Car Hire at Glasgow Airport

Airport travel guide

Busy and modern, Glasgow has been working hard to be recognized as a hub of innovation and culture. Although its charms might be rougher than those of neighboring Edinburgh, the city has plenty of heritage, architecture, and art. There are tens of sights and attractions in Glasgow for visitors to enjoy, but these are three of the most notable:

• Glasgow Science Centre. One of the best of its kind, Glasgow Science Centre is a fun place for all generations to enjoy. Made up of multiple interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and laboratories open for visitors, this is the best place to see, touch, and smell science and invention. The centre also includes the Glasgow Tower, the largest freely-rotating tower in the world.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. An impressively diverse museum, the Kelvingrove has interesting exhibitions on hundreds of topics. From paintings by world-famous artists like van Gogh and Dali to collections of artefacts from prehistoric civilizations and dinosaur fossils, this is the right place to quench your thirst of knowledge. Located in an impressive baroque building, the museum is inside the park of the same name.
• Riverside Museum. Designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid and recognized as the European Museum of the Year in 2013, Riverside is one of the most impressive contemporary buildings in the city. Inside, visitors can find locomotives, vehicles, ship models, and interesting collections dedicated to different means of transportation and industry. If you liked Riverside Museum, you might also appreciate the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, a folk museum dedicated to the roots and history of Glaswegians. 

Top international routes

• London
• Dublin
• Amsterdam
• Dubai
• Bristol
• Belfast

Main airlines

easyJet, Flybe, Ryanair, Jet2.com, TUI Airways, and British Airways

Terminals

The single airport terminal consists of three piers—the West Pier, the Central Pier, and the East Pier. West Pier is also known as the International Pier. All three piers are connected and you can easily walk between them.

Location

Glasgow Airport is about 16 km (10 mi) from Glasgow city center. Highway M8 is the main road connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of hire car

• Medium cars - starting at US$17 per day
• Small cars - starting at US$13 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$18 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$30 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$55 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$53 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$43 per day

Car hire desks

Most are located near the domestic arrivals hall.

Services and facilities

You’ll find many snack kiosks, cafés, and restaurants, a sports bar, and a pub. For shopping, visit one of the many stores, duty-free outlets, Scottish-themed gift shops, or the airport supermarket. There are also ATMs, baby changing rooms, a children’s play zone, a spa, laundry service, photo booths, and a prayer room. Luggage storage, on the ground floor near the British Airways check-in desks, is open daily from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The airport is well equipped for travelers with reduced mobility and offers special assistance, but you should get in touch with your airline before your flight if you’d like this service. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

Gulf Hillington petrol station, located at Sandwood Road, Glasgow G52 4JZ, can be reached in about six minutes and is open 24/7. While other petrol stations are even closer to Glasgow Airport, travelers give this one a high rating.

Popular one-way hires

• Edinburgh (88 km / 55 mi). The capital of Scotland is one of the most picturesque (and most visited) cities in all of the United Kingdom. Attractions include the beautiful Edinburgh Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Many nice beaches are also located within the city limits.
• Prestwick (61 km / 38 mi). A small town best known as the location of the secondary Glasgow Airport, Prestwick nonetheless has its fair share of delights. The attractions include a number of high-quality golf courses, the Shaw Monument, and the St. Nicholas Church.
• Manchester (352 km / 219 mi). Best known as an industrial center and the home of two famous English football teams, Manchester is also a city of science, arts, and culture. Some of the most popular destinations in the city are the impressive Manchester Town Hall, Central Library, and the People's History Museum, as well as famous areas like Chinatown, the Village, and Curry Mile.
• Dublin (404 km / 251 mi). The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin’s attractions include the St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin City Gallery, Famine Memorial, and Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Museum. The fastest trip from Edinburgh to Dublin includes taking a ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland, so if you plan to travel this way, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you taking a rental car on a boat.
• London Ashford International Railway Station (764 km / 475 mi). The capital of England and the United Kingdom, London is home to such world-famous landmarks as Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, and Trafalgar Square. London is also a foodie’s dream, with delicious cuisine from all over the world widely available in the city.
• Cardiff (639 km / 397 mi). The capital and largest city of Wales, Cardiff is something of a hidden gem among British cities. Its attractions include the 11th century-built Cardiff Castle, the Wales Millennium Center of opera and dance, and St. Fagans National History Museum. After seeing Cardiff, you can visit the nearby Bristol or Swansea, two other interesting travel destinations.
• Middlesbrough (304 km / 189 mi)
• Leicester (505 km / 314 mi)
• Tunbridge Wells (713 km / 443 mi)