Nov 20 2008

Tips for Car Hire Customers Awaiting Connecting Flights

Filed under: Travel Advice

Connecting flights just got more tedious (if that’s possible!)  Passengers due to transfer between Aer Lingus flights from Dublin and Cork to Heathrow and British Airways flights from the London Airport will soon have to allow more time to move between terminals 1 and 5. 

As if transferring wasn’t awkward enough, British Airways has announced that the minimum connecting time has been increased from 90 to 120 minutes and passengers must collect their bags on arrival and re-check them at the departing terminal. 

So what to do for two extra hours on top of your transfer time?  Well, talk of connecting flights got us thinking about the best ways to kill time in an airport.  As we discovered, there’s a lot more to some airports than meets the eye.

  • JFK and other large airports have spa facilities available.  It’s possible to get a massage or a manicure while you wait.  I’ve seen the one in JFK for myself, looks like the perfect way to de-stress before you hop on the plane, pick up your rental car and hit the road ahead.
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  • Amsterdam, Sydney, London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Munich and Singapore have shower facilities available. 
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  • Most airports have internet and wifi access, check if wifi is available for free. While you’re surfing, you might as well get organised and log on to google maps to plan the best route for your car hire journey. 
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  • Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport  provides sleeping modules, one person ‘pods’ that let you rest during long stopovers.  Just think, a good night’s sleep will have you feeling refreshed and rearing to go when you pick-up your car hire. 
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  • Vancouver Airport has a number of amenities including medical services and a pharmacy.  Why not stock up on last minute essentials before boarding? Don’t forget, liquids over 100ml are considered contraband.
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  • Medical facilities are also available at London’s Heathrow. 
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  • Most (if not all) international airports have a bookshop in some shape or form.  While you’re perusing the aisles, why not pick up a guidebook about your destination and check out the local hotspots so you’ll know where you’re going when you get to the car rental desk on the other end. 

These are just some of the tips Argus Car Hire  came up with.  If you’ve got any other suggestions that you’d like to share, drop us a line or leave a comment!

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Written by F.H
Nov 19 2008

UK Christmas Rail Closures Wreak Holiday Havoc

Filed under: Travel News

It’s going to be a lonely Christmas for those eager to visit family and friends in the UK over the festive season.   Up to 11 days of rail closures due to engineering works have been sheduled to begin over the Christmas holidays.

On Monday, Network Rail confirmed that no trains will be running on Christmas Day and services would be greatly reduced on December 26th.  Extensive engineering work is also planned for the weekend of December 27-28.

The longest closure will affect South West train services between Clapham junction and Barnes from December 25 to January 4,  Large parts of the rail network will also be closed for several days this Christmas.  For detailed travel information, visit www.nationalrail.com.
London underground services are also expected to be affected with the Jubilee line facing disruption from December 25th to 29th.

Do you find yourself in this situation?  There are two options open to you.  You can either sit at home and succumb to cabin fever or get yourself a rental car!

Written by F.H
Nov 18 2008

Winter Sunshine Focus: Cyprus

Filed under: Travel Advice

Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing 2.4 million tourists every year.  Due to its eastern Mediterranean location, west of Syria, Israel and Lebanon, the island enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year.

In Cyprus, autumn’s sunshine stays around much longer than any other part of the Mediterranean.  It only takes a four-hour flight to get there too!  Average temperatures in Paphos in November peak at 21C, allowing visitors to enjoy seven hours of sunshine a day and very little rain.  With temperatures hovering around the 22C mark, even the sea is much warmer than in May.

Renting a car in Cyprus gives tourists the chance to break free from the usual resorts and discover the true beauty of the island.  Still unsure?  Check out our fantastic Cyprus car hire offers today!

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Written by F.H