How does the Subway work in Glasgow?
My partner and I found using the Glasgow Subway a breeze, even as first-timers in the city. With its straightforward route and quick rides, we highly recommend using it to explore everything Glasgow has to offer. On the first day of our Scotland road trip, we were staying in Pacific Quay and started our morning by visiting the iconic University of Glasgow Cloisters (yes, we’re Outlander fans!) before heading straight into the city centre. Since we’d already paid for parking at our hotel, taking the subway saved us the trouble of finding and paying for additional parking elsewhere.
Another reason to ride the subway is its rich history—it’s been operating since 1896, making it the third-oldest underground rail system in the world. My partner, a true train enthusiast, insisted I include this detail!
The Route
The best thing about the Glasgow Subway is how straightforward it is. There’s just one circular line with 15 stations around the city. The trains run in two directions: clockwise (outer circle) and anti-clockwise (inner circle). All you need to remember is the difference between the inner and outer circles, and you’ll have no trouble getting where you need to go.
If you accidentally hop on the train going in the wrong direction, no worries—just stay put, and it’ll eventually bring you to your stop. The full loop only takes 24 minutes, so you’re never too far from where you want to be.
How to Pay for Tickets
As tourists, you will need to purchase physical tickets, as the Subway Smartcard is reserved for residents only. Luckily, buying tickets is super easy—you can pay with cash, card, or contactless. Just head to one of the ticket machines at the station entrance and choose from:
Single Journey Ticket: £1.80
Return Ticket: £3.40
Day Pass: £4.30
The day pass is a great deal if you’re planning to hop on and off throughout the day. We ended up taking the subway three times because of the rain and kicked ourselves for not getting the day pass—it would’ve saved us money.
Remember to keep your ticket handy when entering and exiting the station barriers.
The Glasgow Subway Timetable
Trains start running at 06:30, with the last train leaving at 23:16, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the schedule is a bit more limited, with services running from 10:00 to 17:50.
When to avoid the Glasgow Subway
Like any city, Glasgow has its rush hours. The subway cars aren’t huge, so while we had no trouble on a Sunday, I can imagine they get pretty packed during weekday mornings (before 09:30) and evenings (16:00 – 19:00). The platforms might be crowded during these times too, so if you’re after a more comfortable ride, aim for off-peak hours.
Finding Subway Stations
As you wander through Glasgow spotting a Subway station is easy – just keep an eye out for the iconic bright orange circles marking the subway stations (nicknamed “clockwork orange”).
The best app to navigate the Glasgow Subway
There’s no need to download another app—Google Maps has you covered. It provides accurate navigation, showing you the nearest subway station along with real-time train schedules. It even accounts for the inner and outer circles, so you’ll always be on the right track.
Feature Image courtesy of Unsplash
