Glasgow Prestwick Airport is on the Ayrshire coast, about a mile north-east of Prestwick and some 30 miles south-west of Glasgow. It has its own railway station joined to the terminal by a covered walkway, and the X77 bus stops outside. This page covers the roads in, the sat-nav postcode, dropping off and picking up, the train, bus and taxi, and then what there is to eat and buy in the terminal.
By car: the postcode and the last few miles
For sat-nav, the airport postcode is KA9 2PL. If you have booked parking away from the airport, use the postcode in your booking confirmation.
The terminal sits on the A79, which runs between Monkton and Prestwick, and the airport says it is less than five minutes from the A77. The A77 joins the M77 to Glasgow and the rest of Scotland's motorway network. The airport gives typical driving times of about 40 minutes from Glasgow and 1 hour 45 minutes from Edinburgh.
Routes from each direction
- From Glasgow and the north: take the M77 south from the M8. Past Fenwick, near Kilmarnock, it becomes the A77 dual carriageway. Stay on the A77 towards Ayr, then follow the airport signs onto the A79 near Monkton.
- From Edinburgh and the east: take the M8 west towards Glasgow, then the M77 south, and continue as above.
- From the Ayrshire coast to the north (Greenock, Largs, Irvine, Troon): the A78 runs south along the coast and ends at the A77 at Monkton, right by the airport.
- From the south (Stranraer, Cairnryan, Girvan, Ayr): take the A77 north past Ayr, then follow the signs for the airport.
Traffic Scotland shows live roadworks and delays on the M77 and A77.
Dropping off and picking up
The drop-off and pick-up area is in Car Park 1, directly outside the terminal. The airport charges £4.50 for up to 60 minutes, with higher charges for longer stays; payment is cashless, at the exit barrier or the pay stations. There is no free drop-off area. Blue Badge holders can stay up to 30 minutes free if they scan their badge at the exit barrier.
By train: Prestwick International Airport station
The airport has its own station on the line between Glasgow Central and Ayr, joined to the terminal by a short covered walkway. The airport says:
- There are two trains an hour in each direction, to Glasgow Central and to Ayr.
- The journey takes about 40 minutes from Glasgow Central and about 10 minutes from Ayr.
- Trains run from around 06:00 to 00:15, and on Sundays from about 09:00 to 23:00.
You cannot buy tickets at the station, so buy them online in advance or on the train. Both platforms have step-free access, a covered waiting area and help points. There are no toilets at the station; the nearest are in the terminal. If you need help getting off the train, arrange it with ScotRail in advance.
By bus
Stagecoach's X77 express runs between Glasgow's Buchanan bus station and Ayr bus station, stopping right outside the airport on the A79. The airport says buses from Ayr run every 20 minutes and take about 18 minutes, and buses from Glasgow run every 30 minutes and take about 44 minutes. From Ayr they run from about 06:00 to 23:30, and from Glasgow from about 07:15 to just after midnight. Sunday services start later and finish earlier, so check the Stagecoach timetable.
Other local buses from nearby towns also serve the airport. The airport does not list any long-distance coach services; from elsewhere, travel to Glasgow or Ayr and change to the train or the X77.
By taxi
Taxis wait at the rank outside the terminal, run by Streamline. If the rank is empty, there is a free phone inside the terminal, at the exit to the left of WHSmith. Pre-booked private hire cars pick up and drop off directly outside the front of the terminal. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available at the rank.
Food, drink and shops
Checked against Glasgow Prestwick Airport's own listings in October 2026; outlets change, so check the airport's site for opening hours.
It is a single terminal with a handful of outlets, most of them after security.
Before security
- WHSmith: magazines, books, travel accessories and take-away snacks and drinks.
- McIntyre's: a bar serving beers, ciders, wines, spirits, soft drinks, tea and coffee. It opens from April to October only, does not serve food, and does not admit under-18s.
After security
- Par + Eagle: the main bar and kitchen, serving breakfast and an all-day menu, with vegetarian, vegan and children's options. The airport says it is open for all departing flights, and staff will refill water bottles free of charge.
- Elvis Presley Bar: drinks only, from draught lager and cider to wines, spirits and soft drinks. The name comes from Elvis Presley's stop at Prestwick, which the airport says was his only visit to the UK.
- World Duty Free: spirits, including Scottish brands, perfume, skincare and make-up. You can reserve online from 24 hours up to 30 days before you fly and pay when you collect.
- WHSmith: a second branch, for last-minute reading, snacks and drinks.
Remember that liquids over 100ml bought before security cannot be taken through it.
To compare parking for your dates, see Prestwick Airport parking.
Sorted before you fly.
