Roberta Aguirre
There are a few airports in Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Shetland. However, only Glasgow and Edinburgh are international airports. Glasgow has another airport, Glasgow Prestwick, which is used by low-cost airlines. If you're flying from North America, Glasgow is probably your best bet as you can find non-stop flights from large airports in the eastern part of the continent. If you're looking for the cheapest option, it might be worth flying into London or Manchester and then travelling to Scotland. London, in particular, often has cheaper fares from North America, and you can fly, take the bus, or take the train to Scotland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best websites to find cheap flights | Expedia, Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, KAYAK, Google |
| Tips | Use an Incognito Browser, compare different airports, travel during off-peak season, travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, book in advance, book connecting flights with the same airline |
| Cheapest airports | Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness |
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What You'll Learn
Glasgow or Edinburgh?
Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport are Scotland's two largest international airports, located less than 50 miles apart. While Glasgow Airport is Scotland's second-biggest airport, Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland and among the busiest in the UK, with 15 million passengers passing through its doors every year.
If you're looking for cheaper flights, Glasgow may be the better option, as one source states that Glasgow offers cheaper fares compared to Edinburgh, with a difference of about £20 per person. Additionally, Glasgow Airport serves nearly nine million passengers each year, and more than 20 airlines operate from Glasgow, making it likely that you'll be able to find a good deal on flights.
In terms of transportation to and from the airports, Edinburgh Airport is more centrally located than Glasgow Airport. From Edinburgh Airport, you can take a tram, bus, taxi, or Uber to the city centre, or rent a car from one of the nine companies in the rental centre. A taxi to Edinburgh Castle, located about 9 miles from the airport, will cost around £23-£29, while the tram or bus is also an option. However, it's important to note that Edinburgh Airport is not located near Musselburgh, so if you're staying in that area, Glasgow Airport might be more convenient to avoid a 90-minute drive.
Glasgow Airport is located about 10 miles from Glasgow city centre. You can get to the city centre by taxi or bus in about 15-25 minutes, with the taxi costing around £16.50 and the Glasgow Airport Express bus costing £8.50. There is also a train station located about a mile from the airport. If you're staying near the airport, there are several hotel options, including Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express within a five-minute walk.
Both airports offer free Wi-Fi, with Glasgow Airport providing one hour and Edinburgh Airport providing two hours. Additionally, a spot check of car rental prices showed similar prices for the same grade of car for a one-week rental from either airport.
In conclusion, if you're looking for cheaper flights and convenient transportation options, Glasgow Airport might be the better choice. However, if you're primarily concerned about centrality and easy access to the city, Edinburgh Airport could be more suitable. Ultimately, both airports are excellent options for travelling to Scotland, and your decision may depend on your specific location and travel preferences.
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Flying from the US
When flying from the US to Scotland, you have a few airport options. Glasgow (GLA) and Edinburgh (EDI) are the two international airports in Scotland. Glasgow has a second airport, Glasgow Prestwick, which is used mainly by low-cost airlines and is about an hour's drive from Glasgow city centre. If you're flying in from a large airport in the eastern US, you may be able to find a non-stop flight to Glasgow. Both Edinburgh and Prestwick are within an hour or less of Glasgow, but they have fewer flights and are therefore likely to be more expensive.
If you're planning to visit more than one city in Scotland, it might not matter where you fly into. You could consider flying into Manchester, as Glasgow is only a few hours away, and it might be cheaper. However, if you want to fly directly into Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh are almost interchangeable as they're only about an hour apart, so you can pick based on your itinerary.
To find the best flight prices, it's a good idea to plan early and look at a range of dates. Generally, it's cheaper to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and you can avoid peak season. You can compare rates on different websites, such as Expedia, Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo. Using an incognito browser can also help, as regular browsers may track your search history and not show you cheaper deals.
If you're looking for a layover, it's usually cheaper to connect through a US airport than a European one. London, for example, may be cheaper from the US, but it might not be worth the hassle unless you want to visit.
Some other tips for finding cheap flights include:
- Using a flight price forecast tool like KAYAK's to determine if prices are likely to change, so you know whether to book now or wait.
- Considering "hacker fares", which allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines to save money compared to a traditional round-trip ticket.
- Booking with the same airline for connecting flights, as this can make it easier if there are delays and you have to re-check bags or go through security again.
- Looking into low-cost airlines for flights between Scottish cities, such as Ryanair and easyJet.
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Cheaper to fly into Belfast?
