We are thinking of planning a trip to Scotland, any recommendations on what airport to fly into? I have also heard it is cheaper to fly into Belfast and then got to Scotland from there? ANy feedback is helpful.

Fly to the airport nearest to where you're going.

Much depends on where you are flying from. There are just 2 international airports in Scotland -- Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Belfast makes little sense. The only alternative to the Edinburgh/Glasgow is London, where you can usually cheaper fares to, from the US. Then fly/train/bus to Scotland from London.

Belfast is in N Ireland. An ocean separates it from Scotland. You don't say where you're flying from. Aberdeen has an airport too.

Glasgow or Edinburgh make the most sense for Scotland. But often you can get really great fares into Manchester or London. It is an easy drive including a possible detour into the Lake district or to Hadrian's Wall from Manchester. And a short, usually inexpensive flight from London.

So Check Glasgow and Edinburgh first and then see if you can get a substantially better fare into Manchester or London.

Well, excuse ME, bettyk!!

There was me thinking I could get to 13 other countries (not counting England, Northern Ireland or Wales) from my wee airport in Aberdeen>

Sheila:

Bet you're counting the Faroe Islands as an independent country.

And what about Inverness? Or Prestwick?

Sorry, Sheila, I should have said for non stop flights originating from the United States.

My company has an office in Aberdeen, so I know there are many flights in and out of there to/from other countries. However, there are no non stop flights from the US into Aberdeen.

I know, m'dear. I WAS only teasing. I hope you saw the smiley.

And yes, flanner, if they can have a team in the European Cup (one of the few we can beat)I feel entitled to count them as a different country.

Sheila, thank goodness. You had me worried! But I don't see any smiley face...

Glasgow (GLA) is probably your best bet - if you're flying in from a reasonably large airport in the eastern part of North America, you can probably find a non-stop flight. Edinburgh (EDI) and Prestick (PIK) are both within an hour or less of Glasgow, but have far less traffic and thus are likely to be more expensive --they are good options if you want to fly into another European hub, like London, and then continue on to Scotland. I doubt Belfast's cheaper than Glasgow (or Dublin for that matter) as either of these airports will require a connection somewhere - most likely in London. London itself, or possibly Shannon, may be cheaper from the US/Canada, but probably not worth the hassle unless you wish to visit either of these places in their own right AND have a day or two extra to spend. If you post back with the airport you're flying out of and where you plan to go in Scotland, you may get more specific help.

bettyk- see that right pointing arrowhead at the end of my post? that's a dyslexic smiley!! (Duh)