Farnborough International Airshow: Hotels & Where to Stay
20 July – 24 July 2026 Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre 80,000 attendees
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The Farnborough International Airshow is one of the world's premier aerospace and defence trade events, held biennially at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre in Hampshire, south-west of London. It combines a major industry trade exhibition with flying displays, drawing aircraft manufacturers, airlines, defence contractors, suppliers and, on public days, aviation enthusiasts. Business days see billions in aircraft orders announced. For a hotel-booking traveller, Farnborough's setting matters: it is a compact town well connected to London by rail, with the airshow site a short shuttle ride from Farnborough Main station. Local hotel supply in Farnborough, Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet and Guildford is limited relative to demand, so airshow week sells rooms out across the region and pushes rates up, with many attendees basing themselves in Woking, Reading or central London and commuting in by train. Booking early is essential to secure a convenient, reasonably priced base near the show.
Popular areas for attendees: Farnborough town centre · Aldershot · Camberley/Guildford.
- Local hotel supply in Farnborough and nearby towns is limited, so airshow week sells out across the region and rates spike.
- A free shuttle links Farnborough Main station to the show site, so a hotel near any station on the London–Farnborough line works well.
- Many attendees base in Woking, Guildford, Reading or central London and commute in by fast train, widening your options.
- Booking early secures a nearby room before the aerospace crowd fills Farnborough and surrounding towns.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 20 July – 24 July 2026
- Venue
- Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
- City
- Farnborough, United Kingdom
- Airport
- LHR
- Attendance
- 80,000
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Rates shown for the event window, Sun, Jul 19 → Sat, Jul 25 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
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Where to eat during Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough itself is a small town and the show site has the Aviator hotel right on its doorstep, but for a wider choice head to Fleet (10 minutes), Camberley (15) or Guildford (25-35 minutes). A car is essential; central Farnborough dining is thin, so book ahead during Airshow week when everything fills.
The Brasserie at Aviator
Modern European
Farnborough Road - adjacent to the Exhibition Centre, ~5 min
The closest genuinely smart restaurant to the venue, with sleek aviation-themed decor - the default for an on-site business dinner during the Airshow.
Tip: Book far ahead in Airshow week; it's the industry's local canteen.
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The Ivy Castle View
British brasserie
Tunsgate, Guildford - ~25-35 min from the venue
An all-day British brasserie with terrace views over Guildford Castle; a polished, reliable name that reassures international clients.
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Cote Brasserie
French bistro
Chapel Street, Guildford - ~25-35 min from the venue
Dependable French bistro cooking in the centre of Guildford, easy for a mid-week working dinner where you want no surprises.
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The Kara
Turkish
Fleet - ~10-12 min from the venue
A well-regarded Turkish restaurant a short hop away in Fleet, good for a relaxed dinner with mezze to share when you don't want to drive far.
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Il Giardino at 1215
Modern Italian
Farnborough - ~8-10 min from the venue
A newer modern-Italian spot in Farnborough with house-made pasta, handy for a decent local dinner without the trek to Guildford.
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The Tilly Shilling
Pub / all-day
Farnborough town centre, by the station - ~8 min from the venue
The honest budget option near Farnborough Main station for a quick, cheap all-day meal or breakfast when you're between flights of meetings.
Open in Google MapsGetting there
From London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- From Heathrow, there is no direct rail line to Farnborough; take a coach or taxi to Woking, then a train to Farnborough Main (around 10 minutes).
- Alternatively use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow services into London and connect via Waterloo to Farnborough Main.
- Taxis and pre-booked transfers run directly from Heathrow to Farnborough in roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Gatwick (LGW) is another option, connecting via Guildford and Ash Vale to Farnborough North.
By rail and shuttle
- Trains from London Waterloo reach Farnborough Main in around 35 minutes on the South Western main line.
- A continuous free shuttle bus runs from Farnborough Main station to the exhibition site on show days.
- North Camp and Farnborough North stations also serve the town, with the site around a 35-minute walk from the main stations.
- Driving is possible with on-site parking, but rail plus shuttle avoids show-day road congestion.
Getting around during Farnborough International Airshow
Trains and shuttle buses
- The South Western Railway line links London Waterloo, Woking, Farnborough and Basingstoke, making rail the backbone of airshow travel.
- Free shuttle buses connect Farnborough Main station to the show entrance throughout show days.
- Buy train tickets in advance or use contactless tap where available to avoid queues.
- From regional bases like Woking or Guildford, trains reach Farnborough quickly.
Taxis and local transport
- Local taxis and ride-hailing serve Farnborough but demand spikes at the start and end of show days.
- Pre-book taxis for early starts, as availability is tight during airshow week.
- Walking from Farnborough Main or North stations to the site takes around 35 minutes for those who prefer it.
- On-site and park-and-ride options exist for drivers; follow official show travel guidance.
Visa & entry
UK visa-free and ETA
- Many nationalities, including US, Canadian, Australian and EU citizens, can visit the UK for short business or tourist stays without a traditional visa.
- Visa-exempt visitors increasingly need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) obtained online before travel; check whether your nationality requires one.
- Carry proof of accommodation, onward travel and business purpose in case of border questions.
Advance visa (standard visitor)
- Nationals of countries not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a UK Standard Visitor visa in advance.
- Apply early, as processing times and appointment demand rise before major UK events.
- A show invitation, hotel and flight bookings support a business visitor application.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the United Kingdom embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at Farnborough International Airshow?
- Book accommodation as soon as dates are confirmed; Farnborough and nearby towns sell out fast for the airshow.
- Trade and public days differ, so confirm which days you need before booking travel and rooms.
- Plan to arrive by train and free shuttle rather than driving to avoid show-day traffic and parking hassles.
- Bring wet-weather gear and comfortable shoes, as the site is large and partly outdoors for the flying displays.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Base yourself in Woking, Guildford or Reading if Farnborough itself is full, then commute in by fast train.
- Buy off-peak train tickets and travel just before peak arrival to dodge the heaviest station crowds.
- Reserve dinner and evening plans early, as local restaurants fill during airshow week.
- Check the daily flying-display schedule so you can time trade meetings around the aircraft you want to see.
Farnborough International Airshow travel FAQs
Where should I stay for the Farnborough International Airshow?
Stay in Farnborough or nearby Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet or Guildford for the shortest commute, or in Woking, Reading or central London and commute in by fast train. Any base on the London–Farnborough rail line works well with the free station shuttle.
How much do hotels cost during the Farnborough Airshow?
Prices spike during the show. Limited local supply pushes mid-range rooms from roughly 120 to 300 GBP a night, with premium and last-minute rates higher; booking early is the best way to control cost.
How early should I book hotels for the Farnborough Airshow?
Book as far ahead as possible, ideally several months out. The town has limited hotels and airshow week sells out across the region quickly.
Which airport do I fly into for the Farnborough Airshow?
London Heathrow (LHR) is the main gateway, connecting to Farnborough via Woking or London by rail, or by taxi in around 30–45 minutes. Gatwick (LGW) is an alternative via Guildford.
How do I get from Farnborough station to the airshow?
A continuous free shuttle bus runs from Farnborough Main station directly to the show entrance on show days; the site is also about a 35-minute walk from the main and north stations.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with Farnborough International Airshow or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.