World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Strathclyde Passenger Transport (tel: (0870) 608 2608, for the Traveline information hotline; website: www.spt.co.uk) is the region’s passenger transport authority and manages the underground. Information and tickets can also be obtained in person from the Travel Centre, St Enoch Square (Monday-Saturday 0830-1730) and at Buchanan bus station (Monday-Saturday 0630-2230 and Sunday 0700-2230). There are also Travel Centres at domestic arrivals at Glasgow Airport and Hillhead underground station.

Glasgow is served by a 15-station underground system known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’, which runs in a six-mile loop through the city centre and the West End, every four-eight minutes, Monday-Saturday 0630-2320 and Sunday 1100-1750. There are connections to overland rail services at Queen Street station via Buchanan Street underground and to commuter rail services at Partick station. Underground tickets cost 0.90 and are available for purchase from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the station.

The suburban commuter rail network, run by Scotrail (tel: (0845) 755 0033; website: www.scotrail.co.uk) on behalf of the SPT (see above), is the largest in Britain outside of London. Services run between 0630 and 2400, although different services vary, with later starts at the weekend. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (08457) 484 950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides 24-hour information on timetables and fares. Fares start at 0.85 within the city centre and are available for purchase from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the stations.

These services are complemented by an extensive bus network, which is provided by a number of competing operators. Services run roughly between 0600 and 2300 Monday-Friday, with a slightly later start at the weekend. However, some specific routes continue through the night. Fares start at 0.57 and rise to 1.07 for most journeys. Tickets are available for purchase (exact change only) from the driver.

The Discovery Ticket pass offers unlimited underground travel for one day for 1.70 (not valid before 0930 Monday-Saturday), while the Roundabout Ticket costing 3.50 allows for unlimited travel by train and underground for one day (not valid before 0900 Monday-Friday). The Daytripper Ticket costs 8 for one adult plus two children (14 for larger families) and is valid for the underground, rail, most buses and some ferries. Passes are available at Travel Centres and larger rail stations.

Taxis
Taxis are widely available and black hackney cabs can be hailed on the street. They are fairly expensive, with a 1.80 initial charge, followed by 2.40 for the first mile and 1.20 per mile thereafter. All are licensed and have meters fitted. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. The largest operator is Glasgow Wide TOA Ltd (tel: (0141) 429 2900; website: www.gwtoa.co.uk).

Limousines
Hollywood Limousines, 23 Commerce Street (tel: (0141) 429 4555/6; website: www.hollywoodlimousines.co.uk), offers chauffeur driven Hollywood Super Stretch limousines with complimentary champagne, refreshments and in-car entertainment. Prices start at 125 for a one-hour tour; hire for a day (eight hours) costs approximately 525.

Driving in the City
Glasgow’s city centre is fairly compact and most hotels are centrally located, so a car is not necessary for getting around. Nevertheless, general driving conditions, parking and access generally is good. The rush hours of 0700-0930 and 1600-1830 are best avoided.

There is a 24-hour car park at Concert Square, which is constantly manned. Parking prices are 0.10 per ten minutes for the first three hours and 0.10 per every five minutes thereafter. Parking overnight and all day on Sunday costs 1. For theatregoers, two ticket machines within the car park offer 1 tickets after 1800, which can be bought before going to the theatre. These are valid all evening.

Car Hire
The minimum age for hiring a car is 25 years – drivers aged 23-24 years might be able to hire a car, although an extra charge applies. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are accepted. The hire price includes Legal Liability, Third Party and Public Liability, which is required by law.

In addition to a number of local car hire operators, Avis, 70 Lancefield Street (tel: (0141) 221 2827; website: www.avis.co.uk), Budget, Glasgow Airport (tel: (0141) 243 2047; website: www.budget.co.uk), Europcar, 38 Anderston Quay (tel: (0141) 248 8788; website: www.europcar.co.uk), Hertz, 138 Hydepark Street (tel: (0141) 248 7736; website: www.hertz.co.uk), National/Alamo, 76 Lancefield Quay, Strathclyde (tel: (0141) 204 1051; website: www.nationalcar.com), and Sixt Rent-a- car/Kenning, 1530 London Road, Parkhead (tel: (0141) 556 7471; website: www.e-sixt.com), are also represented in Glasgow.

Those hiring a car should expect to pay around 30-40 per day from the major car hire companies – local companies often offer cheaper deals.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are available for hire from West End Cycles, 16-18 Chancellor Street, Partick (tel: (0141) 357 1344). Hire rates are 12 for 24 hours, 25 for the weekend or 50 for one week.

There are plans to extend Greater Glasgow’s 100km (62-mile) cycling network to 375km (233 miles); it is linked to the 1600km (994-mile) National Cycle Network, which includes a path from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. Further information is available from the Cycling Development Project (tel: (0141) 287 9000; website: www.scottishcycling.org) and the Cyclists Touring Club (tel: (0870) 873 0060; website: www.ctc.org.uk), which has information on local cycling clubs. Sustrans (tel: (0131) 624 7660 or (01179) 290888; website: www.sustrans.org.uk) provides a list of free cycling publications and information on the National Cycle Network on its website.