If you’re still in the early stages of planning your journey to Manchester Airport, you may be wondering which method is the cheapest. While it’s always more convenient to drive your own car to the airport and park up near the terminal, how does it compare to the price of a train ticket or a taxi ride? At Parkhero, we wanted to answer the question once and for all, ‘park, train or taxi to Manchester Airport - what is cheaper?’
We researched the costs associated with all three modes of transport, collected plenty of information, and then collated it altogether to create this easy to read guide, to make your trip to MAN as stress-free and as straightforward as possible. Read on to find out which transport method is best suited for your trip to the airport, for journeys that start from Manchester city centre, Sheffield, Leeds, and York.
As the prices for public transport are difficult to calculate for everyone all at once, as your starting point is key, we chose to check the prices of trains travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport. As you can see in the table below, you can enjoy significant savings by taking advantage of public transport. This is an ideal option if you’re travelling during the daytime, outside of peak hours, with light luggage. For larger groups and families, airport parking or a taxi are a more convenient option, with little difference in price for a family of four or five.
| Number of passengers | Parking for 1 week | Train (return ticket) | Taxi (return trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | £39.10 | From £7.00 | From £41.20 |
| 2 passengers | £39.10 | From £14.00 | From £41.20 |
| 3 passengers | £39.10 | From £21.00 | From £41.20 |
| 4 passengers | £39.10 | From £28.00 | From £41.20 |
| Each additional passenger | No additional costs for shuttle transport, however it may cost extra to park large vehicles | From £7.00 + | Extra charges may apply for minibus hire |
If you’re travelling from Sheffield to Manchester Airport on a budget, airport parking might be the way to go. You can park for 8 days at an off-site car park, and take a shuttle onwards to the airport for less than £40.00. Solo travellers will find the price of a return train ticket more than reasonable, while taxis should probably be avoided completely unless you’re short on options and need to get to the airport in a hurry. At £248.40 return (ouch!) a black cab ride won’t come cheap.
| Number of passengers | Parking for 1 week | Train (return ticket) | Taxi (return trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | £39.10 | From £33.30 | From £248.40 |
| 2 passengers | £39.10 | From £66.60 | From £248.40 |
| 3 passengers | £39.10 | From £99.90 | From £248.40 |
| 4 passengers | £39.10 | From £133.20 | From £248.40 |
| Each additional passenger | No additional costs for shuttle transport, however it may cost extra to park large vehicles | From £33.30 + | Extra charges may apply for minibus hire |
If you’re heading to Manchester Airport from Leeds, you might want to skip taxis altogether. At a whopping £225.40 return, we found that taking a taxi to Manchester Airport should be avoided! Of course, it’s convenient when you have heavy luggage and small children in tow, to be dropped off right outside of Departures, but you can also arrange for a transfer service when you book parking. The rate we quote below, for one week (8 days) of parking in an off-site park & ride facility, also includes free shuttle transfers in both directions. You’ll be dropped off right by your terminal, and then collected again on your return. What could be simpler (or cheaper)?
| Number of passengers | Parking for 1 week | Train (return ticket) | Taxi (return trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | £39.10 | From £33.00 | From £225.40 |
| 2 passengers | £39.10 | From £66.00 | From £225.40 |
| 3 passengers | £39.10 | From £99.00 | From £225.40 |
| 4 passengers | £39.10 | From £132.00 | From £225.40 |
| Each additional passenger | No additional costs for shuttle transport, however it may cost extra to park large vehicles | From £33.00 + | Extra charges may apply for minibus hire |
If you’re travelling alone from York, you may want to consider taking the train from York to the Manchester Airport Train Station. At £41.30 return, it’s a convenient way to get to either of the airport’s three terminals - Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. However, if you’re travelling as a couple or with your entire family, pre-booking an airport parking space online is certainly the cheapest option for you.
