Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Overview

The second-busiest airport in Scotland (after Edinburgh), Glasgow International Airport is located eight miles (13km) west of central Glasgow, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire. More than 6.5 million passengers pass through the airport each year on flights to a number of cities around the world, including Toronto, Copenhagen, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Dubai, Ibiza, New York, Philadelphia, Cancun and Orlando.

The terminal has three piers: East (for low-cost flights and flights to Ireland and the Scottish Islands, Central (for domestic flights), and West (for international flights). In 2007, the airport opened the Skyhub, which acts as a connection between to Terminal 2 and contains a large duty-free shopping centre.

The airport has a few entertainments and amenities despite its small size, including the GameGrid (a gaming arcade) and a number of duty-free shops and restaurants.

Location

The airport is located eight miles (13km) west of Glasgow, off junction 28 of the M8 motorway.

Getting to the city

Buses leave regularly for Glasgow, stopping off at the main railway and bus stations. The journey to the city centre takes 15 to 20 minutes. There are also eight trains per hour from Paisley Gilmour Street Station to Glasgow Central Station, which is one mile from the airport and can be reached by taxi or by regular bus services from bus stop bay 1, just outside the terminal building. Taxis are available outside the terminal 24 hours a day, with only those licensed by the Renfrewshire Council allowed to operate. The taxi fare from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow city centre is approximately £20-22.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Contacts

Tel: +44 (0)870 040 0008.

Car rental

Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National are represented at the airport.

Airport Taxis

Taxis licensed by the Renfrewshire Council are available 24 hours a day at the taxi rank opposite the main terminal. They are obligated to metre the journey, and the approximate fare to the Glasgow City Centre is £20-22.

Transfer between terminals

A covered walkway connects the terminals.

Facilities

Facilities at Glasgow Airport include ATMs, a bureau de change, a post office, and many shops, bars and restaurants. A business centre in the terminal offers meeting rooms, secretarial support, telephones, fax machines and internet connectivity. There is a Relaxation Station past security offering massages, and a Skylounge with facilities for business and entertainment, which can be booked via the airport's website. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs are advised to inform their airline or travel agent in advance. There is a multi-faith prayer room in the international arrivals terminal on the ground floor. There are no smoking facilities in the airport.

Parking

Short-term parking is located near the terminal, charging roughly £4 per hour. Long-term parking is £9.90 for the first day and £8 per day thereafter. Premium business parking is also available. The airport offers Fast Track Parking for speedy access to the terminal, located on level 2 of Car park 2. Parking can be booked in advance via the airport website.

Departure Tax

None.

Website

www.glasgowairport.com

Airlines

Flights to Glasgow International Airport are available on Aer Lingus, bmi, bmibaby, British Airways, easyJet, emirates, Flybe, Iberia, Icelandair, Jet2.com, KLM, Monarch, Spanair, Sinwing, Thomas Cook, Thomson, United, Us Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Internet

Wifi is available through Boingo, and there are internet kiosks throughout the terminal.

Business Lounges

There is a dedicated business wing of the Skylounge with many business services ranging from internet to refreshments for a rate of £17.50 per day. There is also a business centre opposite the terminal buildings offering conference and meeting rooms for hire.

Glasgow Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.