Flights To Almeria This Winter
November 11th, 2009 - Chris MarshallWell we know that Monarch aren’t flying to Almeria this winter (did you sign the petition – don’t forget you can also sign it verbally), but what about bmiBaby, Ryanair, etc.
As an expat living in Spain, in areas that are serviced by Almeria Airport i.e. Mojacar, Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Almerimar, Adra, El Ejido, Berja etc, it is important to have access to friends and family back home. At Christmas time in particular families like to get together, especially if it gives UK residents a break in the lovely winter sunshine, so the criteria for this search was a 10 day vacation over Christmas flying into Almeria.
The question is: are the expats of Andalucia stranded in Spain, cut off from their friends and family this winter?
The period I looked at was the 17th December to the 27th January, a good period to come over and enjoy a winter Christmas break, and be back home for New Year.
These are the dates that we ended up booking for my parents!
easyJet
You can fly out of Gatwick South Terminal into Almeria with easyJet
Outbound: departs 0620 arrives 1010
Inbound: departs 1140 arrives 1325
Cost: including travel insurance and 1 Hold Bag £312.78
With it being an early flight they are also going to need a Airport Hotel and Airport Parking, plus the cost of a return drive from Staffordshire.
Lets call it £500 for the two of them to fly over for Christmas.
Monarch
Birmingham to Almeria – no flights. The next flight from Birmingham to Almeria is on the 29th March 2010
Manchester to Almeria – no flights. The next flight from Manchester to Almeria is on the 28th March 2010
Gatwick to Murcia – no flights. The next flight from Gatwick to Murcia is on the 28th March 2010
Luton to Malaga – there are flights!!!
Outbound: departs 0710 arrives 1100
Inbound: departs 1200 arrives 1340
Cost: including travel insurance and 1 Hold Bag £208.12
Realistically they would require a Airport Hotel and Airport Parking, plus the cost of a return drive from Staffordshire. They also need to get from Malaga which can be done either by:
Car Hire – for which I was quoted 736€
Airport Pickup From Someone in Almerimar – cost is around 150€ I understand
Picked up by Us – say 30€ in petrol in the Toyota Prius Hybrid
Bus – which costs around 25€ with alsa.es
So realistically the cost would be between £410 and £1,110
Ryan Air
Birmingham to Malaga – flights on the 16th and 18th December, returning on the 27th so they qualify
Outbound: departs 1735 arrives 2130
Inbound: departs 2205 arrives 2355
Cost: including travel insurance and 1 Hold Bag £150
Given their proximity to Birmingham I think they would manage without a Airport Hotel but would require Airport Parking plus the cost of a return drive from Staffordshire. They also need to get from Malaga which can be done either by:
Car Hire – for which I was quoted 736€
Airport Pickup From Someone in Almerimar – cost is around 150€ I understand
Picked up by Us – say 30€ in petrol in the Toyota Prius Hybrid
Bus – which costs around 25€ with alsa.es
So realistically the cost would be between £250 and £950
Other Options
Ryan Air
Bristol to Malaga
Outbound: departs 0630 arrives 1010
Inbound: departs 1755 arrives 1935
Costs: £70 flights only
Bristol to Alicante – flights on the 16th and 18th December, returning on the 27th so they qualify
Outbound: departs 0630 arrives 1000
Inbound: departs 1025 arrives 1155
Costs: £80 flights only
No flights to Almeria
Birmingham to Malaga – flights on the 17th returning on the 26th so they qualify
Outbound: departs 1000 arrives 1400
Inbound: departs 1135 arrives 1335
Costs: £45 flights only
Birmingham to Alicante – flights on the 17th returning on the 26th so they qualify
Outbound: departs 1035 arrives 1420
Inbound: departs 1825 arrives 2015
Costs: £42 flights only
Cardiff to Alicante – flights on the 18th returning on the 27th so they qualify
Outbound: departs 1045 arrives 1420
Inbound: departs 0955 arrives 1130
Costs: £50 flights only
They have a flight from Leeds/Bradford to Murcia on the 18th December, returning on the 27th December for £120 per person, plus taxes etc
Conclusion
Once you accept that you can’t fly directly into Almeria there are actually more options than I thought to be honest. Malaga will always be a good option, but it is 3 hours away at best, and with early check ins and flight times it isnever as convenient as it first appears in my experience.
Personally I would look at Granada and Murcia, then Alicante, and I would certainly look at buses rather than car hire, as that continues to be expensive, and in short supply currently in Spain.
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November 27th, 2009 at 19:12
[...] http://almerimarlife.com/lang/es/flights-to-almeria-this-winterWell we know that Monarch aren’t flying to Almeria this winter (did you sign the petition – don’t forget you can also sign it verbally), but what about bmiBaby, Ryanair, etc. As an expat living in Spain, in areas that are serviced by … [...]
December 1st, 2009 at 17:15
[...] http://almerimarlife.com/lang/es/flights-to-almeria-this-winterWell we know that Monarch aren’t flying to Almeria this winter (did you sign the petition – don’t forget you can also sign it verbally), but what about bmiBaby, Ryanair, etc. As an expat living in Spain, in areas that are serviced by … [...]