Stansted airport is currently the fourth busiest in the country, although if the proposed development plans go ahead it is likely that this position will be improved. Any development is likely to include an expansion of accompanying services such as shops, car hire desks, and eateries as these are all an efficient method for Stansted Airport to earn extra revenue.
The expansion of the site however is not without its critics, as Stansted Airport sits in one of the most beautiful rural settings anywhere within the UK, local residents are understandably up in arms over these development plans. Currently the site handles around twenty million passengers annually, making it one of the major airports in Britain, but what is the history of the site, what has been involved in the development Stansted?
Stansted Airport takes its name from the nearby town of Stansted Mountfitchet, a sleepy Essex town that sits on the border with Hertfordshire. The site was earmarked for development at the outset of the Second World War although instead of a major RAF presence, the USAAF were the predominant force in building the site up. The engineers of the USAAF laid the runways and put in place a number of hangars. The purpose of the airfield was to house bombers of the 344th bombardment group.
As the home of the 344th, a squadron that utilised the massive B26 bomber a number of sorties were flown to sites on the continent including France, Germany and the Netherlands. Stansted played a particularly important role during the Normandy landings, bombing bridges and strategic positions behind the German lines to hold up their withdrawal. An action worthy of note was the role played by the 344th in restricting the German retreat through the Falaise Gap, a pivotal moment during the war.
Stansted airport especially benefited from the growth in budget air travel during the eighties and nineties due to the fact that the rates it offered airlines were cheaper than those at Heathrow or Gatwick. It is not however purely budget travel that is catered for at the site, in recent years the prestigious department store Harrods has started operating flights from Stansted; allowing passengers to charter a private jet to almost anywhere in the world.
This service is accompanied by the opportunity to utilise helicopter transfers from London as well as chauffeur driven car hire services. The Harrods operations however are only a small part of the operations of the site, with so many passengers passing through daily, a number of services offering coach travel, rail and car hire provisions have been built up to accommodate the needs of passengers heading out on an onward journey.
The road links that service Stansted Airport are fantastic, in the past few years a major link has been constructed to the M11 Motorway providing fast and efficient travel not only to London but to destinations all around the country. For those utilising car hire services however there is another option before jumping onto the motorway, this is to tour the wondrous countryside that surrounds the site. With a wealth of quant and picturesque villages and towns literally five minutes drive away; those who want to experience the real England will find an attractive travel proposition.
While the arguments over the expansion of the site may be continuing it is likely that Stansted will receive a second runway and will subsequently increase its passenger numbers. This can only be good for the auxiliary services such as car hire desks, restaurants and shops as revenues will subsequently increase. The history of the site is rich, in the coming years it is likely that this development will only continue.
Malaga airport is currently the fourth busiest in Spain and last year over 13 million travelers passed through their doors. Today an astounding 23 UK airports provide flights to Malaga. Gone are the days of having to travel miles before even leaving the shores of the UK we can now travel from a huge variety of regional airports which makes travel to Spain easier than ever.
Summer 2008 saw great success at Malaga airport travelers got to their destination in good time after collecting their luggage. A series of new construction works took place in 2008 delays to and from the airport were expected but kept to a minimum. In July 2007 works to extend the already existing facilities were completed; new car parks, extra check-in desks, and further luggage carousels were added. Eventually the new runway at terminal 1 will open allowing a greater rate of passengers to pass through the airport. Malaga functions very well as an international airport with all of the modern facilities you would imagine in such a development.
The introduction of budget flights to Malaga has made the airport very accessible to tourists from the UK. BMIbaby, Thompson Fly, Easy Jet, and Ryan Air are the biggest operators flying to Malaga, perhaps the best way to ensure you receive the cheapest prices is to use a search engine that will compare the prices for you. This means that you will not have to trawl through the various operators manually and have to re-insert your details over and over again.
