Warning to holidaymakers as Manchester Airport passengers face 'serious financial sting'

Holidaymakers are being urged to check the costs they could face before flying out from Manchester Airport following a leading consumer group's study.

Which? compared prices at 16 UK airports for car parking before discovering a 'serious financial sting'. And the issue could hit the wallets of passengers at Manchester Airport more than those at the 15 other airports, the research found.

Passengers at Manchester could pay four times as much for car parking if they fail to pay for it in advance. Which? compared prices for a week’s stay in mid-August, paid for at the car park, with those paid in advance four months earlier.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

It found passengers in Manchester would have to pay £406 if they failed to book their space in advance, compared with £95 if booked before travelling. That £406 fee would be paid by passengers who enter the car park, take a token and pay on exit.

It's an approach that few passengers take - and one that Manchester Airport does not recommend, with cheaper rates available when booked in advance even on the same day of departure. As of 11am today (August 4), parking spaces were available from £106.99 for a week-long stay beginning at 4pm this afternoon.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “Manchester Airport offers a range of parking products to suit all budgets. We always recommend passengers book in advance as this will help them to secure the best price and helps us to manage available capacity in the car parks closest to our terminals.

"For those that can’t book in advance, we offer a range of on-the-day options including a completely free drop-off service and the ability to book your parking in any