Even though Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city, it’s relatively compact to explore in a few days. The red hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing Glasgow bus promises to show you the city’s highlights – but is it worth boarding the bus for a tour of Glasgow?
This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here. All opinions are my own.
Many first-time visitors to Scotland want to see Edinburgh, the Scottish Isles and the Highlands – but Glasgow doesn’t always make it onto their itineraries…
In my opinion (and experience) that’s a big mistake – Glasgow is a brilliant place to visit. That’s why it’s a stop on my Best of Scotland itinerary.
The people (Glaswegians) here are friendly, approachable and interested in why tourists might visit their town. Many museums and attractions are free of charge and frequented by locals and visitors alike. The city centre and West End are fairly compact and conveniently connected by the world’s third-oldest subway. The food scene is divine, with restaurants offering mouth-watering food from around the world – and, of course, top-notch Scottish classics too.
There is a lot to do and see in Glasgow, but even if you only have a day in your itinerary, it’s worth exploring the city for a while. The City Sightseeing bus might just be the solution to your time problem… but is the touristy hop-on-hop-off bus really worth it?
Whenever friends and family are visiting us in Glasgow, we suggest taking them on the City Sightseeing Bus – especially if it is their first time in the city.
The Glasgow City Sightseeing Bus Route
The Glasgow City Sightseeing Bus bus has two routes to choose from: the Red Route and the Yellow Route.
The Red Route
The Red Route has 21 stops and takes you around the most popular sights of Glasgow in about 1.5 hours. Each spot offers you the chance to hop off and explore nearby attractions, like the Riverside Museum (designed by Zaha Hadid) by the River Clyde, the main campus of the University of Glasgow or the famous Barras market in the East End of the city.
The bus departs from George Square in the city centre and takes you towards the East End first. You come by the Royal Infirmary Hospital and Glasgow Cathedral with the option to walk up the Victorian Necropolis cemetery for amazing views. From here, the bus continues east to the Barras, People’s Palace and Glasgow Green.
The tour then loops through the Merchant City which boasts interesting architecture, endless shopping and countless bars and restaurants. The buildings in this part of Glasgow were built by wealthy merchants, many of whom made their fortunes in connection with the Transatlantic slave trade.
Want to read more about Scotland and its role in the Transatlantic slave trade? You can read more about Scotland’s slave trade history here and here. I also highly recommend this video about street names in Glasgow. Glasgow Museums also have an interesting resource about the legacies of slavery in their collections.
The bus continues through the city centre’s financial and hotel district and makes its way along the Clyde. Sights here include the “squinty” Finnieston Bridge, the historic Finnieston Crane and the modern concert venues, Hydro and Armadillo.
The next stops are at Clydeside Distillery and the Riverside Museum from where it is just a short walk across the river to the Glasgow Science Centre and Glasgow Tower.
The final leg of the tour, takes you to Glasgow’s popular West End, past the University of Glasgow, through Kelvingrove Park and along the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.
The Yellow Route
The Yellow Route features 19 stops. Initially, it follows the same route as the red route: the bus departs from George Square and stops at Glasgow Cathedral and the Barras. From here it continues deeper into the East End of Glasgow and swings by Celtic Football Stadium and multiple stops at Glasgow Green.
The bus then crosses the River Clyde and meanders through the Southside. Stops include the Gorbals, Tramway with its Hidden Garden and the entrance to Pollok Country Park. Get off here for a stroll through the park to see the city’s very own Highland cow herd.
The next stops are Bellahouston Park (for House for an Art Lover) and Ibrox Football Stadium before the bus passes the Glasgow Science Centre and the Finnieston Bridge on its way back to the City Centre.
Good to know about Glasgow’s City Sightseeing Bus
Tickets for the City Sightseeing Bus in Glasgow cost £18 (Red) or £15 (Yellow) for one route, or £25 for both routes. For a few pounds more, you can extend your ticket to be valid for 2 days.
During the summer months, the Red Route busses run every 12 minutes from 9 am to 6.30 pm. The Yellow Route busses run every 30 minutes from 10 am to 4 pm.
Both routes take around 1.5 hours if you don’t get off the bus.
To learn more about the city, plug into the provided audio commentary. Some busses on the Red Route even feature live commentary from an English-speaking tour guide. For other languages, choose from the recorded options. Note, that the Yellow Route is only available in English and does not have live guides.
In my opinion, the Glasgow City Sightseeing Bus will give you an excellent overview of the city. You’ll see some of its most significant sights and attractions, learn more about the city, and save your energy for museum visits and walks in the parks.
The Red Route provides a great introduction to classic Glasgow, especially if it’s your first time in the city and/or you only have one day. The Yellow Route takes you off the beaten path – great if you have a second day to explore.
Of course, there is a lot more to see and do in Glasgow, but for a first impression and overview of Glasgow the City Sightseeing bus tour is a great option!
Book your Hop on Hop off Glasgow tickets here!
Have you ever done a City Sightseeing tour in Glasgow or another city? What did you think – was it worth the time and money?
Pin this for later:
Featured Image, Route Map Image & Pin Image via City Sightseeing Glasgow
Pingback: Things to do in Glasgow: Visiting Glasgow Cathedral
Pingback: 50 Useful Travel Tips for Glasgow | Watch Me See
Pingback: The Classic Scotland Itinerary for One Week
Thanks for the detailed review! Awesome pictures too! I’ve been to Edinburgh but not to Glasgow (yet!). I think these kind of tours are a great option if you’re short of time. Otherwise, I prefer to walk and explore on my own.
Absolutely – either that, or when you just quickly want to get a first overview before you head out on your own. The other thing I really liked was that the guide told some stories you just wouldn’t find in a guidebook and he also gave my friends an idea of what Glaswegian humour is like 🙂 You should come here and see Glasgow too, either way!!