These airlines have greatly reduced the cost of air travel however there are a few things you can do personally to ensure you get the best prices. By booking your air travel as far in advance of your holiday usually means cheaper prices. This is because as time passes and the date of your travel nears demand for the few remaining seats increases the prices. Certain airlines also host sale weekends or promotional type offers. For instance they drop the airport taxes for a limited period or reduced the seat costs. By signing up to airline newsletters you often hear about these promotions before they happen. Be wary as some of these airlines have some hidden extras. You might have to pay to take luggage in the hold or pay for online check in. compare prices closely and you are sure to get the best prices.
Remember that often with these no frill airlines you wont be given food during the trip, make sure you know what to expect before flying. Advanced or express check in is a relatively new feature offered in air travel it quite often means that you no longer have to arrive so early for your flight; which means you will spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your holiday.
Hiring a car at Malaga airport is simple and hassle free there are literally hundreds of options including large international companies and some local Spanish operators. The Car hire companies are generally located on the lower level of the airport. Having collected your luggage do not go through to the arrivals area, follow the signs for car hire and go down a level to where you will find the offices of the rental companies. With so many companies operating from Malaga its a good idea to use a comparison search engine again which will bring you a list of the best offers available.
Below is a guide to the various companies flying to Malaga and from which airports they operate out of.
Air-Scotland
Edinburgh and Glasgow
Jet2
Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Blackpool, Manchester
British Airways
Iberia – Heathrow and Gatwick, GB Airways Manchester
BMI baby
Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Manchester and Teeside
Despite the growing number of car owners in the United Kingdom there is always a demand for hire cars. Whether it be from customers in the UK wanting day rental to replace their own damaged car, tourists coming from abroad to visit England, or UK tourists looking for car rental abroad.
One of the fastest growing car hire firms in the UK is Sixt, a company originating in Germany, and now expanding across Europe. Sixt has an emphasis on low prices and high quality service and is rapidly becoming one of the most trusted UK brands.
Through their global network of branches Sixt are able to offer car, van and minibus hire worldwide. With 14 branches in London and over 100 across the rest of the UK it’s easy to see why Sixt UK is so popular. Every one of their vehicles is less than 6 months old and maintained to the highest standards. This means that Sixt customers receive the very best service and lowest prices in the UK.
For British holidaymakers looking to hire a car in popular holiday destinations such as Malaga, Palma, Barcelona, and Alicante it has never been easier. Thanks to the internet tourists can book their holiday car from UK Sixt website without any hassle and at discounted prices.
For UK based rental the process is just as easy customers can book online or go directly to a Sixt branch and they are not limited to just cars. Sixt offer a wide range of vans and minibuses also available for hire at competitive rates on short and long term rental plans.
Despite the increasing amount of car hire brokers and price comparison websites it seems that many customers are happy to deal directly with a car hire company without the hassle of a ‘middle man’.
The ability to offer a complete global service gives Sixt a great advantage and the future certainly looks promising for the German rent-a-car firm in the UK market.
Among residents and travellers alike, the UK is famous for its congested public transport networks. From the London Underground to Britain’s cross-country rail networks, the stress of having to deal with UK public transport can bring out the worst in nearly every Briton – and a good many tourists as well! So, if you’re planning to embark on a multi-stop tour of the UK, it might be in your favour to think of alternative modes of transport. You might find the most convenient option is simply to hire a car.
Car hire in the UK will allow you to traverse this stunning country at your own leisure. You won’t have to rely on the unpredictability of public transport networks, or have to adapt your own travel schedule to fit operating train times. Driving a hired car around the UK will allow you to take your driving holiday at your own speed – both metaphorically and literally – and is sure to afford you time to breathe.
For instance, if you’re a tourist hoping to find a convenient way to travel around the British Isles, you’ll be able to hire a car as soon as you arrive. All major airports in the UK boast accessible car rental facilities, so your holiday can begin as soon as you’ve left the arrival terminal. Hire a car upon your arrival in Heathrow, and you’ll be able to drive to a variety of top UK holiday destinations – from Cornwall to Cardiff, or Exeter to Edinburgh.
