Moncton Airport Mini Guide
What is the Attraction of Moncton?
Moncton is the largest city in the Canadian state of New Brunswick and it’s close to the Bay of Fundy and the Acadian Coast. The city markets itself as a tourist destination based on several quirky factors. It has the warmest saltwater beaches on the eastern seaboard and attracts water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers.
Equally unusual is the Magnetic Hill site where a road, appearing to travel uphill, is actually going downhill due to an optical illusion. This local visual oddity has spawned many attractions such as the Magnetic Hill water park, the Magnetic Hill railway and a shopping centre built around the river wharf. The final unusual attraction is the river bore which rises on the Petitcodiac River when the Bay of Fundy is running to high tide. An up to two foot swell precedes the tide up the river.
How do I Get to Moncton?
600,000 people flew into Greater Moncton International Airport last year from destinations as diverse as the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Mexico as well as several Canadian cities. Whilst overseas visitors may need to change at Newark for flights to Moncton, others fly into
Toronto and connect there. It’s difficult to get from the airport unless being collected by the shuttle buses from the Holiday Inn or Ramada Hotels. No public buses operate from the airport although Acadian Buses will drop you off there on your return journey as long as your ticket is purchased in advance. Alternatives include a taxi which can prove costly for the five mile journey or a rental car which you can then use during your stay.
What is the Airport Like?
The airport is very modern having a new terminal opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. Passenger numbers are growing rapidly and the airport is climbing the list of busiest airports in Canada.
What Should I do When I Arrive at Moncton?
The airport is compact with four gates, each having jet bridges. From there you will find yourself already on the main level with a short walk to immigration. Once through that part of the airport process, you’ll be in the arrivals hall. The information desk is found in the centre, should you need help, opposite the only baggage reclaim belt. If you’ve pre-booked a hire car you’ll need to go down a level to the car rental offices whilst ATMs for cash are found on the main level.
What are the Facilities Like for When I Leave Moncton?
Once you’ve checked in your luggage you can then explore the airport. There’s not a huge amount to do there with Relay offering a duty free store for overseas passengers and a bookshop which also sells magazines and newspapers. There’s a seafood store at Moncton selling fresh packed New Brunswick lobster for you to take with you and a range of other seafood. Food is obtained from the Food Court which operates both sides of security offering café style food whilst snacks are available at various points throughout the airport.
Moncton is a quirky destination for many tourists in Canada. It has several unusual attractions including Magnetic Hill, so named because an optical illusion seems to show vehicles being drawn back up a hill as if attracted by a magnet.
Several theme parks and other attractions have grown up around this phenomenon, making for a fun packed day out. Try taking your hire car to Tidal Bore Park where, if you’re there at the change of tide, you’ll see the tidal bore make its way upstream on the Petitcodiac River.