Allow Plenty of Time to Reach the Airport!

Just a reminder. Following the recent terrorist scares in the U.K. additional security measures are once again being implemented at BAA and other airports. Allow additional time for your travel to the airport. The drop off/pick-up zones are restricted and there could be long delays, so if possible travel to the airport by public transport or use the airport car parks. Check your airport’s website for information. Here are some of the main ones: www.heathrowairport.com, www.gatwickairport.com, www.stanstedairport.com, www.london-luton.co.uk, www.glasgowairport.com, www.edinburghairport.com, www.aberdeenairport.com, www.southamptonairport.com.

Hand baggage restrictions are still in place. You are only allowed one piece of carry-on baggage and they are being very strict about this – I travelled last weekend and found out for myself.  I checked my luggage and proceeded with a backpack and a small shoulder bag containing documents and money.  Before reaching security I was told to put the shoulder bag inside the backpack, so be sure you leave room in your hand luggage for everything to fit.  Liquids must be in 100ml (max) containers and inside a re-sealable transparent plastic bag with maximum dimensions of 20cm x 20 cm (8” x 8”).  All the items must fit inside so that the bag can be fastened.  If possible, it’s best to pack all liquid items in checked luggage. For more travel information visit: www.dft.gov.uk (follow links for ‘transport for you’ ‘air travel’ and ‘airport security’ for packing instructions.

I allowed an extra half-hour on top of the two hours to arrive ahead of my flight time, and was glad I did. That extra thirty minutes saved a lot of stress! The drive to Luton airport from Norwich was smooth until a few miles from the airport.  I’d checked road reports and not seen anything significant, so maybe I missed it? They were doing resurfacing work and a section of road close to the airport was closed with a VERY LONG diversion! (This work may still be going on, so do check if you are flying out of Luton). The diversion took me on a 45 minute odyssey! I arrived at the airport in time, but in a very anxious state. It could have been worse.

For the return flight from Nice I allowed an extra thirty minutes on top of the two hours to get to the airport - thank goodness. The express bus for the airport had, for some unknown reason, decided to stop operating.  I stood in the sun with other visitors and their bags as 45 minutes passed and two buses failed to arrive.  Taxis were scarce and I was very lucky to nab myself a shared taxi– which was not cheap!  Another warning – make sure you leave yourself enough cash in case of these situations arising.  Fortunately, I had ten euros left which I’d planned to use to buy a sandwich, but the taxi driver got very well paid and I went hungry!

One more warning… New passport controls are in place which means delays on your return. On my arrival back at Luton the queue for passport control was unbelievably long (approx. 30 mins).  For more information visit www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 6th, 2007 at 2:31 pm and is filed under Travel News, Traveller's Tales .

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