Car Hire Glenegedale Airport

Car Hire

The Scottish island of Islay lies at the southernmost point of the Inner Hebrides archipelago, off the western shores of Scotland. Air access is via Islay Airport, formerly known as Glenegedale Airport, a tiny rural facility located five miles from the island’s quaint capital, Port Ellen. The airport is managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and hosts just three routes, Loganair to Glasgow and Hebridean Air Services to the islands of Colonsay and Oban. Islay is famous for birding, stunning scenery and whisky distilleries, with self-drive the most practical way to get around its 239 square miles.

Who to Book With
Car hire at Islay Airport is supplied by Islay Car Hire and D&N McKenzie, with advance reservation recommended, although both suppliers have desks in the Arrivals hall and Islay Car Hire accepts online bookings.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Your home country driver’s licence
- The credit card used to make the reservation
- A passport or utility bill to confirm your ID
- Confirmation of booking, if made in advance

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving on Islay is a delight, with quiet roads, great views and a relaxed pace. Keep a watchful eye out for wildlife, cattle or sheep on the roads, and remember that rural roads are single track with passing places every mile or so, making reversing likely, to allow wide farm traffic to pass.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving here.

Transport

A self-drive break on Islay starts at the airport, just a few minutes’ drive from Port Ellen. Other ground transport options are local bus links to other small towns as well as the main town, and taxis. Bicycles can also be hired on the complex.

Taxis
Taxis from the airport are provided by Islay Taxis, Island Taxis, Fiona’s Taxis, Bruichladdich Taxis and several other local firms, with pre-booking strongly advised. Saloon cars and minibuses for large groups are offered, and some firms provide guided tours of the island’s attractions and distilleries. Taxi prices from Islay Airport to Port Ellen are available on request through island taxi firms.

Buses
The bus service from the airport to Port Ellen arrives around 40 minutes after the scheduled morning Glasgow flight touches down. Bus services on Islay are operated by B. Mundell Ltd (+44 149 684 0273), with drivers the best source of timetable information. Getting around by bus involves some planning as services only connect the villages during school times and holiday periods.

Facilities

Terminals
Islay Airport’s terminal is open Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:40, Saturday from 08:00 to 09:00 and Sunday from 14:45 to 15:30. It’s small, relatively comfortable and totally hassle-free.

Parking
Car parking at the airport is free and located adjacent to the terminal. Dedicated bays for disabled passengers are provided, as is a pick-up/drop-off area. A long-stay car park suitable for passengers leaving their vehicles for over three days is found near the airport, with details available at the information desk.

Wi-Fi
There is no Wi-Fi access at Islay Airport.

Information Services
The information desk is located just inside the terminal building.

Useful Numbers
Airport contact number: +44 149 639 2361

Accessibility
Reduced-mobility passengers are requested to make the necessary arrangements at the airport through their airline. Facilities at the terminal include wheelchairs, ramps, a washroom adapted for the disabled, an ambulift and designated parking bays.

Restaurants and Bars
The little terminal has a café serving tea, coffee, light snacks, meals and refreshments in line with the airport’s restricted opening hours. It’s also open on Sunday for cakes, coffees and teas between 16:30 and 18:00.

VIP Lounges
There are no VIP lounges at the airport.

Money and ATMs
There are no Forex services or ATMs at the airport.

Shopping
The airport’s café has a display of attractive, locally-produced craft items.