The holiday season is here and for many people, they will be jetting away to a sunnier destination than Scotland for some much needed relaxation.
However before you get to your home for the next few days whilst you're away, it may be worth trying to figure out what the cheapest way is to get to your required terminal.
Thankfully there are a lot of ways to get to and from Glasgow Airport and they don't have to cost a fortune - something many will naturally be wary of before they fly.
READ MORE - Five hotels that are within walking distance to Glasgow Airport
So with people wanting to save as much money as they can, what's the best way to get to Glasgow Airport?
Here's what you need to know...
Car/Taxi
This can be hard to say which is cheaper or more expensive as it all comes down to where you are leaving from.
To state the obvious, the closer you are, the cheaper your taxi will be.
According to Uber, a 30 minute ride will cost £39 whilst a pick-up from the city centre will cost £20.
Fuel is sky high at present so you may want to take a taxi rather than pay for fuel and a fee for the airport's car park as drop off rates as well as short stay prices can be pricey.
However if you want to drive there and leave your car until after your holiday, you can find the list of current Glasgow Airport car parking prices and how long you can stay for here.
Express Service 500
The Glasgow Airport Express service 500 is one of the best way to get around and is operated by First Glasgow.
This bus is the official service connecting the airport and the city centre and it takes just 15 minutes.
You can get the service to the airport from Buchanan Bus Station at stance 46 and if you want it on your return, the bus back to the city centre is located at stance 1 at Glasgow Airport.
Thankfully the buses are well equipped to the journey offering luxury seating, tables with wireless charging, luggage storage, free 4G WIFI, USB charging points as well as live flight information on board.
| Glasgow Airport Express Tickets | Adult | Child |
| Single | £8.50 | £4.50 |
FirstDay |
£13 | £6.50 |
| Open Return | £14 | £7 |
| Flexi-10 | £60 | N/A |
Family Single |
£19 | N/A |
| Family Open Return | £29 | N/A |
According to First Bus, the Glasgow Airport Express service operates between 4:30am and 10:30pm from Buchanan Bus Station and 5am until 11pm from Glasgow Airport with a new bus expected every 30 minutes or less.
The stops from Buchanan Bus Station to the airport include:
- North Hanover Street
- George Square
- St Vincent Place
- St Vincent Street
- Waterloo Street
- Glasgow Airport
The stops from the airport to Buchanan Bus Station include:
- Bothwell Street
- Bothwell Street at Hope Street (near Central Station)
- George Square at Queen Street Station
- North Hanover Street
- Buchanan Bus Station
You can download the ticket on your phone using the First Buss app, purchase it online here or get it on board using contactless, cash or card.
You can view the bus time table here.
Bus
According to Glasgow Airport there are a number of other services that can get you to your terminal on time.
These include:
- Citylink 914, 915, 917: Skye (via Loch Lomond and Fort William) from Stance 9
- Citylink 977: Oban from Stance 9
- McGill’s 757: Paisley Gilmour Street Train Station from Stance 7
- First 77 Hospital Connect: Glasgow City Centre (via Renfrew, Braehead shopping centre, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, and Partick) from Stance 6
Which is the cheapest way to get to Glasgow Airport?
It may be worth getting the express service for just £8.50 - or £14 return - if you're travelling solo, as a couple or a small family.
However if you're in a larger group you'll want to consider getting a taxi as the cost of a bus ticket is per person as well as each way.
This means that if you're solo traveller it will cost you £14 for a return and if you're a family of four with two adults and two kids, this will cost you £42 for a return.
Compare this with a taxi return of £39 and there isn't much in it.
In addition to this, you'll also want to factor in how you're getting to Buchannan Bus Station which is adding to the cost as well as the time you have to get to the airport.
Overall for a group larger than four it is cheaper to get a taxi based on these estimated costs whereas if you're a solo traveller or a couple, the express service is likely the cheapest option.
Which routes have you taken to get to Glasgow Airport? Tell us which was the cheapest route in the comments below!
