Come fly with me (Edinburgh Airport (EDI))

Member Name: marcellep

Product:	Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Date:	17/04/08 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Local

Disadvantages: Check in hell

Thank you for choosing Edinburgh airport for the interest of safety please ensure no baggage is left unattended. With recent events still in everyone's mind Edinburgh Airport now has armed police and bollards at the front of the terminal. I have flown from EDI airport before and after the recent events at our neighbouring airport in Glasgow.

===Getting to the airport===
From Edinburgh - Frequent low cost direct buses from the city centre (Waverly Bridge) - Taxi will cost approximately £30 from the city centre and if you choose to take the car you can expect to be stuck in traffic for approximately 30-40mins at peak times.
Airlink 100 is the bus that runs between Edinburgh airport and Waverley Bridge - Cost is £3.00 each way and the bus starts @ Edinburgh airport at 04.45hrs and runs every 10mins until approximately 01.00hrs
From Glasgow - Follow the M8 to Newbridge then take exit for Edinburgh airport -
Nearest Railway station is Edinburgh Waverley or Edinburgh Haymarket.

===Parking @ the airport===
Short stay car parks are available on a first come first served basic, I can say each and every time I have been to Edin airport I have never ever seen these car park full. You enter the car park and are issued tickets which will allow you to pay for your stay before you return to your car. It's very costly you use this car park and I would recommend that anyone needing to pick someone up keep circling until their family/friends are ready for collection. If my mind serves me correctly I was approximately £3.00 for less than 60 minutes in this car park. The car park has full complement of CCTV and you will also see many car park attendants walking around. This is a 24hrs car park
If you need to book your car in to any car park on a longer term I would recommend you using the NCP car park which is on the airport site, you can turn up on the day of your holiday and book your car in for the entire duration. The cost is £6.90 per day. Ok this is quite expensive in comparison to many other available, but takes this in to account, its directly opposite the airport terminal, there is no need to book it, 24hr CCTV, regular patrol and secure parking.
If your more healthier and choose to cycle to the airport you can be assured that EDI airport has provided a bicycle rack which has its own little shelter and is covered by 24hr CCTV. This is free and there is no requirement to book this facility.

===Inside the airport===
First impressions are good; it's very bright and spacious. Through the revolving door you go and what you have is many check in desks. Enough staff are visible and you can be assured that your safety/security is paramount to the security staff. The main terminal is very clean, lots of information points are dotted around the building.

===Shops and Bars=== this side of the fence (security)
I was surprised with what Edi airport has to offer before you head through to the departure lounge, If it's a drink of alcohol your looking for then you will have no hassle finding one in Turnhouse bar, expect to pay through the nose for your drinks as it's the last chance for you to be robbed before you go through security. The bar is very roomy and all you can really hear is a mixture of languages saying there last goodbyes. Staffs are very professional and helpful to all.
Other shops before security are Boots, Costa, Borders Books, Accessorize, and Tie Rack

===Checking In===
Like many airports EDI has many screens skilfully placed around the airport which allow us the passenger to view relevant information on our departure. In addition to these you can expect to hear vocal announcements every so often leading up to your departure. These announcements are easily heard and understood in all areas of the airport.
Time to stand in the dreaded queue to wait to be checked in, this is where I feel EDI airport fails just like many other UK airports they announce that the flight xx to Tenerife is now ready to check in please make your way to check in desk 7-8. Now at this point all hell breaks's lose and people are scrambling to get first in the queue. Other passengers' then try to squeeze in to the line just to get a few places in front. In all this panic and confusion EDI staff just sits and look pretty and of course take their time to check in passengers. Eventually when I get to the check in desk there is what looks like an art work gone wrong, come on do we really expect these ladies to wear all that makeup? No we don't anyway back to the check in process, the member of staff asks for all the passports and the promptly asks for all luggage to be placed on the belt. Not even taking the weights in to consideration she just gives us the check in booklet back and tells us to watch the screens for further information.
*Recommendations - Please ensure that adequate number of check in staff on at peak times
We are now luggage free and now it's time to make our way to security, for some reason this always frighten me for some reason.

===Security===
Security is the airport is at the highest it has ever been and all I can say is well done to the staff that provides us with the security cover.
We made our way to security to waited very patiently in the surprisingly calm queue, it's amazing how you can hear fear and looking round the room you can see that people hate this part of the holiday. I have nothing to hide and I step forward,

"Please empty your pockets and place your belongings in the tray"

All my belonging where soon visible to the entire hall -

Walk this way ------ "Oh god please do not bleep"

Thank you Sir enjoy your holiday

Through security and now in to the departure lounge - Oh this hotel is so close now.

===Departure Lounge===
Ladies behave and sit down, I so wish I could say that too Mrs P. This is the part Mrs loves as you now have your first injection of Duty free shopping, a large selection of perfumes, wines, spirirts, cigarettes, confectionary, sandwiches and much more. Ladies and Gents please remember you will require your boarding pass to purchase goods here.

Once again you have the opportunity to sit and relax in the Costa coffee shops and sample some authentic Italian coffee or enjoy a freshly made sandwich.

If electrical goods are for you then why not visit Dixon's Tax free shop, offering a wide selection of the latest gadgets and gizmos.

Cafe Nero is where I head to the relaxed atmosphere is just fantastic, it's calm and allows you to sit and reflect over whatever you like whilst you drink your desired coffee.

Eat is the other shop/sandwich are where I tend to head too as I feel they cater well for all my needs, I am very fussy when it comes to foods, No mayo, No salt, No butter and without fail this shop can make me a fresh sandwich to my needs.

===Final Thoughts===
Overall I am very happy with Edinburgh Airport; it has come along way in the past 10 years. The [place is very clean and modern looking and I am confident that Edinburgh airport will continue to serve the travel industry very well. I love the fact that EDI airport is suitable for disabled people at all levels, all doors are wide enough and there are plenty of staff on standby willing to assist.

Facts - Edinburgh airport seen over 9 million passengers through their doors last year - Those passengers flown with one of the 40 airlines to over 100 destinations.

Useful numbers

Edinburgh Airport general enquiries
Tel +44 (0)870 040 0007

Edinburgh lost property
Tel +44 (0)131 344 3486

Left luggage
Tel +44 (0)870 040 0007

BAA Advance
Tel 0870 850 2825
or +44 (0)121 410 5228 (outside the UK)

BAA Travel Shop
(Book flights and hotels)
Tel: +44 (0)870 273 5248 (Sales only)

WorldPoints
Tel 0500 844 844 (UK )
or +44 (0)1252 644116 (outside the UK)
Tel 0870 850 2825 (UK)
or +44 (0)121 410 5105 (outside the UK)

Thanks for reading

Marcellep

Summary: See review