The UK's busiest airport outside London has finished a £1.3 billion rebuild. Terminal 1 has closed, Terminal 2 is the new main terminal, and Ryanair has Terminal 3 to itself. There is a station in the middle, and trains now run through the night.
Manchester is a much better airport than it was a few years ago. Terminal 2 is modern and spacious, and the rail link is excellent: for northern England, the Lake District and even York, it can be a smarter arrival point than London.
Long-haul links from Manchester to Africa are mostly through the Gulf, Istanbul and European hubs; Egypt and Morocco are served directly by holiday and low-cost airlines. Check the current routes before booking.
Before you book, check the rules on our UK visa and entry from Africa page, and the routes on flights from Africa to the UK. For Ghana in particular, our partner site GhanaFlights.info lists the airlines, the airports and the routes.
Day trips to the Lake District, the Peak District, Liverpool and York. Entrance fees are included in the tour price; tips are not included but are always welcome.
Every major airport in Britain, and how to choose.
Visa or ETA for every nationality, checked against GOV.UK.
The city behind the airport.
The meeting that changed a continent.
About two hours from the airport by train.
Other airport guides: Heathrow · Gatwick · Stansted · Luton · London City · Birmingham · Bristol · Cardiff
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