Glasgow, as a city, has many areas of interest and the associated suburbs sprawl for miles in every direction. Until recently, negotiating around the hub of the action was very difficult for those unacquainted with the city. Introduction of guides, easily spotted by their bright red blazers ... Read review
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Advantages: Easy to get around, travel centres available if you get stuck Disadvantages: Motorway queues (but what city doesn't?), moaning-faced bus drivers.
...finding the best means of getting from A to B can be a problem.
The City Centre is served by two large railway stations – Central Station (at one end of Argyle Street) and Queen Street Station (just off the north end of George Square), as well as a smaller station, High Street. They are within walking distance of one another (you could take a taxi if you are so inclined). Both as busy as one would expect from a city station. ... ...lanes, although this is slowly getting better. I try to avoid all forms of strenuous exercise and so am not able to comment on this experience myself!
By far and away, the best means of getting around the city centre is by underground and on foot. The underground (or “clockwork orange”, a name given to the subway because of the vivid hue of the trains and the circular route) is a cheap way of getting to the West End. Return ... more
Glasgow, as a city, has many areas of interest and the associated suburbs sprawl for miles in every direction. Until recently, negotiating around the hub of the action was very difficult for those unacquainted with the city. Introduction of guides, easily spotted by their bright red blazers and hats, eased this problem somewhat but finding the best means of getting from A to B can be a problem.
The City Centre is served by two large railway stations – Central Station (at one end of Argyle Street) and Queen Street Station (just off the north end of George Square), as well as a smaller station, High Street. They are within walking distance of one another (you could take a taxi if you are so inclined). Both as busy as one would expect from a city station. The East Coast line is connected to Central Station and therefore serves as the King’s X to Glasgow station. Those coming from the north of the country are more likely to end up in Queen Street Station (Interesting trivia: Queen Street Station was the first building in Scotland to benefit from electric lighting!). Both large stations have been subject to recent renovations and although may look more pleasant, there is no escaping the fact that trains are currently not the most reliable means of transport. Good for travelling long distances, but not good for the tourist. Unlike many other major train operators, Scotrail allow purchase of tickets on the train. This is good for those in a hurry, like me!
Buses are frequent in the city centre, with a main terminus, Buchanan Street Bus Station to the north of Queen Street Station. Links to national and a few international services are available from here, but booking is advised. A cheap alternative to catching a train to Edinburgh, for example, is to catch a bus. These run every half hour from the station, until 11pm every night. When travelling around the city centre by bus, however, beware. Roughly 30% of the buses will display “Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station” on the front. This translates as “We go past every front door in every housing scheme en route before we get to Buchanan Bus Station”. To this end, it is worth checking at the Travel Centre (at the station) to see whether an express or motorway service will get you to your destination faster. Drivers are also unnecessarily unpleasant. I was moaned at loudly by a driver once for… well, I don’t really know to be honest. On leaving the bus, all I could say was “Why don’t you get a job you like and leave us all in peace?”. Haven’t travelled by bus since…..
Driving around the city centre is not as unpleasant as one might imagine. Rush hours, as always, are to be avoided, but one of the joys of Glasgow is the “grid system”. This means many one-way streets, but you can never get too lost. Parking is more of a problem. Many multistorey car-parks are available and very rarely get full, but are expensive. If you’re not averse to walking a little, I’d recommend the car park at High Street, which is the cheapest and is near to Glasgow Cross. Glasgow is served by the M8 (Glasgow to Edinburgh), M74 (Glasgow to “South”) and M80 (Glasgow to Stirling) motorways. Traffic does build up during rush hours (around 8:00 to 9:30 most routes, most days) but is largely fine at other times. No tolls as yet, so still happy motoring. Taxis may be flagged down in the street, although ranks are situated at both Central and Queen Street railway stations.
I would not recommend cycling around the city centre. There is not much in the way of cycle lanes, although this is slowly getting better. I try to avoid all forms of strenuous exercise and so am not able to comment on this experience myself!
By far and away, the best means of getting around the city centre is by underground and on foot. The underground (or “clockwork orange”, a name given to the subway because of the vivid hue of the trains and the circular route) is a cheap way of getting to the West End. Return adult tickets cost <£2 and trains run every 4 minutes at most times.
If you have the time and inclination, however, go by foot. Some areas, such as Glasgow Green and other ‘empty’ areas should be avoided at night, though. Walking around the city centre is pleasant and many areas such as Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street are becoming largely pedestrianised. Also, Glasgow has a unique atmosphere which you’ll miss out on if you insist on going everywhere by bus!
