Going on a city break from Manchester Airport this autumn? Here are ten things to know before you go
Autumn is here, and for many travelling from Manchester Airport, the changing weather means planning a different type of getaway from the bucket-and-spade breaks of the summer holiday peak. City breaks are growing in popularity as a great way of indulging in a different culture for a short space of time and ticking off world-famous sights, while saving money and taking fewer days off work than you would for a traditional week-long holiday. And, as city breakers are less bothered by beach weather, they can take advantage of cheaper air fares at this time of year too.
It’s a different kind of trip to a beach break, however, so there are differences in how to prepare for your trip and how to get the most out of it when you’re there – from what you need to pack, to what you need to book in advance, and what you need to research before you arrive.
Read on for Manchester Airport’s top tips for city breakers, including why you should never just turn up at a city’s most famous tourist spot, and why you should really think about wearing your jeans rather than your shorts to the airport – even if you’re going somewhere warm.
Choose flight times carefully
With a mini-break, the times that you choose to fly out to, or back from your destination can drastically change the look and feel of your itinerary. A flight out on Friday evening and back on Sunday morning gives you effectively one day to explore your destination – whereas a flight out on Friday morning and back on Sunday evening gives you the best part of three days.
Travelling light will give you increased flexibility – more on that later – but if travelling with hold luggage is unavoidable, most cities will have a range of bag storage options at competitive prices that you can take advantage of between checking out of your accommodation and getting on your return flight, freeing you up to make the most of the days on which you fly.
Accommodation – cheap or convenient?
Hotel rooms are at a premium in the most touristy areas of Europe’s major cities, so if you want the convenience of being close to the action, factor it into your budget. If you want to cut costs without skimping on comfort, look at accommodation that is perhaps a little further from the city centre or main tourist attractions, but which is well connected, whether by road, tram or train. And if you’re looking for a budget option in the heart of a city, consider a hostel. Many hostels have private rooms available, if the thought of sleeping in a dorm doesn’t appeal to you.
Plan your trip to the airport and book parking in advance
When planning your journey to Manchester Airport, consider public transport options or taking advantage of the airport’s free drop-off facility, with regular shuttle buses offering seamless connections to the airport’s three terminals.
For forecourt drop-off, the airport has implemented a new barrierless drop-off system, which means people pass through the terminal forecourts quicker and more smoothly, with payment made online or by phone before midnight the following day.
Parking at the airport may well be more economical than a return taxi fare, particularly if you’re only travelling for a few days. Manchester Airport has a range of official parking options to suit all budgets – but you’ll get the best deals by booking in advance, rather than just turning up.
Consider travelling with hand luggage only
If you’re just going away for a couple of nights, it might just be possible to travel with hand luggage only – particularly if you’re travelling without children. This will save you time at both ends of your journey, allowing you to check in online and proceed straight to security when you arrive at the airport, giving you longer to relax in the departure lounge before catching your flight.
Check your airline’s hand baggage size restrictions carefully to make sure you’re within the limits allowed to avoid any extra charges – and if you’re going to be travelling for city breaks regularly with a particular airline, consider buying a bag that closely matches the dimensions they will accept, allowing you to maximise the amount you can take on board.
Pack a versatile travel wardrobe and plan for changeable weather
If you’re trying to keep down the amount that you’re packing so that you can stick with hand luggage, choose clothes that you can mix and match to create a number of different outfits. Depending on where you’re going, the weather you experience during your city break could vary from balmy to chilly – and even in warmer destinations, temperatures will drop sharply after dark at this time of year, so make sure you take clothes that you can layer up. Wear bulkier items of clothing like jeans, hooded jackets and coats to the airport, and prioritise packing lighter items of clothing in your bag.
Bring comfortable footwear
You’re likely to do a lot more walking on a city break than you would in a week at the beach, exploring cobblestoned Old Towns, climbing castle walls or trekking up to hilltop viewpoints – all of which will put a strain on your feet if you’re not used to it. Take comfortable footwear with you and unless you’re planning a beach or spa day as part of your city break, leave the sandals and flip flops at home.
Look into public transport in your destination
While many city breakers prefer to explore their chosen destination on foot, that isn’t practical for everybody – and at the very least, you’ll need transport from and to the airport. Taxi fares may be cheaper than they are in the UK but can quickly add up if you’re hailing multiple cabs per day. Most major cities on the continent have well developed public transport links, including direct connections between their airports and their city centres – and if you look up schedules in advance, you’ll have some knowledge of where you need to go to catch a train or bus when you land – meaning you’re less likely to fall into the trap of overpaying for a taxi.
Download offline maps
Gone are the days when navigating a city meant picking up a paper map from a tourist information centre – but you’re still likely to be reliant on a digital one. Dodge data roaming charges by downloading offline maps to your phone before you set off. It’s possible to select an area on Google Maps and download it for use offline, and there are a number of map apps that offer this function as well. You can also save important locations as pins on the map, too – like your accommodation and places you want to visit.
If it’s popular, book it in advance
Even if you’re travelling off-peak, if you want to visit the Louvre, tour the Colosseum or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it’s no good just turning up without a ticket. For each of these world-famous attractions, and many more, booking weeks in advance is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. You’ll find the same is true of the most popular restaurants – so if sampling the local fare forms a big part of your city trip plans, do a bit of research before you travel and book ahead if needed.
Check out free tours and activities
Many of the top city break spots in Europe offer free walking tours, which are a great way to acquaint yourself with a city you’ve just arrived in. You may also find that pop-up festivals, art exhibitions and museums are free to enter, so make the most of these and you’ll help keep the overall cost of your city break down.