Manchester to Liverpool John Lennon Airport by road

Most people in Greater Manchester fly from Manchester Airport without thinking about it. But Liverpool John Lennon Airport is not far, and sometimes it has the flight you want at a better time or a better price. We take people there most weeks, so here is what you need to know about the trip by road.

Where is Liverpool John Lennon?

The airport is in Speke, in the south of Liverpool, close to the River Mersey. It is around 35 miles from Manchester city centre. It has a single terminal, which keeps things simple, and it is mainly used for short-haul flights to Europe.

Unlike Manchester, it has no direct railway station or tram stop at the terminal. If you go by train, you need a bus from Liverpool South Parkway station. That is fine with a small bag, but harder with cases and children, especially early in the morning.

The routes

There are two main ways to drive from Manchester:

• The M56 and the A562 or Speke Road. From south Manchester, Stockport, Trafford and north Cheshire, the M56 is usually best. You head west past Manchester Airport, cross the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes, then follow the roads round to Speke.
• The M62. From the north and west of Greater Manchester, such as Salford, Bolton, Wigan or Bury, the M62 west towards Liverpool can be quicker, coming off towards Speke and the airport.

Our drivers choose the route on the day, based on the traffic. Both roads are busy at rush hour, and both have had long periods of roadworks over the years.

Bridge tolls

The road bridges over the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes are tolled. If the best route uses one, we'll tell you before you book if any parking, drop-off or toll charges apply.

How long does it take?

From Manchester city centre, plan for around 45 minutes to an hour in normal traffic. Early in the morning it can be quicker. On a Friday afternoon it can be a lot slower.

Some rough times from different parts of our area:

• Warrington and St Helens: often around 25 to 35 minutes.
• Wigan and Leigh: often 35 to 45 minutes.
• Sale, Altrincham, Wilmslow and Knutsford: often 40 to 50 minutes.
• Bolton, Bury and Salford: usually 45 minutes to an hour.
• Stockport, Oldham and Rochdale: plan for an hour or a little more.

When you book, we work out the time from your exact address and suggest a pickup that leaves some room for delays.

When does Liverpool make sense?

We would never tell you which airport to fly from, but here are the situations where we see people choose Liverpool:

• The flight time suits you better. Sometimes a later morning departure from Liverpool beats a 6am flight from Manchester.
• The fare is lower. Low-cost airlines price the two airports differently. It is worth checking both.
• You live on the west side. For Wigan, Warrington, St Helens and parts of Bolton, Liverpool can be nearly as close as Manchester.
• You want a smaller airport. Some people find a single terminal easier, especially with children.

On the other side, Manchester has far more long-haul routes and many more flights in total. If your flight is long haul, it will almost always be Manchester.

Checking in at Liverpool

Follow your airline's advice on how early to arrive. At peak times, especially early mornings in the school holidays, security queues at Liverpool can be long too. Don't assume a smaller airport means a shorter wait.

Like most UK airports, Liverpool charges cars for using the drop-off area outside the terminal. We'll tell you before you book if any parking, drop-off or toll charges apply.

Coming home through Liverpool

For your return, add your inbound flight number to the booking. We follow the flight and the driver adjusts if it lands early or late. Drivers wait in a set area and then meet you or tell you where to walk. If you want them waiting inside the arrivals hall with a name board, add meet & greet for £5.

Because there is no direct train, a pre-booked car is one of the easiest ways back to Manchester, particularly for late arrivals when trains and buses are thin.

Which car to choose

For one or two people a saloon is usually plenty. For a family with holiday cases, an estate car or a people carrier gives you more room. If you are travelling as a big group, our 8 seater and 16 seater buses keep everyone together. Child and booster seats are free; add them when you book.

Travelling with children

A drive of 45 minutes to an hour is long enough for small children to get restless, so it is worth having a drink and something to do in the car. Child seats and booster seats are free with us. Add them when you book and tell us the children's ages so the driver brings the right type.

If you are travelling with a buggy, a travel cot or a lot of baby kit, choose an estate car or a people carrier. A saloon boot fills up fast once holiday cases are in.

Parking or a transfer?

Some people drive to Liverpool and park. That can work, but the cost depends on how long you are away and which car park you use, so compare it with a return transfer before you decide. Remember the drive home: after a week away and a late flight, a 45-minute motorway run is not much fun for whoever is behind the wheel.

Early flights from Liverpool

Liverpool has plenty of early departures too. Work back from your airline's check-in advice, allow for the drive, and add a buffer for roadworks, which are often done overnight. We will suggest a pickup time when you book.

Book your Liverpool transfer

Enter your pickup address and choose Liverpool John Lennon Airport as your destination. You will see a fixed price straight away, and you can pay by card online or to the driver. Book your Liverpool airport transfer here, or call 0161 660 4006 with any questions.