Glasgow Airport

Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is Scotland's second-busiest airport and the primary gateway to Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Located approximately 13 km west of Glasgow city center in Paisley, it serves over 9 million passengers annually and offers connections to destinations across Europe, North America, and beyond.

The airport has a single terminal building divided into two main areas:

• Main Terminal (T1): Domestic and European flights, all check-in desks, most retail and dining
• Skyhub (T2): Extension for additional gates, connected airside to the main terminal

All gates are connected airside after security, making connections straightforward. The terminal has a simple linear layout with gates numbered in the 1-50 range, organized into several piers accessible from a central departures area.

Key airlines operating from Glasgow include Loganair (Scotland's airline), easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI. Seasonal long-haul routes operate to North America with carriers like United Airlines and Air Transat.

Glasgow Airport is located 13 km west of Glasgow city center, with regular bus connections and easy road access.

Typical travel times:

• Glasgow city center by bus: 15-25 minutes
• Glasgow city center by taxi: 15-25 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Glasgow Central Station: 20-25 minutes by bus
• Edinburgh: 1 hour by car, 1.5 hours by bus

The airport does not have a direct rail connection. The Glasgow Airport Express bus is the primary public transit option.

Uber

Uber operates at Glasgow Airport with pickup at designated areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup outside arrivals
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber XL
• Fares to city center: GBP 15-25 depending on destination and demand

Taxi

Licensed black cabs and private hire vehicles queue outside the arrivals hall. All official taxis use meters.

Destination	Fare	Time
Glasgow city center	GBP 20-30	15-25 min
Glasgow Central Station	GBP 20-28	15-25 min
Glasgow West End	GBP 18-25	15-20 min
Edinburgh city center	GBP 80-100	55-70 min
Loch Lomond (Balloch)	GBP 35-45	25-35 min

Tip: Official taxi ranks are located directly outside arrivals. Agree on fare estimates for longer journeys before departure.

Glasgow Airport Express (Bus 500)

The Glasgow Airport Express bus service connects the airport directly to Glasgow city center, running 24 hours a day.

To Glasgow city center (Buchanan Bus Station):

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to bus stops
2. Board the 500 service (bright blue buses)
3. Journey time: 15-25 minutes depending on traffic

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult	GBP 9.00
Return adult	GBP 14.00
Single child (5-15)	GBP 5.50
Family ticket (2+2)	GBP 25.00

Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak) / Every 15 minutes (off-peak) / Every 30 minutes (overnight) Operating hours: 24 hours

Stops: The bus stops at Glasgow Central Station, St Enoch, and Buchanan Bus Station.

Other Bus Services

• McGill's Bus 757: Paisley Gilmour Street rail station (15 min, GBP 3.50) - connect to trains from here
• Citylink 915/916: Edinburgh city center (1h 15min, GBP 15-20)

Rail Connection via Paisley

For rail access, take bus 757 to Paisley Gilmour Street station:

1. Board bus 757 outside arrivals (every 10-15 min)
2. Alight at Paisley Gilmour Street (15 minutes)
3. Take ScotRail train to Glasgow Central (10 minutes, GBP 2.70)

This option can be cheaper than the Airport Express but requires a transfer.

Glasgow Airport offers multiple parking options with online pre-booking discounts.

On-Airport Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
Short Stay	Terminal adjacent	GBP 6/hour, GBP 35/day
Long Stay	5-min shuttle	From GBP 40/week (online)
Multi-storey	2-min walk	GBP 25/day (online)
JetParks 1	5-min shuttle	From GBP 35/week (online)
JetParks 2	8-min shuttle	From GBP 30/week (online)

Tips:

• Book online at glasgowairport.com for significant discounts (up to 60% off walk-up rates)
• Drop-off zone: First 10 minutes free, then GBP 5 per 10 minutes
• Pick-up zone: GBP 4 for up to 30 minutes
• Meet and Greet valet parking available from GBP 50/week

Glasgow Airport offers a reasonable selection of dining options, primarily located in the main departures area after security.

