How To Book Taxis, Uber & Bolt Rides At Manchester Airport

It was a regular day and i arrived at Manchester Airport on a rainy Thursday afternoon after an almost 7 hour flight from Dubai. My landing was at Terminal 2, which had recently undergone some renovations, so everything looked neat and modern. I had just one carry on and my Portable Internet Device, so I skipped baggage claim and made my way straight toward the exit.

As I stepped out of the arrivals area at Terminal 2, I instinctively looked around for a sign pointing to “Uber” or “Rideshare Pickup” with my well packed luggage’s, Surprisingly, there were none, just signs for taxis, buses, and car parks. I pulled out my phone, opened the Uber app, and it showed “Manchester Airport (T2)” as a valid pickup point, but the app prompted me to head to a “Designated Pickup Zone” without giving exact instructions on how to get there.

Turns out, rideshare pickups happen inside the terminal’s dedicated car park zones, not at the curbside like I expected. It was a small but frustrating moment one that could’ve been avoided with better signage or clearer app directions.

Understanding Manchester Terminal Layouts

Manchester Airport has three main terminals, which are the Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, and each one has a slightly different setup for taxis and rideshare pickups. If you don’t know which terminal you’re in or how to exit properly, finding your ride can be confusing. It’s wise to familiarize yourself with things about Manchester Airport

• Terminal 1: Rideshare pickups are usually located in the T1 Short Stay Car Park, after exiting arrivals, take the lift or escalator to Level 5, then follow signs to the car park bridge.

• Terminal 2: This is where I arrived back then. Before running off i had to change my currency real qiuck The rideshare pickup point is in the T2 Multi-Storey West Car Park. From arrivals, exit the terminal, cross the road using the covered walkway, and head into the car park’s ground level pickup area.

• Terminal 3: Smaller and a bit older, Terminal 3’s rideshare pickups are located in the Short Stay Car Park Zone C. It’s a short walk from the terminal exit, just follow the signs to Car Park C.

Understanding these zones ahead of time will help you avoid wandering around with luggage. If you’re unsure, airport staff are helpful, and both Uber and Bolt usually show a pin with clear directions when you book.

How To Book A Ride At Manchester Airport

Immediately I found the right pickup zone at Terminal 2’s Multi-Storey West Car Park, I opened both the Uber and Bolt apps, after getting my hired WiFi Device to compare prices and wait times. Both apps worked fine with the use of my Portable WiFi, though there was a slight delay in GPS accuracy, it showed me a few meters off from the actual pickup spot.

What Worked For Me

• Booking the ride at Manchester Airport was quick at the moment I selected the correct pickup location in the app.

• Driver details and arrival time were accurate, and I received a text with clear instructions on how to move.

• The car park was easy to access and sheltered, which was helpful since it was raining.

What Didn’t Work For Me

• The GPS initially directed the driver to the wrong side of the car park, causing a 5-minute delay.

• The app didn’t specify which level of the car park to wait on, which led to some confusion.

• Bolt drivers canceled twice before one finally arrived.

Overall, once I learned to follow the signs to the designated rideshare zone and double checked the pin location in the app, the process smoothed out. But the lack of level specific directions was a small but annoying hiccup, traveling with family through Manchester might be different. All these were clearly possible with the help of my Pocket WiFi.

Between Taxis And Rideshares, Which Is Better?

At Manchester Airport, you’ll notice a line of black cabs waiting just outside each terminal. They’re convenient and don’t require booking, but they’re also noticeably more expensive. A standard black cab to the city centre was quoted way more, while Uber showed a fare of £23, and Bolt was even cheaper at £19.

I would briefly considered the black cab for the ease, but I preferred the price transparency and in-app tracking that rideshares offer. Plus, I liked seeing the driver rating and ETA before confirming the ride. The only downside was the short walk to the rideshare pickup zone compared to the immediate curbside access of the taxis.

Tips For First-Time Travelers At Manchester Airport

If it’s your first time navigating Manchester Airport, here are some quick tips from my experience to make your taxi or rideshare experience smooth and stress free.

• Know Your Terminal: Check which terminal you’re arriving at, as this is very important, why because the pickup zones differ for all Terminal 1, 2, and 3.

• Use Portable WiFi: How to know what is and where to use Pocket WiFi, is if your mobile data isn’t working, or you’re visiting from another country, then you need to get yourself a Portable WiFi Device or a Pocket WiFi Device as other would call it. While Airport WiFi is free, it’s usually not reliable.

• Follow Signage To Car Parks: Rideshares like Uber and Bolt don’t pick up at the curb, head to the designated short-stay or multi storey car parks.

• Double Check Your Pickup Pin: Ensure your app pin matches the correct pickup zone to avoid driver confusion or cancellations.

• Have A Backup Option: If rideshares are delayed or unavailable, black cabs are always outside each terminal, just be prepared for a higher fare.

Conclusion

Navigating taxis and rideshares at Manchester Airport was a bit confusing at first, but once I understood where to go and how each terminal is set up, the process became much easier. If you choose Uber, Bolt, or a traditional black cab, knowing the pickup locations, fare differences, and app settings can save you time and money. Aside Uber and Bolt app, you also need a few very important apps when visiting the UK (Manchester)

My advice? Plan ahead, follow the signs, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It turned out to be a smooth ride in the end and now, I’ll always know exactly where to head when I land at Manchester.