Roberta Aguirre
Girona–Costa Brava Airport (IATA: GRO) is located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) southwest of the city of Girona, next to the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar, in the northeast of Catalonia, Spain. The airport is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, and is used as an alternative airport for Barcelona, despite being 74 km (46 mi) north of the city centre.
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Girona–Costa Brava Airport is 12.5km from the city of Girona
Girona–Costa Brava Airport, also known as Girona Airport, is located 12.5km (7.8 miles) southwest of the city of Girona, Spain. The airport is situated next to the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar, in the north-east of Catalonia. It is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, making it a convenient option for travellers visiting the region's resorts and ski destinations.
Girona Airport serves as an alternative to Barcelona Airport, despite being located 74km (46 miles) north of the city centre. The airport can be reached from Barcelona in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by bus or train. Several bus companies provide transfers to and from the airport, including Barcelona Bus and Moventis/Sarfa Bus. These buses connect travellers to various destinations, including Barcelona, Lloret del Mar, Blanes, and Tossa de Mar.
The airport's proximity to the city of Girona makes it easily accessible by taxi, with a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Additionally, the closest railway station to the airport is Riudellots Halt, located 4km (2.5 miles) away. However, for certain routes, travellers may need to utilise the central station in Girona, which is 15km away.
Girona–Costa Brava Airport has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers, particularly in the early 2000s, after Ryanair established it as one of its European hubs. The airport's passenger traffic increased spectacularly, growing from 500,000 passengers in 2002 to over 5.5 million in 2008. However, passenger numbers declined in subsequent years as Ryanair reduced its operations at the airport.
The airport consists of a two-storey passenger terminal building. The ground floor handles arrivals and departures, with 33 check-in desks available. The first floor is dedicated to boarding, featuring 11 gates for both domestic and international flights. Food options and shops are also available in the departures area.
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It is an alternative airport for Barcelona
Girona Airport is located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) southwest of the city of Girona, next to the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar, in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain. It is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees and is approximately 74 km (46 mi) or 100 kilometres north of central Barcelona.
Girona Airport is an alternative airport for Barcelona, despite not being within the city. The airport is about 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Barcelona's city centre. The Barcelona Bus is the most convenient method of transfer between the airport and the city centre. The bus service is independent of Ryanair, although its arrival and departure times coincide with the airline's flight schedule.
There are two Barcelona Bus services operated by the same company. One leaves from Girona Airport and travels directly to Barcelona, while the other departs from Girona centre and goes to Barcelona. It is important to ensure that you are boarding the correct bus. A single ticket for this journey costs €19.50, while a return ticket costs €35.00.
Some budget airlines refer to Girona Airport as "Barcelona" in their descriptions to indicate that connections to the city are possible. Ryanair, for instance, previously marketed the airport as "Barcelona-Girona", resulting in a significant increase in passenger numbers during the early 2000s.
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Ryanair chose Girona as one of its European hubs in the early 2000s
Ryanair's decision to choose Girona as one of its European hubs in the early 2000s had a significant impact on the region's aviation landscape. The choice of Girona, located in northeast Catalonia, Spain, was strategic for several reasons. Firstly, the airport is situated 12.5 kilometres (7.8 miles) southwest of the city of Girona, in the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar. This location provided a convenient gateway to popular tourist destinations along the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees. It also served as an alternative airport for Barcelona, despite being 74 kilometres (46 miles) north of the city centre.
In the years leading up to Ryanair's arrival, Girona Airport had modest passenger numbers. In 1993, the airport handled only 275,000 passengers. However, Ryanair's decision to establish a hub in Girona transformed the airport's fortunes. From 2002 to 2008, passenger numbers skyrocketed, increasing by nearly tenfold to over 5.5 million. This growth can be attributed to Ryanair's aggressive marketing and low-cost business model. The airline marketed the route as 'Barcelona-Girona', attracting travellers seeking affordable options to reach Barcelona.
