Aldergrove has changed a lot in the past few months, thanks to a huge facelift in the main hall of the departures area (after security).
Getting to Aldergrove can be difficult if you're not driving (its about £20-25 in a taxi from the city so i've been told). Thankfully I usually get a ... Read review
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Advantages: Good facilities if your flying out Disadvantages: Your credit card bill will be massive!
Aldergrove has changed a lot in the past few months, thanks to a huge facelift in the main hall of the departures area (after security).
Getting to Aldergrove can be difficult if you're not driving (its about £20-25 in a taxi from the city so i've been told). Thankfully I usually get a lift. Parking is more than ample and is well laid out with the spaces being quite generous (I judged this from a Mitsubishi Warrior that parked ... ...to get out of the car).
On entering the terminal its much the same as most medium sized airports, just one big row of check in desks. But the terminal is bright and doesn't feel claustrophobic like some older terminals (even when its packed for the last flight out on a sunday). Once you have checked in you can proceed through to the area before security. There is a food court here with choice to suit most tastes : A pub; Fresh juice bar; ... more
Aldergrove has changed a lot in the past few months, thanks to a huge facelift in the main hall of the departures area (after security).
Getting to Aldergrove can be difficult if you're not driving (its about £20-25 in a taxi from the city so i've been told). Thankfully I usually get a lift. Parking is more than ample and is well laid out with the spaces being quite generous (I judged this from a Mitsubishi Warrior that parked next to us and I still had loads of room to get out of the car). On entering the terminal its much the same as most medium sized airports, just one big row of check in desks. But the terminal is bright and doesn't feel claustrophobic like some older terminals (even when its packed for the last flight out on a sunday). Once you have checked in you can proceed through to the area before security. There is a food court here with choice to suit most tastes : A pub; Fresh juice bar; Burger King; Cafe/Restaurant (cooking hot food all day, the menu changes daily. It also sells sandwiches, pastries, cereals, baby meals and beverages) and a coffee shop. All the prices here are roughly what you would expect in an airport (on the expensive side), e.g. Roast chicken with veg and chip was £6.99; scampi and chips £5.99; a ham salad sandwich (wholemeal bread) £3.50. There are two gift shops here, one is really a newsagents (with quite a good pick and mix selection) and an Irish gift shop (lots of guiness items, tourist tack and of course Butlers confectionary which is a must!).
Security itself usually doesn't take long to get through and then its through to the revamped lounge. The main hall now boast a large gift shop (I believe it will be another world shopping store but they didn't have the signage when I was there). This shop takes up most of the main hall with corridors leading off to the left and right to the gates and a small area for seating in front of the store. The store is quite bright and very well laid out. There is a section on the left as you enter the store that is mostly gift items (of American designers), watches, handbags and scarves in a rainbow of colours (all the watches and handbags were £10 and were very good quality). They also had a very good selection of costume and fashion jewellery (which all come with gift boxes). The selection of cosmetics is still probably the 3rd largest next to Heathrow and Gatwick. With lots of 'Airport only' deals on special gift sets. The perfume and cologne sections also seem to have exapnded. The range of drink/tobacco seems to have remained the same with only the top brands being stocked (and some very good deals on champagne). The range for children is quite limited. It consists of a few teddy bears, beanie toys and some travel games but at least with the revamp the toys aren't next to the sweets as they were before! Gadgets and gizmos are quite limited and I was quite disappointed as before the revamp they had a Dixons electronics shop so i was hoping there might be something similar. I was told they would be adding more lines once all the revamp work was completed, so this may have changed now. Also stocked are a very good range of chocolates, confectionary and novelty tourist items as well as a good (but small) range of sunglasses. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I loved this new store and could quite easily spend an hour here but I'm afraid the credit card might take a bit of a hammering!
On moving to the gate areas, these were still the same with one newsagents for the whole area (4 gates). If you are at the gates downstairs these are still untouched and there is still only two vending machines for this area. I must admit these areas downstairs are in dire need for a revamp especially after being so impressed with the shopping upstairs.
All in all if you are flying out of Aldergrove (and your a girl) you'll love it. The shop in the main hall is fantastic and a chance to pick up some really good bargains or presents. If your a bloke then unless its changed (and the gadgets have reappeared) it might be a little boring for you, unless (if you're wise or looking to score some brownie points) you fancy picking up a present for your girlfriend/wife/mother. I'm sure they'd love anything from here and if you ask the staff nicely they'll help you pick something.
