Skip to content
EN| ES
+1 855 577 9836
Airport Transportation

Glasgow Airport

Also known as: GLA Airport, Glasgow International Airport, Glasgow Scotland Airport. Formerly Abbotsinch Airport, RNAS Abbotsinch.

GLA · EGPF · Glasgow

Airport facts

Name
Glasgow Airport
IATA code
GLA
ICAO code
EGPF
City
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Address
Abbotsinch, Paisley PA3 2SW, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates
55.8719, -4.4331
Time zone
Europe/London
Terminals
Main Terminal for all arrivals and most check-in, plus the T2 check-in building, sharing one security area and three piers

About Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport (GLA) is the main airport for Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, in the United Kingdom. It stands at Abbotsinch, beside the town of Paisley in Renfrewshire, about 11 km (7 miles) west of Glasgow city center, with direct access to the M8. It handled about 8.1 million passengers in 2024.

easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI Airways run the largest networks, with flights across the UK and Europe and to leisure destinations in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. British Airways links London Heathrow, Gatwick and London City, and Loganair flies to Islay, Barra, Tiree, Stornoway, Orkney, Shetland and other island points. Long-haul routes include Emirates to Dubai, plus seasonal flights to North America with United Airlines, Air Transat and WestJet.

Arriving passengers come into the Main Terminal. A second check-in building, T2, is used mainly by Jet2.com, and both lead to one shared security area and three piers of gates.

From the airport, most travelers head into Glasgow city center, the Merchant City and the West End, or to Paisley next door. Others continue to Loch Lomond, Stirling, Edinburgh, the cruise terminal at Greenock and the Highlands.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Owner

AGS Airports

Operator

Glasgow Airport Ltd

Passengers per year

About 8.1 million in 2024; about 8.3 million in the 12 months to June 2026

Runway

One runway, 05/23, 2,665 m long

Opened

1966, on the site of the former RNAS Abbotsinch

Arrival tips for Glasgow Airport

International arrivals follow the signs to passport control, run by UK Border Force. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area, and most visa-exempt visitors, including US, Canadian and EU nationals, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) approved before travel. Flights from elsewhere in the UK and from Ireland arrive into the domestic arrivals area without passport checks.

After border control, collect your bags in baggage reclaim; if a bag is missing, speak to your airline's handling agent at the desk in the reclaim hall. Walk through customs, using the red point if you have goods to declare, into the arrivals area of the Main Terminal, where there are Travelex desks and cash machines.

Outside, the official Glasgow Airport Taxis rank and the stop for the 500 Glasgow Airport Express are in front of the terminal. Private hire and rideshare cars collect passengers from Car Park 2 or the pick-up area in the terminal multi-story parking garage, so check where your driver will meet you before you land. Scotland uses the pound sterling and is on Greenwich Mean Time, moving to British Summer Time from late March to late October.

Ground transportation

The 500 bus suits most travelers going to central Glasgow, while a taxi or private transfer is easier with luggage or for Loch Lomond, Stirling, Edinburgh and the coast.

  • Glasgow Airport Express bus 500

    First Glasgow's 500 leaves from outside the terminal up to every 10 minutes and runs to the city center and Buchanan Bus Station in about 20 to 25 minutes, using electric buses since 2025. Roadworks on North Hanover Street move some city-center stops, so check the current stops before you travel.

  • Bus 757 and train from Paisley

    McGill's 757 links the airport with Paisley Gilmour Street station, Erskine and Clydebank. There is no station at the airport, but trains from Paisley Gilmour Street reach Glasgow Central and the Clyde coast, including Greenock.

  • Taxi from Glasgow airport

    Official Glasgow Airport Taxis wait at the rank directly outside the Main Terminal, around the clock. A taxi takes about 20 minutes to the city center in normal traffic.

  • Private hire and rideshare

    Pre-booked private hire cars and rideshare drivers collect passengers from Car Park 2 or the pick-up area in the terminal multi-story parking garage, not from the taxi rank. Check the meeting point in your booking or app before you walk out.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you at the airport and goes door to door, which suits families, groups and longer trips to Loch Lomond, Stirling, Edinburgh or Greenock. It must be arranged in advance.

Compare providers for your exact address

Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.

Book a transfer from GLA

Moving between terminals

  1. Walking

    T2 is a separate check-in building next to the Main Terminal, joined to it on foot; after check-in, passengers from both buildings use the same security area and gates.

Terminals

Main Terminal

The original 1966 building, where all arriving passengers come out after border control and baggage reclaim, and where most airlines check in. It leads to the shared security area and the East, Central and West piers.

