Get me to the airport on time...

spookalili

Elasticmoney wrote: »

Check the Premier Inns at Heald Green or Cheadle Royal both are within 5/10min drive of the airport and used to offer free parking but not sure if this is still the case.A taxi would cost about £8 to the airport but a bit more back as the drivers have to pick up from the car park area.

Thanks for this - Cheadle Royal is only £35 per night and closer than the Mercure I mentioned below. Even if I chose to use the long stay carpark at the airport (no need for a taxi) it would be £60.

silvercar

Could you take the train the day before and stay in the hotel overnight?

spookalili

silvercar wrote: »

Could you take the train the day before and stay in the hotel overnight?

I could do but the cost of the train the evening before is considerably more, meaning I would have the cost of train there and back, plus taxi/transfer costs, plus the cost of the hotel :eek:

I'm just trying to decide whether to give Jetparks a go, or whether to book something further out and go for a slightly more expensive transfer/parking option.

YorkshireBoy

spookalili wrote: »

Alternatively - does anybody have any recent experience of Jetparks? Is it really as bad as people make out? (very few spaces, no tarmac, etc?)

Use Jetparks 3 at least twice, and sometimes four times, a year...and have done for a few years now. Never had an issue...at all. I actually prefer the gravel (off the tarmacked main thoroughfare) because you can make your own spaces! By that, I mean if there's a row designed for 6 cars most people in my experience park so that there's room for only 5, meaning loads of room and no damage on your return.

As to the number of spaces, many people don't realise the size of the place, ie the overflow area, and miss out on the 'quieter' parts!

tamiami

Have a look on Holiday Extras. Hotels with parking.

You can get hotel including car parking for £64 at Premier Inn.

http://www.holidayextras.co.uk

MasterPoo

I had a morning flight once flying out from MAN, I opted for number 3, and thank God I did, because driving there the night before, there were roadworks and it took us 3h20 from Birmingham, a drive which should've taken 1h20!

Booked JetPark, got a good deal for my 7 nights away, I think together with parking I only an additional £60.

Have a FAB holiday.

runningben16

I've used Jetparks plenty of times, they're fine (they're owned by the airport - I'm always a bit dubious about leaving my car with 'outside' companies, no idea why tbh). The only problem is the length of time you might have to wait for a shuttle bus, and JP3 / JP+ are definitely not walkable to the terminal.

Be aware that there are a lot of flights that leave Manchester between 7 and 10am. Queues for security could be longer than you're expecting - leave plenty of time. You can always a have a coffee once you're airside

pollypenny

Stay the night before, absolutely no contest.

That's what we will be doing tonight before flying to America tomorrow.

On a good day, we can get to Manchester airport in 45 mins. However, with an early check-in, risks of bad weather and traffic, it's worth a relaxed start to the flight.

Spendless_Dosh

I've got to agree with the majority of posters and recommend you stay the night before, roadworks around the airport (M60/M56) can cause significant delays even in the early hours.

We've always used APH for long term parking, they are off-site but its only a 5 min shuttle ride away from the airport.

I'd also strongly recommend that you consider priority passes for security, queues at Manchester are getting worse and in some cases you can be standing for nearly an hour before clearing security. The passes are about £7 per person (book online at manchester airports website), best money I ever spent much more relaxing (I'm terrible when it comes to queueing).

have a great break.

trolleyrun

I'd go for Option 3 as well, but instead of paying for parking, I'd make really good friends with Elasticmoney and park in their drive :rotfl:
(I'm only joking, EM).

It's much more relaxing being near the airport the night before. Find a pub/bar, grab a drink and plan what the weekend will hold Have a lovely time!