Getting Around Glasgow: Subway, Trains, Buses and Cycling

Glasgow has one of the most comprehensive public transport networks in Scotland, and for visitors and residents alike it is usually quicker to leave the car behind. The system combines the Subway, an extensive suburban rail network, buses and a growing set of cycle routes.

The Glasgow Subway, run by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, is one of the oldest underground railways in the world, having opened in 1896. Its single circular line links 15 stations on both sides of the River Clyde, and its orange trains have earned it the affectionate nickname the Clockwork Orange. It is a fast way to travel between the city centre, the West End and the Southside.

Glasgow also sits at the heart of the largest suburban rail network in the UK outside London. ScotRail services run from the two main stations, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street, reaching towns across the west of Scotland as well as Edinburgh and beyond.

Buses cover routes the Subway and trains do not, with several operators serving the city and surrounding towns. For shorter journeys, Glasgow has been expanding its cycling infrastructure, including segregated lanes and the nextbike cycle-hire scheme, and the city sits on National Cycle Network routes along the Clyde.

Because the city centre is relatively compact and laid out on a grid, walking is often the easiest option of all. Combining the Subway with short walks is usually the most efficient way to see the main attractions in a single day.

Contactless payment is accepted across most services, and integrated tickets are available for those combining modes of transport. For visitors arriving from further afield, Glasgow Airport lies to the west of the city and is connected to the centre by regular express bus services, while Glasgow Central handles direct trains from London and other UK cities.