Trains to and from Manchester Airport
Situated on the outskirts of the city, Manchester Airport is the third-busiest airport in the UK and the busiest outside of London.
These days, it’s becoming more and more common for holidaymakers to take the train to Manchester Airport. In total, it takes 10-15 minutes to walk from Manchester Airport train station to the airport terminals. There’s no need to wait for a shuttle bus - you can walk via the Skylink walkway, giving you quick and easy access to departures.
If you want to get from cities in the north of England to Manchester Airport, a convenient train link makes the journey extremely simple. For example, major northern cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and Liverpool are all within easy reach. Operated by TransPennine Express and Northern Rail, trains from Manchester city center to Manchester Airport run seven days a week at intervals of around every 10 minutes.
Read on to learn more about Manchester Airport train tickets, timetables and possible connections.
What's in this guide?
- I’m traveling from Manchester Airport to Manchester city center
- I’m traveling from Manchester city center to Manchester Airport
- I’m traveling from Manchester Airport to another UK city
- I’m traveling from Manchester to another UK airport
- How to buy cheap Manchester Airport train tickets
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to get from Manchester Airport to Manchester city center by train
If you’re flying to Manchester Airport, you can take the train to Manchester city center.
When flying into Manchester Airport, you’ll arrive at one of three terminals. All three are connected to the train station via a 10-to-15-minute walk along the Skylink walkway. If you’re arriving late at night, there’s also a Radisson Blu hotel next to the train station. It’s connected to Terminal 2 and Manchester Airport train station via the Skylink walkway.
From Manchester Airport train station, you can travel with one of the following train operators to central Manchester:
- TransPennine Express: Jump aboard a TransPennine Express train from Manchester Airport and you’ll arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station in just 13 minutes. Trains run seven days a week, every 10 minutes from 4:00 am to 1:00 am.
- Northern: Generally, Northern trains will take you to Manchester Piccadilly station in around 20 minutes. Similar to TransPennine Express services, trains run seven days a week from 4:00 am to 1:00 am.
- Transport for Wales: Trains operated by Transport for Wales run directly from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly. In total, the journey takes around 18 minutes.
Located in the heart of the city, Manchester Piccadilly train station is close to the city’s most famous landmarks. Also, Manchester Piccadilly is a major transport hub, which makes it easy to connect to other services if you’re traveling further afield.
Where should I travel next after Manchester?
If you’ve enjoyed your time in Manchester and want to explore more of the UK, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. Why not check out some of these trips below?
Travel to London
No matter the time of year, London is an exciting destination all year round. With Avanti West Coast, the journey from Manchester to London takes just over 2 hours. Once you’ve arrived at London Euston station, you’re perfectly positioned to start exploring the city’s most iconic sights.
Board a train to Edinburgh
If you’d like to explore more of the UK by train, why not head to Edinburgh? You can get from Manchester to Edinburgh in a little over 3 hours on the fastest TransPennine Express services. As soon as you get off your train, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history.
Head for Liverpool
Thinking of spending some time in the home of The Beatles? Liverpool is the place for you! You can take the train from Manchester to Liverpool with either TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway (EMR) or Northern. In total, the journey takes just half an hour.
How to get from Manchester city center to Manchester Airport by train
If you’re flying from Manchester Airport and you’re not sure how to get there, we’re here to help!
Before your journey to Manchester Airport, you need to head to Manchester Piccadilly station, nestled in the city center. If you're traveling from further afield, Manchester Piccadilly is a major transport hub connected to some of the biggest cities in the UK, including London, Birmingham and Leeds.
From Manchester Piccadilly train station, you can travel with one of the following train operators to Manchester Airport:
- TransPennine Express: Hop on a TransPennine Express service at Manchester Piccadilly station and you’ll arrive at Manchester Airport in just 13 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes from 4:00 am to 1:00 am, seven days a week.
- Northern: Typically, Northern trains will take you to Manchester Airport station in around 20 minutes. Like TransPennine Express services, trains run seven days a week from 4:00 am to 1:00 am.
- Transport for Wales: Trains operated by Transport for Wales run directly to Manchester Airport from Manchester Piccadilly. In total, the journey takes around 18 minutes.
When flying from Manchester Airport, you’ll depart from one of three terminals. All three are connected to the train station via a 10-to-15-minute walk along the Skylink walkway. If you’re flying early in the morning, there’s also a Radisson Blu hotel next to the train station. It’s connected to Terminal 2 and Manchester Airport train station via the Skylink.
