Car hire at Newquay Airport - Discovering Cornwall in Comfort

Newquay Airport (officially known as Cornwall Airport Newquay) is the main commercial airport for the county of Cornwall, a holiday paradise in the south-western corner of England. Located in the St Mawgan district of Pydar, a small town just 7.4 kilometres (4.6 miles) from the centre of Newquay, it is the largest air transportation facility in the area and has the added benefit of being situated in the heart of one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

Newquay Airport (NWQ) has been expanding its routes and destinations year on year whilst developing increased connectivity with many of the UK's larger airport hubs, including London and Manchester. Notable for its very close proximity to one of England's most idyllic coastlines, it first opened for commercial purposes in the 1930s before being transformed into a military base by the RAF during World War II with the main objective of supporting a number of other bases around Cornwall.

Dubbed the surf capital of Great Britain, Newquay is a well-established tourist resort on account of its spectacular seaside location on Cornwall's northern coastline. One of the town's star attractions is the Blue Reef Aquarium where visitors can enjoy close-up views of many exotic species, including sharks and turtles. Nearby, Trerice is a lovely Elizabethan manor-house with beautiful gardens, a shop selling home-made products and a stunning longcase clock made by Thomas Tompion in 1680.

With a car hire from Newquay Airport you can drive up and down the Cornish coast before exploring some of the other towns and cities in south-west England, such as Penzance (near Land's End) and Plymouth in the neighbouring county of Devon. One of the best beaches in the Newquay is Crantock, which is also on England's popular South West Coast Path where hikers can appreciate spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Founded in 1954, Auto Europe has gradually emerged as one of the car rental industry's leading companies by working with all the main global and locally-run vehicle suppliers in Newquay and other top locations across the UK. You can book a cheap car rental at Newquay Airport online now or reach out to our rental specialists and they will be happy to find you the best vehicle at the lowest rate for your forthcoming trip to Cornwall.

Airport Information

Inaugurated in 1933 as a civilian facility, Cornwall Airport Newquay (NWQ) became RAF Trebelzue at the start of World War II, later to be renamed RAF Mawgan after further expansion in 1943. It subsequently developed into one of the most strategic bases for the US Air Force’s nuclear bombers in the Cold War against Russia and more recently made aviation history when it was used as the launchpad for Virgin Orbit as part of its new status as Spaceport Cornwall. Its 2,744-metre (9,003 feet) runway is one of the longest in the UK and can handle the largest and fastest types of civil and military aircraft, having been built and maintained for decades as an RAF maritime operations base.

Newquay Airport (NWQ)
Address: St Mawgan, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4RQ, UK
Telephone: +44 1637 860 600
Airlines operating at Newquay Airport: The list of the most important airlines operating at Newquay Airport currently consists of Aer Lingus (Belfast City and Dublin), Eastern Airways (East Midlands, Humberside and London Gatwick), easyJet (Glasgow and Manchester), Edelweiss (Zurich), Eurowings (Dusseldorf), Loganair (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Isle of Man, Manchester and Newcastle), Ryanair (Alicante, Dublin, Edinburgh, Faro, Londn Stansted and Malaga), Skybus (Isles of Scilly) and SAS (Copenhagen).

Where to pick up my car hire at Newquay Airport

Some of the world's most prestigious vehicle suppliers (such as Europcar and Hertz) operate at NWQ, which means that visitors can rent a car at Newquay Airport and explore Cornwall in total comfort and at their own pace. The car rental welcome desks are located just outside the arrivals hall with the pick-up and drop-off points situated in the P3 car park. Don't forget to have all the necessary documents ready when you arrive to collect your vehicle in order to maximise your time in the Newquay area.

Car hire operating hours

	Europcar at Newquay Airport Arrivals Hall Newquay, UK TR8 4RQ +44 371 384 3415	Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and Sat 10am-6pm (closed Sun)
	Hertz at Newquay Airport Arrivals Hall Newquay, UK TR8 4RQ +44 843 309 3053	Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-4pm (closed Sun)

Terminals

Newquay's single terminal is large and modern with a good selection of on-site facilities. Once through security, passengers can relax in NWQ's open plan departure lounge where they can stock up on last-minute presents from the airport's popular Destination Cornwall souvenir range. Passengers looking for a higher level of comfort can take advantage of the executive lounge where a range of complimentary snacks and refreshments await, along with comfortable seating and high-speed Internet access. There are eight check-in desks each manned by friendly staff on hand to guide passengers through their journey at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

Airport Facilities

NWQ's status as both spaceport and airport means that its faciities are upmarket and wide-ranging with two cafés (one on land side before security and one air side after security), with the option of being able to sit outside on the terrace with friends or relatives before take-off. Passengers can choose from a range of sandwiches, rolls and cakes in the check-in café along with hot and cold beverages for refreshment before flying. The departure lounge café offers other treats such as toasties, breakfast rolls, sausage rolls and Cornish Pasties, a local delicacy. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available. The shop in the departure lounge is a great place to purchase locally-produced specialities, including Cornish wine and spirits as well as souvenirs from the local area. There is a cash machine (ATM) in the check-in area of the terminal and free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire building. The airport's ongoing commitment to passengers requiring special assistance means that fully-trained staff are always on hand to help, with passengers being able to take advantage of the free use of airport wheelchairs throughout the terminal and car parks, along with disabled toilets, a special assistance waiting area in the departure lounge and an induction loop system which is fitted at all check-in desks and the airport information desk within the terminal building.

How to get to and from Newquay Airport

Located just a few miles outside of the town, NWQ easily is accessible from all over south-west England and beyond. When arriving to collect your car hire at Newquay Airport, take the Highgate Hill exit on the A30 when you see the sign to Indian Queens and the Airport and continue on the A39 until you reach the St Columb Major roundabout. Keep following signs to the airport onto the A3059 before turning right towards St Mawgan and Watergate Bay. From the centre of Newquay, take the B3276 towards Watergate Bay and then follow the signs to St Mawgan village. The nearest train station is Newquay which is on the local branch line from Newquay that connects with the main train line at Par. Transport for Cornwall operate a regular bus service (number 56) between Newquay and Padstow which also stops at the airport. The bus stop is between the terminal and the west car park. Coastline Travel Cornwall is the airport's official taxi provider and are present in the Arrival’s Hall with a desk manned during all flights, even when there are delays.

Parking Tips

Visitors who pick up their car rental at Newquay Airport have plenty of parking possibilities in and around the town centre, with the car parks in Albany Road, Belmont, Dane Road, the Harbour, Mount Wise, Pentire Headland, Porth Beach and St Georges Road among the most popular. Drivers intending to using many car parks in Newquay and the rest of Cornwall can purchase a Rover ticket for savings on daily parking charges. There are two car parks ay Newquay Airport adjacent to the main terminal building, with 544 spaces available in car park A, which is open from 5am-10.30pm on weekdays and from 6am-10.30pm at weekends. The first 30 minutes are free, making it easy to drop-off or pick-up passengers.

Useful links

Newquay Airport