Air

Airlines flying from Glasgow Airport to the rest of the United Kingdom and to Europe include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, BMI Regional, British Airways, easyJet, Flybe, Icelandair, Jet 2, and KLM. Several carriers fly from North America, including Air Canada, American Airlines, United, Westjet, and Icelandair (service via Reykjavík).

Ryanair and Vueling offer budget airfares between Prestwick and London and European destinations. Budget-minded easyJet has similar services from Glasgow Airport. Loganair flies to the islands.

Glasgow Airport (GLA) is about 7 miles west of the City Centre on the M8 to Greenock. The airport serves international and domestic flights, and most major European carriers have frequent and convenient connections to many cities on the continent; it closes overnight. There's a frequent shuttle service from London, as well as regular flights from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Southampton, Isle of Man, and Jersey. There are also flights from Wales (Cardiff) and Ireland (Belfast, Dublin, and Londonderry). Local Scottish connections can be made to Aberdeen, Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Shetland (Sumburgh), Stornoway, and Tiree.

Prestwick Airport (PIK), on the Ayrshire coast about 30 miles southwest of Glasgow, is known mainly as an airport for budget airlines like Ryanair and Vueling.

Although there's a railway station about 2 miles from Glasgow Airport (Paisley Gilmour Street), it is not very accessible. Transport to the City Centre is by bus or taxi and takes about 20 minutes. Metered taxis cost around £22. Express buses depart every 15 minutes from Glasgow Airport to Central and Queen Street stations and to the Buchanan Street bus station. The fare is £7.50 one way, £13.50 open round-trip per person.

The drive from Glasgow Airport into the City Centre via the M8 motorway (Junction 29) is normally quite easy. Most companies that provide chauffeur-driven cars and tours will also do limousine airport transfers. TBR Global Chauffeuring is a worldwide organization offering chauffeur-driven transport in Glasgow and across the United Kingdom.

There's a rapid half-hourly train service (hourly on Sunday) direct from Prestwick Airport's terminal to Glasgow Central. Strathclyde Passenger Transport and ScotRail offer a discount ticket that allows you to travel for half the standard fare; just show a valid airline ticket for a flight to or from Prestwick Airport. An hourly coach service makes the same trip but takes much longer than the train. Travelers arriving after 11 pm can take a late bus (X99); book this online with Dodds of Troon. The fare is £14.

The City Centre is reached by car from Prestwick via the fast M77 in about 40 minutes. Metered taxis are available at the airport. The fare to Glasgow is about £40.

Airport Contacts

Glasgow Airport. Caledonia Way, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA3 2SW. 0844/481–5555; www.glasgowairport.com.

Prestwick Airport. A79, Prestwick, South Ayrshire, KA9 2PL. 0871/223–0700; www.glasgowprestwick.com.

Airport Transfer Contacts

Dodds of Troon. Glasgow, Glasgow City. 01292/288100; www.doddsoftroon.com.

Little's Chauffeur Drive. Glasgow City. 0141/883–2111; www.littles.co.uk.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport Travel Centre. Buchanan Street Bus Station, Killermont St., City Centre, Glasgow, Glasgow City, G2 3NW. 0141/332–6811; www.spt.co.uk.

TBR Global Chauffeuring. Glasgow City. 0141/280–4800; www.tbrglobal.com.