DRS2008 » European Flights

Short Haul/Low Cost airlines

UK-based low cost airlines serving Europe include Ryanair, Easyjet, BMI Baby, Thomsonfly, Flybe and Jet2. But there will also be services by airlines based in other European Countries. The list of airports below is in order of convenience. The Maps page has a map of airports and rail links. To check times of trains from these airports to Sheffield go to thetrainline.com

Manchester Airport (MAN) has a very wide range of services but it is a very big airport, small regional places can be easier if there is a suitable flight.
This page has a list of destinations with airlines
There is a direct train service every hour from Manchester Airport to Sheffield taking around 75 minutes. You can save time by buying your train ticket while waiting to collect your baggage, from an automatic machine that takes credit cards (Trans-Pennine Express).

London Luton Airport (LTN) is a good option with many destinations. It is about 2 hours from Sheffield, the airport station is on the main railway from London to Sheffield although you may have to change trains on the way. Luton is the main airport for the Easyjet network and is also served by Ryanair. Here's the full list of destinations with links to book flights

Birmingham Airport (BHX) Is worth checking as there is a half-hourly train service from the airport (Birmingham International rail station) to Sheffield (under 2 hours). Usually you will have to change trains at Birmingham New Street Station which is very big, crowded and confusing but a few services go direct.
They have a fancy destination map here you can click on your local airport to find which airlines go there from Birmingham

Doncaster Robin Hood Airport (DSA) New small airport east of Sheffield. The bus transfer to Doncaster Station will take around 30 minutes every 30 mins and there is a regular local train service from Doncaster to Sheffield taking around 20 mins. Being small and new it's relatively quiet and they are pleased to see you.
Here's a list of destinations and airlines. Most are holiday charters but Thomsonfly, Ryanair, Flybe and Wizzair offer low cost scheduled services and there are flights to Toronto.

Nottingham East Midlands Airport (EMA) Is relatively close with a good choice of destinations, but transfers are difficult without a car so it's probably not the best choice unless you cannot get a flight anywhere else. For one-way car hire with a return location close to the conference in Sheffield try Europcar East Midlands is a convenient-size airport, less stress than Manchester or Stansted.

Leeds/Bradford Airport (LBA) Is quite close but not convenient, It might be useful if there is a convenient flight This page has a list of destinations and airlines. Search here for flights to and from Leeds/Bradford with any airline. Flybe, Jet2 and Ryanair are the main low cost airlines, BMI, Aer Arann and KLM also serve Leeds/Bradford.
You will need to get a bus or taxi to Leeds Station, trains to Sheffield take around 45 minutes, but make sure you only get the express services, local trains stop at many stations and take a long time. Train services from Leeds to Sheffield are not good for such a local journey, it is a bottleneck on the rail network and some trains avoid it. Trains can be crowded and delayed, especially in the late afternoon.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is less convenient than some of the others, you need to take a bus or taxi to Liverpool city centre and then a two-hour train journey (every hour) to Sheffield. However it is one of the few places other than Stansted that has low-cost Ryanair flights from Scandinavia and as a small airport it might be less stressful. Here is a link to destination maps and other information about flights from Liverpool.

London Stansted Airport (STN) is not convenient for Sheffield as it is in the East of England away from the main road and rail network. However it is the main destination for Ryanair flights from Scandinavia and also has a very frequent service by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul (They also fly to Manchester) so for some people it may be the best choice. There is an hourly train service to Sheffield, Normally you change trains at either Ely or Leicester and the journey can take around 4 hours. Stansted is becoming a big airport and you can experience delays at security and in the internal transit system between the terminal and gates. Here is the full list of destinations and airlines

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