World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Glasgow  - Getting Around
Getting Around

Public Transport
Strathclyde Passenger Transport provides independent travel information and advice for all public transport in Glasgow and the surrounding region. Information and tickets can be obtained from the Travel Centre, St Enoch Square (tel: (0141) 332 7133; fax: (0141) 221 1699), open Monday to Saturday 0830-1730. These services are also available at Buchanan Bus Station (tel: (0141) 332 7133); fax: (0141) 353 2310), open from Monday to 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. There are connections to overland rail services at Queen Street station via Buchanan Street underground, and to commuter rail services at Partick station. The suburban commuter rail network is the largest in the UK outside of London. These services are complemented by an extensive bus network, which is provided by a number of competing operators.

The Discovery Ticket pass offers unlimited underground travel for one day for £2.50, while the Roundabout Ticket (£3.50) allows unlimited travel by train and underground for one day.

Taxis
Taxis are widely available and black hackney cabs can be hailed on the street. They are fairly expensive at £1 per kilometre (£1.50 per mile). All are licensed and have meters fitted. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory.

Limousines
Limousines can be hired from Silver Line Cars, 21 Woodhead Avenue, Kirkintilloch (tel: (0141) 775 1111; fax: (0141) 775 1666; website: www.silverlinecars.sco.fm). Rates are £35 per hour. People carriers (which include facilities for the disabled) can be hired from Qwest, 146 Corsebar Road, Paisley (tel:(0141) 884 8285; fax: 0141580 1566; e-mail: myfarrclan_qwest@compuserve.com; website: www.myfarrclanqwest.co.uk).

Driving in the City
Glasgow city centre is fairly compact, and most hotels centrally located so a car is not necessary for getting around. If driving, however, general conditions, parking and access should be good. The rush hours of 0700-0915 and 1600-1815 are best avoided. There is a 24-hour car park at Concert Square (manned constantly), and the prices are £0.10 per ten minutes for the first three hours, and £0.05 per ten minutes thereafter. For theatre goers, two ticket machines within the car park offer £1 tickets after 1800 which can be bought before going to the theatre, and last all evening.

Car Hire
In addition to a number of local car hire operators, the following are represented in Glasgow: Avis (tel: (0141) 221 2827), Budget (tel: (0141) 243 2047), Europcar (tel: (0141) 248 8788), Hertz (tel: (0141) 248 7736), National (tel: (0141) 204 1051) and Sixt (tel: (0141) 248 6685 or 6690). Expect to pay around £40 a day from the major car hire companies, local companies often offer cheaper deals.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles may be hired from West End Cycles, 16 Chancellor Street, Partick (tel: (0141) 357 1344). The charge is £12 for 24 hours or £50 for one week.



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GENERAL
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GETTING THERE
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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
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Tours of the City
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ENTERTAINMENT
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