However, if you do choose one of many low cost UK car hire options, it’s important to figure out where in the country affords the most convenient driving opportunities. For example, if you’re spending your entire holiday in London, then driving isn’t going to be your best transport option – no matter how crowded the tube may get!
Instead, if you’re opting to hire a car on your UK holiday, take a drive through the rugged mountainous regions of Wales, and enjoy the serenity of Snowdonia. Alternatively, drive to Scotland and you’ll be able to appreciate the tranquillity of the glens and the staggering beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Or take a drive in your hired car through the Yorkshire Dales or past the stunning sights of the Lake District to discover the England that William Wordsworth held so dear.
On the other hand, if you’ve arrived in the mainland and you’re hoping to travel to Northern Ireland, don’t think that your only travel option is to book a flight to Belfast. If you choose to hire a car, you’ll be able to drive to a number of ferry ports where you can take the ferry to Ireland. Drive to Stranraer, for example, and you’ll be able take the ferry straight to Belfast. Alternatively, take the historic Holyhead to Dublin ferry and drive across the Emerald Isle’s breathtaking sights to get to your destination.
Whatever plans you might have for your holiday in the UK, opting for car hire gives you limitless possibilities – allowing you to make the most of your visit, and at a pace to suit you.
Scotland is home to the westernmost and northenmost points of Great Britain. The highest peak of Great Britain is at Ben Nevis in Scotland at 1344 metres.
This geographical location makes it cold, wet and windy with some of the most inhospitable terrain of the entire country.
Scots have a reputation for being a hard and often fierce race but this is not necessarily so. Indeed, with their very best export being Scotch Whiskey this must have mellowed them somewhat over the years.
However, whiskey aside, how much easier would life have been for the Scottish clans if car hire had been around as long as they had?
Just think back to King Macbeth. Reigning from 1040 to 1057, Macbeth won his seat by slaying Duncan I in battle near Elgin. During his time on the throne he went on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1050. How much quicker would this have been in a car hired from Scotland instead of on horseback and boat? The pilgrimage obviously did him no favours as he was killed seven years later by Duncan’s son, Malcolm Canmore at Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire.
Maybe if Macbeth had travelled to Rome in a hired car, he would have been home sooner and in a better position to prepare himself for battle against Canmore?
The trials of Sir William Wallace would have been infinitely reduced if he had car hire Scotland available to him. Born in 1270 in Renfrewshire, West Scotland, Sir William was a firm believer in the independence of Scotland from England.
Beating the English army in 1297, Sir William was hailed a hero by the Scottish people and was given control of the government while their King was in prison in England. Unfortunately, he was defeated the following year but his crusade to keep Scotland free of British rule continued.
The demise of Sir William Wallace came about when he was captured in Glasgow in 1305 and executed in London shortly after. Maybe if he had car hire options he could have covered more ground, won more battles and escaped his enemies?
Scotland has produced many fine artists of literature in its time. Poet Robert Burns and novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott lived in the late 1700′s. Burns was born the son of a farmer and twice during his lifetime tried his hand at farming, failing dismally. His heart was in writing poetry and he excelled at this. One of his most famous pieces is Auld Lang Syne but in The Authors Earnest Cry and Prayer he sang ‘Freedom and whiskey gang thegither’.
Car hire would have been useful to Burns as his travels around Scotland took him from his birthplace in Ayrshire, South West Scotland to Edinburgh and Dumfries. With a hired car, visiting fellow artists such as Walter Scott would have proved beneficial for inspiration. However, with his love of the Scotch, maybe it wouldn’t have been such a good idea.
Sir Walter Scott overtook Robert Burns as the most popular author of his time. Maybe because he started off in Edinburgh and therefore was much more central to the larger population. When he wrote The Heart of Midlothian, is it possible that he had a visit from Robert Burns in mind when he said ‘The hour is come but not the man’? Possibly with car hire this line would never have been written.
