Landing late at Manchester Airport: getting home after midnight
Lots of holiday flights land late at night.
A lot of holiday flights land at Manchester late in the evening or in the early hours. After a week in the sun and a few hours on a plane, everyone is tired, the children are asleep on their feet, and home feels a long way off. We do a lot of these late pickups. Here is what to expect and how to make it easier.
Why so many late arrivals?
Holiday airlines fly their aircraft as much as they can. A plane might do two or three return trips to Spain or Greece in a day, which means the last one often lands in Manchester late at night. Delays during the day push it later still. Long-haul flights from the Middle East, the US and Asia can also arrive at odd hours.
From landing to the car
Landing is only the start. Before you reach the car you need to:
- get off the plane, which can mean a bus to the terminal from a remote stand
- walk to passport control
- queue for passport control or the eGates
- wait for your bags at reclaim
- walk through customs and into arrivals
On a quiet night this can take 20 to 30 minutes. If several flights land at once, or the eGates are busy, it can take an hour or more. Passport control queues at night can be longer than you expect, because several late flights often arrive close together.
What is open at night?
Manchester Airport is open around the clock, but not everything inside is. Some shops and food outlets in arrivals close late at night, and the terminal can feel very quiet in the small hours. If you need to buy something, such as water or baby milk, don't count on it being open.
Public transport after midnight
There are some trains and night buses from the airport, but services are much thinner after midnight, and some routes stop completely for a few hours. Times change, so check the latest timetables before you travel if you plan to use them.
For many people, the problem is the last part of the journey. Even if a train gets you to Piccadilly or a town centre, you still need to get home with your cases from there.
Why a pre-booked car helps
When you land late, a pre-booked car means:
- you don't have to queue or look for a car at the terminal
- the price is already fixed, so there is no night-time premium to worry about
- the car fits your family and your luggage
- child seats are already fitted
- you can sleep on the way home
Flight tracking
Always add your flight number to your booking. We follow the flight, so if it lands early or late, the driver adjusts. If your flight is delayed by hours, you don't need to ring us. We will see the new time.
If the flight is cancelled or diverted to another airport, call us on 0161 660 4006 as soon as you can. If you land somewhere else, such as Liverpool or Leeds Bradford, we can usually rearrange the pickup.
Meet & greet at night
We particularly recommend meet & greet (£5) for late arrivals. The driver waits inside the arrivals hall with a name board. You don't need to work out where the car is parked or make phone calls when your battery is low. The driver helps with the cases and walks you to the car.
Without meet & greet, the driver will contact you once you have landed, and you walk to the car park or set collection area. That works well if you know the airport and have phone signal and battery.
Tips for a late arrival
- Charge your phone before you fly. A power bank in your hand luggage is useful.
- Turn your phone on as soon as you land so the driver can reach you.
- Message the driver if there is a long queue at passport control.
- Keep warm layers handy. Coming home from somewhere hot to a Manchester night can be a shock.
- Have your house keys in your hand luggage, not packed deep in a case.
- Plan for the morning. If you have work or school the next day, a late flight means a short night. Having transport sorted helps.
Travelling with children
Children asleep in the car is the best outcome after a late flight. Add the child seats you need when you book. They are free, and the driver will have them fitted before you reach the car. Choose a vehicle with room for buggies and cases, so nothing needs to go on anyone's lap.
Arriving in Manchester for the first time
If you are visiting Manchester and arriving late, a pre-booked car to your hotel or apartment saves a lot of guesswork. Put the full address and any access details in the booking. Some city-centre apartment blocks have gates or entrances that are hard to find at night, so add the details if you have them.
Common questions
What if my flight is delayed until morning?
We follow the flight, so the driver will be there for the new time. If the delay is very long or the flight is moved to the next day, call us and we will rebook the pickup.
Can I book a pickup the same evening?
Online bookings need at least eight hours' notice. If you are abroad and your plans have changed at short notice, call us on 0161 660 4006 and we will try to help.
Is there an extra charge for night pickups?
No. Our fixed prices are the same at any time of day.
Getting into the house
It sounds obvious, but after a late flight people often realise they don't know where the keys are. Pack them where you can reach them, and if someone has been looking after the house, check the heating will be on. If the driver has dropped you and you can't get in, let them know before they leave.
Book your late pickup
Enter your flight details and your home address, and you will see a fixed price. It is the same whether you land at 9pm or 3am. Online bookings need at least eight hours' notice, so book before you fly out. Book your airport pickup online.
