Located in the Lowlands of Scotland, there are three ways to travel from Glasgow Airport into its famous city center, by taxi, private transfer, or bus. A Glasgow Airport taxi or private Glasgow Airport transfer both take around 20 minutes to reach the city center of Glasgow, in normal traffic conditions, providing a direct and door-to-door service. If you don’t want to wait around in line, however, then a private transfer is your best option.
A cheaper option if you’re traveling on your own or in a small group is the public Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 bus. The bus makes several convenient stops on the way into town, including the train and bus station, taking between 25 and 35 minutes in total, not including wait times.
3 options to go from Glasgow Airport to city center
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €40 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Flight monitoring is part of the service with Welcome Pickups so if your flight is delayed, or even early, your driver will be notified so that they can adjust your pick-up time. | ||||||
Taxi | €41.60 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| If you're traveling in a group of 3 or more people, taking a taxi and splitting the cost will be around the same price as taking public transport, but it's much more convenient. | ||||||
Bus | €25 | 25min | 05:00–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| While the bus is a good budget option for solo travelers, if you're traveling as a group it may work out just as cheap to take a taxi and travel directly to your hotel. | ||||||
Taking a taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city center is the fastest and easiest way to travel. You can reach your hotel door in just 20 minutes, with taxis available 24/7 directly from the airport. Official Glasgow Airport taxis are white and can seat up to 4 passengers. While no booking is required, it’s important to note that there are only 180 registered vehicles allowed to provide this service so if a few flights arrive at once, wait times can increase to more than 30 minutes.
How much does a taxi cost from Glasgow Airport to the city center?
Glasgow taxis don’t offer a set price for rides from the airport. Instead, the taxi fare from Glasgow Airport to the city center will be calculated based on several factors, including the time of day, the number of passengers, the journey time and the vehicle type. On average, you can expect the cost of this journey to be £30 (€35.60).
*An airport surcharge of £5 (€6) will also be added to the final cost of your taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city center bringing the average cost up to £35 (€41.60).
Where do I get a taxi from?
The taxi rank can easily be found right outside the Terminal exit doors. Look for the long line of cars and walk to the front of the line.
Convenience
If you’re landing late at night or during bad weather, you don’t want to wait in the cold for public transport to arrive or have to battle to secure a seat. Instead, you can enjoy a fast and seamless taxi ride with the convenience of being dropped right at the doorstep of your hotel. This option is marked down a bit for convenience because you’ll have to wait for an available taxi, unlike a private transfer which affords you with zero wait time upon landing.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThe Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 is a modern and comfortable bus service that runs from Glasgow Airport to the city approximately every 15 minutes. It’s a great option for those traveling on a budget, plus the journey takes just 25 minutes with stops at Bothwell Street near Central Station, George Square and Buchanan Bus Station.
How much is the bus from Glasgow Airport to the city center?
The cost of a one-way ticket on the Glasgow Airport Express service 500 is £10.50 (€12.50) for adults and £6 (€7.10) for children up to the age of 15. You can purchase your tickets from the driver on the bus using a card or cash, online in advance or from the First Bus app.
The Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 operates 24/7.
Where do I get the bus from?
The Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 from Glasgow Airport to the city center leaves from Stand 1 just outside of the Arrivals Hall exit doors. Look for a large, purple double-decker bus.
Convenience
The Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 is quite a luxury bus service compared to other cities. They offer spacious seats, free WiFi, flight alerts and quick transfer times. However, they do make a few stops in the city center of Glasgow and you will need to take alternate transportation from the bus stop to your hotel once in the city.
Timetables
Bus Timetable
Glasgow Airport to Buchanan Bus Station
Useful Tips
If you don’t want to be waiting around in the cold Scottish weather, a private Glasgow Airport transfer offers the most convenient and reliable transport option to get from Glasgow Airport to your hotel in the city. The trip will take just 20 minutes in light traffic and offers a number of added benefits such as a guaranteed fixed fare price, a local English-speaking driver and a meet-and-greet at the airport.
Furthermore, when you book your private transfer with Welcome Pickups, you’ll receive a fully personalised trip including a mini tour of Glasgow on the way to your accommodation.
How much is a private transfer from Glasgow Airport to the city center?
Unlike a taxi, when you book a private transfer you’ll receive a fixed fare price without the hidden extras. That means the price won’t increase if you get stuck in traffic and there won’t be any surcharges added on top.
The price for a private transfer from Glasgow Airport to the city center is just £33.70 (€40) for a 4-passenger vehicle, or you can book a spacious minivan for £41.30 (49) which can seat up to 8 passengers, with plenty of room for luggage and stretching out.
Booking is quick and easy. Simply enter your personal information and flight details either online or through the Welcome Pickups app, and then select the time and date you’d like to be collected.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Glasgow Airport.
Where will my private transfer depart from?
Your driver will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall on arrival so you won’t need to go searching for them or stand in line for a taxi or bus. So you won’t miss them, you’ll be sent their details the day before, including a photo, plus your driver will be holding a sign with your name. Following a friendly introduction, your driver will lend a hand with your bags and take you to your pre-selected private vehicle so you can be on your way.
Convenience
Private transfers are a great way to travel since they’re fully customisable and can be tailored to suit your needs and wants. Considering they’re cheaper than a taxi – and the bus if you’re traveling in a larger group – and provide complete flexibility, the choice is easy.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€49Starting from 16.3 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€69Starting from 8.6 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€60Starting from 5 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi cost from Glasgow Airport to the city center?
Taxi services in Glasgow don’t offer an official set-rate fare; you’ll be charged depending on the time of day, number of travelers and the time it takes to reach your destination. For a taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city center the price is typically around £35 (€41.60), including the airport surcharge fee of £5 (€6).
If you’d prefer peace of mind and a set-rate fare you can count on, we suggest booking your personalized Glasgow Airport taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups.
How do I get from Glasgow Airport to the city?
There are three ways to get from Glasgow Airport to the city center: taxi, private transfer or bus. Taking a Glasgow Airport taxi or private transfer takes 20 minutes to reach the door of your hotel, whereas the public Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 takes 25 minutes – excluding wait times – but costs just £10.50 (€12.50).
How far is Glasgow Airport to the city center?
The distance between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow city center is 14.5 km. A taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city center should take around 20 minutes to reach the city and the Glasgow Airport Express service 500 bus takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is there a train from Glasgow Airport to the city?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to travel directly from Glasgow Airport to the city center by train. However, the Glasgow Express Bus connects passengers with train stations in town, or you can catch the McGill’s 757 bus service or take a taxi to nearby Paisley Gilmour Street Station.
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