Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is located 13km (8 miles) southwest of Glasgow's city centre. It is the second-busiest airport in Scotland and one of the busiest in the UK with more than six million passengers using it each year. Almost 30 airlines are based there, a mix of traditional, budget and charter carriers.
The terminal has three piers: West (international), Central (domestic) and East (low-cost, Ireland and Scottish islands). A “Skyhub” was created in 2007, connecting the main terminal and terminal two, which created space for an extended duty-free shopping area.
The airport has seen some improvements in recent years and runs well, with security moving at a reasonable pace and shopping and dining options on the rise. Despite it being an international facility, the airport is still on the small side, so pack a book or charge your mobile if you expect to have a lot of time on your hands.
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<div class="rxbodyfield">Glasgow Airport has only one terminal. International and domestic departures and domestic arrivals are on the first floor, while international arrivals are on the ground floor.</div>
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Train: The Paisley Gilmour Street Station is just a mile from the terminal. You can get there by taxi or catch the bus No. 66 or No. 300 from bus stops 6 and 7 in the terminal forecourt. There are direct rail services from Paisley Gilmour Street to Glasgow Central, Ayr and Clyde Coast. Tickets can be purchased from the SPT Travel Centre on the ground floor of the airport terminal, next to domestic arrivals.
Taxi: There is a taxi rank in front of the terminal for licensed taxis. Taxi drivers are obliged to use the meter for all journeys and display the scale of charges. Expect to pay around £20 to get to the city centre from the airport. If you have a longer journey to make, you can try and negotiate with the driver. The taxi rank is located in front of the terminal building.
Bus: Service 500 – the airport’s official shuttle to Glasgow's city centre – runs every ten minutes, 24 hours per day. The journey takes only 25 minutes, and costs £4.50 one way for an adult. First's Airlink service 747 makes several stops in the west end of the city, including some good shopping spots and tourist attractions, before making its way to the city centre. This service runs approximately every 20 minutes, and fares start at £3.90 for a one-way ticket.
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There are several parking options, depending on your needs. Short-stay car parks are close to the terminal, just a few minutes' walk away. They cost £1 for the first ten minutes and £3.50-£4 for an hour, depending on the car park. Long-stay parking starts at £9.90 for the first day and then drops to £8 for each additional day. If you need to breeze in and out for business travel, you might want to consider FastTrack parking, which costs £23 per day. You can get discounted parking if you pre-book through the airport.
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Money and communications: ATMs are located throughout the airport, and will accept major credit cards. American Express and Travelex offer a commission-free currency service if you pre-order online.
Luggage: Secure baggage wrapping is available at Door 3 in the main terminal, operated by Safe 2 Go, at a rate of £5 per regular check-in item. A luggage storage facility is located in the check-in hall on the ground floor. Rates are £4.50 per four-hour block for up to eight hours, or £10 for up to 24 hours.
Conference and business: The dedicated business wing of skylounge has all the necessities a travelling businessperson could require, including free Internet and complimentary snacks and refreshments. Entry for an adult is £17.50 per day, and you can book online. Glasgow Airport has its own business centre opposite the terminal buildings with conference and venue rooms for hire.
Other facilities: Post services, disabled assistance, smoking rooms, worship spaces, and lost property.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport through Boingo and other service providers. There are also Internet desks with broadband-connected PCs in all areas of the terminal, courtesy of Spectrum Interactive Ltd. Payment can be made online by credit card, by voucher, or by coin (pounds or euros).
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