Landside (Before Security)

• Costa Coffee: Coffee and light snacks near check-in
• Upper Crust: Baguettes and sandwiches
• WHSmith: Grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks

Airside (After Security)

• The Bothy: Scottish-themed bar and restaurant, traditional fare including haggis, neeps, and tatties
• Frankie & Benny's: American-Italian family dining
• Wetherspoons: Pub fare at reasonable airport prices, full Scottish breakfast
• Giraffe World Kitchen: Global cuisine, family-friendly
• Burger King: Fast food option
• Starbucks: Coffee and pastries
• Upper Crust: Fresh baguettes
• Pret A Manger: Fresh sandwiches and salads

Budget tip: Wetherspoons offers the best value for full meals and alcoholic drinks. For authentic Scottish fare, The Bothy serves traditional dishes including haggis.

Free WiFi is available throughout Glasgow Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	GLA Free WiFi
Registration	Email address required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email; streaming may be slow

Faster connections are available in the Upper Deck Lounge and airline lounges.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though city center shops often offer better prices and selection.

Airport Locations

• WHSmith: Basic prepaid SIM cards from major UK carriers
• Accessorize/tech kiosks: SIM cards and accessories

UK Carriers and Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
EE	From GBP 10	5 GB
Vodafone	From GBP 10	6 GB
Three	From GBP 10	12 GB (All-you-can-eat options)
Giffgaff	From GBP 10	15 GB (order online, delivered)

Note: For better prices and more options, visit phone shops on Buchanan Street or Argyle Street in Glasgow city center. Three offers good value with inclusive EU roaming.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both landside and airside areas. Major UK banks (RBS, Lloyds, Barclays, TSB) have machines available.

Currency

• United Kingdom: British Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 EUR = 0.85 GBP, 1 USD = 0.79 GBP

Currency Exchange

Travelex and Moneycorp counters are located in arrivals and departures. However, airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw GBP from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• The UK is increasingly cashless; contactless cards accepted almost everywhere
• Wise or Revolut cards for better exchange rates
• Scottish banks issue their own banknotes (same value as Bank of England notes)

Note: Scottish banknotes are legal currency throughout the UK, though some shops in England may be unfamiliar with them. Bank of England notes are universally accepted in Scotland.

Glasgow Airport offers duty-free and retail shopping primarily concentrated in the main departures lounge.

Duty-Free

• World Duty Free: Main duty-free store with spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Tax-free savings: Available on alcohol and tobacco for non-UK travelers

Scottish Specialties

• World of Whiskies: Extensive selection of Scotch whisky, including rare and limited editions from Scottish distilleries
• The Bothy Shop: Scottish gifts, tartan, cashmere, shortbread
• Gleneagles: Scottish luxury goods and gifts
• Johnstons of Elgin: Cashmere and wool products

General Retail

• Accessorize: Fashion accessories
• Boots: Pharmacy and beauty products
• WHSmith: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• Dixons Travel: Electronics and tech

Tips

• Whisky: Glasgow is an excellent place to buy Scotch whisky. Look for exclusive airport editions and regional malts from Speyside, Islay, and the Highlands
• Shortbread and tablet: Classic Scottish edible souvenirs
• Non-UK residents can claim VAT refunds (20% UK VAT) on qualifying purchases
• Pre-order at the airport website for collection

Glasgow Airport has limited lounge options compared to larger hubs, but several are available for eligible passengers.

Priority Pass Lounges

Upper Deck Lounge (Main Terminal, Airside):

• Location: Above main departures, near gate area
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, day pass purchase (GBP 35)
• Hours: 04:00-21:00
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, bar, WiFi, runway views
• Quality: Decent food selection, can get crowded during peak times

Airline Lounges

British Airways Lounge (Main Terminal):

• Access: British Airways Club World/First, BA Executive Club Gold, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
• Hours: Opens 2 hours before BA departures
• Amenities: Complimentary food and drinks, WiFi, newspapers

Pay-Per-Entry

The Upper Deck Lounge offers day passes for GBP 35. Book online for potential discounts.

