City Information
Essential Information about the city
Best Time to Visit
The warmer spring and summer months from March to August are the best time to visit Glasgow, when nice temperatures and long daylight hours treat you to pleasant city walks and plenty of other outdoor activities. And with festivals filling the city's entire calendar from Piping Live! in the summer to Burns Night in the winter, the colder months are no less interesting — and have the added bonus of smaller crowds.
Passport & Visa
Citizens of the European Union member states, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland, and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) only need a valid passport to enter the UK. Residents of the following ten countries do not need an entry visa for stays under 6 months: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Nationals of some further countries do not need a visa but must hold an entry certificate. Use the UK Government website below to check for specific requirements.
Glasgow International Airport (GLA)
Glasgow's main airport, located a mere 15 km from the city, has great connections to the city by bus and by train. Glasgow Airport Express is the airport's official bus service, with multiple buses departing every 10 minutes from the airport (Stance 1), most passing through Buchanan Street Bus Station along the way. Tickets can be purchased directly on board, pre-bought online or using the "First Bus mTickets" app. The closest train station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street, a mile away from the terminal building. McGill's 757 bus service operates that stretch and tickets can be purchased at any Scottish train station or online, via the ScotRail website.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
Glasgow's second busiest airport is located in the town of Prestwick, approximately a 40-minute drive away from the city centre. The Stagecoach Western X77 Express Service runs to and from Glasgow Buchanan Street Station directly. There is also a late night and early morning service (X99). Prestwick Airport also has its own railway station.Taxi service, provided by Streamline Taxis, is also available just outside the terminal building and can be pre-booked.
Public Transport
Public transport services in Glasgow are provided by SPT and consist of a circular underground line with 15 stations and a range of train and bus routes. There are several ticket options including day passes for both the city and the surrounding areas.Subway tickets can be purchased at any underground station: a single ticket is at a fixed price and takes you to any station of the network. Bus tickets are available to purchase from the driver on board (have the exact change ready). Smartcards are a great way to save time and money and are a convenient solution for both commuters and visitors.
Taxi
The classic London cabs are available all over the city, and can be hailed in the street or ordered by phone. Glasgow Taxi Ltd is a well-established and the largest service provider in the area.
Post
Stamps are available from post offices and newsagents. Post offices are generally open between around 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and some are also open on Saturdays.Merchant City post office is only a few minutes from Buchanan Street, but there are other post offices in the centre in West Nile Street, Hope Street and Sauchiehall Street, among others.
Pharmacy
Boots has a wide network of pharmacies in Glasgow with multiple locations in well-frequented places such as Buchanan Street and Central Station, where stores are open every day of the week.
Telephone
Country code: +44Area code: 141
Electricity
The standard voltage in Scotland is 230 volts. Plug type G is in use.