In more recent times, Alexander Graham Bell, educationist and inventor from 1847 to 1922 is one of Scotland’s more notable exports. Studying at Edinburgh and London, Bell spent many years working with his father on their sign language system and elocution lessons. Responsible for the invention of the telephone, Bell’s life would have been easier if he had hired a car to get between Edinburgh and London instead of relying on public transport. He could also have used car hire for his visits abroad.
Bell moved to Canada in 1871 taking with him the fine reputation of the Scot’s people as being fine inventors with creative minds. Maybe it’s the extreme climate of Scotland and the fact that they have had to walk all over the difficult terrain instead of using hired cars that has hardened them to the elements and given them some of the best minds in existence.
London is a wonderful destination that is well worth exploring with car hire. Renting a car in London allows you to break out of the city and experience all that is unique. Whether you’re visiting London on a flying visit or you’re in for a longer stay, let car hire take you to your destination. Whatever way you plan to spend your time in London, you can be guaranteed a memorable travel adventure. Once you’ve picked up your car from Luton Airport, you’re free to discover the charms of the city and the surrounding countryside. The following is a handy guide to how best to spend your time in London.
Luton Mini Guide:
London’s Luton Airport is located 51 km outside of Central London. Luton Airport offers a number of services and facilities including: banks, ATMs, cafés, bars and restaurants. The airport is signposted on major routes including the M1, M25 and A1.
Things To See/Do in Luton-London
Luton is a large town located in the south of England. Aside from the airport, Luton is perhaps most famous today for being the home of Luton Town Football Club, who play in the Coca-Cola Football League Championship. The club’s biggest success to date was winning the League Cup in 1988. The team’s nickname, “the hatters” comes from Luton’s flourishing millinery industry in the nineteenth century.
The town is also famous for Luton Carnival, which is held in May each year. The multicultural event has become the largest one-day carnival in Europe, with crowds of over 150, 000 on each occasion.
Luton’s surrounding countryside has plenty on offer for those craving fresh air and wide-open spaces. Why not leave Luton behind and make a car hire journey to the nearby Whipsnade Wildlife Park and Zoo? The Wildlife Park and Zoo is home to over 2,500 animals and is one of the biggest conservation parks in Europe.
Active thrill-seekers may like to stop off at Dunstable Downs, (which forms part of the Chiltern Hills) for a spot of hang gliding or paragliding.
If that’s not exciting enough, don’t forget London city is never far away, offering superb shopping on Bond Street and Oxford Street, world-class theatre shows in the West End and of course museums, galleries and iconic features like Big Ben, London Bridge and Buckingham Palace.
Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation in Luton-London:
Eating out in Luton is cheap, given the town’s growing population of budget conscious students. The town offers a range of eateries to suit all palates and budgets, including cosy gastro-pubs, sleek international restaurants and cheap cafés. The Bury Park area caters especially to Asian tastes. For a special night out it’s well worth heading into London to its vast selection of trendy clubs and nightspots.
It’s easy to find accommodation in Luton to fit every budget and requirement. Thrifty travellers can rest easy at The Red Lion Lodge Hotel, situated on Castle Street. The hotel deals in cheap room rates starting at £45 for a double room. Leaside Hotel & Restaurant is another budget option-special offers include family room rates priced at £80 a night.
Using a car rental is a fine option for many urban residents instead of car buying. Lots of people living in cities find car rental UK much more affordable and much less hassle than buying a car, using the rental on an as needed basis.
The increase in discount flights and competitive prices for car hire has made car rental a much more attractive option in recent years. When you are looking for a car hire the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time on the web or on the phone, looking around for the best car rental deal. The cost of a car hire is sensible and considering public transportation within a city is usually pretty good.
As all know, the City of London is not exactly the best place to drive a London hire car. However, if you are fed up with the busy city life, a car hire in uk may be just the thing you need to relax. Stop being bothered by the tourists and become one yourself by renting a London car hire and take a drive in the Country! With so many car hire suppliers to choose from, you are bound to find a deal on the car you need to get out of town.
