This was previously posted under Xopher and I still don't think it got the credit it deserved :_) If you read this before, dont do it again, although it has changed, a bit.
Here it is..
Cincinnati Airport.
As a starting point, I'd like to mention that the Greater Cincinnati airport is actually located in Northern Kentucky, Hence it’s full title, ‘Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky international airport’. I often wonder how many passengers have a moment of panic as the pilot informs of descent into Kentucky and starts reports of local weather… ! This review is based in my experience on my last impressions when there in September 2000.
Getting there and getting out of there!
The Cincinnati airport is located about a 20-minute drive from Cincinnati itself and is easily accessible by road via the infamous I-275 circle freeway which in turn is supplied flawlessly by the I-71 or I-75 freeways. If driving to the airport, you will find ample parking for either short or long term stay. Short stay parking is incredibly well priced, compared to the near $2.00 per 20 minutes available throughout Europe (Gatwick springs to mind) the rates are closer to $1.00 per 90 minutes. Makes it more of a pleasure to stay to watch your mum go home after a visit to re-instruct you on the ways of life. I have to say it really was pleasant to pay the parking fee with a single $5.00
bill. Sensibly, the airport have a free parking zone at the arrivals / departure lounges. The only stipulation being that the vehicle is attended at all times. It WILL get towed if left unattended, and probably blown up by the time you go to reclaim it! What better way to say cheerio to that nagging old gran? There you go my dear, right by the door.. and this nice lady from check-in will take you from here..
Taxis from (or to) the Airport, from the city of Cincinnati will cost you in the region of $20 to $30 USD , its’ advisable to agree a fixed price before committing to a particular driver, beware of unmarked private hire cars, as these are invariably overpriced. Many reputable taxi firms have a ‘set menu’ for prices. At the time of writing a cab can be hired for $24 USD from the stands located in terminals 1 and 2 near the exits, and by the baggage claim area of terminal 3.
The only reliable form of public transport from and to the airport is via the airport shuttle bus, going to Cincinnati, and the city of Covington (across the river from Cincinnati, in Kentucky) $14 USD one way, and $24 USD round trip, available 24 hours a day these buses can be booked via desks, again available in baggage claim areas. Rental car agencies are also in abundance ,that’s right, they dance round buns, on a regular basis. You can find at least nine within grasping distance clawing for your custom. Most have a minimum renal period of one day. I cant imagine why someone would want a car for less than that though. Remember in the USA they drive on the wrong side of the road, but that’s ok, because petrol is so cheap. Get the biggest rental car you can and enjoy not having to drive your regular day to day car (if you drive a lotus or similar that last bit wont apply to you).
Due to its location slap bang in the middle of the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana tri-state area, the airport is well supported by an immense amount of internal flights throughout the USA and also direct routes to/from most European cities.
The Airport – a potted history
The airport itself is built on an airfield-training site originally built in the 1940’s after gaining President Roosevelt’s approval. By 1947 the first commercial flights had started after the military withdrew its interest, the first landing after a flight all the way from Cleveland! Both in 1960 and in 1974 the airport expanded by adding new passenger terminals and by 1978 the airport re-invented itself from an internal flight facility to a full international airport! Whoo! By 1981 Delta had taken an interest and based itself at the airport, making Cincinnati airport , (erm sorry, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport) its home.
For the rest of this review I shall refer to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport as CVG , its airport code. Well-travelled folk know that all airports, worldwide, have a 3-letter identifier code. Example 1 – LGW = London Gatwick Example 2 – AMS = Amsterdam (Schipol)
So why CVG? CVG actually represents the city of Covington; the nearest city of any importance at the time the airport was built. Now, get this.. In true not in my backyard with a bloody great airport style, people In Ohio, Cincinnati in particular quip CVG – Cincinnati Very Good.
But as this isn’t really about Cincinnati, it’s about the Airport that serves Cincinnati I will trot on and stay on subject.
CVG – What’s in it for me?
Everything you would expect from an airport, check in terminals, loudspeaker announcements, toilets that could accommodate all the kings men.
Internally though, once dropping your bags off and checking in, you are transported into what always reminded me of a USA style shopping mall. An information desk is located at the top of a peach shaped upper level. Shops of all varieties lurk here. For the avid reader WH Smith have a shop, I think the first I have seen outside of the UK. The inevitable souvenir shop showing scenes of Cincinnati. A duty free shop is available for international passengers. Food and drink are of course extremely well supported, from all the fast food stores you can imagine, to more upmarket bistros and bars. A cocktail lounge is also available for you connoisseurs.
What I really like about CVG is that both the departure lounge and arrivals area are available not only to passengers, but to the public too.
This gives CVG a unique atmosphere, at most airports, the passengers go through to the departure lounge and that’s it. Bye bye. As much as 2 hours before the flight is due to leave. Everybody wanting to enter the departures / arrivals lounge goes through the same security checks as ticket holding passengers. On entering the departures lounge you are presented with a scaled down version of the main terminal areas. Fast food, bars, and the shoeshine man are all here! But, importantly families either meeting or saying farewell unite in harmony, and tend to relax the atmosphere, giving the whole airport a more comfortable ambience.
Before flying back from the USA to the UK we would often take x (Little X) to the airport to familiarise himself with the whole process. The airport terminal has incredible views over the runways and workings of a major international airport, just right for the curious 4 year old soon to be flyer.
I wouldn’t perhaps recommend CVG as a day out, unless you are interested in the history in Cincinnati. 20 x 20 foot mosaics adorn the airport area, moved from the Union terminal railway station (a subject all in itself) in 1974 in order to preserve them. Worth a peek if you are lucky enough to stopover at CVG or live close enough to go have a peek.
CVG has won awards for airport of the year, and MrsX tells me she did have historical trips to the airport as a nipper.
Hope you get a chance to pass through.
Xx
p.s - There's a WH Smith in Pittsburgh too , thanks to The_nursey for that.
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Dec 9th, 2004
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