 1 is serviced by a variety of international airlines, including Icelandair, Aer Lingus, Air Transat, Brussels Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, and Turkish Airlines. The largest of Manchester Airport’s three terminals, Terminal 1 underwent a significant redevelopment phase in 2009, expanding its capacity to around 11 million passengers per year.
Spread over an area of 110,000m2, Terminal 1 has 2 piers, which combined have 29 stands. Gate 12 was specially adapted to accommodate the Airbus A380, which was operated by Emirates on their daily route from Dubai to Manchester prior to March 2020. The terminal is not included in the Manchester Airport’s 10 Year Expansion Project, and is due to be closed and demolished by around 2022. At present, only Pier B is due to be rebuilt.
We recommend that you plan your journey in advance, to ensure that you have plenty of time to make your flight. Ideally, you should get to the terminal three hours before your flight is due to depart. Remember to check for any roadworks along your route, around the car parks, or around the airport, and plan your journey accordingly. Manchester Airport is connected to the city by train, bus, tram, and by road. We advise taking a little time to research your options, as journey times and prices can differ significantly.
For stress-free airport parking, consider booking your space in advance. And to avoid forgetting where you left your car, keep a copy of your booking confirmation or ticket with you, and consider taking a photograph of your parking space and the surrounding area/signs. This will make it easier to find on your return. If you have an early morning or late night flight, you may want to consider booking into a hotel close to Terminal 1.
There are numerous options to choose from when it comes to parking near Terminal 1. You can opt for an inexpensive park & ride service, the convenience of valet parking, or the close proximity of a meet & greet service. There’s a Manchester Airport parking Terminal 1 service to suit all needs and budgets, with significant savings to be had when you pre-book your parking online. We suggest comparing all the available options for your travel dates before booking, to ensure you secure the best price possible.
The most popular parking options at Terminal 1 include Toad Parking Manchester, NCP Manchester Flightpath, Skypark Manchester, T1 Meet & Greet, T1 Multi Storey, JetParks, T1 Long Stay, T1 Mid Stay, and T1 Short Stay. To see how these car parks compare, you can either consult the table below, or our articles on long-term parking rates, and the best deals for cheap parking at Manchester Airport.
| Car Park | 1 Week | 2 Weeks | Rating | Distance to Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toad Parking Manchester | £41.20 | £77.25 | 9.6 | 5 minute transfer |
| NCP Manchester Flightpath | £39.12 | £69.73 | 9.1 | 5 minute transfer |
| Vacationcare Manchester | £53.56 | £67.98 | 8.0 | 15 minute transfer |
| T1 Meet & Greet | £68.99 | £118.99 | 9.4 | 1 - 2 minute walk |
| T1 Multi Storey | £70.00 | £143.00 | 9.4 | 1 - 8 minute walk |
| T1 JetParks | N/A | N/A | 8.6 | 5 - 10 minute transfer |
There are plenty of things to see, do, and purchase in Terminal 1. To save time, you can purchase FastTrack tickets to use the priority lane, avoiding the queues before passport control, store your shopping at the airport, or use the airport’s takeaway food app. If you arrive early and have plenty of time to relax, you may want to consider purchasing access to an airport lounge, to enjoy free WiFi, freshly prepared meals, and complimentary drinks.
Tip! If multiple security lanes are open, pick one on the left. Most passengers are right handed and thus will subconsciously prefer the right. This generally means that the left lanes are a little quieter.
Manchester Airport Fast Track is available at Terminal 1, allowing you to use a time-saving express lane at security and at passport control. Fast Track is a paid service, with prices starting at £5.00 per person, one way.
Security FastTrack gives you access to a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint, enabling you to reach the Departures area quicker. The service is available from 02:30 until 23:00. Prices start from £6.00 per person, in each direction.
Passport Control FastTrack is available upon your return, and gives you access to a dedicated lane and a faster route to Passport Control. The service is designed for passengers without luggage, who do not need to wait at Baggage Reclaim.
It’s important to note that Passport Control FastTrack is not available to passengers who are arriving into Manchester from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Isle of Man or Channel Islands.
There are several airport lounges in Terminal 1, including the Aspire Lounge, the Escape Lounge, the 1903 Lounge, and the Emirates Lounge. Most, if not all offer table service, business facilities, and free WiFi, making it easier to relax before your flight.
Access to these lounges is typically for members only, or for paid guests. Entry requirements and prices differ per lounge, however several can be booked online and in advance. For more information on specific lounges, please check the summary below:
Located past security in Terminal 1, the Aspire Lounge is open to passengers of all ticket classes, provided that they pay the cover charge of £28.99 per person. The Aspire Lounge is generously equipped with comfortable seating and work areas, widescreen televisions, internet access, plus a bar and children’s play area. A wide range of hot and cold dishes are on offer, as well as free drinks and snacks.
The lounge is open from 04.30 to 16.30 daily, and can be accessed from the executive lounge area. After passport control, you should pass through the duty free area, and then turn left, taking the stairs between Next and Dixons up to the next floor.
Open from 05:00 - 17:00 daily, the Escape Lounge welcomes passengers from any airline, travelling on any ticket class. You can pre-book a place in the lounge, starting at £19.99 per person, or pay by card on your day of travel. The lounge serves a variety of hot and cold dishes, alongside free WiFi and charging points. The complimentary bar is stocked with drinks such as wine, beer, and standard spirits, alongside tea, coffee, soft drinks, and fruit juice. Champagne is also available to purchase.
