South Cerney Fast-Track Park & Ride

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A New and Easier Way to Travel to RIAT

Getting into RIAT can be one of the more stressful parts of the day, especially during the busy morning period when thousands of visitors are travelling towards RAF Fairford at the same time.

The new South Cerney Fast-Track Park & Ride has been introduced to give visitors another way of reaching the showground. It allows you to park away from the busiest roads around Fairford before travelling to the event by a dedicated transfer bus.

The service includes free parking at South Cerney and is designed to make your arrival more organised, comfortable and, hopefully, a little less stressful.

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How Does the South Cerney Park & Ride Work?

You will drive to the dedicated Park & Ride site at South Cerney, leave your vehicle in the parking area and then travel to RIAT on one of the transfer buses.

Before boarding the bus, you will be able to complete your ticket and bag checks using a deditcated entry system, based on your tickets, at South Cerney. Once you arrive at RIAT, the service is designed to take you directly into the showground, allowing you to avoid the normal entrance queues.

This means that much of the usual entry process is completed before you even reach RAF Fairford.

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What Is Included?

The South Cerney Fast-Track Park & Ride includes:

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Free Parking

There will be a large parking area available at South Cerney for visitors using the service.

The location is easily reached from the A417 and A419, making it particularly useful for visitors travelling from places such as Swindon, Cirencester, Gloucester and the surrounding areas.

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Dedicated Transfer Buses

Around 100 double-decker buses are expected to operate between South Cerney and the RIAT showground throughout the airshow weekend.

The number of buses should help keep visitors moving during the busiest periods, although you should still allow plenty of time for your journey.

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Ticket and Bag Checks

Your ticket and bag checks will take place at the South Cerney Park & Ride site before you board the bus.

Once these checks have been completed, you will be transferred directly to the showground and should be able to enter without joining the standard admission queues.

Make sure your ticket is ready before reaching the checkpoint and check the official prohibited-items list before leaving home.

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Food, Drinks and Programmes

There will also be an opportunity to pick up a breakfast snack, morning coffee or souvenir programme before travelling to the showground.

This could be particularly useful for anyone arriving early who has not had time to stop for breakfast.

RIAT staff will also be available at South Cerney to help answer questions and guide visitors through the process.

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Operating Times

The current advertised operating times are:

Friday

6:00am until 6:15pm

Saturday and Sunday

6:00am until 7:45pm

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These times cover both travel to the showground in the morning and return journeys to South Cerney later in the day.

I would recommend arriving early, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Although the Park & Ride is designed to improve access, there will still be a large number of visitors using the service.

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Do I Need to Book?

Yes. The Fast-Track service is only available to visitors using the South Cerney Park & Ride who have purchased the correct ticket in advance.

Spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Do not arrive at South Cerney expecting to use the service without having the correct pre-booked ticket.

Check your booking carefully and make sure everyone travelling with you has the ticket or travel option they require.

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Disabled Visitor Access

Priority parking and dedicated access lanes will be available for registered disabled ticket holders.

This should make the arrival process easier for visitors with additional access requirements. However, it is still worth checking the official accessibility information before travelling, particularly if you require mobility assistance or need to bring specialist equipment.

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FRIAT Members

Dedicated access lanes will also be available for FRIAT members using the South Cerney Park & Ride service.

Make sure you have your FRIAT membership information and any required travel tickets ready when you arrive.

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What Should I Take on the Bus?

Although your vehicle will remain at South Cerney, you will still need to carry everything you require for your day at the show.

Before leaving your car, remember to take:

• Your RIAT admission ticket

• Your South Cerney Park & Ride booking

• Your phone and portable charger

• Waterproof clothing

• Sun cream and a hat

• Any medication you may require

• Food and drinks where permitted

• Camera equipment

• Ear protection

• Children’s essentials

• Your car keys

Double-check your vehicle before joining the queue. Returning to your car after boarding or reaching the showground may not be quick or easy.

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Travelling with Camera Equipment

Photographers should think carefully about how much equipment they bring.

You will need to carry your camera bag from the parking area, through security, onto the bus and around the showground for the rest of the day.

A comfortable backpack will normally be easier to manage than several loose bags. Keep batteries, memory cards and smaller accessories organised so they can be checked without completely unpacking your equipment.

Large bags may also take longer to inspect, so leave anything you do not need securely in your vehicle.

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Travelling with Children

The Park & Ride may be a useful option for families because you can avoid driving directly into the busiest roads around RAF Fairford.

However, remember that you will be travelling by bus and will need to manage children, bags and any pushchairs you bring. As an ex bus driver, space can be limited, with so please be careful how much you bring with you.

Keep tickets, snacks, drinks and ear defenders somewhere easy to reach. It is also worth explaining the journey to younger children before you arrive, especially as there may still be some waiting involved during busy periods.

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Returning to South Cerney

At the end of the day, follow the signs and instructions for the South Cerney Park & Ride buses.

The showground will be very busy after the flying display finishes, with thousands of visitors leaving at around the same time. You may find it more comfortable to remain inside the showground for a little longer rather than immediately joining the largest queues.

Make sure you join the correct return service, as RIAT will also be operating other buses and transport options.

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My Advice for Using the Service

The South Cerney Park & Ride could be a very useful option, particularly if you are travelling towards RIAT using the A417 or A419.

However, it is still important to plan ahead.

Aim to arrive earlier than you think you need to. Allow time to park, unload your vehicle, walk to the checking area, complete security and wait for a bus.

The service may help you avoid some of the traffic and entrance queues around Fairford, but it does not mean you should arrive at the last minute.

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Quick Checklist

Before travelling, make sure you have:

• Purchased the correct Park & Ride ticket

• Downloaded or printed your booking confirmation

• Checked the official directions to South Cerney

• Checked the latest operating times

• Read the bag and prohibited-items guidance

• Packed everything you need before leaving your vehicle

• Allowed extra time for traffic and security

• Made a note of where you parked

Taking a photograph of your parking location or nearby parking marker can save a lot of wandering around at the end of a long day.

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Please Note

The South Cerney Fast-Track Park & Ride is operated by RIAT and not by The Big Guide to RIAT.

Information, operating times, access arrangements and ticket conditions may be changed by the event organisers. Always check the official RIAT website and your booking information before travelling.

The official website www.airtattoo.com  will provide the most up-to-date information. We also regularly check our guides and update them where possible, but visitors remain responsible for checking the details that apply to their own booking and journey.

The Big Guide to RIAT cannot accept responsibility for delays, cancellations, missed transfers, changes to the service or any additional travel costs.

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Book Before You Travel

The South Cerney Fast-Track Park & Ride is limited to pre-booked customers and may sell out.

Book your space through the official RIAT website and keep checking for further travel updates as the airshow approaches.