Getting around

Glasgow is a very walkable city, especially the city centre. You can easily explore it on foot whilst taking in the beautiful buildings and architecture around you. Don’t forget to 'look up' when you're in the city.

Glasgow has a cycle hire scheme run by Voi. Visit Voi to learn how it works. Or, for ideas of the best cycle routes in the city and surrounding areas, check out Sustrans.

The subway is one of the easiest ways to get around the city centre, the west end and the southside of Glasgow. Running every 4 minutes at peak times, it takes just 24 minutes to complete a circuit of the 15 stations.

You can buy a single ticket. Or, if you’re here for a few days, you can get a Subway Smartcard, which offers the best fares and you can top up as you go. Visit Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for more information.

Glasgow Central Station links Glasgow by rail to the south and west. Glasgow Queen Street Station operates routes to the north and east, including Edinburgh. Visit ScotRail for information on all routes and timetables.

Need to travel between Central Station and Queen Street Station? The stations are within a 12-minute walk of each other. You can also check out ScotRail's bus link service at ScotRail.

A Roundabout ticket offers unlimited travel on ScotRail and Subway services for one day. You'll be able to travel to over 110 stations in the Greater Glasgow area. Visit Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for more information.

First Bus Glasgow operates over 80 routes across the city, and there are a variety of tickets to choose from. A day ticket allows unlimited travel in your selected area all day. A weekly ticket is cost-effective if you’re staying here longer. Download the First Bus App to buy and store tickets on your phone. You can also plan your journey and track the arrival of your next bus.

First Bus also operates an express service between the city centre and Glasgow Airport. The journey time is 15 minutes. Visit First Bus to plan your journey.

An open-top bus tour is a great way to see Glasgow's iconic sights and tourist attractions. City Sightseeing Glasgow offers 2 tours:

• The red route takes you to attractions in the centre and the west end. On this route you'll see Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery and the University of Glasgow.

• The yellow route covers the east and south of the city. Attractions on this route include the iconic Barrowlands, Glasgow Science Centre and The Burrell Collection.

The complete tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. All tours are accessible, with one dedicated wheelchair space available on the lower deck of each bus.

Tickets are available from City Sightseeing Glasgow and are valid for 1 or 2 days. You can also buy your ticket from the bus driver or pavement staff.

Glasgow's taxi drivers are some of the friendliest in the world.

Glasgow Taxis operates 5 and 6-seater cabs in and around the city. If their yellow light is on, they can be flagged down on the street. Alternatively, call +44 (0) 141 429 70 70 to book. Check out Glasgow Taxis for more information.

Saltire Private Hire specialises in airport transfers and is a good option if you’re flying into Glasgow. They also offer bespoke tours of Glasgow and beyond to help you explore the sites of the city in comfort. Visit Saltire Private Hire for more information and booking.

Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road, and there are speed limits that apply to certain areas of the city. These are likely to be signposted on the road you are driving. Seat belts are compulsory for all drivers and passengers. This applies regardless of where you are sitting in the car.

Be aware that Glasgow has introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city centre. All vehicles entering the LEZ must meet the low-emission standards or face a penalty charge.For more details, visit Glasgow City Council.

Article last updated: October 2025