Glasgow

Getting to Glasgow by plane is straightforward. Glasgow is well connected to the UK, Europe, and selected long-haul destinations through Glasgow International Airport (GLA), the city’s main airport. The airport serves a wide range of European hubs and UK cities, with regular flights operated by major international and low-cost airlines.

Glasgow International Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres west of the city centre, ensuring relatively quick and easy transfers. The terminal handles both domestic and international flights, including services from within the Schengen Area and beyond.

In addition, Edinburgh Airport, located about 65 kilometres east of Glasgow, offers an extensive range of international and intercontinental connections and can be a practical alternative depending on flight availability.

Getting to the city from the airport

At Glasgow International Airport, all major car rental companies operate from the arrivals area.

The airport is directly connected to the city centre via the M8 motorway, making car travel straightforward.

Public transport options include:

• Airport Express bus services, which run frequently between the airport and Glasgow city centre, with a journey time of approximately 15–20 minutes

• Local bus services connecting the airport with surrounding areas and transport hubs

Taxis are available directly outside the terminal. The journey to the city centre typically takes 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic, with fares varying by time of day.

Ride-hailing services operate via designated pick-up areas, clearly signposted within the airport.

Options from Edinburgh Airport to SEC, Glasgow

1. Direct Coach/Bus (Edinburgh to Glasgow)

Scottish Citylink/Express coach services:

• Coaches run directly from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow city centre (Buchanan Bus Station) at regular intervals (often every ~30 minutes, subject to schedule).
• Estimated journey time: 1.5 – 2 hours (varies with service and traffic).
• Services typically depart from outside the arrivals area; book in advance for best fares and seats.

From Buchanan Bus Station to SEC:

• Taxi: ~10-15 minutes from Buchanan Bus Station to SEC.
• Public transport: Local buses or train options can connect you to the SEC..

2. Bus/Tram/Taxi to Edinburgh Haymarket thenTrain to Glasgow

Step A – Edinburgh Airport to Haymarket:

• Airlink 100/shuttle buses/tram run frequently between the airport and Haymarket. The journey takes roughly 20–30 minutes.
• Taxi/ride-hail from the airport to Haymarket is direct and quicker but more expensive (20-30 minutes typical drive).

Step B – Haymarket to Glasgow by train:

• Trains from Edinburgh Haymarket Station to Glasgow Queen Street run very frequently (multiple trains per hour).
• Journey time is around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on service.

Step C – Glasgow to SEC:

• At Glasgow Queen Street, you can either:
  • Take a taxi directly to the SEC (~10-15 minutes),
  • Or travel to Exhibition Centre station via bus or train

Glasgow is one of the UK’s major rail hubs and is served by several central stations, the main ones being Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Queen Street Station, both located in the city centre.

High-speed and intercity rail services connect Glasgow to major UK cities, including:

• London in approximately 4.5–5 hours

• Edinburgh in under 1 hour

• Manchester in around 3.5–4 hours

International travellers from mainland Europe typically arrive via London or Edinburgh before continuing to Glasgow by train.

The main rail operators and booking platforms include Avanti West Coast, LNER, ScotRail, CrossCountry, and Trainline.

For routes, timetables, and fares across Scotland, consult ScotRail or the national rail information services.

By car

Glasgow is well connected by an extensive motorway network, making it easily accessible from across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Key routes include the M8, which links Glasgow with Edinburgh, and the M74, providing connections to southern Scotland and England.

Glasgow operates Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in the city centre. Vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards may be subject to penalties. Visitors travelling by car are advised to check compliance requirements in advance, particularly when hiring vehicles or driving from outside Scotland.

Up-to-date traffic information and journey planning tools are available via Traffic Scotland and local transport authority websites.

By bus

Glasgow has excellent long-distance coach connections through Buchanan Bus Station, located in the city centre. It serves as a major hub for national and international coach services, offering direct routes to cities across Scotland, England, and beyond.

Operators such as FlixBus, National Express, and Megabus provide frequent and cost-effective services.

Tourist information and maps to download

Comprehensive visitor information, including city maps, transport guides, and planning resources, is available from Visit Glasgow. These materials are designed to help visitors plan their stay and navigate the city efficiently. https://www.visitglasgow.com/

Trains run frequently with the city’s light‑metro system, operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), featuring 15 stations in a loop around the city centre and West End.

The bus network in Glasgow is extensive, with more than 80 routes operated by First Bus and other providers covering the city and suburbs. Day‑tickets provide unlimited travel within the selected area. The Glasgow Airport Express 500 bus links Glasgow Airport to the city centre in around 15 minutes.

Tickets for subway and buses are available via the SPT portal or at the station. Single journey fares start from around £1.65 on the Subway. SPT smart‑card and contactless payment options are available. Find out more information here: https://www.spt.co.uk/travel-with-spt/subway/?utm_

Glasgow offers a growing number of cycle lanes and active‑travel paths. The city has introduced a 20 mph speed‑limit zone on many streets to encourage walking and cycling.