Returning to Nuremberg Airport: how to collect your car

The plane touches down on the runway in the north of Nuremberg, taxis to the terminal, and soon you are standing with your suitcases in the arrivals area. Now all that is missing is the way home – to Erlangen, Fürth, Schwabach, Bamberg or the Upper Palatinate. To make this last stage of the trip as relaxed as the holiday, a clear procedure is worthwhile. At the compact Albrecht Dürer Airport the way from the plane to the exit is short – which makes it all the more important that your car is returned smoothly too.

From the plane to the exit

After leaving the plane, the signs lead to baggage reclaim. If you are coming from a country outside the Schengen area – for example Turkey, Egypt or the United Kingdom – you pass through border control first. After that you go through customs: green with nothing to declare, red with goods above the allowances. If several holiday flights land in quick succession, it takes a little longer. Allow for this time before you get in touch.

Letting them know

How to get in touch is stated in your confirmation – call, message or link. Give your name, number plate or booking number and, if applicable, the flight number. Most companies want the message once you have your luggage. Otherwise the employee stands there with your car while you are still waiting at the belt.

Valet return

If you booked a driving service, the employee fetches your car from the site and drives it to the meeting point at the terminal. How long this takes depends on the distance and the traffic in the north of Nuremberg. Use the time to walk to the agreed point with your suitcases.

Shuttle return trip

With the bus model, you go to the stop in front of the terminal and wait for the next minibus. In high season one may be full; then you take the next one. Stay visible and reachable. At the site you collect your car or key.

Two minutes of checking

Before setting off, walk once round the car. Compare the bumpers, rims and door edges with your departure photos and glance at the speedometer. In the dark, your phone's torch helps. If you discover anything new, photograph it, speak to the employee and have it recorded in writing. More: Vehicle handover at Nuremberg Airport.

Earlier than planned

A tailwind over the Alps can shorten a flight. If you are at the terminal before the booked time, call the company – often the car can be brought forward.

Later than planned

With delays, the flight number in the booking helps; a short message with the new arrival time still doesn't hurt. If the landing is after closing time, clarify how to proceed. More: Late arrival at Nuremberg Airport and frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight.

Suitcase missing

If luggage is missing, report it at the desk in the arrivals area and let the parking service know that it will take longer. Keep the loss report for the airline.

Someone else collects the car

If the traveller cannot collect it themselves, the person collecting it must be named to the company in writing beforehand, with name and mobile number. Give them the confirmation. Without prior arrangement, the car will not be released.

After several weeks

If the car has stood for a long time, briefly check the tyres, lights and windows. In August the interior is hot; in winter the windows may be iced up. A slight grinding of the brakes in the first few metres usually comes from surface rust. If the engine won't start, ask for a jump start.

Safely home

After a long day of travel, tiredness is the biggest risk. Take turns, take a break or stay overnight near the airport if the journey is long. Check the traffic on the A3, A73 and A9 before setting off.

With children

One person fetches the suitcases, the other stays with the children; you only get in touch once all the luggage is there. At the car, buckle the children in first.

Afterwards

Check the car again at home in daylight. If you notice damage you overlooked, report it immediately in writing with photos and booking number.

An example from Neumarkt

A couple land from Antalya at 21:40. After border control and the baggage belt, it is 22:15. The woman texts the valet service, which has already been following the landing via the flight number. At 22:25 the car is ready, and at 22:30 they set off via the A3 towards the Upper Palatinate. Because the return time had been booked generously, there was no waiting. The times are an example.

Can't find the meeting point?

Call the parking service and describe where you are. The employee will guide you. If you read the description before the trip, this rarely happens.

Customs and allowances

Returning from a non-EU country? Find out about the allowances from customs beforehand. If you are above them, take the red exit.

Little helpers

A power bank, a warm jacket for Franconian winter evenings, water and a snack – these make the last stage more pleasant.

Several arrivals at once

During the holidays, several aircraft often land in quick succession in the evening. Get in touch right after the baggage belt and stay reachable.

Leaving a review

If everything went well, an honest review helps others. If there were problems, describe them factually.

Wrong key?

Before setting off, check that the key and number plate match your car – with identical models, mix-ups can happen.

In brief

Collect your suitcases, notify the parking service, go to the meeting point or stop, check the car and set off rested – that is how the return at Albrecht Dürer Airport succeeds.

Welcome back to Franconia!

Driving home with children

Children who slept on the plane are sometimes wide awake on the drive home – or completely exhausted. An audiobook, a drink and a short break at a service station help you get through even the drive to Bayreuth or Würzburg.

When luggage is bulky

Pushchairs, golf bags or bike cases often arrive at a separate reclaim point. Allow a few extra minutes before getting in touch with the parking service so that nobody waits in vain.

A short break

After a long day of travel, a coffee or a glass of water before the drive home does you good. Take the five minutes – arriving safely matters more than arriving quickly.

When the bus is full

In high season a shuttle may already be full when you arrive. Then you take the next one. Stay at the stop so that the driver can see you, and when you call, say how many people and suitcases there are.

Being picked up by friends

If you would rather be picked up after your return, plan this before the trip. If your own car is with a parking service, later collection is only possible by arrangement and usually costs extra days.

Giving feedback

If the return went well, a short review helps other travellers. If there were problems, describe them factually and specifically. For Friend-Park bookings you can also contact support.

A final word

If you know your procedure, you are quickly on your way home after landing – whether to the Knoblauchsland or the Upper Palatinate.

If the key doesn't fit

Before driving off, check that the key and number plate match your car. With identical models, mix-ups are rare but possible.

Welcome back!

If the weather has changed

If you left in summer and come back in autumn, the weather in Franconia may be completely different: fog, rain, perhaps already frost. A jacket in your hand luggage and an ice scraper in the car make the drive home more pleasant.

Have a good drive home!

See you on your next trip from Albrecht Dürer Airport – we are glad if everything went smoothly.

Checklist

• Luggage complete, checks done
• Company notified
• Meeting point or stop known
• Walk round the car done
• Set off rested

Which providers at Nuremberg Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on Parking at Nuremberg Airport.