George Best Belfast City Airport

About George Best Belfast City Airport

IATA code: BHD
Address: George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9JH.
Telephone: 028 9093 9093
Email: info@belfastcityairport.com

George Best Belfast City Airport, formerly called Belfast City Airport (IATA airport code BDH), is one of the 20 busiest airports in the UK. It is located next to the Port of Belfast about 2 miles from the city centre. There is one main passenger terminal at the airport; this serves national and international flights to British and Irish destinations. George Best Belfast City Airport currently handles over 2 million passengers a year. The airport has put forward expansion plans but its close proximity to residential areas requires the observation of noise and traffic volume restrictions. A current proposal that is likely to go ahead is the construction of a hotel at the airport.

Belfast Airport Parking

The parking facilities at George Best Belfast City Airport include both a short stay and long stay car park. The short stay car park is close to the terminal building; stays of up to 10 minutes are free with charges applying thereafter. The long stay car park (main car park) is located beyond the terminal building. A free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes between the car park and terminal. Disabled parking bays are provided in the short stay car park close to the terminal building; disabled badge holders are entitled to long stay parking rates while staying in this car park. Further information can be found at the airport's information desk.

Both car parks can be paid for by credit/debit card. To do this simply insert your card into the entry column on entering the car park and insert the same card into the exit column when exiting. This option is particularly handy for those who are in a hurry and who wish to avoid using the pay station.

Money can be saved on long stay car parking by pre-booking on the airports website.

Belfast Airport Facilities

George Best Belfast City Airport has facilities to cater for the needs and requirements of all visitors. Shopping facilities include an Alpha Airport Shopping outlet that provides a wide range of tax-free products such as fine fragrances and brand name beauty products. A World News outlet sells travel essentials such as newspapers, magazines, books, sweets, medicines and film. Whether you are visiting George Best Belfast City Airport to travel, or simply to meet friends and relatives who are, there is plenty of choice when it comes to finding a place to eat or drink. There are establishments to suit all tastes; from cafes to sandwich shops, a bar and a food court offering a wide range of hot meals cooked to order.

Cash machines (ATMs) can be found on the ground floor of the terminal building. British pounds are the only currency dispensed but there is a Bureau de Change close to the information desk should passengers need to change currency before they travel. A wireless LAN connection is available within certain areas of the airport allowing customers with laptops to access the Internet while waiting for their flight.

Families travelling with babies and small children will be pleased to know that family facilities are available within the terminal building. Baby changing areas are provided next to the toilets on the ground and first floors, and a children's play area is located on the first floor close to the business lounge and restaurant.

George Best Belfast City Airport has many accessibility features for disabled mobility impaired travellers. The car parks and pavements of the airport are wheel chair friendly, as are the ground floor and first floor of the main terminal building. Accessible lifts provide transport between the two floors. The information desk and check-in areas are fitted with induction loop systems for customers with impaired hearing, plus text phones are located within the airport. Easy access toilets for disabled customers are located on both the ground floor and first floor of the terminal building. As mentioned in the parking section, disabled travellers can park in the short stay car park on long stay parking rates. Further information for disabled travellers can be found by calling 028 9093 9093.

Belfast Airport Flights

George Best Belfast City Airport serves most major cities within the UK and a handful of European destinations; at present there are flights to over 25 scheduled and chartered locations with 5 different airlines. The airport is a major transport hub for Flybe, which is by far the largest operator here (and currently the only airline to fly to mainland European destinations from here). Ryanair and bmi provide flights from Belfast to the UK mainland, while smaller operators such as Aer Arann and MANX2 serve Cork and the Isle of Man. European destinations currently flown to from Belfast include Paris, Rennes, Salzburg, Geneva and Chambery.

Money can be saved on flights by booking direct from the George Best Belfast City Airport website.

Belfast Airport Hotels

There are proposals to build an on-site hotel at George Best Belfast City Airport but until then there are a range of hotels in the nearby city centre, which is about 2 miles away. The closest Belfast airport hotel is the Park Avenue Hotel just one mile away on Holyrood Road.

Belfast Airport Car Hire

Car hire is available inside the main terminal building; the car hire desks are located on the ground floor to the right of the entrance. Major companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National all have desks at the airport. Cars can be booked in advance via the websites of the individual companies. Advanced booking can save money with some of the firms, in some cases as much as 30% can be saved on the hire of a car. George Best Belfast City Airport is well connected to the local road network so continuing your journey in your hired car won't be a problem. The airport is situated on the A2 Belfast to Holywood road. The M1 and M2 are close by and connect Belfast with Lisburn and Newtownabbey.

Belfast Airport Transfers, Taxis, Trains

The airport is well integrated into the local transport network, so whether you are coming or going, the journey will be straightforward and stress-free. Passengers arriving by car will find the airport located on the A2 Belfast to Holywood road; the airport is well sign posted on the approach to Belfast (the signs read Belfast City Airport).

Train and bus services run regularly from the city centre to the airport. Trains run twice hourly from Belfast's Central and Victoria Street stations to Sydenham: a shuttle bus service continues on to the airport from this stop. Tickets between Sydenham and the Central station cost around £1.40. Passengers arriving in Belfast and wishing to continue their onward journey by train should travel to the Central station as connections to many destinations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are available here.

Two convenient bus services operate between the airport and Belfast city centre. The Airport Express 600 runs every 20 minutes from the airport to the Belfast Europa Bus Centre. Tickets for the journey cost £1.50 for a single and £2.50 for a return. The Metrobus number 3 service runs every 20 minutes from Belfast City Hall to the Sydenham railway station.

It is easy to find a taxi in Belfast; a taxi ride between the city centre and airport should cost around £8.