Doncaster Airport Parking

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Guide to Doncaster Airport

Opened in 2005 to accommodate the region’s rising demand for international travel, Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is one of the UK’s newest and most innovative purpose-built airports.

Although DSA has only one runway to cater to over 50 destinations and up to 2.5 million visitors a year, at 9,498ft by 197ft (2,895m by 60m) it is one of the longest and widest in the country and was even designated a Space Shuttle emergency landing site.

Location of Doncaster Airport

DSA is situated in South Yorkshire, right in the middle of the country. Only three miles (5 kilometres) south east of Doncaster and 18 miles (29 kilometres) east of Sheffield, the airport is served by some of Britain’s biggest road networks.

Completed in 2016, the dedicated road link from Junction 3 of the M18 makes driving to Doncaster Sheffield Airport even easier, whilst frequent bus services link DSA with Doncaster, Barnsley and the surrounding area. While there are no bus services between the airport and Sheffield city centre, Doncaster Rail Station is only a quick seven-mile (11-kilometre) shuttle bus ride from the airport and can be reached from Sheffield and Leeds Rail Stations in under half an hour and London King’s Cross in just 90 minutes.

History of Doncaster Airport

The site known today as Doncaster Sheffield Airport was originally founded in 1915 as Finningley Airfield. It served as an important base for the Royal Flying Corps during the World War I, protecting the vital industrial cities of the north from Zeppelin raiding parties. In World War II, Finningley became a key training centre for new pilots and crew in RAF Bomber Command.

The airfield was once again a significant site for the UK in the early stages of the Cold War when it was used to house and maintain long-range and nuclear-armed Vulcan class bombers, but was decommissioned from military service in 1995. A decade later, the airfield was reopened as a commercial airport and renamed Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The extra-large runway, which was designed to accommodate military bombers, has been repurposed to support an extensive range of wide-bodied, long-haul and cargo-carrying aircraft.

Although DSA is the smaller of Yorkshire’s two commercial international airports, with Leeds Bradford Airport being the other, there is significant space at the airfield for further expansion to keep up with the airport’s increasing popularity as an international gateway.

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Doncaster Airport Facilities

As one of the UK’s newest airports, DSA is more than equipped to keep its visitors comfortable, entertained and ready for the journey ahead. Familiar high-street brands have got you covered whether you’re grabbing a quick sandwich on the go, celebrating the start of your holiday in style, picking up those pre-flight essentials or just after some bread and milk for when you get home.

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet to catch up on work (or sleep), Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s executive lounge offers access to high-speed WiFi, the day’s newspapers, and a widescreen television, as well as a good selection of complimentary snacks and drinks, including what is apparently the best hot chocolate in Yorkshire.

If you have any special requirements for your visit to DSA, let your airline or operator know when booking your flight and they’ll make arrangements with the assistance team at the airport. Further information on special assistance and accessibility at DSA can be found here.

• Baggage services

• Business services

• Car hire

• Cash machines

• Currency exchange

• Disabled access

• Family facilities

  • Baby changing facilities

  • Children’s play area

• Food and drink

  • Café

  • Restaurant

  • Fast food

• Hotels

  • Nearby

  • On-site

• Information point

• Left baggage

• Lost property

• Lounge

• Parking facilities

  • Long-stay parking

  • Pick-up/Drop-off zone

  • Premium parking

  • Short-stay parking

• Phone and laptop charging

• Medical help and emergencies

• Shopping

  • High-street brands

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty free

• Smoking area

• Spectator areas and viewing platforms

• Taxis

• Transport facilities

• Trolleys

• Toilets

• WiFi and Internet access

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Doncaster Airport Hotel And Parking

There are a number of hotels within easy reach of DSA, including two Premier Inns, a Holiday Inn and various independent hotels. Many offer a complimentary parking space with your reservation, either at the hotel or in the airport’s on-site parking facilities, so you can get a good night’s rest before you fly without worrying about where you’ll put the car.

