Bournemouth International Airport

Bournemouth International Airport began life as Hurn Airport. Hurn, where the airport is situated, is a small village in the delightful area of south east Dorset five miles north of the popular coastal resort of Bournemouth itself.

The airport began life as RAF Hurn and was used as a base for fighter planes, paratroop training and gliders. It was used, as were many others, in the Normandy Landings.

Bournemouth International airport is ideally situated for visiting Wessex, sitting in Dorset as it does so centrally between Hampshire and Devon Leave a little time to explore Bournemouth and the surrounding area!

Looking across the lawns of the Lower Gardens towards Bournmouth .   © Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The airport is modernising and a great deal of work has already been done. Resurfacing of the runway and doubling the size of the apron capacity has already been achieved. It is hoped to open the new departure terminal this spring.

Accolades were heaped on Bournemouth International airport in the 2008 Daily Telegraph Awards when it was ranked best airport in the UK and even more amazing third best airport in the world! The one and two airports were major international ones, Singapore Changi airport and Hong Kong International airport. A real feather in the cap of this smaller airport!!

Ryanair and Thomson Airways are the main cariers to and from Bournemouth International Airport.

Plenty of taxis available at the airport.

Car Hire is also available.

Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation for short or long stay in Bournemouth and the surrounding area.

Bournemouth Travel Interchange

A shuttle bus operates hourly to and from the aiport and the Travel Interchange between 7am and 7pm seven days a week The journey takes fifteen minutes. For those planning a stay in Bournemouth, the bus also serves East Cliff, the Pier, West Cliff and the Square. The shuttle bus does not run on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.

The Travel Interchange is a central hub for public transport from Bournemouth to the rest of the country and making the southwest counties of Wessex very accessible.

By Rail

Bournemouth Railway Station is at the Travel Interchange.

South West Trains

Operates services to Waterloo, Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke, Poole, Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth, Gatwick Airport

Virgin Trains

Serves the Midlands and the North of England.

Southern Railway

Change at Southampton for Gatwick airport, Victoria in London and the Sussex coast.

For railway timetables and fares click here

By Coach

National Express coaches stop at the Travel Interchange. From here the whole country is available by coach! Many are direct services.

National Express Airport coaches go to Heathrow. Connections can be made to Gatwick and other main airports.

Local Buses

Bournemouth has a useful bus service to other parts of the city and outlying areas. Traveline is a useful source of information

By Road

For navigation systems, Bournemouth Airport postcode is BH23 6SE

The airport is situated on the B3073 between the A338 and the A348. There is easy access to the A31, M27, M3 and the A35.

Car Parking

Plenty of car parking is available, both short and long stay. For more information regarding parking click here

Further information

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

A Hawker Hunter aircraft on the picnic ground at Bournemouth Aviation Museum   © Copyright Stephen Williams and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

While at Bournemouth Airport why not visit the Aviation Museum. A hands on aviation experience!. They can be found at Merritown Lane which is the B3073 Bournemouth airport perimeter road. Things to see include piston powered and jet aircraft and a RAF Rescue helicopter. This one is not just for the kids, grown up kids too – get in the cockpit and pretend you are the pilot!!!! Want to try the flight simulator? Go on.... seems very real!

Eventually they intend to have a Heritsge Aviation Centre. For more information of this rather unique museum have a look here
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Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth beach Photograph © Copyright M Temple 2008

The lovely golden sands at Bournemouth beach are a real favourite on a sunny day!

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