Whilst children are welcome in the lounge, the Escape Lounge stresses that it offers a quiet, adult environment, and they do not provide specific entertainment for children. Guests are asked to maintain the smart-casual dress regulations, and refrain from wearing sports clothing, items with team names/logos, and clothing with slogans or motifs that may cause offence.
To access the Escape Lounge you will need to proceed through the security checks and enter the Duty Free area. Follow the signs for the Premium Lounges along the walkway just before Dixons, and then take the stairs or elevator to the Executive Lounge level where the Escape Lounge is located.
Terminal 1’s premium lounge, the 1903 Lounge welcomes passengers travelling on business or on pleasure, from any airline and any ticket class, at a price of £32.50 per head. 1903 is open to adults only, aged 18+, between the hours of 05.10 and 20.30. The 1903 Lounge serves a range of dishes prepared by in-house chefs, using the best local ingredients, a wide range of premium alcoholic drinks, alongside unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks.
The dress code for the 1903 Lounge is smart/casual, and it reserves the right to turn away travellers wearing sports attire, including football and rugby shirts, matching attire, such as hen or stag items, as well as fancy dress, onesies, pyjamas, and personalised items that may cause offense to other guests.
You can find the 1903 Lounge once past security. Head to the Duty Free area, following the signs for the Premium Lounges. You can take the walkway just before Dixons and Next, and then take the stairs or elevator to the Executive Lounge level where the 1903 Lounge is located.
First and Business Class travellers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members are welcome to unwind in the Emirates Lounge at Terminal 1 Manchester Airport. Paid access to non-Emirates ticket holders is available on request. The lounge is open between 05:00 and 21:00 daily, and provides food and beverages, internet access, plus newspapers and magazines.
Travellers will find a range of retail, electrical, fashion, souvenir, and duty free outlets at Manchester Airport Terminal 1. The vast majority of the shopping facilities are located in the Departures area, after security. Duty free savings are available on a wide range of standard goods, such as alcohol, perfume, chocolate, electronics, and cosmetics.
Some of the most well-known outlets include Accessorize, Attitude, Biza, Bobbi Brown, Boots, Hugo Boss, Boux Avenue, Clarins, Dixons Travel, Dune London, Fat Face, Hamleys, JD, Jo Malone, Lacoste, Next, Pandora, Paperchase, Rolling Luggage, Temptation, Timberland, Victoria’s Secret, WHSmith, William Henry’s, and Zoodle.
Click & Collect services are available for travellers flying to destinations within the European Union. If you don’t want to carry your purchases around while on holiday, you can pay a one-off fee to have them stored at the airport. At the till, you’ll need to speak to a member of staff about the Collect On Return service. Staff at Duty Free will then ask you to complete a form with your contact information and flight details. On your return, you simply need to head to the relevant collection point located in arrivals.
There are a number of restaurants and bars at Terminal 1, with options to suit most tastes. You can enjoy a sitdown meal or a quick bite, or even grab a drink before your flight. Popular food and beverage options include Bar MCR, Burger King, Cafe Balzar, Giraffe, Greggs, Joes Kitchen, Mi Casa Burritos, PizzaLuxe, Pret, Starbucks, The Grain Loft, and Upper Crust.
In addition, the airport food app Grab now offers a takeaway service at Terminal 1, which allows you to place your food order with many of the restaurants listed above, and collect your food before your flight.
There are numerous facilities and services available for passengers at Terminal 1, including:
There is a multi-faith prayer room which is accessible 24 hours a day, with access to sacred texts, prayer books and prayer mats. In Terminal 1, you can find the room upstairs, at the ground level check-in.
The airport provides free WiFi at Terminal 1.
There is a Travelex Currency Exchange located near the check-in desks in departures, and in-between the airline information desks. There are also ATMs closeby.
Manchester Airport provides ‘Changing Places’ – specially adapted facilities for disabled travellers, which offer a more spacious and comfortable environment for personal care. In addition, the airport is also trialling a breast-feeding room at Terminal 1, which can be found in the Departures Lounge, opposite the Children’s TV Zone.
You can pay to leave your luggage at the Excess Baggage storage unit while you are away. Lost items are logged and stored securely, awaiting collection.
There are two smoking areas outside of Terminal 1, which can be used before check-in and after arrivals.
VAT refunds can be collected at Terminal 1.
The Runway Visitor Park is a viewing platform at T1, where you can watch planes takeoff and land at a safe distance.
There is a taxi stand outside of the terminal building, and one outside of the 'The Station'. You don't need to book a taxi from Manchester Airport, as there will be drivers waiting outside at most, if not all, times of the day.
You can catch free shuttle to the Manchester Airport Car Rental Village from Terminal 1, to either hire a car or pick-up a rental that you have booked online.
Parkhero is the UK’s leading comparison service for airport parking. We make it easier for anyone in the United Kingdom and Ireland to search, compare, and book low-cost airport parking. There are numerous car parking options available, across all major airports in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland & Northern Ireland, as well as popular holiday destinations such as Spain.
To find your space, simply enter your travel dates into the search bar above. You’ll be shown a list of all the available car parks for your trip, which you can then filter by price, distance to the airport, and customer rating. Reserving a space is simple and straightforward. No account is required - you just need to confirm your personal details, and make your payment via our secure online checkout. Your booking confirmation will be ready straightaway, and sent to the email address that you specify. And should you have any questions, our friendly customer service team are on hand to help, Monday through to Friday.
Please note that the information above is provided for reference only, and does not constitute as travel advice.
