Reus is the second-string airport to Spain's second city Barcelona, a sort of Luton airport if you will, only without a name-check in an advert. Reus is actually in the middle of nowhere, about one hour's drive south of the Catalonian capital in the heart of the Costa Dorada. Where as most ... Read review
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Advantages: in a good location for those wanting to visit Tarragona Disadvantages: poor security, few facilities
Reus is the second-string airport to Spain's second city Barcelona, a sort of Luton airport if you will, only without a name-check in an advert. Reus is actually in the middle of nowhere, about one hour's drive south of the Catalonian capital in the heart of the Costa Dorada. Where as most holidaymakers tend to use the main airport in Barcelona for travelling to north-east Spain, my holiday allowed me to sample the delights (ahem) of Reus. Reus tends ... ...with EasyJet's cheap return package), Reus is much less busy, and where a plane spotter can finish a full flask of minestrone soup without having so much seen a jet in the air. In terms of numbers, 3000 flights and 630,000 passengers are annually handled at Reus. The fact that there are only 9 or 10 flights a day to and from Reus gives you an indication of its minuteness.
My flights to Reus was from Manchester airport via Britannia ... more
Reus is the second-string airport to Spain's second city Barcelona, a sort of Luton airport if you will, only without a name-check in an advert. Reus is actually in the middle of nowhere, about one hour's drive south of the Catalonian capital in the heart of the Costa Dorada. Where as most holidaymakers tend to use the main airport in Barcelona for travelling to north-east Spain, my holiday allowed me to sample the delights (ahem) of Reus. Reus tends to be used more for people wanting to holiday in Salou, and other resorts in Tarragona rather than those heading for the big city.
Unlike the busy Barcelona airport, (the one where you'll end up if you fly with EasyJet's cheap return package), Reus is much less busy, and where a plane spotter can finish a full flask of minestrone soup without having so much seen a jet in the air. In terms of numbers, 3000 flights and 630,000 passengers are annually handled at Reus. The fact that there are only 9 or 10 flights a day to and from Reus gives you an indication of its minuteness.
My flights to Reus was from Manchester airport via Britannia Airways, and took a fraction under two hours. The flight was my first ever time on a plane (yes, I had gone 20 years without sampling the delights of airline food...), and after the experience of miles of moving walkways and acres of shops in Manchester, I was somewhat surprised to see the plane land on a strip of grass that resembled a big school playing field rather than an airport.
After landing and entering the airport building, we were required to flash our passports, before receiving a customary nod from the 'checker' (although I got the distinct feeling that even the most blasé terrorist would have also received a tired 'Si' before being allowed to move through...).
There was then the fun trying to get our baggage (we had been delayed by 3 hours on the flight and it was 11pm Spanish time by that point). After about 25 minutes, the baggage started to come through a conveyor belt. The only problem was that on a flight of 300 odd people, the conveyor belt only had room for about 12 bags before everyone's swimshorts, bikinis and lilos disappeared around the back.
It reminded me of the 'Generation Game', and of Bruce Forsyth's chin whilst the TV studio audience yelped in delight as an oversize novelty teddy bear appeared into view. So much so, that when I was transported back to the real world, I glimpsed my suitcase slip round the back at the last minute. Whilst lots of angry Mum's and Dad's tried to scramble for their cases ("get back from there Thomas, it's dangerous!" they would say, before snatching their holdalls from the fast-moving conveyor belt with the finesse of a hippopotamus on ice), I sat back and waited for mine to come around the block. And oh how I waited...
After I finally manage to track down my bags (and my tour rep), it was off to go and enjoy a fantastic holiday in the sun, and forget about the trauma of airport...
Just under 7 days later, I returned to the airport. Browner and a lot poorer, we were told there was going to be another delay on the return flight (not the airport's fault at all, mind). So we sat in the waiting area after checking in. This was clean and was relatively spacious, although there was a lack of entertainment for children and adults alike, and the shopping area consisted of a tiny gift shop selling overpriced imported fudge.
Luckily for us, we had no queue for our check-in desk, which was a good thing as I didn't start fudge-shopping out of boredom. However, the other flight leaving at roughly the same time had a horrendous backlog that took about an hour to clear - not exactly what you want to be doing on the last day of your holiday. I got the feeling that they were just a little bit understaffed...
The main duty-free area was in the departure lounge, but it wasn't overly impressive. Although it was as cheap as you may expect, there wasn't the range of choice that you had in Manchester duty-free.
Perhaps the most perturbing thing about the airport was the complete lack of security. Upon boarding the plane, a flash of a ticket was all that was needed, and my passport remained firmly in my pocket. This was a complete contrast to the security-tight Manchester, which had passport checking points in at least 3 points. Manchester airport also checked our passports upon our return...
Although there was the requisite scanning of both yourself and your hand luggage on the way back, it felt rushed and not very thorough. I think that this just goes to highlight the inconsistencies in airline security. Although I never at any point felt less than safe (I'm not sure a chartered flight back to Blighty from Tarragona was ever going to be a number one terrorist target), the principle remains that it would have been extremely straightforward to have smuggled anything on board. It actually turns out that I had a lighter in my hand luggage (which I only discovered on my return), which was a prohibited item according to the airport rules. If they didn't spot that, what else would they have missed?