T2

A separate check-in building linked to the Main Terminal, used mainly by Jet2.com and some other low-cost and leisure airlines. Departing passengers go on to the same shared security area.

Airlines and destinations

All flights leave from the same security area and piers; the terminal shown is where the airline checks in.

Aer Lingus Main Terminal

Belfast City, Cork, Dublin

Air Transat T2

Toronto (seasonal)

British Airways Main Terminal

London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow; seasonal Palma de Mallorca, San Sebastián

Corendon Airlines Main Terminal

Antalya (seasonal)

easyJet Main Terminal

Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast City, Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Faro, Lisbon, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Málaga, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Prague and more

Edelweiss

Zurich (seasonal)

Emirates Main Terminal

Dubai

Eurowings

Hannover (seasonal)

Icelandair Main Terminal

Reykjavík Keflavík

Jet2.com T2

Agadir, Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Málaga, Marrakesh, Rome Fiumicino, Tenerife South, Palma de Mallorca (seasonal), Dalaman (seasonal), Paphos (seasonal) and more

KLM Main Terminal

Amsterdam

Loganair Main Terminal

Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Derry, Donegal, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree; seasonal Newquay

Ryanair T2

Alicante, Dublin, Kraków, London Stansted, Málaga, Malta, Warsaw Modlin, Wrocław

SunExpress

Antalya; seasonal Dalaman

TUI Airways Main Terminal

Alicante, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Sal, Sharm El Sheikh, Tenerife South; seasonal Antalya, Barbados, Cancún, Corfu, Dalaman, Ibiza, Orlando, Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes and more

United Airlines

Newark (seasonal)

WestJet Main Terminal

Toronto (seasonal)

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Free Wi-Fi is available across the terminal for laptops and phones.

  • Currency exchange

    Travelex has desks in domestic arrivals, international arrivals and the departures lounge.

  • Cash machines

    ATMs are in domestic arrivals, international arrivals, international baggage reclaim and the departure lounge.

  • Left luggage

    Excess Baggage Company stores bags in the main check-in hall, for up to three months, booked online.

  • Baggage wrapping and weighing

    Weigh-ahead machines are in the main check-in hall and the T2 check-in area, and wrapping is at Luggage-Point in the main check-in hall.

  • Baby care

    Baby changing rooms are in the check-in hall, the food court, the T2 check-in hall and at several points after security, with a breastfeeding zone at gates 1 to 3.

  • Prayer room

    A prayer room on the first floor of the departures concourse is open 24 hours, with further prayer areas at the Central Pier and the West Pier.

  • Changing Places toilet

    A Changing Places facility is in the main check-in hall, between WHSmith and Luggage-Point.

  • Shops and restaurants

    Shops, bars and restaurants are mainly in the departure lounge after security, with views of the runway from some restaurants.

  • Car rental

    Major car rental companies have offices a few minutes' walk from the Main Terminal.

Airport lounges

  • Lomond Lounge

    Airside in the departures area, reached by the stairs beside Accessorize or the lift opposite Boots. Open daily from 05:00 to 17:00 for eligible KLM and Icelandair passengers, lounge-pass holders and adults who book and pay ahead.

  • UpperDeck Lounge

    Airside after security, open daily from 05:00 to 20:30 for departing passengers with a booking, including children.

  • British Airways Lounge

    On the first floor of the Central Pier, for eligible British Airways passengers, including Executive Club Gold and Silver members.

  • Emirates Lounge

    On the first floor of the West Pier, for Emirates First and Business Class passengers.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Tell your airline at least 48 hours before you travel, ideally when you book. The airport's service provider gives free assistance from arrival points at the airport to the gate, and again on your return.

  • Help Points and host desk

    Help Points are at the drop-off areas, parking areas and bus stands, and the Assisted Travel Host Desk is in the Main Terminal check-in area, next to the escalators. T2 has its own Help Point in the check-in area.

  • Arriving for your flight

    Arrive at least 2 hours before departure if you need help from the parking area, and at least 1 hour before if you need help from check-in.

  • Hidden disabilities

    Glasgow Airport has guidance and support for passengers with hidden disabilities on its Assisted Travel pages.

  • Mobility aids and assistance animals

    Tell your airline in advance if you travel with a wheelchair, other mobility aid or an assistance dog; the airport's Assisted Travel pages explain how each is handled.

  • Changing Places

    A Changing Places toilet is in the main check-in hall, between WHSmith and Luggage-Point.

Parking

Terminal Multi Storey

The short-stay parking garage right outside the terminal, about 2 to 3 minutes' walk away. The pick-up and drop-off area is also here.

