Car Rental Manchester Airport

A quick guide to Manchester

From the fresh air and lush greenery of the Peak District, to the modern malls of the city, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in and around Manchester. The city is a hub of sports and culture, from world-renowned football teams to the Manchester Science and Industry Museum.

It’s also ideally situated for exploration, so you can jump in your hire car and hit the road to visit neighbouring cities or venture to traditional seaside towns.

Ambling through the Peak District

The Peak District is an expansive national park and easily reachable by car from Manchester. Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with one of the quaintest examples of rustic English countryside anywhere in the country.

You can hike, bike or simply drive through in your hire car and admire the rolling green hills, peaceful reservoirs and gentle streams.

The Peak District also has a variety of small villages that offer a quiet contrast to the bustle of Manchester. Drive south on the A6 to get to Buxton, from where you can drive to Ashford-on-the-Water to see the famous Sheepwash Bridge.

After your walk, head to one of the traditional local inns for a hearty lunch before heading back to the city or venturing further into the park.

City centre highlights

Set in an attractive, Gothic-style building, the University of Manchester Museum houses a unique collection of exhibits focusing on a range of natural history, archaeology and Earth sciences. Head inside and get lost for hours perusing preserved animals, ancient Roman artefacts and fascinating fossils.

If you want to really get under the skin of Manchester’s industrial heritage, pay a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. Set on the site of the oldest working passenger railway, the museum explores Manchester’s history as the first industrialised city in the world, and the influence it had far and wide. 

If you love to shop, then you’ll love the Trafford Centre. It’s the second largest indoor shopping mall in the UK where you can grab everything from electronics to clothing. Watch the latest blockbusters at the cinema, take your pick from a wide variety of restaurants, and even get a fix of an indoor ski slope for the more adventurous.

Day trips

Manchester is a great base for exploring the wider region, where you can find seaside towns, hearty food and places to kickback and unwind in the country air.

The nearby city of Liverpool is a beacon for music fans the world over, and the Beatles Museum is a great way to spend an hour or two learning more about the Fab Four. There’s also The Beatles Story in Albert Dock, the world’s largest permanent exhibition dedicated to the group.

Adventure seekers can make a beeline for Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which has a variety of rides that will thrill the young and young at heart. Prepare to get wet on Valhalla, a Viking-themed ride, while adrenaline junkies can go for The Big One, which has a massive 78m drop.

Car rental from Manchester Airport is the key to convenient travel to Manchester, the North of England and beyond.  

Driving in and around Manchester Airport

Situated in the North West of England, Manchester is one of the biggest and brightest of UK cities and known for its world-famous football teams, thriving business hub and influential musical heritage.

There are numerous road connections around the airport for easy access to Manchester, Liverpool and the wider region. The airport is situated south of Manchester with the city centre just a 20-minute drive away. Once you’ve picked up your hire car head north on the A5103, which will take you directly to the heart of the city.  

If you’re going elsewhere, then Manchester Airport is surrounded by motorways that unlock the whole of northern England. The closest is the M56 which you can use to access Chester and Liverpool to the west.

North of the airport is the M60, which lets you continue northward to Bolton, Preston and beyond. The M60 also has a variety of feeder roads into Manchester for easy access to Manchester Arena, Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium.

You can also use the M62 to cut east as it covers an entire cross-section of the UK, from Liverpool in the west to Hull in the east. You’ll also use the M62 to get to the stunning Peak District, plus connect to the A1 for Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Scotland further north.

Unlike continental Europe, you drive on the left side of the road. In built-up areas, the speed limit is 48km/h, on single carriageways it’s 96km/h and on motorways and dual carriageways it’s 112km/h.

There are a few exemptions which you can find out about here. Remember to bring your driving licence and official documentation with you.