Although I didn't have a directly bad experience at the airport, (i.e. no lost luggage or massive delays), the laxness of the security was really surprising. Although my airport experience is extremely limited, I've come to the conclusion that either UK airports must be extremely cautious, or this particular airport lacked adequate measures to prevent any major safety issues from arising.
However, there are some positives about Reus. There were taxis in plentiful supply outside, and although this was to be expected as most holidaymakers were in package holidays with pre-arranged transport, it would be a welcome relief for the independent traveller. Also, the car park is barely a 30 second walk from the airport terminal, so there isn't a couple of miles to navigate before you find your lift...
North-East Spain itself is a fantastic holiday destination, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there, even if it would include having to use that airport (after all, the standard of the airport you fly into is only a tiny part of a holiday...).
However, if I do go back to Reus again, I'll be careful to block out any memory of Bruce Forsyth whilst I'm trying to find with my baggage on the carousel...
Advantages: Proximity to Salou and Port Aventura Disadvantages: Pray for no delays!
...just read the reviews for Reus Airport in Spain and realising that they were over 2 years old, I've come to the conclusion that some things never change!!!!!
Reus Airport is a short drive from the holiday resort of Salou on the Costa Dorada (at July 04 prices, 25 euros each way for a taxi) I've been to some pretty grotty Caribbean airports, but Reus by far outshines them in terms of shoddiness!
Reus was formerly a military based airport, and the ... ...full of history. Arriving at Reus by Ryanair from Stansted, we found 3 flights had landed together. Very morose staff 'guided' us around the perimeter of the airfield to the Arrivals Gate, where we were shepherded through Customs - more bored staff......... not a cheery face in sight to start our holiday off in a happy manner! They did at least take a look at our passports - I suppose it broke the monotony!
Baggage reclaim is situated immediately ...
chatterbox3110 26.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Reus Airport, Spain (REU)
Advantages: So small, processing is quick Disadvantages: Very small and thus crowded if you experience major delays of any kind
...have to build a new airport, and there is lots of land around REUS to do just that. I can remember the first time I flew to Palma it wasn't too clever, but its only to plain to see what they have acheived, we will wait with baited breath ...
sue.51 15.07.2001 (20.07.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Reus Airport, Spain (REU)
Advantages: planes go to and from it Disadvantages: everything other than that planes go to and from it
I flew to Reus several years ago, when visiting PortAventura, before leaving home I was informed by my uncle that Reus is actually a military airport and he told me about his experiences when he flew there and how all of the suit cases were checked and there were armed police all over. Because of this I was slighly nervous of flying into Reus, however my worries were unnecassary.
When we landed the plane stopped literally 10 metres from the terminal, ... ...pitch, and we walked off the plane and had a short walk to the terminal building. Inside was a set of toilets and two baggage carousels, the toilets were in an appauling state however , the luggage arrived very quickly, but then it didn't have far to come, and we were out of the airport in no time. No quetsions asked, no pasport checks, noone to check on things, just collected the luggage and went out the door to a waiting coach.
The airport is ...
DC-DanielColeflax 17.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Reus Airport, Spain (REU)
Advantages: your ariplane home should turn up Disadvantages: everything eles
Reus Airport greeted me when I arrived in Spain to holiday in Salou. After boarding my JMC flight from Gatwick to Reus, I was expecting to land at an airport that was smaller than the take off destination. However I never excepted it to be quite as small as it was. I only had the chance to ‘explore’ the whole airport (who am I trying to kid) after my two-week stay.
After arriving from the accommodation we carried in our belongings from ... ...a serious lack of luggage trolleys. After lumping my suitcase etc to the entrance I was greeted by the back of a queue. This is where problem no 2 was encountered; there are only 4-5 check-in desks so the wait can be a long one. The check-in area is a long room with a shop, which was closed, and several drink machines. The seating, although uncomfortable, was adequate. After checking in I made my way through to the departure lounge; you will now ...
s.garland 27.03.2001 (26.03.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Reus Airport, Spain (REU)
Advantages: TAXI AND BUSES READILY AVAILABLE OUTSIDE AIRPORT Disadvantages: TOO SMALL, DEPARTURE LOUNGE IS ALWAYS PACKED
I flew to Reus this summer in Aust 2007.
The airport is unbelievably small. Arriving in Reus was okay. Only there was a long walk from the aircraft. It is not also very clear where to line up once you enter passport control.
There are buses and taxi's available outside, however communication is a major barrier, hardly any of them can speak english, so I would advise a print out of your hotel with a clear address OR LEARN SPANISH!!
Coming back ... ...the airport 3 hours before. The check in area is so small and there are very long queues. There is a small eating area before you check in and once you pass security a small duty free, sitting area and food shop. Security is not as intense as the UK, however persons with babies need to remove all baby food from the bag, put in a separate container and pass through the x-ray machine.
On the whole it is convenient because it is the only airport that ...
abeni 19.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Reus Airport, Spain (REU)
