Some info for Skarpi and Eric.

1 Skarpi

If you finish up having to use public transport, it's not too difficult. First get bus from airport to Belfast. Departures are 0710, 0740, then every 30 min, all day. Be sure to get off at Laganside, which is the first of the two Belfast bus stations that the bus stops at. From Laganside there are buses direct to Portaferry at 1055, 1215 and 1315. They all take about 1hr 30min.

But remind me what your arrival and departure times are. I think your arrival time will fit in with me, and if the departure time does as well, it might be worth me hiring a car for all of us. Also remind me what intruments you are bringing, so I know what size of car would be needed.

2 Eric

Apart from BMI, most operators from Leeds airport fly to Belfast City. From city airport there are regular links to the city centre, which is only a couple of miles away. Ask at airport info which will be going first, making sure they check the airport bus service, the public bus service (No 21) and trains from Sydenham. (Sydenham is 2min from terminal by courtesy shuttle service). Also of course you would be much more easily collectable from City airport, which is only about 15 minutes from Newtownards. Maybe less, if you were driving.

If going under your own steam, you need to be on either the 2025 or 2200 bus from Newtownards to Portaferry. They go down opposite sides of the lough, but it's about an hour either way. There is a 1950 bus from Belfast (Laganside) to Newtownards that links reasonably well with the first, and another at 2200 which I think is the later bus. But depending on the timings, you may consider taxi direct from airport to Newtonwards bus station, for which allow say 20 minutes. (Get a N'ards firm to guote, which will be cheaper than getting in an airport taxi - maybe £10-12.)

All in all, given your late arrival, it may be best to to hope Fibs can wangle herself some insurance!