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SHOPPING > Travel > Europe > United Kingdom > Manchester > Manchester Attractions > Manchester (MAN) > Reviews

Manchester (MAN)

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Show all Reviews for Manchester (MAN)

The two faces of Manchester airport

May 14th, 2001

Advantages:
Smart and clean with short queues

Disadvantages:
High prices for food etc

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Prices

Is it worth visiting?

Transport links

Family Friendly

Kkaos

Kkaos

About me:

Hi, I'm Kee, and the first thing I usually do is explain that its not my fault about my name, and ...

Member since:23.04.2001

Reviews:30

Members who trust:2

Now, how on earth do I write an interesting opinion about an airport?
I'll give it a go.
We went to Tenerife with JMC in February from Manchester airport.

My parents were flying out a week before us (lucky things) so I was persuaded to drive them up there to save money on the parking. The first thing that I will point out is that Manchester airport is brilliant to get to from the North or South (M6) but a nightmare from the East, such as Lincoln (tiny windy roads across the Penines where the hills just about killed my poor little car loaded up with parents and their luggage).

Upon arrival at the airport (which was clearly signposted and therefore easy to find), we quickly found our way to the drop off point, and subsequently to the short term parking about four hours before the flight was due to leave. Quick note; short term parking is about £1 per hour... ouch!

Anyway, we found our way straight into the correct terminal (2) which was very smart and clean, and very deserted at about 2pm. A nifty little device is the hand luggage gadget. You put your hand luggage into a tray which is the maximum size for the hand luggage and it weighs it so that you can check it out before you create big queues at check in! Much fumbling around as my parents try to repack their luggage because they had packed their joint weight and size allowance into one bag. *tuts*

Anyway, as the check in started on their flight, my parents joined the rapidly growing queue and everyone appeared to book in without a hitch.

As my parents hadn't been to an airport in 25 years or so (not that I am a seasoned flyer), I helped them find their way into the main airport (free lunch was promised by the parents!). There are shops such as Boots available so that you can buy all the little bits that you forgot, such as headphones, sun cream etc, and a range of clothes shops which were no cheaper than the high street so we didn't bother with them.

Now the worst bit, we searched for lunch. There is a 'street' full of eateries in the airport, incorporating Burger King, Harry Ramsdens, pubs and other restaurants. As we didn't fancy fast food (we had 3 hours to kill), we checked out the other restaurants and the prices were astronomical! We ended up spending more than £10 each on a snacky lunch!

Eventually, I waved my parents off and promptly got lost when I took a diversion to the loos on the way back to my car. I apparently ended up in terminal 1, and boy, what a difference. It was packed beyond capacity (picture the local popular nightclub on a Saturday night) and the queues stretched for as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the noise was deafening! I don't know what the official difference is between the two terminals, but pray that you get allocated to terminal 2.

It's easy to find your way back to the motorway when you leave, it is all signposted.

A week later, and me and my boyf arrived at the Ringway car park outside Manchester (eventually, that is... the directions are terrible). We were very impressed by the fact that the bus for the airport left within about 5 minutes, with only 2 couples on it. The driver was a maniac too, we made about 12 miles in less than 10 minutes.

We checked in without a problem and we took our own food to avoid the high cost in the airport. Again we avoided the shops in the main airport so we got bored and went through passport control. This went smoothly and then we could explore duty free (they let you have duty free if you are flying to the Canary islands - 200 ciggies per person). 200 branded cigarettes cost me £12.99 - about a third of supermarket price. The duty free shop at Manchester is enormous, and is colour coded so that you know the price depending on whether you are travelling inside or outside Europe. There are also more food outlets and shops to spend your money in.

Most of the airport is non-smoking, so if you want to smoke you have to go to designated areas. It's all quite comfy though, so you can sprawl out while you wait. There isn't any entertainment available other than the shops and some people trying to get you to apply for credit cards.

The flights are up on the screen and regular anouncements make sure that you know when to head for the plane.

On the way home, we landed and were off the plane with our luggage and through customs within about 30 minutes. We only had to wait about 5 minutes for the bus, which again raced us back to our car which was waiting nearby for us.

In conclusion, the airport was clean, comfy and the queues were short. Everything was well-signposted and staff were happy to help with any enquiries. It was one of my more relaxed periods of waiting around for several hours doing nothing. The worst bit was the high prices, with the exception of duty free. Hope this helps :?)

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Comments about this review »

Pictoria 09.12.2003 15:54

Thanks for a helpful review.. Both myself and a good friend are flying to Tenerife in a couple of months and are flying from Terminal 2 Manchester Airport.. You gave me an insight to what we need food wise before our flight is due. Lynn-Marie

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More reviews »

Manchester (MAN) - review by Dalesman

Advantages: Good location, good facilities, warm welcome
Disadvantages: can appear to be too big sometimes

Dalesman 22.07.2001 (22.07.2001) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Manchester (MAN)

Manchester (MAN) - review by fords

Advantages: Quick check in, plenty to do when checked in
Disadvantages: uncomfortsble seats!

fords 31.07.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Manchester (MAN)

Manchester (MAN) - review by killip

Advantages: Flies to many locations
Disadvantages: Large, hard to navigate and very disorganised

killip 24.09.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Manchester (MAN)

Manchester (MAN) - review by Dawson

Advantages: Central in Britain, Friendly, good links
Disadvantages: expensive car parks

Dawson 22.05.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Manchester (MAN)

Manchester (MAN) - review by paul1970

Advantages: Nice and quiet. Bit of luxury
Disadvantages: Not free

paul1970 10.02.2003 (10.02.2003) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Manchester (MAN)

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Manchester (MAN)

The two faces of Manchester airport

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