Fairford Sat + Sun - What time to get there for?
Discussion
Hi all,
Going to my first RIAT this weekend with the kids. Seen a few posts recommending to get there early. What time is early???
We're staying at the Holiday Inn in Swindon (the one on the M4 J16).
I think we'll be on the Green carparks.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I'd rather get there early than get stuck in hours of traffic.
Going to my first RIAT this weekend with the kids. Seen a few posts recommending to get there early. What time is early???
We're staying at the Holiday Inn in Swindon (the one on the M4 J16).
I think we'll be on the Green carparks.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I'd rather get there early than get stuck in hours of traffic.
Nuclearsquash said:
yes probably. I'm leaving Cirencester (next town up from swindon and very close to Fairford, at 07:30, and fully expect queues.
Are they not running shuttle buses from Swindon this year?
I'm sure the website says they are.Are they not running shuttle buses from Swindon this year?
ETA: Found it...
RIAT Website said:
Frequent shuttle buses will leave Swindon Bus Station (close to the train station) for RAF Fairford, these buses travel along a specially designated route thus giving passengers a fast-track entry to the Airshow. Return tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children.
Edited by spitfire-ian on Friday 16th July 09:45
Nuclearsquash said:
yes probably. I'm leaving Cirencester (next town up from swindon and very close to Fairford, at 07:30, and fully expect queues.
Are they not running shuttle buses from Swindon this year?
Yeah i've seen the shuttle buses. With all the kids (2y/o and 5y/o) stuff though i'd rather take the car - Makes it easier to cart round the pram etc.Are they not running shuttle buses from Swindon this year?
Thanks for all help.
No need to just sit there "bored". There should be LOTS to see in the static display. The crews are often with their aeroplanes so you can chat with them about what the plane does and the type of missions they fly. They sometimes have freebies like stickers, patches, posters etc to hand out.
I'm actually incredibly excited and have been all week - I'm a bit of a lurker on the Boats Planes n' Trains section.
I've actually been talking to some of the guys on here and with my local AFCO recently about a possible career in the RAF so I'm really interested to get up close to some aircraft - visiting Elvington near me, and the Concorde up in Scotland has really fired up some interest in the past year or so.
I fully expect to be astounded, The engineering of these things actually makes me emotional! I suspect my Missus wont quite 'get' it.
I've actually been talking to some of the guys on here and with my local AFCO recently about a possible career in the RAF so I'm really interested to get up close to some aircraft - visiting Elvington near me, and the Concorde up in Scotland has really fired up some interest in the past year or so.
I fully expect to be astounded, The engineering of these things actually makes me emotional! I suspect my Missus wont quite 'get' it.
Eric Mc said:
No need to just sit there "bored". There should be LOTS to see in the static display. The crews are often with their aeroplanes so you can chat with them about what the plane does and the type of missions they fly. They sometimes have freebies like stickers, patches, posters etc to hand out.
I didn't mean quite that, I was thinking of trying to get there for closer to 7am and I guess nothing will be open at that time...I'm leaving Essex around 4am.
That leaves two hours to get around the M25, down the M4 and off the A419. Then about an hours queue down the country road to Kempsford and an hours queue (on foot) to get through security and on base.
I think that was about the time I left last year and got on base at 8am.
People were getting there an hour later and having all sorts of problems in queues.
That leaves two hours to get around the M25, down the M4 and off the A419. Then about an hours queue down the country road to Kempsford and an hours queue (on foot) to get through security and on base.
I think that was about the time I left last year and got on base at 8am.
People were getting there an hour later and having all sorts of problems in queues.
nonuts said:
Eric Mc said:
No need to just sit there "bored". There should be LOTS to see in the static display. The crews are often with their aeroplanes so you can chat with them about what the plane does and the type of missions they fly. They sometimes have freebies like stickers, patches, posters etc to hand out.
I didn't mean quite that, I was thinking of trying to get there for closer to 7am and I guess nothing will be open at that time...anonymous said:
[redacted]
You can tell you've done this before 
I(we) used to leave West London at 5am in the old days to be in the first half mile of stationary traffic waiting to get into Mildenhall, and the same to head west for Fairford in the days when you parked on base.
Aiming to be 'in the area' for 8am is too late IMHO.
It's not fair im sat in the office running build verification tests, and all i can hear overhead are jets playing around, still when i do pop out i get a great view of everything, i think there's a swiss display team currently up.
Will be leaving nice and early from Cirencester tomorrow, well half 7, so fingers crossed it isn't too busy at that time.
Will be leaving nice and early from Cirencester tomorrow, well half 7, so fingers crossed it isn't too busy at that time.
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