5 hours in this airport is enough to send you insane! (Nimes-Arles-Camargue Airport (FNI))

Member Name: bkecky

Product:	Nimes-Arles-Camargue Airport (FNI)
Date:	31/08/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You can't get lost?!

Disadvantages: Small, boring, rubbish facilities, transport sporadic

I am afraid this will be a very short review due to the fact that Nimes airport is so ridiculously small that I can't really write a lot about it.

The airport is located about 20 minutes from the centre of Nimes. It is accessible by the Navette bus but this does not come into service until 2pm and it is quite sporadic due to the airport being so small. There are usually very few flights a day to 3 destinations. One in Belgium and then Luton and Liverpool. It is operated by Ryanair and there are no other airlines using this airport. Consequently you have the choice of a small newsagency, a cafe and a restaurant on the upper level.

The cafe has a selection of pastries and sandwiches as well as the standard coffee, tea, soft drinks and beer. It's not cheap like most airports but the seating area is substantial enough for the amount of visitors to the airport. The sandwiches are actually quite nice as well. There are also a few vending machines if you are in a rush.

The shop sells cigarettes, postcards, a few books in French, magazines in English and French, some snacks and a few souvenirs but nothing more than that.

When you go through to departures you walk through a door just past the check-in desk and through security where you are surprised at the other end to find only two departure lounges. Usually these are packed full because there is not enough seating. This is really uncomfortable when it's hot and as is usual with Ryanair there is always a huge fight to get on the plane, which means people are pressed against each other and it is generally a very unpleasant experience. You also have to walk to the plane as there is not shuttle.

I was stuck at this airport for five hours after my plane was cancelled due to snow in the UK and I can tell you that it was the longest five hours of my life. It is just one big room with metal seating and it was really uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

As for taxis, they can rarely be found. When my grandparents arrived they waited 50 minutes for a taxi. They did order them one eventually but they were sort of well it's ordered but we don't know how long it will be or how much it will cost. Really helpful.

So all in all you will never be late through to departures and you will never get lost in this airport but you will get incredibly bored. I recommend taking something to amuse yourself before you go insane.

Summary: Always a painful experience if you are delayed