Dinard Airport Arrivals (DNR)

Dinard Airport is located approximately 5km, or 3.1 miles to the south-southwest of Dinard, a popular seaside resort in the country of France. The airport is also nearby Saint-Malo, a larger town well known as a fortified port area, and one of the most popular places to visit in northern Brittany. The airport, also referred to as the Dinard-Pleurtuit Airport, or as the Saint-Malo Airport, is therefore an important arrival point for many tourists visiting the numerous wonderful towns and cities in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of the country. Although not a large establishment, a few airline companies serve the airport, and the arrival area is equipped with the necessary facilities for its passengers.

The two airline companies found at the location are Ryanair and Aurigny Air Services, and they are low-cost carriers offering flights from three main destinations. Ryanair, one of the most popular providers of air services in the world, flies to Dinard from the London-Stansted Airport and from East Midlands, which are both locations in the United Kingdom. The route to and from London is the only one of its kind from a Breton airport, and has proved to be very popular, with over 60,000 passengers in 2010. Ryanair has even increased the number of flights offered per week in the last year. The flights from London or East Midlands will take just over an hour to reach Dinard Airport.

Aurigny Air Services is based in Alderney, and arrives daily at Dinard Airport from Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. This route is operated throughout the year, and has been available since 1986. Ryanair flights are made on the aircraft Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats, while the Guernsey trip is made on the Trislander, with fourteen seats. In 2010, the airport had only around 122,000 passengers, which was a much lower figure than in previous years, but 2011 looks promising for greater numbers.

Passengers arriving at Dinard will easily find their way around the single terminal building, and can proceed to collect their luggage from the baggage reclaim area. Within the terminal, the airport facilities include a bar/restaurant on the first floor, a lost property office, a letter box and public telephones. There is also a general information desk and the offices of car hire companies. There are no banking or currency exchange services at the airport, and no airport shops. There are also no meeting room facilities for business passengers. Although the airport’s facilities are somewhat sparse, its operations are considered to be friendly and efficient, as is the case with many of the smaller French airports.

Unfortunately, public transport options for Dinard Airport are limited, and passengers often find that a taxi is the only available option. There is a bus services which is said to have a corresponding schedule to the Ryanair arrival flights, and travels to the Saint-Malo railway station. However, it is best to confirm this service with the airport in advance of your arrival. The taxi rank is found outside the terminal building, and taxis are generally available throughout the day. They offer transport to all nearby destinations, and a trip to either Dinard or Saint-Malo will cost between 15 and 25 Euros. Taxis can also travel to further destinations, but these journeys will be quite expensive. It is perhaps better to travel to one of the bus or train stations in the nearer towns, and to continue your journey by public transport. There is no train station at the airport, or in the town of Dinard. The nearest is at Saint-Malo, and there is another in the town of Dinan, just south of the airport.

An excellent way to travel from the airport is in a private vehicle, rented from one of the car rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar or National. The road network in France is excellent, and provides routes to all small and large towns and cities. The roads are generally in good condition, and are fairly well signposted. Passengers who have hired a car can drive to Dinard or Saint-Malo by following the D64 and D168 roads, or to Saint-Briac-sur-Mer on the D603. The D64 also provides direct access to Saint-Lunaire. Cars can easily be driven to further locations as well, such as Rennes and Nantes to the south, Dol-de-Bretagne, the popular tourist attraction of Mont St Michel and Avranches to the west, and to the east, Saint-Brieuc and Morlaix. Le Mans, Chartres, Dreux, Rouen, Caen and Paris, the capital city of France, are also located in the northern regions of the country. To rent a car from one of the car hire companies, you will need to be at least 21 years of age, have held a valid drivers license for at least a year prior to the rental date, and must have a major credit card for payment.

The schedules Dinard arrival flights can be found on various websites online, and all further details regarding the airport’s operations can be enquired from the information desk. There may also be information available about the tourist attractions in the area.