Taxi Transfers To and From Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is located 14 km from central Manchester, and is also easily accessible from the many towns and cities situated near the airport. Although there are plenty of bus services, as well as a train station at the airport, many passengers prefer the privacy and convenience of a taxi. Manchester Airport consists of three terminal buildings, and each terminal handles domestic and international arrivals and departures from various airline companies. The terminal you will be using will therefore depend on which airline company offers your flight. Taxis services at the airport are available outside each terminal building, while buses and trains are found at The Station, which is Manchester’s ground transportation hub.

Customers who wish to use the services of a taxi to reach their next destination can go directly to the taxi ranks at the airport, or a taxi can be arranged in advance of their arrival at the airport. Privately hired taxis are required to pick up their passengers from the car parks, and therefore extra waiting fees will be applicable. When traveling to the airport by private taxi, you may be dropped off free of charge in the departure zone. Privately hired taxis must be booked in advance, and it may be wise to arrange to meet your driver in the arrivals area at a convenient meeting point.

Hackney Cabs is the taxi company which is available directly from outside Manchester Airport in the taxi ranks. These cabs can be recognized by their black color, and they are large with rounded corners. The taxi fares are regulated by the local authorities, and all taxis are required to have a meter. The meter is a device which records the distance you have traveled and it calculates the taxi fare which will be charged at the end of the journey. The maximum fares charged for longer distance travels are displayed outside the three terminal buildings. Hackney cabs are spacious, and seat up to five or six people. They also have seats which may fold down, large windows and provide easier access for passengers with mobility difficulties. One of these taxis may be a cheaper option if there are five people traveling to the same location, as privately hired vehicles only accept up to four passengers. Hackney Cabs will also transport your luggage. Further information can be provided by Hackney Cabs – telephone number: +44 (0) 161 489 2313, or +44 (0) 161 499 9000.

Various tariffs are applicable to taxi journeys on certain days, or at certain times. Tariff one applies to taxi trips on week days (Monday to Friday), between the hours of 06:00 and 20:00. For taxis hired between 20:00 and 22:00, or on Saturdays and Sundays between 06:00 and 22:00, tariff two is charged, and tariff three is applicable to journeys between 22:00 and 06:00 on the following day, and at any time on a public holiday. Late night driving and travel on a public holiday will cost more than traveling during usual hours on a week day. There may also be other charges applicable to your taxi journey, including fees for luggage loaded, or extra passengers using the service. It is best to clarify all possible charges with the driver before leaving the airport.

Passengers can easily hire a taxi to Manchester Airport as well. In quieter and more remote suburbs of Manchester a taxi may need to be called to collect you, but in central Manchester there are many taxi ranks. Taxis are also available outside the Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station. If you are staying at a hotel, simply ask any of the hotel staff members to recommend you a reputable taxi company. They will most likely even call the taxi service on your behalf. Visitors and locals in Manchester can often even ‘hail’ a taxi from the street. If the orange light of a Hackney Cab is switched on, then it is empty and available for hire.

There are many attractions to be enjoyed in Manchester, and traveling by taxi is often the preferred means of transport. Manchester is well-known for its lively gay and lesbian scene, and a trip to the Gay Village, located nine miles from the airport, will cost around £25.00. For this taxi fare, visitors will also be able to reach Manchester’s famous Canal Street, which attracts approximately 20,000 visitors a year. Passengers can also reach The Trafford Center for around £20.00. This popular area boasts over two hundred stores, 60 cafes and restaurants, and a chair earmarked for Santa’s arrival at Christmas. A taxi from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly, the heart of Manchester, will cost around £25.00, and this is where visitors can also enjoy the bimonthly farmer’s market, another favorite attraction of the city. A taxi ride from the airport to Manchester United F.C. (or Man United for brevity) will cost about the same as a trip to Piccadilly.

Larger vehicles for up to six or eight people can also be hired. These vehicles would be referred to as a minibus. Vehicles seating up to fourteen people are available as well, and these may be referred to as giant multi-purpose vehicles. Costs for larger vehicles are, of course, quite a bit more expensive than the usual taxi cab.

Other taxi companies offering their services in the Manchester city area include:

• Lynx Taxis Ltd - Tel: 0161 480 5000
• Abacus Travel Services - Tel: 0161 747 9090
• Taxis Manchester - Tel: 0161 850 0696
• Manchester Airport Taxis - Tel: 0161 493 2000
• Radio Cars Manchester - Tel: 0161 236 8033
• Swinton Travel - Tel: 0844 819 8758
• Wythenshawe Private Hire - Tel: 0844 819 8662.

Further information about the services offered at Manchester Airport is available at the information desks within the Arrival Halls of the terminal buildings.