Popular Airport | Glasgow - Glasgow Intl. Airport |
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Popular Airlines | |
Approximate Flight Duration | 2 hour 10 min |
Approximate Travel Distance | 1768 Km |
Helsinki, a city in the Uusimaa region in the southern part of Finland, is the capital city of the country as well as it has a very crowded population. Situated on the shores of the Gulf of Finland within the Baltic Sea, Helsinki is among the most developed cities in Europe in terms of culture, finance, and science. Although the native language spoken in the city is Finnish, you can also come across some people who speak Swedish.
Passengers who want to visit this city travel to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport located in Vantaa, which is the border of the north and east of the city. The indented peninsula, which is in the south of the city, is also the central point in the city. The central stations of all means of public transportation are located in the city center.
Senata Square on the west coast of the city is made up of the historical buildings of the city. Thanks to the tourist information office near Senata Square, you can ask every kind of question about transportation and get help about many things, as well as you can buy tickets for various tours and museums. Metro, tramway, train and bus are the most frequently preferred means of public transportation. In addition, ferryboats are also available for minibus and intra-bay transportation.
The overpasses called Baana provide a short route especially for pedestrians and bike riders to reach the areas Kamppi and Töölö Bay from the Western Harbour area. Public transportation is organized by the company named HSL (Helsinki Regional Transport), just like in the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. If you want to take advantage of public transportation, you can buy tickets from ticket booths, from the drivers or by mobile phone. However, if you buy a ticket from the driver, the ticket price is a little more costly compared to other options.
If you want to get on tramway, you need to buy a different ticket. The price of the tramway tickets is more affordable than the price of other public transportation tickets. Both tickets are valid for one hour as soon as you buy them. If you are planning to travel to the neighboring cities like Espoo, Vantaa or Kauniainen, you need to buy an interregional ticket. These tickets are valid for eighty minutes. If you are going to use public transport very often during the day, daily tickets will be more economical for your travel budget. If you are traveling with a child under the age of seven, your child can travel free of charge. Passengers who are under the age of sixteen can travel by paying half price of the tickets. It is hardly possible to take advantage of public transportation in Helsinki after midnight. Public transportation vehicles generally depart for the last time before midnight, while bus services are available until 2 am. The buses departing from the Rautatientori area near Elielinaukio and the railway station on weekends and official holidays are also available even after 2 am; however, ticket prices cost twice as high as the standard price. It is unlikely to come across ticket control on public transport in Helsinki. However, auditors sometimes get on the vehicles and ask for tickets. If you haven't bought a ticket, you have to pay a high amount of penalty during ticket control.
There are many alternatives to reach the airport from any part of the city. Depending on your location, you can benefit from public transportation options such as metro, train, tramway or bus to reach the city center, where you can transfer to train, bus or private shuttle services to get to the airport. If you wish, you can also shorten the length of your journey by taking the advantage of taxi or car rental options.
The minibuses called Kutsublus are provided with a new system that offers an alternative solution for public transportation. These minibus shuttles serve on demand; the minibuses pick up the passengers going through the same route and drop them off at the places they want to arrive. You can buy your ticket using the online reservation system to benefit from these minibus shuttles. The cost of this journey depends on the distance to be covered. If you prefer to take this shuttle service to reach the airport, you can benefit from the service at the comfort of a taxi for more affordable prices.
Taking a taxi is undoubtedly the most practical and comfortable option to get to the airport. However, it may sometimes be difficult to get a taxi in the city, especially on weekends, at night, on special days, or on holidays. There are many taxi stands in various parts of the city. Alternatively, it is possible to get a taxi in the city if you can phone for a taxi by contacting the taxi stands or make an online reservation.
VIP taxi service is also available for a more luxurious travel. Taxi minibuses called yellow lines run on the basis of a system similar to Kutsuplus option. The taxi minibuses with 8-passenger capacity pick the passengers up from various parts of the city and drop them off at the airport. The price of this service may vary depending on the number of passengers and the distance to be covered. If you want to take the advantage of this service to reach the airport, you need to make an online reservation in advance.
The construction of the railway line connecting the airport to the central railway station has been completed as of 2015. The trains running on this line depart every 10 minutes and the journey time takes about half an hour. You can buy your ticket by means of the ticket booths at the central railway station.
Once you get off the train, you need to take the private airport shuttles to reach the airport. It only takes a few minutes to get to the airport by these shuttles. Once the train line construction has been completed, you will be able to benefit from direct transportation to the airport. Helsinki Central Railway Station, which is the main station where all the trains depart from, is located in the city center.
The train lines Y, S, U, L, E, A, M, I, K, N, T, H, and R are the lines departing from this central station to various parts of the city. These lines move in three different directions from the city center to the north. It is also possible to benefit from intercity transportation to the neighboring cities like Espoo, Vantaa and Kaunianinen by train. However, you need to buy regional tickets to benefit from this service.
