Trains From Cranbrook (Devon) to Manchester Airport

Save money when you travel to Manchester Airport by train

Railcards offer great value for money if you travel by train, saving you up to 1/3 on most rail fares. You can find out more about our range of Railcards on the Railcard website(external link, opens in a new tab). If you plan ahead and buy Advance tickets you can also get great deals on rail fares.

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Getting to Manchester Airport by train

Travelling to Manchester Airport by train is straightforward: there are strong rail connections from London and across Great Britain, and the airport has its own integrated railway station, clearly signed and linked to all terminals via the covered Skylink walkway.

From London, the most popular route is from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly with Avanti West Coast. Trains run regularly throughout the day and the journey usually takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes. From Manchester Piccadilly, it’s a short hop to Manchester Airport station, with frequent services operated by Northern and TransPennine Express. Some long‑distance services also run directly to Manchester Airport, saving you a change.

Manchester Airport also benefits from excellent direct rail links beyond London. There are direct services from Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, York, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as across the North West and the Midlands.

Contactless payments are not valid for journeys to Manchester Airport from London or other long‑distance stations, so you’ll need to buy a ticket in advance or on the day. However, you can use contactless payment for journeys wholly within the Greater Manchester Bee Network area.

Early‑morning and late‑night travellers are well catered for, with the first trains from around 5am and services running until close to midnight, with limited overnight services on some routes.

Food and drink at Manchester Airport

Before security, both of the airport’s 2 terminals have cafés and takeaway outlets such as Greggs, Pret a Manger and Starbucks, ideal if you’re meeting someone or arriving early.

Located after security, Terminal 2’s departure lounge has undergone a £1.3 billion modernisation. There is now an amazing variety of dining options, including fast food at Archie's, KFC and Barburrito, pizza and pasta at San Carlo and Pasta Evangelists, and street food at The Great Northern Market, with 7 different kitchens in a 472-seat food hall. You can also find favourites like Giraffe and Joe and the Juice, and grab a drink in the Fever-Tree bar or The Bridgewater Exchange pub.

The smaller Terminal 3 has Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger and KFC, plus 3 bars – Brew’d, The Nook and Sporting Chance.

Shopping at Manchester Airport

World Duty Free outlets are located in Terminals 2 and 3 after security, offering tax-free prices on luxury goods.

Terminal 2 also has the like of Pandora, Rituals and JD Sports, plus a state-of-the-art LEGO Store. You’ll also find travel and tech essentials at Boots, InMotion and WHSmith.

Children and families at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is well equipped for families travelling with children. All terminals have baby‑changing facilities, accessible toilets and family‑friendly seating areas. Families can request assistance at security, and dedicated family lanes may be available at peak times to help make the process smoother.

Play areas for children can be found in Terminal 2’s departure lounge. There’s also the Little Flyers Club, with activities to print out or do online.

Many restaurants offer kids’ menus and high chairs, while staff can also help with bottle warming on request.

Hotels at Manchester Airport

The Radisson Blu is directly connected to the terminal buildings via the elevated Skylink walkway, meaning you can walk from your room to the check-in desk in minutes. Holiday Inn, Tribe and ibis budget are also just a short walk from the airport, while other options such as the Clayton Hotel and Crowne Plaza are approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Many of the nearby hotels also provide complimentary shuttle buses to the terminals.