Glasgow Transport

There are two airports in Glasgow, but the majority of passengers use Glasgow International Airport, which is located 10 miles from downtown. Prestwick Airport is much smaller, and located farther away, but also serves as an option for regional flights. All of the UK carriers and most of the big European airlines offer regular domestic and international flights from some 80 destinations worldwide.

Glasgow’s single terminal is modern and efficient, easily handling the number of travellers who pass through the airport every year. There are several currency exchange kiosks, banks and ATMs in the terminal, as well as places to eat, drink, shop and buy newspapers. The airport information desk is located on the first floor of the domestic Arrivals area.

The most convenient way to get to your destination in Glasgow is to hire one of the metered taxis that queue up outside the Arrivals area 24 hours. Express airport buses offer a cheaper alternative to the taxis. These buses depart from the terminal every 15 minutes all day long, stopping at the Central Train Station, the Queen Street Train Station, and the Buchanan Street Bus Station. There is also a train station just two miles from the airport in the town of Paisley, but this option is only useful if you are heading somewhere outside of the city along the rail line. Visitors can also rent a car at the airport for maximum flexibility. Most of the major car hire firms have offices in the Arrivals area.

Glasgow is one of the biggest travel destinations in the UK, so travellers can easily reach it by several modes of transportation. With two large railway stations right in the heart of the city, Central Station and Queen Street Station, the train is a great way to get to Glasgow from cities around the UK. Long-distance coaches regularly ply the roads between Glasgow and every other town in the UK, offering the cheapest form of transport. There are more than 20 coach companies providing extensive service to the main bus station on Buchanan Street. National Express and Scottish CityLink are the two largest companies.

Drivers can get to Glasgow from eastern England by following the M1 motorway north of London or the M5 and M6 from western England. Alternatively, you cab hire a vehicle upon arrival in the city centre or at the airport. Once in Glasgow, the most enjoyable way to get around the city is by foot. The historic centre of town is where many highlights are located and is laid out in a logical grid pattern. But some of the real gems in Glasgow are in the outskirts, so you’ll need the public transport or a rental car to get to them. Taxis in Glasgow are metered and easily found cruising the streets or lined up at the taxi ranks around the city centre.

Glasgow’s subway, known fondly as ‘Clockwork Orange’, is the only Metro system in Scotland and the best way to move about the city. The bright orange trains follow a wonderfully simple circular route on two separate tracks that run in opposite directions. If you stay on the train long enough you eventually get back to your starting point. There are 15 stations that connect the city centre with the West End and Southside. Trains pass stations every seven minutes, Monday through Saturday from early morning to midnight. There is only limited service on Sundays. Both day passes and flat rates are available for metro rides.

The public bus system in Glasgow is operated by a private company offering frequent reliable transport throughout the day until 23:00. The route network is quite extensive, though a bit confusing at first. Only a handful of popular routes are kept running during the night. Tickets are available per ride, for one day or one week. After London, Glasgow’s rail network is the most extensive in the UK. From its two stations in the city centre travellers can reach a few useful destinations in the West End and the Southside. If you need to get to the outskirts of Glasgow these trains are a good option.

The best ticketing choice for visiting families is the Daytripper, an incredibly cheap pass that allows unlimited travel on all of the buses, trains, subways and ferries in Glasgow for two adults and four children. The FirstDay bus ticket is also cheap and useful as it allows passengers to hop on and off the public buses from 09:30 until midnight for one day. The Mackintosh Trail Ticket combines transport with attractions in a one-day pass. Admission to many of Glasgow’s top attractions, the fun city sightseeing bus tours, ferry tours to the islands, and walking tours around the city are all included in the pass, along with many transportation options.