Fast Track Flex Plus

Priority parking on floor 2 of Car Park 2, with a covered walkway to security, about 1 to 2 minutes away.

Valet Parking

Drop your car in Car Park 1, about 1 to 2 minutes from the terminal.

Mid Stay

A surface parking lot on Sanderling Road, a 3 to 5 minute covered walk from the terminal.

Long Stay

Linked to the terminal by a free shuttle bus, with a total trip of under 8 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Glasgow airport from the city center?

Glasgow Airport is about 11 km (7 miles) west of Glasgow city center, at Abbotsinch beside Paisley, with direct access to the M8. A taxi takes about 20 minutes in normal traffic, and the 500 Glasgow Airport Express bus reaches the center and Buchanan Bus Station in about 20 to 25 minutes.

Is Glasgow Airport the same as Glasgow Prestwick Airport?

No. Glasgow Airport (GLA) is at Paisley, just west of the city. Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is a separate airport on the Ayrshire coast, about 30 miles (50 km) southwest of Glasgow, used mainly by Ryanair. Check the three-letter code on your ticket before arranging onward travel, because the two are a long drive apart.

How many terminals does Glasgow Airport have?

Glasgow Airport has a Main Terminal and a separate check-in building called T2, used mainly by Jet2.com. Both lead to one shared security area and three piers of gates. All arriving passengers come out into the Main Terminal, so there is no terminal to choose when you land.

Which airlines fly from Glasgow Airport?

easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI Airways run the largest networks, across the UK, Europe and leisure destinations. British Airways flies to London, Loganair serves the Scottish islands, and Aer Lingus, KLM, Icelandair and Ryanair add more routes. Emirates flies to Dubai, and United Airlines, Air Transat and WestJet run seasonal flights to North America.

How do I get from Glasgow airport to the city center by bus?

Take the 500 Glasgow Airport Express, run by First Glasgow, from the stop outside the terminal. Buses run up to every 10 minutes from early morning until late at night and reach the city center and Buchanan Bus Station in about 20 to 25 minutes. Roadworks on North Hanover Street move some city-center stops, so check before you travel.

Is there a train station at Glasgow Airport?

No. The nearest station is Paisley Gilmour Street, about 2 km away, reached by McGill's bus 757 or by taxi. From there, trains run to Glasgow Central and along the Clyde coast, including Greenock. Most travelers going to central Glasgow take the 500 bus or a taxi straight from the terminal instead.

Where is the taxi rank at Glasgow Airport?

The official Glasgow Airport Taxis rank is directly outside the Main Terminal and runs around the clock. These metered taxis are the only ones allowed to pick up at the terminal front. A taxi to Glasgow city center takes about 20 minutes in normal traffic, longer at rush hour.

Where do I get an Uber or private hire car at Glasgow Airport?

Rideshare and pre-booked private hire cars do not use the taxi rank outside the terminal. They collect passengers from Car Park 2 or the pick-up area in the terminal multi-story parking garage, a short walk from arrivals. Check the meeting point in your app or booking before you leave the terminal.

How do I get from Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh?

By road, Edinburgh is about an hour east along the M8, depending on traffic, by taxi, rental car or pre-booked transfer. On public transport, take the 500 bus into Glasgow, then a train from Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley or a coach from Buchanan Bus Station. If you are going only to Edinburgh, compare flights into Edinburgh Airport (EDI).

Do I need an ETA to fly into Glasgow?

Most visa-exempt visitors to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) approved before they travel, including US, Canadian and EU nationals, and it applies to children too. British and Irish passport holders do not need one. The UK is not in the Schengen Area, so international arrivals go through UK border control. Check the official UK government guidance before you fly.

Are there lounges at Glasgow Airport?

Yes. The Lomond Lounge and the UpperDeck Lounge are airside after security and open to departing passengers who book ahead, as well as some airline and lounge-pass holders. British Airways has a lounge on the Central Pier for eligible passengers, and Emirates has a lounge on the West Pier for its First and Business Class passengers.

How busy is Glasgow Airport?

Glasgow Airport handled about 8.1 million passengers in 2024, and about 8.3 million in the 12 months to June 2026. It is owned by AGS Airports, operated by Glasgow Airport Ltd, and has one runway, 05/23, 2,665 m long. It opened in 1966 on the site of the former RNAS Abbotsinch.

What currency and time zone does Glasgow use?

Scotland uses the pound sterling, including notes issued by Scottish banks, and cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Glasgow is on Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) and moves to British Summer Time (UTC+1) from late March to late October. Travelex desks and cash machines are in the arrivals areas.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from GLA