If you're flying into Aldergrove, then the baggage hall is just that I'm afraid. There are two carousels and if you are waiting to be picked up, there is a small cafe (similar prices to the cafe in departures) and a sandwich bar (which was quite pricey) and a newsagents. Which by the way sells bouquets of flowers.
The airport is very clean though now that parts have been revamped it makes the older parts look grubby even though the cleaners work very hard to keep the place spotless. The airport staff are very friendly and the airport is laid out to be easily manageable for disabled access (work is going to be done on the arrivals hall to improve disabled access there, at present there is a lift for the disabled).
Advantages: Easyjet flights from here,the international airport for N.Ireland Disadvantages: Not in Belfast, lack of public transport
...travel reviews. I travel through Belfast International a lot, and have done over the last few years - at one point, I was here virtually every weekend. The main thing about this airport is that it has reallly expanded over the last few years - it serves a range of destinations, and is expanding to include US destinations later this year. It is the international airport for Northern Ireland. Most importantly for most people, it is where Easyjet flies ... ...issue rather than one for Belfast International itself. The checkin hall does get really crowded though, and you need to leave plenty of check in time.
As regards facilities, the shops have recently been expanded. Cafes are, as ever in airports, ridiculously overpriced. There is a Paul Rankin cafe though, which is quite nice, and better quality than the other chains, even if pricey. Everywhere is OK as regards cleanliness, and there is a new and ...
celticwiccagirl 22.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast Int (BFS)
Advantages: Only international Airport in N.I, flights to most destinations, easyJet departures Disadvantages: Slightly expensive, like any arirport
I've used this airport 6 times in the first half of the year, and the new developments that have been carried out there bring it right up to date. Being Northern Ireland, you have to go through a security check as soon as you get there, but apart from that, it's like any other modern British airport.
They have all the usual facilities: Burger King, a bar, news agent, Sock Shop and more. They cater for most major international destinations, some ...
Beano 19.07.2000 (25.11.2000)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Belfast Int (BFS)
...you have ever been to Belfast international Airport chances are that you still hear these words echoing in your ear, if you havent, Learn em, it will make it more interesting when you go! And lets face it You wont find too many frills at this Airport. Belfast international airport or Aldergrove as its also know is situated about 12 miles from belfast, but there is a bus service to and fro and taxi prices are not that expensive. Tho it is far enough ... ...There was a time when Belfast city airport was by far the worst airport to service the city, and Aldergrove reigned supreme..A long time ago! Today Belfast city airport is thriving (after a relocation and make over) and international just looks tired. The Aiport really needs alot of modernisation and a bit of TLC and some new shops or at least another shop!
Not quite as bad as Manston airport Kent but bad none the less. Make sure you bring cash ...
gummblefish 15.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Belfast Int (BFS)
Advantages: An international airport serving Northern Ireland. Disadvantages: None
...have a feasible alternative. Today Belfast International Airport offers a great range of destinations which are long overdue in Northern Ireland. Only a few years ago the only international destination served was Amsterdam. Today there is a good selection of domestic, European and transatlantic destinations. The Airlines and destination served are:
Air Transat - Toronto (seasonal) bmibaby - Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham
Continental ... ...Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Inverness (ends October 29, 2006), Krakow (starts 24 April 2007), Liverpool, London-Gatwick, London-Luton, London-Stansted, Malaga, Newcastle, Nice, Palma, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Rome-Ciampino
Flyglobespan - Orlando-Sanford (Starts 7 November 2006), Toronto (Starts 3 November 2006)
Jet2.com - Barcelona, Blackpool, Leeds/Bradford, Murcia, Pisa, Prague, Tenerife-South (Starts October 2006)
Manx2 - Isle of Man Wizz Air - ...
stevNI 18.09.2006 (30.09.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Belfast Int (BFS)
Advantages: Good facilities on site Disadvantages: Not actually in Belfast, can be misleading
This airport is nowhere near Belfast if your flying into it having never visited Northern Ireland before. It is serviced by a bus but this can often be busy, there are numerous taxis outside but these can be pricey depending on where you are heading.
A problem is when you first arrive, all the check in desks are bunched together and there can often be very long queus here so check in early. If you are arriving the airport is great, baggage claim ... ...will have you outside of the airport.
There are decent car hire services here as well, although not dealing directly with any company myself, relatives found them very easy to use on a number of occasions.
For those waiting on flights get through security quickly, there are always huge holdups here at any time of the day and it can result in you nearly missing your flight!!
Whilst your waiting there are shops, cafes, a couple of bars and games ...
funkazzy11 11.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Belfast Int (BFS)
