Useful information

Most visitors, apart from British and Irish citizens, need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter or pass through the UK.

You can apply for an ETA online. It costs £16 and lets you visit the UK multiple times, staying up to six months each time. It is valid for two years from the date you apply, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Find out more about travel requirements by visiting the UK Government.

Note: If you need a visa to enter the UK, do not apply for an ETA.

English (Glaswegian dialect).

Scotland uses the pound Sterling (£), the same as the rest of the UK. Scottish banknotes will look slightly different from English banknotes, but they can still be used across the United Kingdom.

There are many cash machines in the city. Most are free to withdraw money, although some may charge a small fee. There are also several Bureaux de Change in the city.

Most hotels, restaurants, and shops take credit and debit cards. Mastercard and Visa are commonly used. Most places take contactless payments with a limit of £100. Some small shops and guesthouses may only take cash.

Glasgow's time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or one hour ahead of GMT, known as British Summer Time (BST), during the summer months (June to September).

In spring (March to May), the weather is mild, and flowers bloom in the city's parks. Temperatures can range between 8-13°C (46-55°F.)

The summer months (June to September), the weather can be warm and sunny, with long daylight hours. The average temperature during the summer months is 17°C (62°F ) but can often reach 20°C (68°F) or higher.

In winter (November to March), it is cold, with an average temperature of 4°C (39°F) in January and sometimes snow.

In the UK, tipping is optional. People usually leave a 10-15% tip in restaurants, cafes, and bars if the service is good. For taxis, it's common to round up to the pound (£).

Smoking and vaping are banned in all public places, including all enclosed or partially enclosed public areas.

The UK country code is +44, while Glasgow landlines start with a +141 area code, followed by a 7 digit number. To call abroad, dial 00 before the area code.

Glasgow has excellent 4G and 5G coverage. If you’d like to stay connected while avoiding roaming fees, make sure you have a compatible SIM.

Physical SIM: If you have a phone that only supports physical SIMs, you’ll need to buy one when you arrive. These can be purchased at mobile phone shops, kiosks, and supermarkets.

eSIM: If your phone supports digital SIMs, these can be downloaded remotely. You can also choose when to activate these.

Glasgow is a welcoming city, and like most large cities, it has areas that feel safer than others. It’s always a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions, just as you would anywhere else.

The city centre is safe and well looked after. Tourist areas are regularly patrolled, and most visitors enjoy their time here without any issues.

In case of an emergency, the police, ambulance or fire brigade service can be contacted by phoning 999.

For non-emergency healthcare and advice, call NHS 24 on 111.

If you need to contact the police for a non-urgent enquiry or to file a police report, you can call 101.

You must drive on the left-hand side of the road. To drive in Scotland, you need to have a valid driving licence. A foreign licence is valid in the UK for up to 12 months. Seatbelts must be worn by everyone in the car. Check out the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for more details.

In June 2023, Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced. All vehicles entering the city centre's LEZ must meet the low-emission standards or pay a fine. Payment to enter a LEZ will not be accepted. There are also some exemptions to the LEZ, for example, blue badge holders. For more information, visit Glasgow City Council.

Children must use a suitable car seat until they are 12 years old or up to 135 cm tall — whichever comes first. For more details, visit Road Safety Scotland.

If you’re travelling to Scotland from outside the UK, find out what emergency healthcare you can get. You should also check what medicine you can bring and what to do in an emergency. Also, look into what travel insurance you will need.

For information on healthcare for overseas visitors, visit the National Health Service (NHS) Scotland.

The standard voltage in Scotland is 230V AC, 50Hz. North American appliances need a transformer and an adapter. Australasian appliances need only an adapter. Plugs have 3 square pins, and adapters are widely available.

Article last updated: October 2025

City centre shops are generally open every day until at least 6pm.