Cheap flights to Glasgow, Scotland from $257

Glasgow Travel Guide

The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, is blessed with some of the greatest representations of Victorian architecture in the world, most notably the works of famed Glaswegian architects Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander Thomson. Eco-friendly travelers fly to Glasgow for the city’s more than 70 stunning parks and gardens, earning it the Gaelic title of “the Dear Green Place”. Apart from its aesthetic beauty most Glasgow travelers are pleasantly surprised by the energy of the city, from its trendy bars to its artsy galleries and great shopping. In fact, the shopping is one of the main reasons visitors from all around Europe hop on a flight to Glasgow for a city break.

On the River Clyde on Scotland’s west central lowlands, Glasgow is one of Europe’s great cities, and one of the most beautiful. An economic powerhouse in the 19th century, Glasgow was built on wealth and innovation. Its Victorian architecture is magnificent. Many buildings were designed by local architects Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander Thomson, built to express Glasgow’s standing as the British Empire’s second city. That one building, Templeton’s Carpet Factory, was designed to resemble the Doge’s Palace in Venice, gives some idea of how wonderful this city is.

Visitors arriving on cheap flights to Glasgow will discover that the city’s cultural offerings are every bit as impressive as its buildings. There are 13 museums, all offering free admission, exhibiting everything from medieval tapestries to 1950s trams.

Saving on admission fees will mean there is more money to be spent on another great Scottish passion – going out. Glaswegans are gregarious and the pubs of the city are lively year round. They also have a passion for shopping. After London, Glasgow is the UK’s largest retail center.

While strolling through the city music seems to fill the air, seeping through the thick walls of its opera houses and concert halls. Stop into a pub on a weeknight and listen to a band looking to break into the scene, after all many award winning bands including Franz Ferdinand and The Fratellis first began their careers in this inspiring city playing at such gigs. But serious music lovers booking flights to Glasgow should definitely visit at a time when the city plays host to some great music festivals, particularly the Glasgow Music Festival.

Getting to and around the city of Glasgow

You can easily find your way from the airport to the city center after your flights to Glasgow, with several different options to choose from. One of the easiest is the Glasgow Shuttle, which goes to and from the airport and the city center throughout the day. You can also jump on the bus to go to one of a few different train stops, in case you want to catch the train to different parts of Scotland.

For those of you who are healthy and enjoy exercise, there are a couple of routes connected to the airport that allow for hiking or cycling, which might be a fun way to get to the city if you have little luggage. Of course you could hail a taxi directly from the Arrivals Terminal, although this won’t be cheap, you can split the fare with friends if you’re not travelling alone.

Setting out on foot is the best way to explore Glasgow. If you’ve forgotten some good walking shoes, take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off City Sightseeing bus to make your way around. You can also head out to the water for a cruise on Loch Lomond or to the islands in the Firth of Clyde. The city’s public transportation will help you get around very easily. The local rail network is great and the buses are connected to the subway and trains. There are only a few night buses, but the local buses cover the day service very well. To get between the city’s center and the West End, stick to the underground.

A smart way to save money is to get a Roundabout Glasgow ticket, which allows unlimited underground and train travel for one day. Family passes are available too. Taxis are plentiful, but the rates will rack up quickly. You’ll find that taxi drivers have some of the best knowledge of the city though, so it may be worth it to you in the end. If you are driving into the city, leave your car at the park-and-ride stop located at the underground rail station outside Glasgow. When you’re in the city, you’ll wish you didn’t have a car. There are too many one-way streets, traffic jams and not enough parking to make it worth your while.

Taxis are plentiful, but the rates will rack up quickly. You’ll find that taxi drivers have some of the best knowledge of the city, though, so it may be worth it to you in the end. If you are driving into the city, leave your car at the park-and-ride stop located at the underground rail station outside Glasgow. When you’re in the city, you’ll wish you didn’t have a car. There are too many one-way streets, traffic jams and not enough parking to make it worth your while.

Tips for your stay in Glasgow

• George Squareis right in the heart of the city, in the center of the old town. Surrounded by huge and spectacular buildings, this is the perfect place to start a tour. The square houses information points and benches where you can relax and take in the architecture. It is also the host to many festivals throughout the year. The piping festival in August is especially worth visiting if you are in town.
• TheUniversity of Glasgow is housed in a spectacular building, right next to the Kelvingrove Museum. The second oldest university in Scotland (to St Andrews), the original university was founded in 1451. The buildings used today date from 1870 when the campus was moved to its current location. The University is also home to the Hunterian Museum — the oldest public museum in Scotland. The art collection is impressive, including works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Whistler.
• Whisky is one of Scotland’s biggest exports. The nearest distillery to Glasgow is Glengoyne, 12 miles from Glasgow city center. It is also located close toLoch Lomond so you could combine a visit to both in one day out. The distillery is open for tours and tastings throughout the year. Rent a car and drive, if you want to visit Loch Lomond as well, or take a taxi from Glasgow – which will take around 35 minutes.

Finding Flights from Glasgow

From Glasgow, you can connect directly with airports all over Great Britain as well as throughout Europe, including Barcelona, Brussels, Munich, Milan and Warsaw. Pick up a direct flight to Philadelphia, Orlando or New York, or make a connection to fly out of Glasgow to Los Angeles, Miami or San Francisco.

Getting to the airport is easy via taxi or bus, or take the train from the Paisley Gilmour Street station. The airport is only a mile out of town, and you can even connect to it by foot or bicycle along the dedicated foot path network and National Cycle Network routes.

Glasgow, Scotland airport overview

Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is located 8 miles (13km) southwest of Glasgow’s city center. It is the second-busiest airport in Scotland and one of the busiest in the UK with more than 6 million passengers using it each year. Almost 30 airlines are based there, a mix of traditional, budget and charter carriers.

The terminal has three piers: West (international), Central (domestic) and East (low-cost, Ireland and Scottish islands). A “Skyhub” was created in 2007, connecting the main terminal and terminal two, which created space for an extended duty-free shopping area.

The airport has seen some improvements in recent years and runs well, with security moving at a reasonable pace and shopping and dining options on the rise. Despite it being an international facility, the airport is still on the small side, so pack a book or charge your mobile if you expect to have a lot of time on your hands.