Glasgow airports

j22

Im flying from Toronto to Glasgow international airport on Monday. Then I have a flight from Prestwick airport to Shannon. I arrive in Glasgow at 8.20 and leave for Shannon at 11.45 form Prestwick. Is there any chance that I will make it or will I just book another flight.

killbillvol2

Get a taxi from Glasgow Airport to Paisley Gilmour Street Station (10/15 mins, less than a fiver) and then get the train from there to Prestwick (pretty frequent, every half hour I think). The train takes about 40 minutes.

Even if you just miss a train you should make it comfortably (the station in Prestwick is at the airport).

Of course your flight from Toronto needs to get in reasonably close to its scheduled time.

phog

Are the times AM? If so then you are probably talking about heavy traffic. I've never been to Glasgow Int'l Airport but it takes 35/45 mins from Glasgow city centre to Prestwick off peak times - tho' I think they have upgraded some of the road outside Glasgow to dual carrigeway.

The RAC says it's 35 miles and could take anything from 40 to 50 minutes - http://routeplanner.rac.co.uk//showrouting.php?map24_sid=Uv6Uke1zryD6vXG6gdLFShVKsjSVIa0lqwF2fiaS6/NXP2Al2VztoYAfO35XiY77z/N65B8qT/i6Z039EQ979Q&t=c3c40ef57b38fbbd816c25c167f4dd94

Will you have to wait for luggage from the hold or will you have hand luggage only?

I think it's too tight aside from any flight delay or traffic congestion getting through security at Prestwick can take some time if it's a busy time for flights but maybe someone who has done it can offer more advice.

killbillvol2

phog wrote:

Are the times AM? If so then you are probably talking about heavy traffic. I've never been to Glasgow Int'l Airport but it takes 35/45 mins from Glasgow city centre to Prestwick off peak times - tho' I think they have upgraded some of the road outside Glasgow to dual carrigeway.

The RAC says it's 35 miles and could take anything from 40 to 50 minutes - http://routeplanner.rac.co.uk//showrouting.php?map24_sid=Uv6Uke1zryD6vXG6gdLFShVKsjSVIa0lqwF2fiaS6/NXP2Al2VztoYAfO35XiY77z/N65B8qT/i6Z039EQ979Q&t=c3c40ef57b38fbbd816c25c167f4dd94

Will you have to wait for luggage from the hold or will you have hand luggage only?

I think it's too tight aside from any flight delay or traffic congestion getting through security at Prestwick can take some time if it's a busy time for flights but maybe someone who has done it can offer more advice.

Maybe you could explain to us how heavy traffic would affect a train? I have done it and the OP should make it if his flight is more or less on time. As I said.

John R

the advice that killbillvol2 gave is dead on.

As long as your flight arrives on time you should make the connection. Taxi to Paisley Gilmour St which should take no more than 15 mns and train from there.

The trains are at xx.11 and xx.41 and take 34 minutes. The 09.41 train would give you plenty of time and the 10.11 should give you just enough time for check-in and security. Minimum check-in with Ryanair is 40 minutes before flight time.

Train Timetable (.pdf)

j22

Thanks very much for all the help. Just one more question. How much would the train cost approximately? I need to know how much sterling to get. If the flight is delayed Im kinda up sh1t creek so hopefully everything goes to plan.

killbillvol2

I think the train cost me £2.60 from Prestwick to Paisley Gilmour St. in April. It's not that simple though! Trains from Prestwick are half price (to anywhere in Scotland) so it's probably £5.20 the other way. It won't break the bank anyway.

(The half price train thing is to promote Prestwick Airport and is fantastic value if you're travelling further afield in Scotland. Last year I got a return ticket to Dumfries for just over £7).

Good luck!

EDIT: It's £5.45 or £6.45 depending on the type of ticket. I knew I had a link somewhere: Link

John R

The half-price fares to/from Prestwick are for air passengers with a reservation only. If you are boarding at Prestwick the on-train staff often don't bother asking for your air ticket but in the other direction you will have to ask at the ticket office for the discount and they may require proof.

j22 wrote:

Thanks very much for all the help. Just one more question. How much would the train cost approximately? I need to know how much sterling to get. If the flight is delayed Im kinda up sh1t creek so hopefully everything goes to plan.

Looks that way, no more flights to Shannon and nothing to Dublin until after 10pm with FR or EI.

Your other options would be from Glasgow with FlyBE to Belfast City, Easyjet to Belfast International or Ryanair from Edinburgh to Shannon at 18.50.

kittex

Killbill is correct - get a white taxi from outside the terminal to Gilmour street and take the train for Prestwck (marked as the train to Ayr)

Are you arriving into Glasgow with Zoom airlines? I've done the Toronto-Glasgow route before and it's always been delayed by an hour or so. Also remember baggage can take a while.

I'd agress with John R, as long as you are leaving Glasgow airport by 10am at latest, you could be safe. Ryanair will let you check in with 40 mins to departure, so aim to get there for 11am at latest.

What a stressful travel plan though - how did you end up leaving yourself only a couple of hours to get to another airport 30 miles away?

PS: if worst comes to worst - a white taxi from Glasgow airport to Prestwick Airport should cost less than 40 quid and take 30 to 40 mins as is just bang down the motorway.

kittex

Did you make it OK j22?

phog

killbillvol2 wrote:

Maybe you could explain to us how heavy traffic would affect a train? I have done it and the OP should make it if his flight is more or less on time. As I said.

Relax killbillvol2 - I posted mine while you were posting yours so I saw no mention of a train. Jayus you try to help someone and you get a smart ass nitpicking.