Securing your vehicle with Hertz at Manchester Airport is incredibly convenient, provided you know the layout of the airport. Like most major car hire operators at MAN, the Hertz desk and vehicle fleet are located at the purpose-built Car Rental Village, completely separate from the passenger terminals.
This independent guide outlines everything you need to know about collecting your Hertz rental, from finding the complimentary bus to understanding their specific deposit and insurance requirements.
Where is the Hertz desk located?
The main operations for Hertz are based entirely within the Manchester Airport Car Rental Village. If you need to input the address into your GPS for dropping the car off later, use the postcode: Ringway Road, Manchester Airport, M22 5WH.
Airport Transfer Information
It is not possible to walk to the Car Rental Village. All arriving passengers must utilise the free shuttle bus service operated by the airport to reach the Hertz facility.
Navigating from the Terminals to Hertz
Arriving at Terminals 1 & 2
Once you have collected your baggage and exited the arrivals hall, look for the clearly marked signs for "Car Rental" or "Transport Hub". You will need to head outside the terminal doors to find the designated bus stops. For Terminal 2, the shuttle stop is highly visible just a short walk from the main exit.
Arriving at Terminal 3
If you are landing at Terminal 3, follow the pedestrian signs pointing towards "Car Rental". The bus stop is situated right outside the front of the terminal building. Make sure the bus you board is explicitly destined for the "Car Rental Village".
Understanding the Shuttle Bus
- Timetable: The courtesy buses run frequently, usually every 10 to 15 minutes.
- Travel Time: Expect the ride to the village to take between 5 and 10 minutes.
- Fare: There is absolutely no charge to use this service.
- Baggage: The transport is designed for holidaymakers and includes specific racks for bulky suitcases.
Hertz Opening Times
Core Operating Hours
06:00 - 23:00, Monday to Sunday.
Note: While these are the standard hours, bank holidays may affect opening times. If your scheduled flight is delayed into the night, Hertz normally monitors flight numbers if you provided one during the booking phase. A late-arrival surcharge is commonly applied for out-of-hours collections.
The Hertz Collection Process
When the bus arrives at the Car Rental Village, enter the main reception area and look for the bright yellow Hertz counter. During peak summer months, queues are common, so having your documents prepared will help expedite your service.
After finalizing your paperwork, the representative will hand over the keys and direct you to your designated parking bay outside. Before driving away towards the M56 motorway, always thoroughly check the exterior and interior of the car. Ensure any pre-existing damage is logged on your checkout paperwork.
What to Bring to the Desk
To successfully drive away in your Hertz rental, the primary driver must provide the following at the desk:
- A full, unexpired driving licence held for a minimum of 12 months (or longer for luxury categories).
- A physical credit card embossed in the main driver's exact name.
- A valid Passport or National Identity card.
- Your printed or digital booking confirmation.
- UK licence holders will typically need to generate a DVLA check code in advance.
Deposits and Pre-Authorisations
Hertz enforces a mandatory security hold on your credit card before releasing the vehicle. This pre-authorization covers potential damages or missing fuel. The hold amount varies based on the car class and whether you purchased zero-excess insurance, but generally ranges from £200 up to £1,500. Hertz strictly requires a credit card; debit cards are rarely accepted for the deposit phase.
Hertz Fuel Rules
You will normally be given the vehicle with a full tank of fuel under their standard Full-to-Full policy. You are required to return it completely full to bypass their premium refuelling rates. There is a conveniently located petrol station on Ringway Road, literally a minute away from the return gates.
Dropping Off Your Hertz Vehicle
At the end of your rental period, follow the motorway signs back to Manchester Airport. As you get closer, ignore the signs for terminal drop-offs and specifically follow the signs for the "Car Rental Village".
Upon entering the village, look for the yellow Hertz return lanes. An agent will conduct a swift walk-around inspection, check the mileage and fuel, and provide your closing receipt. You can then take the shuttle back to your required terminal. We recommend allowing 45-60 minutes for the entire return and transfer procedure.
Registering Extra Drivers
If you wish to split the driving responsibilities, Hertz allows you to register additional drivers at the counter. All extra drivers must be physically present at collection and show their own valid driving licence and passport.
Hertz applies a daily fee for each additional driver, which is usually capped for longer rental durations (e.g., after 10 days).
Policies for Young Drivers
The baseline minimum age for renting a standard vehicle with Hertz in the UK is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are permitted to hire smaller, economy-class vehicles but will be subject to a daily Young Driver Surcharge.
This mandatory fee offsets the higher insurance brackets for younger motorists. Please ensure you input your correct age in our search tool to get a fully transparent price quote.
One-Way Rentals with Hertz
Hertz boasts a massive network across the United Kingdom, making them an excellent choice for one-way journeys. You can easily collect your car at Manchester Airport and drop it off at a Hertz location in London, Glasgow, or Edinburgh.
A one-way drop fee will apply to cover logistical costs. To view fully inclusive one-way pricing, simply tick the "Return to different location" box in the booking form above.
The Hertz Vehicle Fleet
Hertz is known for maintaining a highly modern and well-equipped fleet. At the Manchester location, you can expect to find:
- Small & Economy: Kia Picanto, Ford Fiesta. Excellent for city parking.
- Family & Estates: Skoda Scala, Ford Focus Estate. Plenty of room for passengers and bags.
- SUVs & Crossovers: Nissan Juke, Volvo XC40. Ideal for navigating the hilly Peak District.
- Premium & Electric: Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3, Mercedes C-Class. For those wanting a high-end driving experience.
Hertz Customer Experiences & Reviews
Here is an overview of recent feedback and Google Reviews specifically regarding the Hertz desk at MAN:
"Brilliant service from the team at the yellow desk. The shuttle from Terminal 2 was right on time, and the Hertz agent had us processed in under 5 minutes. We were even upgraded to a brand new Polestar which was a fantastic surprise."
"Returning the car was completely stress-free. The signage for the Car Rental Village is very clear off the M56. A staff member met us in the car park, checked the fuel level, and emailed the receipt instantly. Fast and professional."
"The car itself was immaculate and drove perfectly for our trip to the Lake District. The only slight issue was a 20-minute queue at the Hertz desk when we arrived, as three flights seemed to land at once. Staff were working as fast as they could though."
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, Hertz at Manchester Airport mandates a credit card in the primary driver's name for the security deposit hold. While you might be able to pay the final bill with a debit card, you must present a credit card at pick-up.
Do I have to walk to the Hertz location?No, it is too far and unsafe to walk. You must utilise the complimentary airport shuttle bus which departs regularly from the designated stops outside all three terminals.
Compare Hertz Availability
Ready to secure your vehicle? Utilize our search tool at the top of this page to view live availability and compare Hertz pricing against other leading providers at Manchester Airport, guaranteeing you the most competitive rate for your journey.