Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Glasgow: Route, Stops and Whether It Is Worth It
4 min read
For a first visit the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus is a sensible way to link Glasgow’s spread-out sights. It costs €23.90 per person and is rated 4.5/5 from 3,650 reviews.
The route
The booking page lists one red route with 24 stops. The loop takes 100 minutes. First stop is George Square, then Cathedral Square, Glasgow Green, Central Station, the Science Centre, the Scottish Events Campus, The Clydeside Distillery, the Riverside Museum, Byres Road, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and Blythswood Square. The ticket is for one or two days, and the page says it is a flexible ticket valid for 12 months.
Plan your hops by sight, not by number:
- Glasgow Cathedral: Cathedral Square. The Necropolis is a short walk from there.
- Kelvingrove and the University: Kelvingrove stop and Byres Road.
- Riverside Museum: its own stop.
- Whisky: the Clydeside Distillery stop. There is a whisky tour in Glasgow if you want a tasting.
The timetable is seasonal
The booking page lists four periods, from every 15 minutes in the high summer, with first bus 9am and last 5:30pm, to every 30 minutes from the end of September, with first bus 10am and last 4pm. So late in the year you have about six hours of buses and a 30-minute wait. A live guide is listed from April to September; otherwise you get audio in seven languages with headphones. The operator describes the buses as wheelchair accessible; confirm with them before you travel.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you are in Glasgow for a day or two, dislike steep walks and want the sights in order. No, if you stay in the centre: George Square, the Cathedral, Merchant City and the Necropolis are close enough for a walking tour, which gives you a guide and stories at walking pace; on the bus, a live guide is listed only from April to September.
The ticket buys the bus ride with the audio guide. Attraction tickets, food and drinks and hotel pickup appear in the same list on the booking page; ask the operator which of them are included before you count on any of them. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on board.
The alternative: the vintage bus with afternoon tea
The Vintage Bus Tour with Afternoon Tea or Gin costs €56.77 per person (4.4/5, 499 reviews). It is a classic double-decker with tea, sandwiches, scones, a glass of prosecco and optional gin. The booking page contradicts itself on the commentary: the description promises an onboard tour guide, while the list of inclusions says it is not a guided tour and staff point out some landmarks. Ask the operator which applies. There is no toilet on board (a 15-minute comfort stop is planned) and the page says it is not wheelchair accessible. Seat upgrades are sold separately.
See other things to do in Glasgow for more.
Most first-timers should buy the hop-on hop-off ticket and check the season’s timetable before booking.
