Transavia: Almeria to Amsterdam

The carrier: Transavia

About

Transavia is the low-cost wing of the KLM/Air France group. With hubs in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris and Eindhoven, it flies to the standard range of European holiday haunts, both cities for culture-oriented weekend breaks and sunny spots for warm getaways.

As such, Transavia is especially strong with its routes to Greece, Morocco, Turkey, and insular Portugal (Madeira) and Spain (Arrecife, Las Palmas and Tenerife). Transavia operates, on balance, a more pleasant onboard experience than that offered by many other low-cost airlines.

Founded in 1965, Transavia began flying in 1966 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The airline became a subsidiary of KLM in 1991. In 2006, Transavia transformed its look with new cabin crew uniforms, as well as smart new designs, inside and outside the aircraft.

Upside

Nice, broad balance of destinations.

Downside

Functions as a charter airline on many routes. After additional fees are added during the booking process, the final ticket price will often be double the amount originally quoted. Frequent delays.

Baggage

* Carry-on: Up to 5 kg of hand luggage plus one personal item (book, coat)
* Checked: Up to 20 kg of luggage; €10 per additional kg.

* Please visit Transavia’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You may choose seats at the time of your on-line booking. At the airport, Transavia operates a first-come first-serve policy at check-in.

Checking and Ticketing

Online check in is available for the 24 hours prior to departure if you are flying from certain airports.  It is available for passengers with and without hold baggage.

Tip

Sign up for Transavia's free e-mail newsletterwhich alerts you to fare deals and money-saving offers. Be cautious using this carrier if you are on a tight schedule or have connecting flights.

Departure: Almeria, Spain (LEI)

Almería Airport or "Aeropuerto de Almería," has regular international and national flights that arrive and depart daily. The airport is quite modern and also features a terrace that overlooks the runway for the enjoyment of travelers. Various charter companies fly to and from the airport, making it the second most important airport for the tourism industry in Andalucia. Location: Almeria Airport is 9 km to the east of Almeria, the region's capital city (500 m from the coast). Transport: - Bus: The Almería Airport buses pick up travelers from outside the arrivals terminal and offer service to the Almería town center every 50 minutes. The service starts in the early morning and ends at night (schedules will vary on weekends). For the specific schedule and fares consult the bus company's Official Website. Service is also offered with the ALSA bus company for long distance trips. - Taxi: The Almeria Airport Taxis can be found at the taxi rank outside the arrivals hall. To get to the city center of Almería the fare should be approximately €20. Fares to other surrounding towns will vary. Almería Airport also offers cars for private hire. Often, these private transfers will cost less than a taxi and may reduce the hassle of finding a taxi and haggling the price. Another perk (for you non-Spanish speakers) is that travelers can request an English speaking driver. For more information on private car hires consult the Website. Service: Almeria Airport is divided into three floors. The departure and arrival activity is concentrated on the ground floor. In the airport there are two information points as well as many shops and restaurants. Travelers are also able to relax and pass time in the rooftop café that can be reached after the security checkpoint. more...

Arrival: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Schiphol (AMS)

In Brief: Amsterdam's Schiphol is the biggest airport in the Netherlands and the fourth-biggest in all of Europe in terms of flight volume. Though traditionally a flag-carrier airport (versus a low-cost carrier airport) Schiphol has shifted gears a bit in recent years, and opened a "pier" (sort of a terminal) with limited facilities for many of its low-cost airlines. Schiphol's facilities, range of shops, and extremely cosmopolitan and bustling spirit provide a snappy introduction (or farewell) to the Netherlands. Transportation: Schiphol is very well connected to Amsterdam. Trains run every few minutes and take about 20 minutes. One-way train journeys cost just €3.60.