If you want to go to the airport by bus, you firstly need to reach the city center. The bus number 615 departing from Helsinki Central Railway Station departs every 30 minutes and arrives at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in about 30-40 minutes. Since the airport is located within the borders of Vantaa city, you have to buy an interregional ticket to get on this bus. The Finnair City Bus is another bus departing from the Central Railway Station to the airport. This bus line departs every 15 minutes and goes from the central railway station to the airport in about half an hour. The bus ticket for this bus costs a bit more compared to the bus number 615. In addition, you cannot benefit from free transfer while boarding the Finnair City Bus. However, you can enjoy a more comfortable journey thanks to the Finnair bus as well as you can take the advantage of free Wi-Fi service on the bus.
If you have traveled the places outside the city center in Espoo and if you are planning to get to the airport from these places, you can get on the bus 540 of the interregional U-line departing from the Leppävaara, Nihtisilta and Espoonkeskus regions. In the urban areas other the city center, the buses are preferred more frequently compared to other means of public transportation. Therefore, you can firstly get to the city center by bus if you are planning to go to the airport from a distant place in the city. The buses departing from the north side of the city center arrive at the bus terminal on Eliel Square and the buses departing from east go to the terminal on Railway Square, while the buses from west arrive at the underground bus terminal at the Kamppi Center, which is connected to the Kamppi subway station.
If you are planning a touristic travel, the tramway is quite an affordable option for transportation. The transportation network in the northern part of the city is provided by the buses, while transportation in the central southern peninsula is provided mostly by tramways. Extension of the tram line still goes on in Helsinki. Nine tram lines surrounding the peninsula serve its passengers. Taking a tram is not a very practical option to get to the airport. If you are at a distant location from the central station of the peninsula, you can get on the tramway and transfer to a bus or train to the airport.
Subway network of Helsinki provides service in a much smaller area compared to Europe in general in terms of urban transportation. Once you arrive at the city center from the airport, you can travel from the southern peninsula to the eastern part of the city. It takes about 20 minutes traveling from Ruoholahti station to Mellunmäki or Vusaari stations. The extension of the metro network westward towards Espoo is still under construction.
Renting a car from the car rental offices in the city center is another alternative you can prefer to reach the airport. However, if you are planning to spend some time in the city before going to the airport, it is likely to have parking problem and parking fees are quite high in the city. Parking fees are charged hourly at parking spaces, which sometimes offer free service options on weekends. If you are looking for a more comfortable travel option, you are advised to rent a limousine.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is a very developed airport that offers various facilities. It is quite enjoyable to spend time at the airport while waiting for your flight. The airport offers private sleeping pods, so you can relax and even sleep in a quiet atmosphere in the middle of the airport. You can rest inside the pod from 15 minutes to a few hours. Under the pod, there is a section where you can store your suitcases. Some parts of the airport offer these sleeping pods free of charge.
At the airport, you can often find the kiosks where newspapers, magazines, and snacks are sold, ATM machines, Rent a Car offices, souvenir shops and currency exchange machines. You can also take advantage of the meeting rooms at the airport.
You can buy many luxury products at affordable prices at Duty Free stores in the terminal buildings. Many luxury restaurants are at your service as well as popular cafés and fast-food chains such as Starbucks and Burger King.
In addition to these, you can also find bookstores and the shopping stores that sell watches and jewelry. You can charge your electronic devices in the energy sockets section. If you are traveling with your children, you can spend time in the playground section designed for children, as well as you can enjoy your time in the comfortable VIP section while waiting for your flight.
Glasgow is known as Scotland’s largest and most exciting city. There are many direct and connecting flights that link the city to major destinations throughout the UK and Europe. The most economical transportation alternative to get to the city center from Glasgow Airport, which is located about 14 km away, is by bus.
If you want a more convenient and enjoyable transportation alternative then you can take a taxi to the city center; taxis are readily available at the terminal exits. Renting a car is another comfortable method of transportation to get to Glasgow city center and explore its surroundings.
Like many European cities, Glasgow is also bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Bicycle owners in the city can choose this method of transportation thanks to the free bicycle parking areas at the airport. Although the airport is not located that close to the city center by foot, there are pedestrian-friendly roads dedicated for those who want to walk to the airport.
Glasgow Airport offers passengers a range of services to meet their pre-flight and post-flight needs such as ATMs for monetary transactions, postal services, a special area for passengers who want to pray, and a private terrace for passengers who wish to smoke.
The airport also contains baby care rooms for passengers traveling with babies and children, a rich selection of restaurants and cafes for those who want to grab a bite to eat or something to drink, outlets and stores where passengers can go shopping, and a special passenger lounge called UpperDeck.
