Glasgow International Airport

Glasgow International Airport (GLA)

Glasgow has two international airports: Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick, which has experienced a substantial growth thanks to Ryanair. Glasgow International is 13 kilometers west of the city centre and is the busiest airport in Scotland. There are two terminals that are connected together.

Prices here are given in the British pound (£). £ 1.00 = € 1.49 (December 2006).

Local transport

Train

There is still no train connection with the airport, but work is being done on a connection with the Glasgow Central Station (ready in 2008). At this moment the nearest station, Gilmour Street in Paisley (3 kilometers from the airport), is accessible with bus line 60. Trains go to Glasgow Central from that station.

Car and bus

The airport lies along the important highway M8 (exit 29).

Bus lines 905 and 950 go to the centre of Glasgow. These buses stop by the train stations Glasgow Central and Queen Street and the bus station Buchanan. Lines 901 and 906 go to Port Glasgow.

Car rental Glasgow International Airport

In the Arrivals Hall there are counters for the car rental companies Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National. You can also reserve a rental car in advance using the service EasyTerra provides. They compare the rates of several providers in a single quote.

Taxi

Taxis are in front of the Arrivals Hall. A sign with the rates is hanging at the beginning of the line. Count on a ride to the centre of Glasgow costing £ 18.00 - £ 20.00. Information about taxis can be obtained through Cabfly (tel: +44 (0)141 848 4588).

Airport Parking

There is a parking garage directly next to the terminal (£ 11.00 per day). At the area for long term parking you pay £ 5.50 per day. A shuttle bus goes between this parking area and the terminal. You receive a discount for all parking places if you reserve a place online. The Airport Parking Directory website offers a service where you can compare the rates of multiple Glasgow Airport parking suppliers.

Services

Hotels

There are three hotels at the airport: Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport (tel: +44(0)870 400 9031), Premier Travel Inn (tel: +44(0)141 842 1563) and Express by Holiday Inn (tel: +44(0)141 842 1100). There is a separate counter for making hotel reservations in the Arrivals Hall (tel: +44(0)141 887 7220). For more hotels and reserving online you can go to Booking.com. They have a large offering of hotels with great internet rates.

Shops and restaurants

The offering of shops, snack bars and restaurants is limited. Many travelers complain about the mediocre service especially in the restaurants and bars.

Baggage

The baggage handling does not appear to be able to keep up with the growth of the airport. Sometimes travelers must wait an hour or longer for their baggage to come out on the baggage band. There is a window for lost and found items close to the baggage band (tel: +44(0)141 848 4740). You can store baggage at the Glasgow Airport (tel: +44(0)141 848 4938).

Information

There is a general information counter on the first floor, and on the ground floor there are computers where you can find information about the airport and about Glasgow and the surrounding area. There is a counter in the International Arrivals Hall for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board (tel: +44(0)141 848 4400). The employees not only give tourist information but can also book a hotel for you.

Business

There are several possibilities to rent offices and meeting rooms. There is a Business Centre (tel: +44 (0)141 847 5450) in the terminal, but the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce (tel: +44 (0)141 847 5499) also rents out meeting rooms right next to the terminal building. Furthermore, there are meeting facilities (max. 35 persons) available in the Premier Travel Inn (tel: +44 (0)141 842 1563). The Servisair Executive Lounge has telephone and fax facilities (payment with credit card).

Handicapped persons

The airport is very accessible for handicapped persons. There are wheelchair ramps and adapted elevators, restrooms and telephones including text telephones and a separate information line for the hearing impaired (tel: +44(0)141 848 4848). Furthermore, there are parking places and seats reserved for handicapped persons. For assistance you can call Passenger Assistance Ltd. (tel: +44(0)141 848 4938). Wheelchairs are available free of charge upon request (tel: +44(0)141 848 7777).

Other services

There are money exchange offices and cash machines. There is also a post office. There is a special lounge for families with children. You can book this Holiday Wing Lounge online. Moreover, there is a play corner for children: computer games in the Gamegrid Play Area (next to Burger King on the first level) and a play corner for small children by Gate 50.

Contact

Address

Glasgow International Airport
Paisley
Renfrewshire
PA3 2SW
Great Britain

Telephone, fax, email

Telephone: +44(0)141 887 1111
Fax: +44(0)141 848 4769
E-mail: customercomments_glal@baa.com

Airport codes

IATA airport code: GLA
ICAO airport code: EGPF