Prestwick Airport Parking

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Guide to Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is the second-busiest of the two airports serving Glasgow and the largest airport in Scotland in terms of land area. It is the fifth-busiest airport in Scotland in terms of passenger traffic. Ryanair operates regular scheduled services to and from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to a range of European destinations such as Barcelona, Corfu and Gran Canaria. Interestingly, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is rumoured to be the only place in the UK in which Elvis Presley ever set foot, when the plane carrying him stopped to refuel in 1960.

Location of Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Situated in the urban area of Greater Glasgow just 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometres) north east of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire and 32 miles (51 kilometres) from the city centre of Glasgow, PIK is close to local amenities and attractions and is well-connected to them by many modes of transport.

There are three trains an hour to PIK from Glasgow Central Station between 6am and 12:15am. On weekends, there are two trains an hour and the services run from 6am to 11:30pm on a Saturday and 9am and 11pm on a Sunday. The journey time is 50 minutes. There are also regular bus services running between PIK and Glasgow Buchanan Street Station, whose routes are direct and take 50 minutes. Taxis are available outside the terminal building to take passengers to Glasgow and its surrounding areas.

History of Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Opening in 1934, PIK was initially used as a training airfield, complete with a hangar, offices and control tower, but it was given passenger facilities four years later just before the outbreak of World War I. Until February 2016, part of the PIK site was occupied by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and has played a strategic role as a refuelling point for military aircraft since the 2000s.

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport Facilities

Given the small size of PIK, its facilities are plentiful. With many convenient shops and activities to keep you busy, you’re guaranteed to find things to do while you count down the hours to take-off. PIK boasts a currency exchange and ATM machines to grab some last-minute euros and a spectator gallery that lets passengers observe incoming and outgoing flights.

• Play Zone children’s play area

• Car parking

• Shopping

  • Newsagents

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty free

• Coffee shops

• Bars

  • Elvis Presley bar

  • McIntyre’s

• Restaurants

  • Food village

• Toilets

• Disabled access

• Baby-changing facilities

• Prayer room

• Currency exchange

• Information desks

• Short-stay parking

• Long-stay parking

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport Hotel And Parking

As Glasgow Prestwick is a relatively small airport with only one terminal and up to one million passengers a year, it does not have an on-site hotel. You can, of course, make use of the pre-bookable car parking system at Glasgow Prestwick and secure a spot in either the short- or long-stay car parks depending on the length of your trip.

If you want to travel at the height of luxury, South Ayrshire boasts some beautiful stately homes and castles, such as Glenapp Castle and Adamton Country House, and bed and breakfasts, some of which are equipped with pools and spa facilities. Surrounded by woodlands and beautiful scenery, these hotels will make your holiday experience peaceful and relaxing from the get-go. If budget hotels and a simple place to rest your head are more your style, there are plenty of options nearby for you too, including Golf View Bed and Breakfast.

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Top things to do in Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Get All Shook Up at the Elvis Presley Bar

Perfect for any rock and roll fan, the Elvis Presley Bar is a must-see spot at PIK. This bespoke watering hole offers an incomparable atmosphere and serves up delicious hot meals, salads and sandwiches, as well as kid’s meals. You can also grab a drink here, with the bar stocking a range of soft drinks and draught and bottled beers.

Have Fun at the Playzone

This family-friendly play area is, unsurprisingly, loved by children and parents alike. Offering pre-flight entertainment for young flyers, this free-of-charge fun area comes fully equipped with Playtouch Touch Screen games and Xbox Kinect with full-body gaming and entertainment.

Treat Yourself

When travelling abroad from any airport, part and parcel of that exotic holiday excitement is the duty free shopping. What makes the shopping experience unique at PIK, however, is the huge range of great brands from Scotland and around the world that you have available.

Both Nuance Tax and Duty Free offer extensive choices. Embrace the culture and treat yourself to some proper Scottish whisky, a designer kilt or some true Scottish haggis. There’s even a ‘shop and collect’ option, which allows you to pick up your purchases when you return.

Spot Planes from the Spectator Gallery

PIK also caters for the savvy plane-spotter with its glorious spectator gallery. From the comfort and safety of the airport, you can catch the action on the tarmac and runway. You’ll be able to view aircrafts of all shapes, sizes and brands flying in and out of PIK as you eagerly await your turn. It’s great for people-watching, too.

Grab Lunch at The Food Village

The perfect place for a pre-flight snack or hot meal, the airport’s Food Village offers a huge range of healthy meals and snacks to enjoy either at the airport or in the air. The open-plan eating area (with seating) provides fresh produce, freshly baked goods and a range of great breakfast foods, so you can fill your boots.

