Search for flights from London to Glasgow
About your London to Glasgow flight
If you are hoping for a quick trip from London to Glasgow, you are in luck! A direct flight from one of London’s various airports will take you an hour and 15-30 minutes. Of course, as you are departing from and arriving in the UK, you won’t need to worry about time differences either.
The flight may be short, but you will still want to arrive at the airport with at least two hours to spare before the plane is due to take off.
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Airlines that fly from London to Glasgow
The two main airlines that fly from London to Glasgow are:
- British Airways: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London City (LCY)
- easyJet: London Stansted (STN), London Luton (LTN), London Gatwick (LGW)
Both airlines offer direct flights but, unsurprisingly, easyJet is your more cost-effective option. However, while the tickets tend to be around twice the price of those from easyJet, British Airways does offer other exclusive perks, which go some way to justify the additional cost.
Airports in London
The UK's capital has six international airports. For flights from London to Glasgow Airport, you can fly out from four different airports directly:
- London Heathrow Airport: The biggest and busiest of the airports in London, Heathrow isn’t far from Central London at around 14 miles out.
- London Gatwick Airport: Around 30 miles south of the city centre, Gatwick Airport has become the second-busiest airport in the UK, boasting over 60 gates between its two terminals.
- London City Airport: London City Airport, which is a mere eight miles from Central London, is streamlined to appeal to the city’s business class, so there’s only one terminal.
- London Luton Airport: As the crow flies, London Luton is about as close to Stansted Airport as it is to Central London, sitting some 28 miles to the north. The airport predominantly serves domestic and European routes.
- London Stansted Airport: You’ll likely find some of the best deals for London to Glasgow flights coming from Stansted Airport, as it’s generally a hub for budget airlines.
If you wish to explore the surroundings of the city at your own pace, you can always rent a car in London with Opodo.
What to know about Glasgow Airport
The city’s main airport is Glasgow International Airport (GLA). You’ll be glad to know that it’s only around 9 miles from the city centre and rides there are both fast and inexpensive.
When it comes to planning how to reach Glasgow city centre from the airport, your best bets will be buses or the taxi rank. The bus is a short but sweet 15-minute ride on the 500 directly to the city centre. If you’d rather ride the train to and from the airport, you’ll be in for a short walk. At the bus stop, you’ll want to get McGill’s 757, which will take you to Paisley Gilmour Street Station, or you can opt for a taxi there. When you’ve hopped onto the train, you’ll be looking to ride to Glasgow Central, which takes around 15 minutes and costs about £4 per ticket. The airport also has a fleet of 180 white taxis, which line up outside of the terminal and don’t require booking.
If you wish to explore the surroundings of the city at your own pace, you can always rent a car in Glasgow with Opodo.
Services & facilities at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport offers a wide range of facilities and services, which is unsurprising given its stature. Within the airport, you’ll find free WiFi access, charging points, printing services, and a couple of airport lounges. The Lomond Lounge and UpperDeck Lounge have entry fees of £35 and £29, respectively, which grants you complimentary drinks and snacks, with an additional glass of fizz for anyone feeling fancy.
Beyond the lounges, you’ll be able to relax at many great restaurants, cafés, and bars. Bird & Signet, Burger King, Greggs, Caledonia Bar & Restaurant, Stack and Still, and The Spinning Jenny are all in the terminal. You could also do some shopping at Glasgow Airport, with AeroSpa, Boots, Jo Malone, Bobbi Brown, WHSmith, World Duty-Free, The Glasgow Store, and club shops for Celtic and Rangers ready to appease any shopaholic's needs.
If you don’t fancy public transport, you could always check out one of the many Glasgow Airport car hire desks from major brands like Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, and Sixt.
If you hate the long security queues, you can also get yourself the Priority Security pass for just £6.99 per person. If you need special assistance, you can arrange this by contacting the airport 48 hours ahead of your flight.
When is the best time to fly to Glasgow?
The best time to book your Glasgow getaway depends on your preferences and priorities, especially regarding your budget and the climate.
Unsurprisingly, the peak season for people travelling from London to Glasgow is during the warmer summer months from May to August. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing or outdoor activities and want to catch the city in the sun, then booking a trip during this season is your best bet!
If you want to snatch up the cheapest flights while avoiding the tourist crowds, then look out for flights between November and February (avoiding the busy holiday period). Though these months can get cold in Scotland, one of the great things about Glasgow is that you’ll have no shortage of things to see and do, no matter the weather.You might even be able to catch one of the city’s bonfire night displays lighting up the night if you visit at the start of November.
There is also the option to go for the best of both worlds by booking a trip during spring or early autumn when crowds are thinner and tickets are still in lower demand. While it will still be on the cooler side, the spring blooms make March a great time to visit the various greens and gardens in Glasgow.
Best things for you to do in Glasgow
Once you have worked out how to reach Glasgow city centre from the airport, you'll be wondering what to do in Glasgow, and lucky for you, there are loads of things to explore. The big tourist draws are:
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- Pollok Country Park
- Glasgow Science Museum
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- George Square
- Glasgow Green.
For a more active time in Glasgow, see if the Hillhead Bookclub, which certainly isn't a club for readers, Fayre Party, the arcade bar Super Bario, or the weekly Friday Ceilidh at Sloans Glasgow take your fancy. Of course, there are the more traditional points of interest to check out, too, like going to the Drygate Brewery, the Clydeside Distillery, or the Glasgow Film Theatre to get your arthouse indie movie fix.
Of course, your trip to Glasgow can’t just be non-stop sightseeing and activities. At some point, you're going to want to eat and relax. For this, you can find a wide array of cuisines offering dishes of the highest quality. Anyone who likes a curry should find Murphy's Pakora Bar, while those with more fanciful tastes should go to the Michelin-star restaurant, The Gannet. For more relaxed dining, head to the Meat Joint Scottish Steakhouse, Roastit Bubbly Jocks, or The Glasvegan.