Manchester Airport Pick Up and Drop Off

Went last night to pick up my wife arriving from Germany. They've made it almost impossible to pick up or drop off without paying. Even drop off, which takes about 30 seconds, now costs £3. If you get caught picking up at a drop off point, it's a £100 penalty. Everybody tries to park off site, then they swoop when they get a message saying "I'm here". Some passengers drag their cases along major roads with no footpaths, so they can be picked up off site. Parking wardens patrol the local streets dishing out tickets. Local pubs have ANPR cameras and wardens.

It's an utter shambles and sooner later there'll be an accident. Anyone else?

 

Hate Manchester Airport with a passion.
The whole experience from getting there, picking someone up or actually flying from there is very stressful.

 

Agree completely. I take East Midlands every time now.

 

Always flown from Manchester up to now but giving Leeds Bradford a go next time. Hope no one gives me any horror stories before we go!

 

We use it around 15 times a year. We usually travel by train which is a good service, but my wife arrived last night at 11pm and I didn't want her alone on a train at that time. The queues at security on the way out and passport control on the way in are a disgrace. The terminal prices are sky high, but obviously easy to avoid. Because we use it so often I suppose we've just got conditioned to the crapness of it.

 

Found this

 

Picked daughter and bf up from there in July at about 1:30 on a Sunday night/Monday morning. Had to park in the car park and then pay extra because it took me a few minutes to locate the ticket machine. Why are they not in the most obvious place - like adjacent to the doorways?

 

No horror stories. I live about 10/15 mins from there so we try to use it whenever possible. Never had to use the parking obviously as we just get a return taxi for about £15 as we’re so close. Nice little airport.

 

My best experience of Manchester airport was when I flew back on my own after working the summer in Tenerife. I was due to land 15mins before the last train to Leeds so I was prepared to have to wait the whole night for the first one in the morning. As it happens, the flight got in a little early and as I walked along the little bridge to the conveyor belts to get my case I saw the end one was broken with just 1 lonely case sat on there - mine! I went down the steps, picked up my case and headed to the train station without breaking stride to see the last train for Leeds at the platform in front of me due to depart in 3 minutes. I got on, stowed my case, sat down and off we went.

 

Leeds Bradford is great - totally stress free!

 

£3 drop off at Leeds/Bradford.

 

1 hour free parking at bottom of car park at Leeds Bradford Airport

 

Worst airport in the world is Manchester. I have the misfortune to pass through it every other week and it never fails to cause my blood pressure to rise.
I’m treated like an idiot at security
It regularly takes more than half an hour to get through T3 passport control on the way back (if you’re non-EU by the way, you’re virtually straight through)
The luggage retrieval time is the slowest I’ve ever experienced
The recent drop off/ pick up system is a total disaster as discussed above

To make matters worse, I generally arrive late evening and so the wife drives over and picks me up but not once this year have we had a clear run home. Parts of either the M56 or M60 or sometimes both, have been closed for roadworks.

The issue I have with Leeds Bradford which I could use, is that it’s not easy to get to if you’re not driving.

 

1 hour free if your in good health and don't mind the 8-10 minute hike dragging your case. Used it a couple of weeks ago when I dropped my mum off (age 72). She wasn't happy with the distance.

Picked her up on Wednesday. Used the 1 hour free first until she'd collected her case and phoned to say she was waiting at the front doors. Then drove round to the Terminal Front Express Parking. £3 for up to 30 mins. But £9 if over (+£9 every extra hour). All done with ANPR and you have to pay at the exit barrier.

 

It can get a bit windy up at Leeds Bradford

 

Donny is always first place to look for now.. With the new road open, it's very convenient from Barnsley. From next summer they are also adding some transatlantic flights back on the schedule.

 

We avoid Manchester. Can't stand the hassle. Used Doncaster and LBA recently and they were OK. God knows what impression we are giving to the rest of the world when arriving at Heathrow or Manchester...

 

Just reading that Manchester also have a 60 mins free area. It's at Jetparks 1, near Terminal 2. But you have to take a free shuttle bus to the terminal.

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/pick-up-and-drop-off-info/

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ews/manchester-airport-drop-off-fees-14897410

 

The buses then drive back empty. Why can't they take arriving passengers so they can be picked up free by their families? The roads around the free drop off car park are clogged with taxis and minibuses, waiting to pick up arriving groups somewhere where there's no cameras clocking them. It's utter bedlam.

 

The shuttle bus system for the Jet Parks at Manchester work well. The worst we've had was a 10 minute wait. Which is nothing compared to all the waiting you get to do at the baggage check, the pointless waiting in the terminal as they want you there way too early, and then the waiting just before boarding the plane as you get to "board" when the airplane isn't even there yet!