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Plan Your Trip to Glasgow: Best of Glasgow Tourism

By Management

Glasgow, United Kingdom

As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is famed for its culture, shopping and people. Spend your day exploring a wide range of fascinating free museums and galleries, enjoying the UK’s best shopping outside of London, and taking advantage of tips from friendly local people on the city’s hidden gems — then choose from 130+ weekly musical events for a special night out. Glasgow is also the perfect base for exploring more of Scotland, with great connections to the Highlands and the islands.
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Essential Glasgow

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Glasgow Is Great For

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Glasgow travel advice

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These questions and answers were created by AI, using the most common questions travellers ask in the forums.

Onsite Rental Options

According to forum posts, the car rental village at Glasgow Airport is located about 300 yards to the left of the terminals' front doors, housing all major companies. Travelers have highlighted that Avis, Hertz, and Europcar are reliable options available directly at the airport.

Offsite Rental Options

Some travelers mentioned that Arnold Clark, a highly recommended Scottish company, is offsite and requires a shuttle bus transfer from the airport. This might not be preferable for those looking to avoid additional travel steps post-flight.

Companies to Avoid

Travelers have called out Greenmotion and Easirent as companies to potentially avoid when renting from Glasgow Airport, citing various concerns over service and reliability.

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Day Trip Destinations

According to forum posts, popular day trip destinations from Glasgow include Loch Lomond, accessible via a 45-minute train ride to Balloch with trains running every 30 minutes. Edinburgh is also highly recommended, with an approximate train journey of 45 minutes from Glasgow Queen Street Station. Additionally, travelers have enjoyed trips to Stirling, mentioning its accessibility and the appeal of Stirling Castle.

Specific Tours and Activities

Some travelers have suggested specific tours such as Rabbies tours to places like Oban and Glencoe, which are praised for providing a taste of the Highlands. For those interested in scenic train journeys, the West Highland Rail Line to Mallaig offers spectacular views, as mentioned by users.

Alternative Suggestions

Other users have recommended less typical day trips, such as a visit to the Isle of Arran via a train to Ardrossan Harbour followed by a ferry, or a trip to Largs with a possible ferry ride to the Isle of Cumbrae.

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Hotel Recommendations

According to forum posts, the Premier Inn Buchanan Galleries is highly recommended for its central location and comfort. It's close to city attractions and public transport, making it ideal for tourists. The Carlton George is noted for its amenities like a champagne arrival option and a free mini-bar, appealing to those looking for a bit more luxury.

Price and Location

Some travelers have mentioned that the Premier Inn offers reasonable prices and a central location, which is convenient for shopping and sightseeing. The Carlton George, while slightly pricier, is appreciated for its proximity to various city spots and its direct booking discounts.

Additional Services

Travelers have called out specific services at some hotels. For instance, the Carlton George offers a champagne on arrival option and a free mini-bar, enhancing the guest experience. Conversely, while chains like Premier Inn and Travelodge provide reliable and budget-friendly accommodations, they typically do not offer personalized services like room decorations for special occasions.

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Popular Choices

According to forum posts, Mother India is a highly recommended Indian restaurant in Glasgow, frequently mentioned for its quality. Other popular mentions include Mr Singhs and the Dhabba in the Merchant City area, known for its South Indian cuisine.

Local Favorites

Some travelers have called out specific restaurants like the Little Curry House and Banana Leaf for their quality curries. Additionally, Chakoo Bombay Cafe is noted for its casual dining and tapas-style Indian food.

Unique Experience

For a unique dining experience, travelers have mentioned Balbirs and Dahkin. Balbirs is noted for its location in the West End near Kelvinhall subway station, while Dahkin offers distinct South Indian dishes.

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Parking Challenges and Costs

According to forum posts, central Glasgow has become notably car-unfriendly, with extended metered parking and expensive multi-storey options like the NCP near Oswald Street. Some travelers mentioned a cheaper council car park at Cadogan Square, but overall, costs and restrictions have increased.

Street and Unofficial Parking

Some users noted that street parking is generally metered and costly, especially since free Sunday parking was discontinued. Unofficial parking lots on derelict lands like those on Brown Street behind James Watt Street were mentioned as cheaper but less secure options, often lacking proper lighting and security.

Alternative Parking Suggestions

For those looking for secure and possibly cheaper parking, posts recommended looking at websites like JustPark for pre-booking parking spots, or considering overnight street parking where legal. The Broomielaw area was specifically mentioned for a bookable car park costing around £17 a night.

Overall Recommendations

Travelers have called out the challenges of parking in central Glasgow, suggesting that while there are options available, most come with high costs or security compromises. Planning and pre-booking were recommended to mitigate some of these issues.

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Outdoor Activities

According to forum posts, Glasgow offers several family-friendly outdoor activities. Pollok Country Park is highlighted for its adventure playground and Highland cattle, while Kelvingrove Park is recommended for its playground facilities. For more adventurous outings, Trossachs National Park provides a variety of walking trails and Go Ape in Aberfoyle offers treetop adventures suitable for children.

Museums and Educational Activities

Travelers have called out several educational attractions that are great for families. The Glasgow Science Centre and the Riverside Museum offer interactive exhibits that engage children. The Kelvingrove Museum is also a popular choice with activities tailored for young visitors.

Unique Experiences

For unique family experiences, posts recommend the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre for its engaging mechanical performances. Additionally, the Hunterian Museum provides fascinating exhibits that can captivate children's interest.

Indoor Activities

On rainy days, families can visit indoor venues such as the Xsite at Braehead which houses activities like bowling and laser tag. The Glasgow Climbing Centre and Inflata Nation are also mentioned for offering physically engaging indoor fun.

Animal and Nature-Focused Activities

Kelvingrove Park, besides play areas, offers opportunities to feed wildlife like swans and geese. Blair Drummond Safari Park is another destination where families can enjoy animal encounters a short drive from the city.

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Ticket Availability

According to forum posts, obtaining tickets for football matches in Glasgow, particularly for popular teams like Celtic and Rangers, can be challenging due to high demand and the large number of season ticket holders. Most games, especially home games, are usually sold out.

Purchase Methods

Some travelers mentioned that tickets could sometimes be secured through official team websites, though availability is limited and they often sell out quickly. For instance, Rangers tickets can be accessed via their official site, but a membership might be required, which adds to the cost. Alternatively, hospitality packages are available but tend to be expensive.

Additional Tips

For many users, checking for ticket availability immediately when they go on sale is crucial. Joining official supporter clubs might provide early access to tickets, though memberships can be sold out due to the teams’ popularity. Travelers have called out that for less high-profile matches, it might be easier to secure tickets.

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Public Transport to Hampden Park

According to forum posts, Hampden Park can be accessed via local train stations such as Kings Park or Mount Florida, which are nearby. Some travelers mentioned using buses like the First Glasgow routes 6, 7/7A, and 75 that have stops close to the venue. The train ride from Glasgow Central to Mount Florida is about 15 minutes.

Taxi Services

For many users, taxis are a convenient option for reaching Hampden Park. Travelers have called out that a taxi from Glasgow Airport to Hampden Park costs approximately £28 and takes about 25 minutes. Post-event, it's suggested to walk away from the stadium to hail a taxi due to high demand and limited availability right outside the venue.

Special Event Bus Services

Some travelers said that during events, special bus services like the X31 operate from central locations such as Union Street to Hampden Park, making transportation easier during high-traffic events. Additionally, forum posts indicate that buses normally follow the regular timetable late in the evening, which might require waiting due to less frequent service.

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