Tip: For access to better lounges, consider booking a refundable business class ticket on British Airways or using a credit card with Priority Pass membership (many UK premium cards include this benefit).

Several hotels are located near Glasgow Airport, with the closest options within walking distance or a short shuttle ride.

At the Airport

Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport

• Directly opposite the terminal, 2-minute walk via covered walkway
• 3-star, 300 rooms
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From GBP 80/night

Courtyard by Marriott Glasgow Airport

• 5-minute walk from terminal
• 4-star, modern rooms
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From GBP 90/night

Near the Airport

• Premier Inn Glasgow Airport: Budget-friendly, 5-minute shuttle, from GBP 55/night
• Hampton by Hilton Glasgow Airport: Modern, 5-minute shuttle, from GBP 75/night
• Travelodge Glasgow Airport: Budget option, free shuttle, from GBP 45/night
• DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central: In city center (25 min to airport), from GBP 100/night

Transit Options

• Paisley town center: Several B&Bs and budget hotels, 15-minute bus ride to airport
• Glasgow city center: Wide hotel selection, 20-25 minutes to airport by bus or taxi

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, known for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, vibrant music scene, world-class museums, and friendly locals. The city center is just 15-25 minutes from the airport.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
George Square (City Center)	20 min	Airport Express bus
Glasgow Cathedral	25 min	Bus + 5 min walk
Kelvingrove Art Gallery	25 min	Bus to city center + subway
Riverside Museum	30 min	Bus + taxi or subway
Glasgow Science Centre	30 min	Bus + taxi

Glasgow Highlights

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: Free admission, world-class art and natural history collections
• Glasgow Cathedral: Medieval cathedral, free entry, atmospheric graveyard
• Riverside Museum: Scotland's transport museum, free admission, Zaha Hadid-designed building
• The Necropolis: Victorian cemetery on a hill overlooking the city
• West End: Vibrant neighborhood with Byres Road shops, cafes, and Glasgow University
• Merchant City: Stylish dining, bars, and shopping in converted warehouses

Day Trips from Glasgow

• Loch Lomond: 30 minutes by car, stunning scenery, boat trips, and walks
• Scottish Highlands: Glencoe and Fort William accessible in 2-2.5 hours
• Edinburgh: Scotland's capital, 1 hour by train from Glasgow Queen Street
• Stirling Castle: 45 minutes by train, historic royal castle
• Ayrshire coast: Robert Burns country, 45 minutes by train

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

The gateway to the Scottish Highlands is just 30 minutes from Glasgow:

• Balloch: Southern tip of Loch Lomond, boat trips and walks
• Luss: Picturesque village on the west shore
• The Trossachs: Rob Roy country, beautiful lochs and mountains
• West Highland Way: Famous long-distance walking trail starts nearby

Scottish Highlands

Glasgow Airport is an excellent starting point for exploring the Highlands:

• Glencoe: Dramatic mountain scenery, 2 hours by car
• Fort William: Gateway to Ben Nevis (UK's highest peak), 2.5 hours
• Oban: Seafood capital, ferries to the islands, 2 hours
• Isle of Mull and Iona: Accessible via ferry from Oban
• Skye: The most famous Scottish island, 5 hours by car

Glasgow Specialties

• Full Scottish Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, haggis, tattie scones, beans
• Haggis, neeps, and tatties: Scotland's national dish with turnip and potato
• Scotch whisky: Visit the Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow or explore the whisky regions
• Irn-Bru: Scotland's other national drink (bright orange soft drink)
• Deep-fried Mars bar: Guilty pleasure available at chip shops

Travel Tips

• Glasgow has excellent public transport; the circular Subway system is easy to use (GBP 1.90 per journey)
• Glaswegians are famously friendly; don't hesitate to ask for directions
• Weather is unpredictable; bring layers and waterproof clothing year-round
• Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory (10% in restaurants is standard)
• Glasgow is significantly more affordable than Edinburgh for accommodation and dining