Ryanair's presence at Girona Airport brought both benefits and challenges. On the one hand, it boosted the local economy and placed the region on the map for budget-conscious travellers. The airline offered flights to Girona from all over Europe, providing convenient connections and bargain deals for passengers. However, the partnership between Ryanair and Girona Airport faced obstacles, including the global economic crisis and the expansion of Barcelona Airport. As Barcelona Airport grew, Ryanair shifted many of its Girona flights to the larger El Prat International Airport, resulting in a decline in passenger numbers at Girona.
Despite these challenges, Ryanair continues to serve Girona, albeit with reduced frequency compared to its peak in the early 2000s. The airport remains an important gateway to the region, providing access to popular tourist destinations along the Costa Brava and beyond. Today, passengers can still take advantage of Ryanair's low-cost options to explore the cultural riches of Girona and the surrounding areas.
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The airport has one two-storey terminal building
Girona–Costa Brava Airport, also known as Girona Airport, is located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) southwest of the city of Girona, Spain. The airport is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees and is often used as an alternative airport for Barcelona, despite being 74 km (46 mi) north of the city centre.
The airport has seen significant growth in passenger numbers since the early 2000s when Ryanair chose Girona as one of its European hubs. Passenger numbers increased from 500,000 in 2002 to over 5.5 million in 2008. However, after Ryanair began moving operations to El Prat International Airport in Barcelona, passenger numbers decreased.
There are several transport options available from the airport. The bus is a popular choice, with services to Barcelona, Lloret del Mar, Blanes, Tossa de Mar, Figueres, and other destinations. The closest bus stop is right outside the terminal. The train station closest to the airport is Riudellots Halt, 4-5 km away, and there is no direct train connection to the airport. Taxis are also available outside the terminal and can provide door-to-door service.
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It is about a 40-minute drive from the French border
Girona Airport, officially known as Girona–Costa Brava Airport, is located in the northeast of Catalonia, Spain. It is about a 40-minute drive from the French border, and many travellers use it as a gateway to the Pyrenees and the ski resorts of Andorra. The airport is conveniently situated next to the village of Vilobí d'Onyar, just 12.5 km (7.8 mi) southwest of the city of Girona.
While the airport serves as an alternative to Barcelona Airport, it is quite a distance from the city centre, approximately 74 km (46 mi) north. Despite this, it is well-connected to Barcelona and other surrounding areas through bus and train services. The Barcelona Bus, operated by Sagales, offers a direct route to the city centre, with departure times coinciding with Ryanair flight schedules. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes, and tickets can be purchased for €19.50 one way.
It's important to note that there are two different Barcelona Buses operated by the same company. One bus departs from Girona Airport and goes directly to Barcelona, while the other departs from Girona centre. Additionally, there are four bus routes available at the airport, providing connections to central Girona, the Costa Brava, and even Perpignan in France.
For those seeking a more scenic route, the closest railway station is Riudellots Halt, located 4 km (2.5 mi) from the airport. However, for certain routes, travellers may need to go to the central station in Girona, which is 15 km away. Plans are underway to construct an AVE line station for the LGV Perpignan–Figueres route, which passes close to the airport terminal.
Girona Airport has experienced varying fortunes over the years. The early 2000s saw a boom in passenger numbers when Ryanair established Girona as one of its European hubs, marketing it as 'Barcelona-Girona'. However, from 2011 onwards, passenger numbers declined significantly as Ryanair began relocating its Barcelona operations to El Prat International Airport. Despite these fluctuations, Girona Airport remains a popular gateway to the region, offering convenient access to both Spain and France.
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Frequently asked questions
Girona Airport, also known as Girona-Costa Brava Airport, is located 12.5 km (7.8 miles) southwest of the city of Girona, next to the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar, in the northeast of Catalonia, Spain.
Girona Airport is located 74 km (46 miles) north of the centre of Barcelona. It takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre of Barcelona.
The Barcelona Bus is the most convenient method of transfer between Girona Airport and Barcelona city centre. The bus service is independent of any particular airline and has departure and arrival times that coincide with the arrival and departure of Ryanair flights.