Advantages: Cheap and Reliable. Disadvantages: A bit bumpy and noisy.
Before going to Glasgow the only underground train transport system that I had ever been on was the London Underground. It was therefore a bit of a surprise to find a fast and efficient underground system in Glasgow. This underground was originally opened in 1896 and is the world’s third oldest subway. In 1977 the whole system was closed for a massive modernisation and re-opened in 1980. The underground is a continuous oval circuit around the ... ...of the River Clyde, with 15 stations. On the outer circle the trains run in a clockwise direction and on the inner circle the trains run in an anti-clockwise direction. At two of the stations the underground has an interchange with the surface railway system and at four of the stations there are Park and Ride facilities. The trains run between every 4 minutes to every 8 minutes depending upon the time of day. Each train is three carriages long and ...
daseaford 11.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Getting around in Glasgow
Advantages: Tube and Train are cheaper and easier to use than the Bus Service Disadvantages: Limited Service on Weekends
I have just returned from a brief, but expansive holiday in Glasgow, Scotland.
With regard to public transport, I experienced the tube, the bus service and the train lines.
The tube (circular), is really good. I am living in London, so the price of an all day "Discovery" ticket at £1.60 was phenomenal. It's true the circle does not cover the entire city, but the stops it doesn make are quite easy to figure out and make your way (walking) from wherever ... ...addition, the stations/platforms were relatively clean and NON-bad smelling. It actually appeared that they did some cleaning of the smells etc.
The one drawback I found was the limited service on a weekend, for example, on Sundays, the first tube is at 11am, and it closes again at 6pm.
The buses were not so user friendly. Obviously if you know the names of not only where you want to go, but the surrounding areas, you may be able to figure out ...
alisonb 03.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Getting around in Glasgow
Advantages: since the Overground came into force you can actually get a bus... Disadvantages: FAR too many to list! Too expensive, too crowded etc etc etc
I have many complaints about FirstBus, where to begin is my first problem!
The most serious problem with FirstBus was the introduction of their 'Overground' system. Its all very good to introduce this new system but a bit of advanced warning would have been nice! Not only were bus routes changed but entire routes were removed! Even the drivers didnt know where they were going! But what about the maps they sent out to everyone?....what maps? I dont ... ...Cost. FirstBus charge FAR too much for a journey. Pay the right fare and don't rip us off say Firstbus on their posters. Why not? FirstBus are most CERTAINLY ripping us off!! At £1.05p for a long journey its a complete rip-off!! The £1.50p return ticket is a good idea. Pity people going to work in the morning, who'd use it most, cant! Why? Because this offer doesnt start until 9:30am and FirstBus dont want to loose some cash by giving us a good deal!
...
RTj 05.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Getting around in Glasgow
Advantages: Very economical for journeys where you need to change bus. Also good for return journeys. Disadvantages: You must have a student card. It's easy to lose your ticket. Hard to work out the bus routes and pickup points if you don't know the city.
...travelling all over the city, if you have plenty of time. It can be tricky to work out the bus routes though so if you are only in town for a day you'd be better staying in the town centre and maybe getting the underground to see the West end. ...
DuncF 18.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Getting around in Glasgow
Advantages: Quick, easy and reliabel Disadvantages: Noise, Space, Safety
...of transport I use for getting in to town - which I do a lot. At 80p a ticket you can go as far or as near as you want, you could even stay on it all day if you like!
The main problem with the underground is the noise. It is bad enough normally but if there is a window open it is unbearable and could cause permanant damage.
Another problem is that this system was designed in the late 60's and there are not a lot more people using it, meaning that ... ...when Rangers FC are playing at Ibrox.
The last thing that concerns me is safety. It isn't nice being alone on a tube with one other person - there is no where to go, so maybe the installations of camera's is a good idea.
But overall it is very quick and easy for dashing about it (a tube every 6 mins) - and let's face it - it's better than waiting half an hour on a bus! ...
Kozinski 07.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Getting around in Glasgow
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for guide dogs, and it seems that the staff are happy to help guide the visually impaired in stations. (It should be noted that the staff in the subway are generally friendly.)
In Short
A good way to getaroundGlasgow, and if you aren't too tall it can be quite comfortable. Prices are decent, and you also avoid traffic well, getting places fast. ...
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