How much does it cost to get to Glasgow Airport after drop-off charge hike?

Passengers heading to and from Glasgow Airport will now face a rise in drop-off charges.

For holidaymakers jetting off ahead of the busy summer holiday period, it will cost £6 for 15 minutes to be dropped off or picked up.

The tariff has been increased by 50p after it rose last year from £5 to £5.50.

Those who stay longer than 15 minutes will be charged £1 for every extra minute.

The current arrangements for blue badge holders, who are entitled to up to 30 minutes of free parking in the short-stay car park, will not change.

The airport also says it will continue to offer a free pick-up and drop-off area located in the long stay car park.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “As part of a review of our parking facility, the pick-up and drop-off fee will be set at £6 for 15 minutes, which represents an increase of 50p.

“It is important to note there are no changes to our free drop-off facility where customers can park for up to one hour.

“This is located in our long-stay car park, and passengers can use a free, on-demand 24-hour shuttle service to and from the terminal.

“The pick-up and drop-off area is intended for short visits of up to 15 minutes only. We would encourage anyone who thinks they may be longer to use the free alternative or our short-stay car park.”

Susanna Wood, secretary of Get Glasgow Moving, told STV News: “There is no mechanism for the public to hold this to account – it is up to the private company to set the fare.

“We’re in favour of re-regulating the bus service and moving towards a publicly-run operator like they have in Edinburgh.”

Passengers travelling to the airport told STV News: “I think it’s very difficult to be able to afford to have to pay £11 just to get a 30-minute journey.”

Another said: “It is extortionate and they should have a free drop-off area, and there’s absolutely no reason.

“Now they’re putting a hell of a lot of investment into this airport. And as part of that investment plan, they should be putting in a drop-off.

“Most of the airports in Europe have free drop-off areas. I don’t see why this airport shouldn’t.”

How to get to Glasgow Airport by public transport and the cost

There are a number of ways to get to the airport via public transport from Glasgow.

Passengers can take buses from the city centre to the airport via the Express Service 500 operated by First Bus.

A 24-hour service is in operation, departing from every ten minutes with a fare for an adult costing £11 for a single, £16.50 for the day and £17.50 for a return.

Holidaymakers can also take a ScotRail train from Glasgow Central to Paisley Gilmour Street, then use the 757 McGills bus.

A fare to Paisley costs on average £4.80 plus a ticket on the bus, averaging £5.50.

From Stirling, a coach will cost around £4.99 to the airport operated by Flixbus.

From Edinburgh Airport, passengers can take a journey to Buchanan Bus Station via a Citylink service and change to another bus to the airport for around £25.