Tips for a Weekend in Scotland’s Two Largest Cities
Are you looking to plan your next adventure in Scotland? In the fall I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend in Scotland’s two largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Each city has it’s own unique identity that make them worth visiting.
I always recommend Scotland to my friends who haven’t traveled internationally as a great first country to visit. Here are some of my tips on traveling between the two cities.
Why should You Visit Edinburgh and Glasgow?
The real question is why shouldn’t you visit the two great cities?
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and offers both the old and new city views and experiences. It is home to the Scottish Government including its Parliament. The city is also known to be the inspiration for many authors such as Sir Walter Scott, JM Barrie and JK Rowling.
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third largest in the United Kingdom. Since it is one of the larger cities, it’s known for its sports teams as well as for its incredible food scene. Glasgow is also right on the edge of the natural wonders that Scotland has to offer.
How do I get to the city center from the airport?
Luckily the public transportation system in Scotland is very efficient.
If you are flying into Edinburgh, you can catch the Edinburgh Airlink Bus that is available outside of the terminal. The bus drops off at multiple stops within the city. Be sure to know ahead of time what stop you need.
If you are flying into Glasgow, you can catch the Glasgow Airport Express bus. The bus picks up directly from the airport terminal and drops off in City Centre near Central Station and near Queen Street Station.
Both bus services operate 24 hours a day and tickets can be purchased with the driver and/or via their respective mobile apps.
Edinburgh Bus Ticket Information
Glasgow Bus Ticket Information
How easy is it to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow?
Very easy! There is a train line that connects between the two cities that operates every day. Information on the train line can be found here. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time via the mobile app.
Shan’s tip: The train line offers several express trains throughout the day be cognizant of this when you’re scheduling your trip. There’s nothing worse than being on a normal train that makes all scheduled stops when you are trying to catch a flight, trust me!
Final Thoughts
Traveling to Scotland can be very simple, and I hope I’ve made it easier with a few things you should know before you travel to Scotland. If you are looking for recommendations on what to see/do/eat in Edinburgh click here and click here to learn about my travel tips for Glasgow.
Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!