Whether you’ve got a first thing flight, you’re flying with family or you’re treating yourself to a night of luxury, the hotels at DSA are perfect. With affordable rooms ideal for those looking to save money for the holiday ahead and five-star hotels featuring swimming pools, spa facilities and critically acclaimed restaurants all providing parking facilities, staying at DSA is the easiest way to get your trip off to a flying start.

Although there are no shuttle services operating between Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the surrounding hotels, none of them is more than an eight-minute drive away from the terminal.

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Top things to do in Doncaster Airport

Hungry? Parched?

Whether you’re peckish or famished, thirsty or gasping, DSA houses a number of popular high-street eateries as well as a variety of independent cafés, bars and restaurants that all serve a wide spread of snacks, meals and drinks. Sustenance is available both before and after DSA’s security, so you can grab a quick bite before you queue. A few of the airside bars and restaurants also offer impressive views of the airport’s unusual runway, so why not check-in, sit back and take in all the airfield activity with a drink?

First Class for everyone

Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s Premium Lounge is open to all its visitors, no matter what airline you’re flying with or where you’re going. If you want to get away from the buzz of the terminal for a while and unwind with an evolving menu of complimentary drinks, food and snacks, there’s only one place you should be.

Whether you’ve got work to do or sleep to catch up on, the Premium Lounge offers free and unlimited access to high-speed WiFi, daily newspapers from around the world and HD televisions showing the latest global news. If you know when you’re going to be visiting, it’s a good idea to pre-book your place in DSA’s executive lounge as it can quickly get busy, especially at peak times. You can find out how to book a space in the DSA Premium Lounge and take a look at what’s on the menu here.

Smart shopping

If you’re on the lookout for those last-minute holiday essentials or considering treating yourself to something special, Doncaster Sheffield Airport has it all.

There are familiar high-street shops selling everything from sun cream to new books to spare toothbrushes and they’re located both before and after security at DSA, so it’s never too late to grab what you need.

DSA also has a well-stocked duty free shop if you’re looking to save money on something special for your significant other or just for yourself. The airport also offers Reserve and Collect as well as , so if you’ve got your eye on something but you won’t be visiting the airport for a while, you can either make sure it’s ready and waiting for you from anywhere between a month and 24 hours in advance or, when you’re at the airport, leave it there safe and secure until you’re back from your travels.

Get a high score

A great part of DSA’s contemporary and forward-thinking design is its innovative video games hub. Featuring an eclectic range of cult classics and cutting-edge consoles, the Game Grid is the perfect way to pass the time before you fly. Take your rightful place atop the leaderboard, however old you are.

The Spirit of Great Britain

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is the home of the last airworthy example of the iconic British Vulcan bomber fleet. Taking its last official flight over the airport on October 28th 2015, Avro Vulcan XH557 (G-VLCN), otherwise known as ‘The Spirit of Great Britain’, is now indefinitely grounded and on display, serving as a reminder of DSA’s military heritage. The bomber is slated to become the centrepiece of an educational facility and will be maintained with the intention of providing taxi runs around the airfield for visitors and enthusiasts alike.

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Top things to do near Doncaster Airport

Take a walk on the wild side

With over 300 animals across 60 different species, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is only three miles (5 kilometres) away from DSA and easily accessible via taxi and bus. From displays of tiny but deadly bugs to the pioneering habitat for the study and conservation of polar bears, for which Yorkshire Wildlife Park has received global praise, there are events and tours to interest everybody. The park is open every day of the year except during the Christmas period, but may be forced to close by bad weather from time to time, so be sure to check the forecast before visiting.

Aviation through the ages

Whether you’re an aviation expert or a first-time flyer, South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum contains dozens of one-of-a-kind examples of engineering excellence, from carefully preserved aircraft flown in Britain’s first ever airshow in 1909 to the cutting-edge technology of today’s jet planes. Full of interactive exhibits and replica cockpits so you can pilot your favourite plane, the museum itself is a testament to the region’s rich aeronautical history, being housed on the former site of RAF Doncaster only 15 minutes’ drive from DSA.

