I'm keeping with my recent theme of 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 from.
As a result of all this, it is VERY busy. Yes, the airport has expanded a lot, but sometimes the check-in desks really do not cope particularly well. This is especially the case with the Easyjet checkin desks, though I suspect that this is an Easyjet 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 extensive perfume/cosmetics shop, and souvenir shops. There is also a nail bar and a juice bar (though I have only seen the juice bar open once). Most shops will be fairly helpful about giving you English change as opposed to Northern Irish change (even though it is both sterling). Cash points also help provide English money.
There are two main problems with this airport however. First, it is not actually in Belfast. It is actually nearer Antrim. Belfast City airport is in Belfast. Belfast International isn't. The second, and more major problem, is that there is an amazing absence of public transport from the airport. It is assumed that you can drive. I sadly have not passed my driving test! The only way that I can get from Belfast International to my home in NI, involves a 50 pound taxi ride or a lift from friends/relatives. There is a bus into Belfast, but it is pretty infrequent, and does not seem to be timed to coincide with popular flights. Even then, it may be impossible to get onward connections as Northern Irish public transport is not good. There used to be buses from Coleraine and Derry (Londonderry) serving the airport, but these have been cut. Apparently, there also used to be buses from the airport to local train stations, but this service too has been axed. This is a real problem, and means that you really need a car. Car rental firms abound at the airport, and I'm not surprised. Given how popular Belfast International is, this is a major drawback.
Disabled facilities - I think these are fairly standard at Belfast. But again, they need to address hte transport issue.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
£50 for a taxi! You would think there would be better public transport running to and from the airport! Maureen
purdy 22.01.2005 18:53
I try to avoid the international airport - l will try not to fly easyjet where possible - though you are right it has greatly improved - l was stunned to see the great improvements - flew out of it in July 04. The city airport is a lot more convenient and as a lot of my travel tends to fly out of Heathrow BMI are the only carrier to service this from the province.
I dont have much dealings with transport to and from - because l drive or l usually can blackmail someone into giving us a lift! Heather
fizzytom 22.01.2005 12:27
I have to take issue with your remarks about public transport - we arrived at this airport at 9.00am on a Sunday morning from Newcastle and found that the buses into the city were timed perfectly (and apparently by design rather than luck) to meet the needs of passengers arriving at Belfast International). I have experienced no other airport, in fact, where a bus was waiting to collect passengers disembarking at this usually inconvenient time! Fiona
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Jan 22nd, 2005
very helpful by (59%):
helpful by (41%):
