This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Glasgow.
Glasgow is located on the banks of the River Clyde in the central west region of Scotland. It's the largest city in Scotland, and third largest in the UK with a population of 600,000. As you would expect, there are a lots of Glasgow hostels, so you shouldn't have a problem booking a bed or room.
Glasgow is steeped in history and was one of the main cities involved in the Industrial Revolution. A large part of the city still has a working class vibe to it, but the city centre is very metropolitan with an excellent choice of shops with all the leading fashion brands. Most of these shops can be found on Buchanan street.
The West End of Glasgow is a very affluent area. There are several excellent museums located in this part of Glasgow such as the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Built in 1901, this museum contains a large mixture of ancient and modern artifacts and exhibitions. The Botanic Gardens contain thousands of species of exotic plants from around the globe. Also located in the area is the University of Glasgow which is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the U.K. It also has its own museum and visitor centre. All of these attractions are free and within walking distance of each other.
When arriving in town, the main bus station, Buchanan Station is located quite far from most of the Glasgow hostels. Therefore, it is often necessary to get a taxi or connecting bus from there to your hostel, especially when carrying luggage. Some of these hostels are located in the city centre area, while others are found in the West End. They offer both dorm and private rooms. Many also offer special deals with tour operators.
There is no shortage of restaurants in Glasgow and many of them have very affordable prices. There is a large selection of ethnic restaurants in the city, in particular Indian restaurants. There is also an endless choice of bars and nightclubs in the city centre, especially on Sauchiehall and Bath street. In the West End, Byres Road and Ashton Lane have plenty of bars and restaurants which are very popular with students.
Public transport in the city is very efficient and inexpensive with regular bus services to the airport and all around the Greater Glasgow area. There is also a subway line which circles the city, so you shouldn't have a problem getting from your hostel to all the attractions.
Written by local enthusiast for Glasgow hostels
Shannon Neuber
