Airport Recommendations

How early is the flight? You can easily stay in the city centre and catch a frequent train to MAN.

Should you want or need to actually stay at the airport then the Radisson Blu is the best hotel. It’s situated on the walkway between T1 and T2. There are a number of others a short distance away that will be cheaper. Don’t opt for any Premier Inn listed as at the airport, as they are a taxi ride away. There is a convenient PI at Heald Green, one train stop from the airport.
But, as post 1 says, you can easily stay in the city centre unless you have an early departure.

Even with an early departure there are two 24/7 bus routes from the City Centre to the airport- the #103 via Southern Cemetery and the #43 via Didsbury. The #43 runs 365 days a year, the 103 every day except Christmas Day. Overnight they take about 45 minutes.

I would never stay at the airport with that kind of bus service, also the trains from Manchester Pic start at 0340 with a first arrival at 0400.

I've always used the Radisson Blu. It isn't the cheapest option but is very comfortable and very convenient. If its raining the walk to both terminal 1 and 2 is undercover, although there is a very short stretch to terminal 3 which isn't.

I'm different to you Stuart. I would always prefer an airport hotel with the opportunity to have an extra hour in bed rather than a rather slow bus!

The other place to stay which never gets mentioned on here is Stockport. The airport bus (which starts from Buxton) is first journey at 0425, then every half hour and goes straight down the motorway to the Airport in 15 minutes. It is therefore actually faster than the train from Central Manchester. There is a Travelodge right behind Stockport Bus Station.