Glasgow International Airport Guide (GLA)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Glasgow International Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

there’s still a strange sense of community where, even if we are all suspicious of each other and are sure someone is going to steal all our money, we’re all sleeping on the same benches and will all wake up with the exact same pain in our backs as we stand in the check in line. -Nadine

GLA Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Glasgow International Airport (code: GLA).

What to Expect

Glasgow International Airport comprises two terminals (Main and Terminal 2) with three piers (West, Central and East). The two terminals are divided by SkyHub, which provides check-in, security, duty-free shopping and other services. There are a few shops and eateries, both landside and airside, but no 24-hour concessions. Things to do while you wait are limited, but the airport’s free WiFi helps pass the time. For additional comfort options, consider accessing one of the airport lounges for a fee.

Sleeping in Glasgow Airport

This airport is generally friendly to overnight sleepers. There is a decent amount of comfortable seating throughout the terminal, including benches and couches. Consider pushing a few chairs together for a makeshift bed.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

Terminal 2 had some carpeting where travellers spread out.
Landside, there are rows of benches near the M&S.

Areas of the airport are described as noisy and cold, so consider bringing earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones and a sweater or travel blanket.

For uninterrupted sleep, albeit for a price, there is a hotel at the airport and others within walking distance. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Glasgow Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Glasgow International Airport:

Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport (0.1 mi) Upscale hotel about a 2-minute walk from the terminal
Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Airport (0.2 mi) Mid-range hotel about a 3-minute walk from the terminal via a covered walkway.
Courtyard Glasgow Airport (0.3 mi) Upscale hotel within walking distance of the terminal.
Premier Inn Glasgow Airport (0.3 mi) Budget hotel. Airport shuttle available on request.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.

Upperdeck Lounge – Location: Airside, International Pier, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
The Lomond Lounge – Location: Airside, accessible by the elevator across from “Boots.” Lounge Access: Pay at the Door. Hours: 4:45 AM – 6:00 PM.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

Main Terminal, Airside: The Emirates Lounge • British Airways Executive Club Lounge.

Food & Drinks

Most food outlets generally close overnight and reopen in the early morning. Greggs in the landside area is open 24 hours, offering hot snacks, pastries, and drinks.

Drinking Water
Drinking water fountains are available, though options appear limited. As of the most recent update, one fountain is confirmed airside on the 1st Floor, near the centre of the terminal.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage Point provides luggage storage, wrapping, and dry cleaning services. Location: Check-in Hall, landside, Ground Floor, near British Airways check-in desks. Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Rates (standard size): £9.50 (1–3 hours) • £14.50 (first day) • £12.50 per additional day/bag • £60.00 (1 week). Maximum storage duration: Up to 3 months.

Mobile Charging

Free charging stations are available throughout the terminal. Seating with nearby power outlets can be limited during busy periods.

Showers

Showers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Glasgow Airport for one hour. Connect to the “Glasgow Airport” network. Additional access can be purchased after the first hour for £2 (24 hours).

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Airport Ambassadors – If you need general assistance or directions, roving airport ambassadors are available throughout the terminal.
Dry Cleaning – Dry cleaning services are available through Luggage Point. Items can be dropped off and collected later the same day. Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Family Services

Baby Care Facilities – Diaper-changing facilities are available both landside and airside in multiple washrooms throughout the terminal.
Baby supplies – Diapers, infant formula, wipes, and other essentials can be purchased at Boots Pharmacy. A pre-order service is available by phone several days before travel.
Children’s Play Area – Diapers, infant formula, wipes, and other essentials can be purchased at Boots Pharmacy. A pre-order service is available by phone several days before travel.

Luggage

Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
Luggage Weighing – Self-service baggage scales are available in check-in areas for a small fee.
Luggage Wrapping – Protective luggage wrapping is available through Luggage Point during operating hours.

Money

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available landside and airside. Some machines dispense multiple currencies. Fees may apply.
Currency Exchange – Travelex operates currency exchange services landside and airside. ATMs dispensing GBP, USD, and Euros are also available.

Prayer Room – A quiet, interfaith prayer and meditation room is available 24 hours a day. An airport chaplain holds services during the week. Additional prayer areas are located airside near several gate areas.
Shopping – World Duty Free operates airside from the first scheduled departure until the last. A small selection of additional retail shops is available, with most operating during daytime and early evening hours.
Spa Services – AeroSpa offers services such as manicures, pedicures, and massages. Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

Airlines

Glasgow International Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Air Transat • BH Air • British Airways • Corendon Airlines • EasyJet • Emirates • Icelandair • Jet2 • KLM • Loganair • Lufthansa • Play • Ryanair • TUI Fly • Play Airlines.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The local bus system connects GLA airport to the city centre and surrounding areas. For a comfier, more direct route, you can opt for the Airport Express, with tickets starting at £10 per adult. For routes, schedules and additional fare information, visit the Glasgow Airport website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are located onsite in the Domestic Arrivals area and outside Terminal 2: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar/Thrifty • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Ride Sharing

Uber operates throughout Scotland. A ride to the city centre will cost you about ￡66.

Taxis

Official Glasgow Airport Taxis are available directly in front of the main terminal on a 24-hour basis. They are the only taxis permitted to pick up or drop off passengers in front of the terminal (all others pick up at Car Park 2). All official Glasgow Airport taxis are metered, and reservations are not required, but you can pre-book a cab directly through Glasgow Airport Taxi’s website for a discount.

Security & Safety

Travellers report that the airport staff is generally tolerant of sleepers. Security guards seem to mill about for much of the night, adding to the sense of safety.

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

Last updated: 2026-01-27

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.

Glasgow International Airport Guide