Overview
The Glasgow Subway is an underground light metro system and one of the world's oldest, having opened on 14 December 1896—making it the third-oldest underground metro system in the world after London's Metropolitan Railway (1863) and Budapest's Metro (also 1896). It is a small, distinctive system: a single circular double-track loop approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometres) long that runs both north and south of the River Clyde. The system operates with two circular lines—the Outer Circle and Inner Circle—which use the same route but run in opposite directions (clockwise and anticlockwise) in separate tunnels. As a visitor, you board at any of the 15 stations, tap or insert your payment method, and travel around the loop for as long as you need, exiting at your destination station. The Subway is owned and operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and carries millions of passengers annually.
The network
The Glasgow Subway consists of a single circular route with 15 stations. The two lines are described as follows:
- Outer Circle – trains running clockwise around the loop
- Inner Circle – trains running anticlockwise around the loop
Both lines serve all 15 stations on the same underground route. The full circle extends from the city centre north to areas such as Kelvinbridge and Hillhead, and south across the River Clyde to Govan, Ibrox, Kinning Park and other districts. The system operates entirely underground, with the exception of the maintenance depot at Broomloan Road (between Govan and Ibrox stations), which is above ground.
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday 06:30–23:40; Sunday 10:00–18:12.
Other public transport in Glasgow: While the Subway serves the city centre and inner ring, Glasgow also has suburban rail services, buses, and ferries that provide broader connections. The North Clyde Line and Argyle Line are underground suburban railway lines that run in tunnels through the city centre. ScotRail operates frequent train services from Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations to destinations across Scotland and beyond. Extensive bus networks, including First Glasgow and other operators, serve the wider city and surrounding areas. Ferry services operate from Gourock (to Dunoon), Wemyss Bay (to Bute), and Ardrossan (to Arran).
Tickets & fares
Payment methods
Contactless payment: You can use a Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to pay as you go. You must use the same card or device for both entry and exit. All-day and 7-day capped travel options are available.
SPT Smartcard: An anonymous smartcard costs £5 to purchase at any station. A personalised card also costs £5 and can be ordered online. You can load pay-as-you-go credit onto the card at stations or online. You may also use a ScotRail smartcard or National Entitlement Card on the Subway. Child smartcards are available for under-16s with proof of age. Children under 5 travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Paper tickets: Single, return, and all-day tickets are available for purchase on the day of travel from station ticket offices or vending machines. Both cash and card are accepted at these points.
Fares and passes
Adult, child, and concession fares are available across all ticket types. Concession fares (for passengers aged 60 and over, or disabled passengers with a valid National Entitlement Card) apply after 09:00 on weekdays only; the full adult fare applies before 09:00. Twenty-eight-day season tickets are available for regular users. Specific current fares change regularly; for the most up-to-date prices, check the SPT website directly.
Parking
Bicycle parking is available at Bridge Street, Kelvinbridge, and Shields Road stations. Season tickets are available for regular users. Parking is open during Subway operating hours; overnight parking is available only at Shields Road.
From the airport
Glasgow Airport (GLA), located 8 miles west of the city centre near Paisley, has no direct railway station. However, several convenient public-transport options connect the airport to the city centre:
- Glasgow Airport Express (bus): This direct service takes 15 minutes from the terminal to Buchanan Bus Station via Dundas Street (for Queen Street railway station). It runs every 10–15 minutes from 08:00 to 23:00, and hourly through the night. A single adult ticket costs £10; an open return (valid for 28 days) costs £16 and can be paid in cash (with change given) or by card—slightly cheaper if booked online. Single tickets include an onward transfer to any other First Glasgow bus in the city centre.
- First Glasgow Bus 77: This slower but potentially more convenient option takes approximately one hour via Renfrew, Braehead, Govan (serving QE Hospital), Partick and Kelvingrove to Buchanan Bus Station. It runs every 30 minutes from 05:20 to 21:00. A Dayrider single ticket costs £5.40. This route may be more convenient if you are heading to the West End. Note that the airport is in the "Local" zone, so you need a zone that covers both the airport and the city centre.
- McGill's Bus 757: This service runs every 30 minutes to Paisley Gilmour Street railway station, taking about 15 minutes. From there, very frequent trains connect to Glasgow Central and onward destinations (including Gourock for the Dunoon ferry, Wemyss Bay for the Bute ferry, Ardrossan for the Arran ferry, and Ayr). Northbound, Bus 757 also continues from the airport to Inchinnan, Erskine and Clydebank.
- Ember electric buses E5 and E16: These services offer the airport as a request stop. The E5 runs between Fort William and Glasgow, and the E16 between Oban and Glasgow; both take around 25 minutes to reach Buchanan Bus Station. A single fare is £4.35 (as of May 2026). Tickets must be pre-booked online.
- Taxi: A taxi to the city centre takes approximately 20 minutes and cost around £40 in 2023.
Etiquette & customs
While specific etiquette guidance for the Glasgow Subway is limited in available sources, you should follow standard public-transport courtesy: queue politely for entry and exit, keep right on escalators where possible, and be respectful of priority seating reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and pregnant passengers. The Subway is a shared space used by commuters and tourists alike, so speak quietly, avoid blocking doorways or aisles, and follow staff instructions. Eating and drinking is generally discouraged on public transport; check for any posted restrictions at your station. During rush hours, expect crowded conditions and be mindful of space for other passengers.
Official links
Keep a small amount of cash in case a card reader is temporarily unavailable, or use contactless payment with your phone if you prefer not to carry a card.