Travelling into Manchester Airport for Christmas

Before you leave Manchester Airport, you'll pass through Customs and Immigration and Passport Control. Just follow the relevant signs for the EU or non-EU lanes when you get off your plane. You won’t need to queue if your passport has the biometric symbol on the front cover because you can use the eGates instead.

Our UK Border Force officers are there to keep everyone safe all year round. So if you’re carrying gifts in your hand luggage, it’s better to leave them unwrapped, just in case they need to be checked. Once you’re through Passport Control, information screens will let you know which carousel you’ll need at the Baggage Reclaim hall to collect your checked-in luggage.

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving presents - and you can find some wonderful and unique gifts at World Duty Free. With our handy Reserve and Collect service, you can shop online up to 30 days before your flight. Once you’ve chosen your items, they’ll be waiting for you at the World Duty Free collection point when you land. All you need to do is pay for your items and pick up your shopping before going through customs.

Save money on travel exclusives from big name brands and scoop up products you won’t find anywhere else. How’s that for easy Christmas shopping?

If your friends and family are planning to meet you at Manchester Airport, there are Pick Up areas close to every terminal. The wait time of 30 minutes is ideal if you’ve managed to clear passport control quickly and don’t need to wait for any hold baggage. But to avoid any need for clock watching, our Short Stay car park is definitely the best place to park for those planning to pick up passengers. It’s easy to keep an eye on arrival times with our live flight information and they can even grab a quick coffee and a snack at the terminal while they wait.

If you’re visiting friends and family but prefer the flexibility of having your own space, then book a stay at one of our excellent airport hotels. Our nearby transport hub makes it easy to get around, and many hotels even offer park and stay deals which are handy if you’ve decided to hire a car. Relax in your comfortable and stylish room, watch a Christmas movie, wander down to the restaurant for dinner, and enjoy a great night’s sleep.

Booking couldn't be easier, simply click here to see our list of recommended hotels and choose the one you'd like to book. Many hotels also offer great family rooms. Remember to book your accommodation early to secure the best available price.

There’s no need to worry about having the right currency. It’s easy to pay for a wide range of goods and services all over the world using your phone or a card. Travelex offers a multi-currency prepaid money card. You can lock in your exchange rates, so fluctuating exchange rates won’t be a problem during your travels. There are no overseas ATM charges with the Travelex card so you can access free cash without the worry of fees eating into your travel budget. If you would like to have some ready cash, you can pre-order your currency with Travelex and pick it up at Manchester Airport.