How to get from Manchester Airport to other UK destinations by train
If you’re traveling from Manchester Airport to London, Edinburgh or another city in the UK, keep reading for more information on how to get there by train.
How to get from Manchester Airport to London by train
Planning to travel to London from Manchester Airport by train? Here’s what you need to do:
- Take the train to Manchester Piccadilly station with either TransPennine Express, Northern or Transport for Wales.
- Then, jump on an Avanti West Coast service to London Euston station – after a little over 2 hours, you’ll arrive right in the heart of the city, ready to explore.
How to get from Manchester Airport to Edinburgh by train
If you’re traveling to Edinburgh from Manchester Airport by train, you can get there without making any changes:
- From Manchester Airport station, hop on a TransPennine Express train.
- Just over 3 and a half hours later, your train will arrive in the heart of the Scottish capital at Edinburgh Waverley station.
Traveling between Manchester Airport and other UK airports
Need to travel from Manchester Airport to another UK airport but not sure how to get there? Read on for more information.
How to get from Manchester Airport to Heathrow Airport
Need to travel to Heathrow Airport from Manchester Airport by train? No problem! First, you’ll need to hop on a service to Manchester Piccadilly, then change to an Avanti West Coast train to London Euston station. From here, you can jump on a London Underground service to Paddington station, where you can board an Elizabeth line service to Heathrow Airport.
The journey takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes in total.
How to get from Manchester Airport to Gatwick Airport by train
If you need to travel from Manchester Airport to Gatwick Airport, why not choose the train? You can take the train to Manchester Piccadilly, then change to an Avanti West Coast train to London Euston station. Then, you can hop on a London Underground service to Victoria station, where you can board a Southern service to Gatwick Airport.
In total, the journey can take just under 4 hours.
How to get from Manchester Airport to Birmingham Airport by train
If you’re planning to get to Birmingham Airport from Manchester Airport, you’ll need to make at least three changes along the way.
You can take the train to Manchester Piccadilly, then change to a CrossCountry service to Birmingham New Street, before taking a 10-minute train journey to Birmingham International station. From here, you can jump on the Air-Link shuttle bus, a convenient and free service that connects Birmingham International and Birmingham Airport.
The journey should take around 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
How to buy cheap Manchester Airport train tickets
We want to make train travel easier for you, which is why we’ve compiled a selection of useful travel tips to help you on your way to Manchester Airport.
Book your train ticket in advance
Want to save money? Booking your train ticket in advance can be cheaper than buying it on the day. Advance tickets are made available by train operators up to 12 weeks in advance. We recommend you book your ticket as early as possible as advance fares tend to sell out fast.
Travel at Off-Peak times
Your journey can be expensive if you travel to a popular destination like Manchester Airport at a busy time. If possible, travel outside peak hours (also known as Off-Peak times) to snap up the cheapest fares.
Traveling as a group? Save money with GroupSave
If you’re traveling as a group, you can buy your tickets and get a GroupSave discount. You can get 1/3 off your train tickets when you’re traveling with a group of 3-9 people at an Off-Peak time.
Buy a First Class ticket – it can be cheaper than you think
Don’t want to give up comfort while traveling by train? Get a First Class ticket. You can sometimes save money by traveling First Class. When demand for First Class tickets is low, they will be reduced in price, so you may be able to get them at a lower or similar cost to standard fares.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel to and from Manchester Airport, so you can easily find the answer you're looking for.
Which train goes to Manchester Airport?
TransPennine Express, Northern and Transport for Wales are the main train services that go to Manchester Airport from central Manchester.
Does Manchester Airport have a train station?
Yes, Manchester Airport has a train station, which is connected to all three terminals via a 10-to-15-minute walk along the Skylink walkway.
Can you buy train tickets at Manchester Airport?
Yes, you can buy train tickets from the ticket machine at Manchester Airport station. However, we recommend you buy them online with Trainline so you can save time and get them straight to your phone. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and choose the best ticket option for you.
How can I get to Manchester Airport when there’s a train strike?
If there’s a train strike, we recommend you travel with Stagecoach – it’s a UK bus operator that will take you from central Manchester to Manchester Airport. From Piccadilly Gardens, near Manchester Piccadilly station, you can take bus lines 43, 102 or 103 to Manchester Airport.