Catch Up on Correspondence and Social Media

If you’ve brought along your laptop, mobile phone or handheld device, you will be able to take advantage of the two hours of free high-speed wireless internet access on offer at Glasgow Prestwick. Whether you want to check your emails before your meeting or just fancy letting the world know about your exciting holiday via social media, you can do this from the comfort of the airport. If you’ll be sleeping in the airport and want to watch a film on your laptop, you can get access for 24 hours for a small fee.

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Top things to do near Glasgow Prestwick Airport

See the World Through Wooden Eyes

If you’re going to spend some time in the city of Glasgow, you might as well take advantage of some of its weird and wonderful attractions. Hidden in the depths of the city’s Victorian Mitchell Library is a collection of macabre masks and puppets from the history of puppetry. You don’t see that everyday…

Fossil Grove Fun

Discovered in 1887, Fossil Grove preserves the fossilised remains of extinct Lepidodendron trees. The ancient arbors, which originally grew 325 million years ago, now offer a peek into prehistoric Glasgow in the museum in which they are showcased.

Go Gaming at Super Bario

This affordable and unusual bar is more than just a great watering hole. Super Bario is Glasgow’s first and best arcade bar, allowing you to battle your friends at old classics like Mortal Kombat and Ridge Racer. Better yet, you can also enjoy some of the best locally-produced beers and beverages from around the world at here.

Go Gothic

Though you wouldn’t imagine it given that Glasgow is a diverse and modern metropolis, much of old Glasgow is still alive and kicking today. A trip to the cathedral precinct of the city’s East End will transport you back in time and give you a feel of Glasgow pre-Industrial Revolution. Here you can see Glasgow Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1197 and is a shining example of Scottish Gothic architecture. The nearby Necropolis, an impressive cemetery inspired by Pere Lachaise in Paris, is also a sight to behold.

Explore Kinetic Theatre

The Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, founded in the Soviet Union in the 1970s by Eduard Bersudsky when he began making kinemats in his room, has since relocated to Glasgow. Brought to the city in 1996, Sharmanka’s shows make use of props made from reclaimed scrap, spectacular lighting and, most importantly, numerous macabre, wooden figures living out a range of stories. It really is as bizarre as it sounds and it has to be seen to be believed.

Explore Scotland’s Football Heritage

The Scottish Football Museum, based within the National Stadium at Hampden, preserves the memory of Scotland’s unique footballing past with its special memorabilia collection. Exploring the country’s obsession with the game and the impact it has had on every aspect of Scottish life, the museum hosts a large compendium of memorabilia and even offers a tour of the National Stadium itself. Football and even general sports fans would be wise to spend a few hours in here.

Grab Some Vegan Treats

One little-known fact about the city of Glasgow is that it is one of the best cities in the UK for vegan dining. Littered with vegan-friendly eateries, you’ll never be stuck for choice of cuisine. If you are vegan and want to take advantage of Glasgow’s offerings, try the Indian street food at Usha’s or any number of Mono’s vegan-only dishes. If you aren’t vegan, why not give it a try anyway?

Rock Out

There are gig venues galore in Glasgow. Known for its incomparable DIY and indie music scenes and lively atmosphere, there is something sonic for everyone in this city. Whether you’d like to see a big name take to the stage at the O2 Academy or you’d prefer something a little more niche, Glasgow has it all and is vibrant every night of the week. King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut is among the best independent venues in the UK, so be sure to pay it a visit if you’re spending the night in Glasgow.

Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery

This beautiful building is one of Glasgow’s most popular attractions and is must-do if you’ll be in the city. This magnificent art gallery is completely free of charge. It boasts 22 themed galleries displaying an impressive 8,000 objects, brought together from across Glasgow Museums’ rich and varied collection.

Go Back to School at Glasgow Science Centre

This museum is bustling with free interactive science shows, entertaining and informative workshops and mind-blowing exhibitions. Run on the giant hamster wheel, measure your power on the sprint track and dissect a virtual human body at the Glasgow Science Centre. One for both the kids and the grown ups, this wonderland of joy combines scientific fact and interaction to create a fun-flavoured cocktail. Located on the Clyde Waterfront Regeneration area on the south bank of the River Clyde, this spot is also one of immense beauty, particularly when the sun is shining.

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Which terminal?

Glasgow Prestwick has only one functioning terminal – it was opened in 1964. The main terminal sees around one million passengers fly each year and is a major hub for low-cost airline, Ryanair – the vast majority of flights from this airport are operated by them. Other airlines that operate from PIK include BMI, Wizz Air and Aer Arann.