If you’re looking for a parking space at Manchester Airport, you get a free quote by entering in your travel dates in the search bar at the top of this page. You can then easily compare the various offers from both official and independent car parks, and reserve a parking space in less than two minutes - no account required.
| Number of passengers | Parking for 1 week | Train (return ticket) | Taxi (return trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | £39.10 | From £41.30 | From £337.80 |
| 2 passengers | £39.10 | From £82.60 | From £337.80 |
| 3 passengers | £39.10 | From £123.90 | From £337.80 |
| 4 passengers | £39.10 | From £165.20 | From £337.80 |
| Each additional passenger | No additional costs for shuttle transport, however it may cost extra to park large vehicles | From £41.30 + | Extra charges may apply for minibus hire |
In the tables above, you’ll find the cheapest travel methods available, plus a more detailed assessment provided at the bottom of this page. We found that for week long stays (8 days), off-site airport parking tends to be the lowest priced option. But how did we work this out?
We first conducted a search for a week’s worth of parking in September 2020, using the Parkhero comparison tool. The rates we’ve quoted are offered by NCP Manchester Flightpath, an independent park & ride car park. The prices listed include one week (8 days of parking), and free shuttle transfers to/from the airport. To find out more about this car park, please visit the NCP Manchester Flightpath provider page.
When it came to the cost of train tickets, we used the fare calculator provided by www.thetrainline.com to work out what the lowest price would be on return fares from Manchester Piccadilly, Sheffield Station, Leeds Central Station, and York Station. And for the cost of a taxi to Manchester Airport from these same points, we used www.taxi-calculator.com to work out the fare.
Many people assume that parking at the airport has to be expensive - which, when you consider the number of budget options available, couldn't be further from the truth. One of the main advantages of airport parking is the value for money it offers, alongside the ease of making an online reservation to guarantee a space. This can take a considerable amount of stress out of travelling, as you’ll know where to go and when, in the lead up to your flight. You can even book a park, sleep, and fly package, which includes a night's stay in a nearby airport hotel and alongside long-term parking, if you're worried about making it to an early morning flight in time.
No method of transport is perfect however, and parking is not the most environmentally friendly of options. Some car parks offer electric vehicle charging, but this is not the norm at Manchester Airport at present.
In contrast, public transport is one of more environmentally friendly ways to reach the airport. And if you book your tickets well in advance, it can be relatively affordable too. Manchester Airport is connected to most cities in the north of England by rail, and Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, and York are all within easy reach. And it takes just 10 to 15 minutes to walk from Manchester Airport train station to the airport terminals, which gives you quick and easy access to Departures without the need for a shuttle bus.
The downside of taking the train is that services can be few and far between in the early hours and late at night, which is not ideal for all flights. And those with heavy suitcases may want to avoid peak hour trains, which are packed full with (often unforgiving) commuters.
There are licensed black cab taxis which you can catch to/from Manchester Airport, which are 100% wheelchair accessible. There are taxi ranks just outside of all three terminals and 'The Station'. You don’t need to book your Manchester Airport taxi in advance, you can find them outside most major train stations, or flag one down. One of the major pluses of taking a taxi to Manchester Airport is that black cabs can take at least 5 passengers (and many take 6) and their luggage. If you’re travelling with a large group, this can be cheaper than purchasing individual rail tickets.
In addition, there are private hire cars and shuttle companies which can get you to the airport for less. Just make sure that you select a licensed operator, as unfortunately there are people that may try to cheat you. Don’t be tempted by cheap fares - unlicensed taxis may not be safe, you may not be covered by insurance, and the driver may not be a safe and fit person.
One of the leading airport parking comparison sites in the UK, Parkheros aims to make airport parking easier and more convenient. We make it simple to search, compare, and book a range of on-site and off-site parking options, at all major airports in the United Kingdom. The next time you book your flights from Manchester Airport, head to Parkhero.co.uk to find the best prices on airport parking for your dates. You might be surprised to find out how much you can save.
All parking, train, and taxi prices mentioned serve as a guide only. While they were accurate at the time of publishing, rates can and do change regularly. Travellers should ensure that they check the price of their proposed journey with the service provider before booking.
Please note that the information above is provided for reference only, and does not constitute as travel advice.