This lounge is great if you want to sit in comfortable seats and read a newspaper or magazine while enjoying complimentary snacks before your flight or if you want to relax in a peaceful environment once you land, before heading to the city. The lounge offers passengers free drinks, with alternatives like tea and coffee, free internet access for those who need to work or want to surf the net, and a children’s playground and Xbox games.
Glasgow Airport also features meeting and conference rooms particularly aimed at meeting the needs of business travelers who are visiting the city. Moreover, there is free internet service throughout the entire airport for 1 hour. Afterwards you need to pay 5 pounds for 3 hours or 9 pounds for 24 hours. The airport also features charging stations for passengers who need to charge their cell phones or other mobile devices.
Although shuttles and buses are the most affordable options among the transportation alternatives that you can use to get to the city center from the airport, you can save time by transferring to the train. Furthermore, you can travel to Glasgow and many destinations around the city by train. It is a great way to explore different areas surrounding the city.
Glasgow Airport is relatively close to the city center, so taking a taxi to the city won’t be too expensive. Taxis are a convenient transportation alternative, especially since they provide door-to-door service.
Glasgow is also a great city for passengers who want to rent a car. There are international rental car companies like AVIS, Hertz, Alamo and Keddy located both at the airport and in the city center. Thanks to these companies you can find a vehicle to suit your needs and your budget.
Bus
City buses are a great way to get to Glasgow city center as well as other parts of Scotland. Most of the buses that run between the airport and the city center provide transportation directly to the Buchanan Bus Station. At this bus station you can easily transfer to vehicles that travel to different cities.
One of the biggest advantages of taking the bus is that buses are directly connected to the terminal building; buses depart from the terminal building when leaving the airport and drop passengers off at the terminal building when traveling to the airport. This way you can easily get on the bus without having to walk a long way with your heavy bags. First 500 Glasgow Shuttle provides transportation directly to the city center. First 77 Hospital Connect passes by central locations, such as Renfrew and Braehead Shopping Center, before heading to the city center. McGill’s 757 provides transportation to Paisley Gilmour Street Station.
Bus tickets can be purchased from the bus driver once you board or online and you can pay with a valid credit card or in cash.
Glasgow Airport Express is the best option to get to the city center from the airport by bus. Moreover, the Glasgow Airport Express operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Bus fares vary depending on the route but the average fare to the city center is 7 pounds. Tickets for children vary between 4 and 6 pounds depending on the ticket features, such as a one way or round-trip ticket. If you purchase a round-trip ticket it is more advantageous.
Buses in the city are an affordable and economic option for large families. However, if you have excess luggage you might want to use a transportation alternative that will provide door-to-door service, such as a taxi or private shuttle.
Train
Taking the train is one of the fastest transportation alternative to get to the city center. The closest train station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street Station. This station is accessible by McGill’s 757 buses; these buses provide transportation between the airport and the station.
Taxi
Taxis are another convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. White colored taxis are readily available at the terminal exit. Taxis are a great alternative for those who are in a hurry to get to Glasgow city center. You can also take advantage of a 20% discount if you book a taxi in advance. For reservations and more detailed information you can call 0141 889 1813. Advantageous membership options are also available for passengers who continuously travel between the airport and the city center for business or similar purposes.
Airport Shuttles
Airport shuttle services are another convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. Hotels in the city usually offer shuttle services to and from the airport. The fees for these services can vary depending on the hotel but they aren’t extremely high. One of the most important advantages of airport shuttle services is the fact that you know how much to pay beforehand thanks to the fixed prices. If you plan on using an airport shuttle service contact the hotel you are staying at or your tour operator a couple of days before your flight so that they can arrange a vehicle for you.
Rental Car
Renting a car from one of the rental car offices located at Glasgow Airport is a scenic transportation alternative to get to the city center. You can also book your vehicle in advance by making a reservation online through such companies as AVIS, Hertz, or Europcar. That way your vehicle will be ready for you upon landing. Traffic in the city is relatively light and organized. If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit the city before we recommend using a navigation device; it will make getting around in the city much easier.
Car
Perhaps the best way to get to the city center from the airport is by car. If you have a car that you use in the city or relatives that are going to pick you up just know that this is one of the most convenient transportation alternatives. Traffic in the city is very organized. The city center is easily accessible via the M8 motorway.
The parking lot located near the airport terminal offers great comfort for those who want to park their cars at the airport. You can leave for you car here for a short period of time or take advantage of the long-term parking options. If you’re dropping someone off at Glasgow Airport you can do so using the dedicated drop off areas.
Walking and Cycling
Like many European cities, cycling is an important part of everyday life in Glasgow. There are dedicated bike paths throughout the city as biking is used in both urban transportation as well as a transportation alternative between the airport and the city center. There are dedicated bicycle parking areas at the airport for those who want to travel to the city center by bike. These areas offer short-term and long-term bicycle parking options. But remember to bring a lock for your bicycle as a safety precaution.