The jewel in Doncaster’s crown

Built between 1740-1745, Cosworth Hall and Park are synonymous with Doncaster, visible from much of the town and providing a panoramic view of “Donnie” and beyond from its position on a hill to the west. The free-entry Grade I listed Hall and 60 acres (24.3 hectares) of historic landscaped parkland have recently undergone an extensive £7.5 million renovation. Now serving as an important example of Georgian architecture, a country house museum preserving 18th-century life and, at just a 20-minute, 12-mile (19-kilometre) drive away from Doncaster Sheffield Airport, it is a relaxing way to pass a sunny afternoon before you fly.

Take centre stage

Sheffield is only half an hour’s train ride from DSA and there is possibly nowhere more iconic in the city than its hallowed Crucible Theatre. Already renowned around the world for hosting a wide variety of classical and contemporary theatrical, comedy and musical performances, the Crucible is best known as the venue for the World Snooker Championship. The theatre’s modern design means that although the audience sits on three sides of the stage, no-one is more than 22 yards (20 metres) away from the action, allowing all 980 spectators a uniquely intimate relationship with the theatrical or sporting drama unfolding on stage. If you’re going to be at DSA for a while, check the Crucible Theatre listings to see what’s on.

The new Millennium

Opened in 2001 as part of Sheffield’s Heart of the City project, the striking concrete and glass Millennium Gallery has consistently ranked in the top 20 most-visited free attractions in the country. As well as permanently housing the Ruskin and Metalwork collections, the gallery also has two temporary exhibition spaces for major touring collections, making the Millennium Gallery a fantastic way to appreciate the timeless beauty of classical works of art alongside the latest offerings of some of the world’s best new artists. What’s more, the on-site shop and café mean you can pick up a memento of your visit or just take a minute to contemplate the exhibitions with a drink before you take off.

Botanical beauty

All 5,000 species of plant and 19 acres of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens are only two miles (3.2 kilometres) from Sheffield Rail Station and, therefore, only a 30-minute train ride from DSA. Opened in 1836, the gardens are well-known and highly-regarded for their carefully restored Grade II listed glass pavilions. Purchased by Sheffield Town Trust at the turn of the 20th century, entry has been free for over 100 years, so, if you’ve got a few hours to spare, why not take a stroll?

To arms!

The city of Leeds is only half an hour away from Doncaster Sheffield Airport on the train and the world famous Royal Armouries Museum is only an 18-minute walk from the station. Started in 1423, the Royal Armouries is one of the oldest museums in the world and, with a collection of over 75,000 items, it is also one of the world’s largest collections of arms and armour. Originally kept in the Tower of London, the vast majority of the artefacts are now on display and available to see for free, along with interactive displays and live re-enactments in the purpose-built facility in Leeds.

Retail details

Leeds city centre has always been a retail and nightlife hotspot, but the recent opening of two brand-new shopping centres, Trinity and Victoria Gate, mean that there’s guaranteed to be something to suit everyone, all within easy reach of Leeds Rail Station.

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Which terminal?

Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s single terminal and unique runway see around 7,000 visitors flying to over 50 worldwide destinations every day, with major airlines like Flybe, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways all providing flights to popular holiday destinations like Paris, Amsterdam and Ibiza.

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How to get to Doncaster Airport

Car

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is located just off Junction 3 on the M18. Use the postcode DN9 3RH to find your way there.

DSA is accessible from all directions via the A1, M62, M180 and M18. The Great Yorkshire Way directly connects the airport to the M18 to provide easy access. Wherever you’re coming from, simply follow signs for the M18 and leave it at junction 3 to take the Great Yorkshire Way and follow the signs for the airport and your car park of choice.

Bus

A dedicated bus service runs between DSA and Doncaster Interchange every half an hour from 5.26am until 10.35pm, Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays - it takes around 25 minutes each way.

Unfortunately, there are currently no direct buses connecting the airport with Sheffield city centre. If you’re travelling to DSA from Sheffield or further afield by bus, you need to first catch one to Doncaster Interchange and then transfer to a bus bound for the airport from there.

You can check bus timetables for the area and plan your route here.

