Our offline app for Glasgow HERE

GLASGOW WEATHER

How to Get Around by Public Transportation

 The best way to get around Glasgow is by foot. Many of the best things to do are located in the city center, and the grid layout makes it very easy to navigate. But several attractions are located on the outskirts, necessitating the use of the public transportation system or a car. Black taxis are also available, and you can hail these on the streets or find them in taxi ranks (or lines) throughout the city center. 

If you took a plane into Glasgow International Airport (GLA), you can take a train, bus, taxi or rental car the 10 miles into the city center. The easiest way to reach the city center via public transporation is the Glasgow Airport Express service 500 bus, which takes 15 minutes. Tickets cost 8.50 pounds (or about $11) for adults and 4.50 pounds (around $6) for kids.

On Foot

If you plan on staying in the city center, getting around on foot is your best bet. Its grid layout makes getting lost virtually impossible, and many of the best attractions are also congregated here.

Bus

First Bus Greater Glasgow serves the central city of Glasgow, as well as Greater Glasgow, from Loch Lomond to the northwest and Lanarkshire to the southeast. Bus tickets can be purchased in numerous quantities: a Single Fare, a FirstDay ticket for a day of unlimited travel and a FirstWeek ticket for seven days of unlimited travel. Fares start at about 2 pounds (around $2.50) and are determined by distance traveled (a zone system). First Bus has more than 950 buses serving more than 80 routes; timetables vary considerably by route and day of the week, with buses generally running from around 6 a.m. to after 11. p.m. on weekdays on major lines. First Bus offers a list of top attractions and corresponding bus routes on its website.

Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses are another option for touring the city’s top attractions. Check out our list of the Best Scotland Tours for more information.

* First Bus

Subway

The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is Glasgow’s efficient bus, ferry and subway system. The subway, called the Clockwork Orange, runs two circular routes – one running clockwise and the other running counterclockwise. Tickets can be purchased at the subway stations; a single, one-way ticket costs less than 2 pounds (around $2.50). Subways operate from 6:30 a.m. to around 11:30 p.m. every day except Sunday, when they run from 10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. During peak times, trains arrive every 4 minutes; at other times, they come approximately 6 to 8 minutes apart.

* SPT

Car

Because some of Glasgow’s attractions are located on the outskirts, you might want a car for your stay. (Buses and subway trains can also take you to the outer-lying attractions). Rent them at the Glasgow airport, or find several agencies in the city. Keep in mind that Glaswegians drive on the left and that “permit parking” signs mean permit parking only. If you park in one of these areas without a permit, your car could be towed. While a valid driving license is required, an international driving permit is not.

Taxi

The U.K.’s iconic black cabs can be found in Glasgow. Hail one on the street, or find them in taxi ranks throughout the city. Several companies, including Glasgow Taxis and Hampden Cars, also allow you to book through their sites or smartphone apps. Uber also operates in Glasgow. Your taxi ride shouldn’t surpass about 15 pounds (around $19), but keep in mind that an additional surcharge will be added if you ride late at night or early in the morning. 

Bike

Like many cities around the U.K. and elsewhere, Glasgow has a bike-sharing system that permits users to traverse the city on two wheels. Prices typically range from about 1 pound (around $1.30) for a 30-mnute outing to 10 pounds (about $13) for a full day of access.

* Nextbike

Bicycle

Glasgow is home to a fantastic cycle hire scheme, operated by OVO Bikes. Visit OVO Bikes website to find out how it works.

Tips

  1. Apps/Convenient Cards

    1. Mytripnavi Offline map & travel guide
      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripnavi.app.glasgow

    2. Find maps of other cities https://mytripnavi.com/maps/all/

Travel guide maps

Glasgow International Airport

  1. Departure and Arrival Flights
    1. Departure flight information https://www.glasgowairport.com/flight-info/#departures
    2. Arriving flights https://www.glasgowairport.com/flight-info/#arrivals
    3. Airlines and terminals https://www.glasgowairport.com/destinations/airlines/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/flight-info/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/destinations/
  2. Transit guide-Connecting flights https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/worldwide-transfers/
  3. Getting to the Airport https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/departing-from-gla/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/bus/
  4. Airport map & apps https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-map/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/app
  5. Transfer between terminals
  6. Shop, Dine, Relax and do more https://www.glasgowairport.com/shop-dine/
    1. Dining
    2. Shop
    3. Duty Free/Tax Free https://www.glasgowairport.com/shop-dine/ https://glasgow.worlddutyfree.com/en/?utm_medium=hp&utm_source=glasgow&utm_campaign=gla_r https://www.glasgowairport.com/shop-dine/duty-free-changes/
  7. Facilities and Services
    1. Lounges, hotels and spas https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/lomond-lounge/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/upperdeck-lounge/ https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/vip-service/
    2. Taxi https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/taxi/
    3. Rideshare and Rental Car https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/car-hire/
    4. Parking https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/parking/
    5. Baggage Claim/Damage/Lost
    6. Fast Track https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/priority-security-passport/
    7. Priority Lane https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/priority-passport-lane/
    8. Pick up and Drop Off https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/pick-up-and-drop-off/
    9. Lost and Found
    10. Banking, Currency Exchange, ATM https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/currency/
    11. Promotions https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/parking/nhs-discount/
    12. Health Services
    13. Traveling with Kids
    14. Traveling with Pets/Animals
    15. Prayer room
    16. Other Services/Accessibility https://www.glasgowairport.com/special-assistance/
    17. Useful links/contacts

Other Experiences

Gay guide

https://mytripnavi.com/gay/glasgow.pdf

Find more at other cities

https://mytripnavi.com/maps/all
https://mytripnavi.com/gay/

Foods you must try

Famous food top 5

  1. Fish and chips
  2. Cottage pie / Shepherd’s pie: Shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, or in its French version hachis Parmentier is a savoury dish of cooked minced meat topped with mashed potato and baked. The meat used may be either previously cooked or freshly minced. The usual meats are beef or lamb.
  3. Roast beef
  4. Haggis: Haggis is a savoury pudding containing sheep’s pluck, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and cooked while traditionally encased in the animal’s stomach though now an artificial casing is often used instead.
  5. Jacket Potato

Famous Sweets

  1. Scone
  2. Crumble
  3. Christmas Pudding
  4. Mince Pie

Famous Drinks

  1. Afternoon Tea/ High Tea: Whilst they both include tea as a beverage, afternoon tea includes delicate pastries, little sandwiches, scones and cakes. Whereas high tea is typically a more wholesome meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables served after a long hard day at work.
  2. Cream Tea: One of the eight times of the day to enjoy tea, cream tea refers to scones with jam and clotted cream, served with tea. Although a cream tea is traditionally enjoyed in the afternoon, it differs from afternoon tea in that it does not include finger sandwiches or pastries.
  3. Whisky/Whiskey

Food trivia

  • Sausage is soft here in UK.
  • Jellied eels are a traditional English dish that originated in the 18th century, primarily in the East End of London.
  • The rumour about Brits drinking warm beer is very misleading. It’s merely that traditional ales are served at cellar (not room) temperature, rather than being chilled, which merely disguises the taste.

Other famous foods

  1. Pasty
  2. Porridge
  3. Sunday Roast
  4. Scotch egg
  5. Chicken tikka masala