When planning a trip to Scotland, it is common to wonder which airport to fly into. There are two international airports in Scotland: Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow Prestwick Airport, located about 30 miles southwest of Glasgow, is another option, serviced mainly by low-cost airlines. If you are flying in from a large airport in the eastern part of North America, Glasgow may be your best option, as you can likely find a non-stop flight. Edinburgh and Prestwick are within an hour or less of Glasgow but have fewer flights and are thus likely to be more expensive.
Some travellers have suggested that it is cheaper to fly into Belfast and then travel to Scotland. However, this option is unlikely to be cheaper than flying directly to Glasgow or Edinburgh, as it requires an additional connection. Flying into Belfast only makes sense if you are already planning to visit the city and want to include it as a stop on your way to Scotland.
If you are flying from the United States, London may offer cheaper fares, and you can then travel to Scotland by flight, train, or bus. Manchester is another alternative, as Glasgow is only a four-hour train ride away.
To find the best prices for flights to Belfast, you can use websites like Expedia, Skyscanner, and KAYAK. These sites allow you to compare prices, set up price alerts, and find deals. They also offer rewards and miles for booking through their platforms.
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$9.97
London layover
If you're travelling to Scotland from North America, you may find that you have a layover in London. London Heathrow is the most common airport for long-haul flights to arrive at, although some flights land at Gatwick.
The length of your layover will determine what you can do. If you have at least 10 hours between flights, you could leave the airport and explore London. If you have less time than that, it may be more realistic to stay at the airport or explore the area nearby.
If you decide to leave the airport, you could take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, which only takes 15 minutes. From Paddington, you can get the tube to Sloane Square, which is in the heart of Chelsea. This area is great for shopping, dining, and culture. From there, you can walk down the King's Road, one of London's best shopping streets, and head to South Kensington, which is home to several world-class museums, including the V&A, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum. All of these museums offer free entry. If you have time, you could then walk to Hyde Park and take a lap around the Serpentine Lake.
If you're feeling jet-lagged or don't have much time, you could opt for some simple sightseeing and free activities. For example, you could take the tube to Westminster and walk around that area, or head to Bywater Street, one of London's prettiest streets.
Remember to consider what to do with your luggage during your layover. You could check it through to your final destination or store it at the airport or train station.
If you're travelling from the US to Scotland, you may find that you have a layover in another European city, such as Amsterdam, Paris, or Frankfurt. In that case, you could explore those cities during your layover instead.
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Cheapest days to fly
When it comes to finding the cheapest days to fly to Scotland, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to note that flight prices can vary depending on the day of the week, with Monday typically being the cheapest day to fly and Thursday at noon being the most expensive. Therefore, it is generally recommended to fly on a Monday for the best prices.
Additionally, the cheapest month to fly to Scotland can vary depending on the specific airport. For Glasgow International Airport, September is the cheapest month, with Saturday, 30 September 2023, being the cheapest day to fly. For Edinburgh, Monday, 4 March 2024, is currently the cheapest day to fly, and for Inverness, Saturday, 25 November 2023, is the most affordable option. Aberdeen is cheapest on Saturday, 27 January 2024, and Stornoway is most affordable in September.
When considering which airport in Scotland to fly into, Glasgow and Edinburgh are the two main international airports. Glasgow International Airport is currently the cheapest airport serving Glasgow, and Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport offers the cheapest one-way flights to Edinburgh, with round-trip flights also available at a low cost.
It's worth noting that some sources suggest flying into other airports, such as London or Manchester, and then travelling to Scotland by other means, as this can sometimes be cheaper. However, this approach may not always be the most convenient option.
To find the best deals, it is recommended to use price comparison websites and be flexible with your travel dates.
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Frequently asked questions
Glasgow and Edinburgh are the two international airports in Scotland. Glasgow has another airport, Glasgow Prestwick, which is used mainly by low-cost airlines. Flying into either of these airports will likely be cheaper than flying into smaller airports in Scotland.
Yes, there are airports in Aberdeen, Inverness, and Shetland, but these only receive flights from within the UK and Europe.
Yes, you can consider flying into Manchester or London and then taking a train or bus to Scotland.
Yes, here are some tips:
- Be flexible with your travel dates and consider travelling outside of peak season.
- Use an incognito browser when searching for flights to avoid websites tracking your search history and potentially raising prices.
- Compare rates on different websites such as Expedia, Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo.
- Look out for deals and discounts by setting up travel alerts on flight search engines.
