Travelling to Glasgow

Visit Scotland

As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow played a major role in the Industrial Revolution, as well as developing the largest seaport in Britain. Together with its neighbour, Edinburgh, these cities are the most popular and populated within Scotland. Despite its cold, wet climate, Glasgow has a vibrant culture and has become a popular tourist destination within Britain.

About Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's second city and is internationally recognised for its vibrant art and culture scene. Around 600,000 thousand people live in Glasgow, and contribute to the city's lively nightlife, which includes concerts in the famed National Opera House. When travellers visit Glasgow, they should make sure to check out the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, which is in an expansive Victorian Gothic building and which is home to masterpieces like Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross.

What is the cheapest way to get to Glasgow?

How cheap a journey to Glasgow depends on where travellers are departing from. When departing from a destination in England, it's usually much cheaper for travellers to board an inter-city coach service to Glasgow than another mode of transport. However, when traveling from elsewhere in Scotland, often trains are very affordable and may be more convenient than a coach journey, considering the faster travel time. If you're traveling to Glasgow from outside the United Kingdom, the cheapest way to reach the city is usually by plane. However, Glasgow Airport is a relatively small airport, so travellers may want to look at the larger Edinburgh Airport to see if flights from there have a better deal; travellers can then board a connecting train to Glasgow.

How can I travel to Glasgow by bus?

Buses to Glasgow arrive at the city's Buchanan Bus Station, which is in the heart of Glasgow city centre and is walking distance from all of Glasgow's major attractions. travellers can board a bus at Buchanan Bus Station to most major cities in Scotland and England. Services depart to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, London and more every day. Although there are no direct journeys to destinations outside the United Kingdom, travellers can take a bus to London Victoria and change there for international services. Coach providers who depart from Buchanan Bus Station are National Express and Megabus.

How can I travel to Glasgow by train?

Trains departing from throughout the United Kingdom arrive at Glasgow Central Station. Glasgow Central Station is 0.5 miles outside of Glasgow city centre, which travellers can reach in 10 minutes on foot. travellers can board a train from almost any of the UK's major cities to Glasgow Central Station, including trains from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, and London. Train companies that provide services to Glasgow Central include ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, and National Express​. Trains depart each day from 05:00 a.m. to shortly after 12:00 a.m. If traveling from mainland Europe, it is possible to connect to London St Pancras via the Eurostar.

How can I travel to Glasgow by plane?

Planes to Glasgow arrive at Glasgow Airport, only 9.4 miles outside of Glasgow city centre. Every day, planes from national and international destinations arrive at Glasgow Airport. Providers who fly to the airport include Aer Lingus, Easy Jet and British Airways. The fastest way to reach Glasgow from Glasgow Airport is via the 500 Express Service from First Bus. This bus departs every 10 minutes to Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow city centre, between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. each day, and takes only 25 minutes.

Find and book with Omio the best tickets to Glasgow

The best way to find and book cheap tickets to Glasgow is by using Omio - the price comparison service means travellers can compare the different transport modes on the time it takes, the price, and whether the service is direct, meaning it is easy to find the best journey.

Public Transport in Glasgow

The most convenient way of getting around the Glasgow city centre is usually by bus. First Glasgow provides most of the city centre bus routes. With around 100 services operating in Greater Glasgow, it is easy to find a bus connection around the centre and there are also several night services to outlying suburbs. Buying tickets is straightforward. All First buses accept contactless card payments, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. In addition, it is possible to buy tickets online using a smartphone. Alternatives to the bus network include the SPT Subway, an underground rail loop affectionately known to locals as the 'Clockwork Orange,' due to its bright colour scheme. Although stations on the Subway are limited, it does offer the quickest connections from  central stops at Buchanan Street or St Enoch's to Ibrox Stadium,  the University and the West End, without having to negotiate city centre traffic. Ticket options on the Subway include reusable smart cards and day tickets which offer savings for travellers making several journeys.  From May to October, it is also possible to use ferry services on the Clyde,  connecting the city centre with the Braehead mall, stopping at the Riverside Museum and Science Center.