Booking a 4am pickup for an early flight from Manchester
Early flights and night flights mean very early pickups.
Step-by-step guide
The first wave of flights leaves Manchester very early, which means a lot of our cars are on the road at 3am and 4am. The trips that go smoothly all follow the same pattern. Here it is, step by step.
- BookAt least 8 hours ahead online
- PriceFixed, no early-hours surprises
- DriverMessages you before arriving
Step by step
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Book a few days ahead
Book online at least eight hours before pickup, and earlier in the school holidays when early cars go fast. Add your flight number so we can plan around it.
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Let us suggest the pickup time
Tell us your flight time and we suggest a pickup time from your address, based on the drive at that hour and when bag drop closes. Roads are quiet at 4am, but security queues can be long.
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Pack the car bag the night before
Passports, boarding passes, phone, charger and medicines go in one bag that stays on your lap. Suitcases go by the front door, ready to load.
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Set two alarms
Set one alarm for getting up and another 15 minutes before pickup. The driver messages you when they are close, so keep your phone on loud.
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Meet the driver outside
Leave the lights off for the neighbours if you like. The driver loads the bags quietly and you are on your way in a minute or two.
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Sleep on the way
With a pre-booked car nobody has to drive half awake. Close your eyes and the driver drops you at your terminal.
What time should the car come?
Work back from when bag drop closes for your flight, then add the drive and a buffer for security. Roads are quiet very early, so the drive itself is usually quicker than in the day, but security can already be busy for the first wave of departures, especially in school holidays. When you book, we suggest a time and you can adjust it.
Night flights home
Landing late at night or in the small hours is the other side of the same trip. Add your flight number to the return, choose meet & greet if you want the driver waiting in arrivals, and keep your phone charged for the walk to the car. Read more in our guide to late night arrivals.
Plan your trip
Related guides
FindCab is a licensed private hire operator. Every journey is pre-booked at a fixed price, with no extras added on the day.
