travel to Glasgow
flights, trains, ferries & buses
Getting to Glasgow is very easy. In this section we are her to help you highlight the best advice for travel directions both to Glasgow itself, and once you are here, traveling around the city of Glasgow.
If you’re travelling by air, travelling from one of Glasgow's airports to the city centre and hotels couldn't be easier, Glasgow International Airport is only 15 minutes outside of the city and Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is served by a direct rail link. The main routes into Glasgow by air are either via a main European hubs or directly to Glasgow Airport.
Click here for a list of the main companies which fly into Glasgow on a regular basis:
If you’re travelling by rail, Glasgow has two major railway stations in the city centre serving routes from the north (Glasgow Queen Street Station) and south (Glasgow Central Station). Both are located in the city centre and are sitauated near other forms of public transport for onward travel. Rail services in the UK are provided by many separate companies; the main companies in Scotland are ScotRail (08457 550 033), GNER (08457 225 225) and Virgin (08457 222 333). For rail information and full on-line timetable see RailTrack's web site, but to book tickets you have to call the company for the many stages of your journey or visit a main UK rail station. Also look at our rail infomation below (link)
From London it might be worth flying, there is great overlap in prices (especially with the low cost flights from Luton). The train from London takes around 5 hours (but Virgin and Railtrack are funding a massive upgrade to the line over the next few years) A sleeper service is also available overnight, treat the train as a hotel!
If you’re travelling by road, Glasgow is at the centre of a major road and rail hub making road access incredibly easy. The M8 goes within skirts the edge of the city centre. From Edinburgh follow the M8, from England follow the M6 which become the M74 approaching Scotland and then on the southside of Glasgow take the M73 then almost immediately the M8 into the city centre (don't take the Glasgow East or South cut-offs). Best cut off for the University is onto A82 for Dumbarton in the city centre and then follow the A82 to Hillhead.
Traffic reports are available from the two main motoring / break-down organisations: AA and RAC (RAC also have a route planner which claims to take into account major road works).
By car
The main M74 north/south motorway allows quick, easy access to the entire region.
Approaching from the south follow the M74 motorway past Hadrian’s Wall through the heart of the region and on to Glasgow city centre. The Clyde Valley Tourist Route (via the A73, A72 and A702) offers motorists a relaxed and scenic alternative through the South Lanarkshire countryside.
Approaching from the north the M9 motorway takes you through North Lanarkshire to Glasgow and from the east the M8 from Edinburgh travels through Glasgow city centre and beyond to the picturesque towns and villages of Inverclyde.
For additional information about driving in the UK including maps, route planners, and travel insurance visit the Automobile Association (AA) or the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) and for up to date traffic and roadworks information see the NADICS - National Driver Information web site.
By Coach
Scottish CityLink provide coach services throughout Scotland to major cities and rural communities and in conjunction with Eurolines and National Express link the destination to over 1200 locations within the UK and 25 countries in continental Europe. Telephone (UK only) 08705 50 50 50.
National Express provide long distance bus and coach services throughout the UK and in association with Scottish City Link and Eurolines connect the destination to 25 European countries and 1200 locations in England, Scotland and Wales.
Eurolines operate long distance coach service from 25 European countries and in conjunction with National Express and Scottish City Link connect the destination with Continental Europe and 1200 UK locations. Route information, on-line booking, timetables and fares can be found on their web site.
By sea
Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley can be reached via a number of ferry routes across the Irish Sea, the North Sea, or the English Channel.
Within the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley area Caledonian MacBrayne operate a fleet of 28 ferries for island hopping around Scotland ‘s picturesque Atlantic coast, and Western Ferries Clyde Ltd operate sailings across the Clyde Estuary between Dunoon and Gourock.For further information on individual operators, please visit the links below and please contact us if we can assist with your travel plans. P&O Ferries, Stena Line and Seacat Scotland operate daily ferry routes across the Irish Sea from Belfast to Stranraer - 90 minutes south of Glasgow.
Scandanavian Seaways operate sailings between Kristiansand, Norway to Newcastle and Newcastle to Amsterdam. Additional information on this service can be found on their web site
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operate a fleet of 28 ferries calling at 23 of Scotland’s picturesque islands on the Atlantic coast. They also operate a service across the Firth of Clyde. For additional information, on-line booking, area maps and timetables, etc please visit their web site.
P&O Irish Sea operate routes from Larne (near Belfast), Northern Ireland to Cairnryan, approximately 45 minutes south of Glasgow. They also operate a number of ferries from Dover and Portsmouth, England to France and Spain. Please visit their
web site for additional route information, on-line booking and timetables.
Stena Line, one of the world’s largest ferry companies, operate between Belfast, Northern Ireland and Stranraer, Scotland. They also operate routes between Harwick, Essex (south-east England) and Hoek van Holland, Holland. Additional information, on-line booking, route planner and timetable details can be found on their web site.
Seacat Scotland operate vessels between Belfast, Stranraer and Troon (approximately 30 miles south of Glasgow). For information on tickets and timetables, etc. visit their web site or telephone: 0990 523 523 (within the UK) or +44 (0) 1805 523 523.
Superfast ferries operate daily sailings between Rosyth, Scotland and Zeebrugge, Belgium. Additional information, timetables, and booking information can be found at www.superfast.com or by calling +44 (0) 870 234 0870
Within the region, Western Ferries Clyde Ltd operate sailings across the Clyde Estuary from Dunoon to Gourock. Please please telephone +44 (0) 1369 704 452 for additional information on this service.
For details on English Channel crossings including on-line booking, timetables and travel information, etc. visit: ferrysavers.co.uk
channelshop.co.uk
hoverspeed.co.uk
By train
Glasgow Central Station is a key hub in the national rail network and provides excellent onward travel to the many beauty spots and places of interest within Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.
A bus service operates from Gordon Street at the front of the station, to Glasgow Queen Street Station and Buchanan Bus Station.
Glasgow Queen Street Station is the second main line station situated in the city centre. As well as providing excellent links to areas in and around Greater Glasgow. Its Express service to Edinburgh takes under 50 minutes and runs every 15 mins. Glasgow Queen Street station is situated immediately to the north of George Square and is the main terminus all north- and eastbound trains, including those to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, Mallaig, Oban, Perth and Stirling.
For more information on individual rail operators or to book tickets on-line, please visit any of the following sites:
Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) and Virgin Trains operate direct routes to Glasgow Central Station from London’s Kings Cross and Euston stations respectively.
The GNER site offers on-line booking, timetables, route information and details of special promotions. The Virgin site also offers on-line booking, route maps, travel information and useful details on chosen destinations. You will also find information about on-board services, passenger assistance and business travel.
Railtrack - this site has a searchable timetable and useful journey planner. You will also find details on major UK stations such as floor plans, local area and street maps.
ScotRail - Here you will find details on the West Highland Line, the North Highland Line and Caledonian Sleepers (overnight trains from Scotland to London). You will also find timetables, special ticket offers and other useful travel links.
The Trainline - this site is a no-nonsense, direct approach to on-line train travel booking. Use this link to find out times, book tickets and reserve seats from any train operator in the mainland UK.
BritRail - this site provides information on special rail passes such as the Freedom of Scotland Travel Pass which are only available to international travellers. You will also find timetables and details on where to purchase and how to use BritRail Passes. BritRail Passes are not available in the UK and must be purchased outside the UK.