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How to get to Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Car

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is located just 32 miles outside of Glasgow city centre and is easily accessible via the surrounding motorways. You can navigate there via the post code KA9 2PL.

If you’re travelling from afar, you can reach the airport via the M8 or the A77, A78 or A79. If you are coming from Glasgow city centre or somewhere nearby you can follow signs for the airport and travel West on M8 or South on the M77, A77, A78, or the A79.

Please keep in mind that Car Park 4 (Budget) is five minutes from the main terminal and a shuttle bus is provided to allow you to travel easily between them.

Train

Make sure you remember that while services run from 6am to 12.15am on a weekday, it changes to 6am to 11.30pm on a Saturday and 9pm to 11pm on a Sunday. There is also a new service that runs directly from Glasgow Prestwick to Edinburgh Waverley train station.

Glasgow Prestwick is the only airport in Scotland to be served by its own railway station, which is accessible by a covered walkway to and from the airport. For help with disabled access and special requirements, passengers should contact the airport’s information desk via help points on the station platform and at the phone point on the mezzanine level within the terminal building. Our trained personnel will be able to assist. Alternatively, you can call ahead to arrange assistance for your arrival.

Train

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is served by regular bus and coach services from the city centre and local areas. The main terminal is the drop-off point for all bus or coach riders. There is also an early-morning and late-night express service, the X99, which connects Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Glasgow with a direct express link for passengers travelling in the wee hours of the morning. This can be caught from directly outside the main terminal building at the airport. If you leave from Exit 4 in the terminal building and turn left, you can access the X99 bus easily. You can pre-book tickets in advance online for both outbound and inbound journeys and the service will wait for up to 45 minutes for pre-booked passengers after the advertised arrival time.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the terminal building. You can pre-book a taxi by contacting Streamline Taxis: +44 (0) 01292 284545

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Useful Tips

Find the comfiest seats

The seating area near the landside Starbucks at Glasgow Prestwick is thought to be the comfiest in the airport. Comfy booths and soft seats are situated here, as well as leather couches. This is the best spot to relax before your flight, but it can be noisy, so make sure you have some earplugs and blanket and travel pillow for extra cosiness.

Arrive the night before if you have an early flight

Trains to and from this airport do not start until 6am. Therefore, if you are to be reliant on public transport, it is advisable that you arrive the night before your flight is due to depart. There are plenty of comfortable and ideal hotels close to the airport for you to choose from. If you’re quite the thrifty traveller and would rather save money, Glasgow Prestwick is actually quite a comfy place to rest your head. Make sure you are inside the terminal building before the doors close at 10pm and find yourself a spot on a comfy bench.

Book a taxi in advance

If you are travelling from Glasgow city centre, it is important that you book your taxi in advance. Not only will this make your travelling experience a more stress-free one, but it will save you money on the fare, too.

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport FAQs

What is the Glasgow Prestwick Airport post code?

The post code for Glasgow Prestwick Airport is KA9 2PL. You’ll find the short- and long-stay car parks via the same post code, as they are adjacent to the main terminal, whilst Car Park 4 (Budget) is located at KA9 2QF.

What are the Glasgow Prestwick Airport destinations?

Flights from Glasgow Prestwick Airport go to a range of destinations, though the majority head to mainland and Eastern Europe. Most of the flights are operated by Ryanair, while those to Eastern Europe are often operated by Wizz Air. You can fly to the following destinations from Glasgow Prestwick: Alicante, Barcelona (El Prat), Barcelona (Girona), Barcelona (Reus), Corfu, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Malaga, Malta, Murcia, Palma, Pisa, Rome and Tenerife.

How do I book Glasgow Prestwick Airport parking?

You can book a parking space at PIK on Looking4.com by entering your dates and registration number. Our site is packed with information on how to secure a spot, including prices, details regarding maximum vehicle height, as well as direction, location and guidance on special assistance.

How do I get from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the city centre?

There are multiple ways you can travel easily from the airport to the city centre. If you’re travelling in the car, you can go east on the M8 or north on the M77, A77, A78 or A7. If you’re travelling by train, Glasgow Prestwick is served by its own train station. Services from this station run regularly and will take you straight to Glasgow Central Station. There are also regular bus and coach services running from the airport to the centre of Glasgow. You can catch the X99 from directly outside of the main terminal building.

Can I hire a car at Glasgow Prestwick Airport?

Two car rental companies operate in the arrivals area of the main terminal building at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. These are currently Avis and Europcar. Contact them directly to book your car hire in advance.

Avis: (+44) 8445 446 025

Europcar: (+44) 1292 671 353