Train

Doncaster Rail Station, a major stop on the East Coast Line, is only seven miles (11 kilometres) away from the airport with a local bus service providing half-hourly shuttles to get you from train to terminal in 25 minutes. The train is also a particularly convenient way to reach DSA from elsewhere in the country, with Doncaster Rail Station just a 30-minute ride from Leeds and Sheffield and only 90 minutes away from London Kings Cross.

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Useful Tips

Allow plenty of time before you fly

Although smaller than other airports, Doncaster Sheffield’s unique runway means it sees a comparatively high amount of large and long-haul aircraft as well as flights to and from Europe and elsewhere in the UK. If you’re travelling within the UK, aim to arrive no later than one hour before take-off, whilst if you’re headed to Europe, allow at least two hours before you fly. At least three hours to spare are necessary for long-haul flights from Doncaster Sheffield.

Double-check your tickets before you set off

DSA is one of the few airports in the UK that is unable to accept mobile bookings or boarding passes, so make sure you have yours printed off and ready to take with you when you leave for the airport.

Sat nav solutions

The rapid investment and expansion at Doncaster Sheffield Airport means that not all satellite navigation systems are able to locate it properly. If you’re having trouble, try aiming for Hurst Lane, Doncaster instead of the airport and then follow the signs from there. The Great Yorkshire Way link road is also too new for some sat navs, but you’ll find it by simply coming off the M18 at Junction 3 and following the signs for the airport.

Hotel transport

Although DSA has a hotel on-site as well as many situated nearby, there are no shuttle services operating between the hotels and the terminal building. Most of the hotels are only a 10-minute walk away but, if you’ve got bags to carry or children to look after, it’s a good idea to pre-book a taxi the night before you fly.

Thirsty work

Drinking water is readily available on request from a number of the establishments in the terminal building and will be provided in a disposable plastic cup. Unfortunately, refilling your water bottle is not permitted.

Lounge around

Anyone visiting Doncaster Sheffield Airport is welcome in the Premium Lounge, regardless of the airline you’re flying with. If you know when you’ll be at the airport and want to take advantage of the facilities in the lounge, it’s a good idea to pre-book your space for guaranteed peace and quiet.

Park Life

DSA’s Drop-Off and Pick-Up car park is located right outside the terminal and, whilst this is incredibly convenient, it can also quickly become expensive. If you need a bit more time to say farewell or you’ve arrived to pick up your passengers a little early, the airport offers 15 minutes of free parking in its short-stay facility only a few minutes’ walk away from the terminal.

As tempting as it may be to park on the airport’s approach roads, it is more than likely that you will be slapped with a parking charge notice (PCN) for obstruction, so be sure to take advantage of the free parking offer.

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Doncaster Airport FAQs

Is Doncaster Sheffield the same as Robin Hood Airport?

Until December 2016, Doncaster Sheffield Airport was officially known as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield because of the site’s proximity to Nottinghamshire and what remains of Sherwood Forest. Despite the name change, many people and some travel companies still refer to DSA as Robin Hood Airport.

How do I get to Doncaster Sheffield Airport?

Recent investment in DSA’s accessibility have made it easier than ever to get there. The Great Yorkshire Way link road connects the airport to the M18 at Junction 3, providing direct access for cars, buses, coaches and taxis and there are frequent trains from Sheffield, Leeds and London calling at Doncaster Rail Station only a seven-mile (11-kilometre) shuttle bus ride away.

Where can I find more information about my flight?

Your airline should have sent you all the information you need, but you can keep an eye on DSA’s live arrivals/departures page en route to get the latest details regarding flight numbers and scheduled and expected times.

What disabled access and special assistance is there?

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is fully accessible and has a dedicated team on hand to aid with mobility, baggage and checking-in. If you have any special requirements for your time at DSA, let your airline or operator know when booking your flight and they’ll get in contact with the team at the airport to make all the necessary arrangements. Further information on special assistance and accessibility at DSA can be found here.

Why should I pre-book parking?

With approximately 7,000 visitors coming and going every day, DSA’s parking facilities can get busy, particularly during peak hours. Pre-booking your parking guarantees you a space and can often save you money to give you a smooth start to your holiday and a little more spending money to boot.

Can I charge my electronic devices?

There are plug sockets available for use after security at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.