When it comes to choosing car hire UK, there are several key factors to consider. Deciding on the type of car hire UK, picking the right company to go with, and planning your travel itinerary will definitely save you headaches in the long run and will give you piece of mind. When people think of good value for car rental money, they think Thrifty. Most of the Thrifty car rental locations in the UK are franchised, so you get individualised attention for your car rental needs on a great rental deal.
Airport Car Hire UK
Keep in mind that most car hire UK is managed at the major airports—in the London area, this would be car hire Heathrow Airport car hire Luton Airport, car hire Gatwick Airport and car hire Stansted Airport. The City Airport, although very convenient for European travel, is considered a smaller airport and, depending on the time of day, can be very difficult to get to. Never the less, if you hire a car at one of these airports, chances are you will be able to drop off the car hire UK at an alternative airport while avoiding a one way charge.
Tips for driving in uk
It is important to note that a car rental in the uk includes insurance. This is something you will have to pay on a yearly basis for a purchased car. While driving if you are lost in yourLondon Car Rental, stop and ask directions from a Black Cab Driver. Sometimes the best way to get across town, especially if you don’t know where you are going in your London Car Rental, is to follow a Black Cab. You need to pay for your London Congestion Charge every weekday that you have your London Car Rental.
Fed up with public transport in London? Make a speedy getaway with car hire. Independent of timetables, you’ll be free to discover the world famous attractions of London, as well as a range of wonderful day-trip destinations such as Brighton and Bath at a pace that suits you. Renting a car in London affords you the ultimate freedom to explore everything and anything that takes your fancy. As one of the world’s most popular city break destinations, you’ll always find something going on. Whether it’s sport, theatre or historical attractions. The following is a guide to the best sights in the borough of Westminster worth including in your London car hire itinerary.
London Victoria Train Station Mini Guide:
London Victoria Train Station is situated in the west of London City in the borough of Westminster. The station offers a number of services and facilities for passengers including: ATMs, Bureau de Change for last minute sterling, photo booths and toilet facilities.
Things To See/Do in Westminster:
Westminster is a borough of London, located to the west of London city.
Some of London’s most exciting and popular tourist attractions are to be found in Westminster including: The British Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the famous West End theatre district. Westminster offers a good range of cultural attractions at museums and galleries including: The National Gallery, Tate Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts and Westminster Abbey Museum-all of which can be easily accessed by hire car.
Westminster is shopper’s paradise; with its trendy streets immortalised in The Kinks song ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’:
”They seek him here, they seek him there,
In Regent Street and Leicester Square.
Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on,
Each one a dedicated follower of fashion.”
While in town why not catch a West End show at The Palladium, the Adelphi or Palace Theatre? Tickets to popular musicals are expensive, but discount admission fees and special offers are available at certain times of the year.
Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation in Westminster:
Westminster has a vibrant nightlife, with lively after-dark action to be found around Soho and the West End. Trendy hangouts include: Mo*vida in Mayfair, Storm at Leicester Square and The Astoria in Covent Garden.
Eating out in Westminster offers something for everyone in terms of quality and budget. London is a cultural melting pot and this is reflected in the choice of British and international cuisine on offer in Westminster. Top-end British fare can be enjoyed at Westminster eateries like: The Atrium at 4, Millbank and The Ebury on Pimlico Road. Cheap places to eat for those on a budget include: The Italian restaurant Uno, situated in Pimlico and The Grouse and Claret gastro pub at Little Chester Street.
Visitors looking for luxury accommodation will be spoilt for choice by the range of first class establishments in Westminster. World-class hotels in the Mayfair area include: Claridges, The Connaught and The Dorchester. Meanwhile those on a spend-thrifty budget will find a cheap place to sleep at Luna and Simone Hotel, situated in the heart of Westminster.
