Car Hire Prestwick Airport

Prestwick Airport Mini Guide

What’s Special About Glasgow?
For years it was avoided as people thought of it as dirty and dangerous but a concerted effort by the authorities has meant that the city is a spectacularly attractive destination with the focus on its history, art and architecture. The Gallery of Modern Art is one of the finest in Europe whilst museums dedicated to the likes of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Kelvingrove Museum and the Burrell Collection all tempt the art lover. Outside the city, a scenic rail journey for a great value fare takes you to Loch Lomond where you can take a leisurely boat trip on the famous lake.

What’s the Best way of Getting to Glasgow?
If you want to visit the city of Glasgow, you’ll have two options; either to fly to Glasgow’s International Airport or to use Glasgow Prestwick. The former is closer to the city and a much more modern airport whilst Prestwick is heavily subscribed to by Ryanair customers who fly there on low cost flights, happy to spend a little longer getting into the city. Transport to Glasgow centre is very efficient with a train service accessed by Prestwick’s own station, reached by walkway over the A79 from the terminal building. The only other option worth considering is to hire a car if you’re looking to explore outside the city.

What is Prestwick Airport Like?
Three million pounds has been spent on refurbishing and updating the airport in recent years making it a fresh and welcoming point of arrival in Scotland. It has only one terminal but it is compact and with great facilities. Access to planes is via air bridges making it easy for less mobile passengers to use the airport.

What Should I Expect When I Land at Prestwick?
It’s a quick trip inside the terminal from your plane and there are two sections for baggage reclaim depending on whether you’ve travelled inside the UK or from abroad. You’ll have to go down a level from disembarking to get to the reclaim and once you’ve got your bags you’ll walk along into the public area. Along the right hand wall you’ll find all the car hire companies as well as an information desk where you can also arrange special assistance if necessary. In the main area there are two branches of the Change Group and several cash machines. For those that require it, there’s a prayer room for quiet meditation. Families are well catered for with plenty of space for baby changing and help coping with toddlers.

What About When I Leave Glasgow?
The check in desks are straight ahead of you as you enter the terminal and to the right of it there are several shops including WH Smith and Nuance Group and cafes or you can head through to the departure lounge and make use of the duty free shop and café facilities available before boarding. Wi-Fi is also available at the airport but it’s chargeable through BT Openzone. 

Prestwick Airport was the original airport for Glasgow and opened in 1934. After many successful decades it was superseded by Glasgow International Airport, closer to the city. The advent of budget airlines meant that it could become the low cost option for Glasgow bound travellers but it also means that the highlights of the west coast are easily and cheaply accessible by hire car.

Near Ayr you’ll find the birthplace of the famous poet Robert Burns with a recently built centre exploring his life and works. Visiting golfers will be keen to play a round of golf at Royal Troon, near the airport.