Train Travel in Glasgow

Glasgow has two main rail stations: Central and Queen Street. Central is the arrival and departure point for trains from London's Euston station (five hours), which come via Crewe and Carlisle in England, as well as via Edinburgh from King's Cross. It also serves other cities in the northwest of England and towns and ports in the southwest of Scotland: Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Ardrossan (for the island of Arran), Gourock (for Dunoon), Wemyss Bay (for the Isle of Bute), and Stranraer (for Ireland). The Queen Street station has frequent connections to Edinburgh (50 minutes) and onward by the east-coast route to Aberdeen or south via Edinburgh to Newcastle, York, and London's King's Cross. Other services from Queen Street go to Stirling, Perth, and Dundee; northward to Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick, and Thurso; along the Clyde to Dumbarton and Balloch (for Loch Lomond); and on the scenic West Highland line to Oban, Fort William, and Mallaig. Oban and Mallaig have island ferry connections. For details contact National Rail.

A regular bus service links the Queen Street and Central stations. Both are close to stations on the Glasgow underground. At Queen Street go to Buchanan Street, and at Central go to St. Enoch. City taxis are available at both stations.

The Glasgow area has an extensive network of suburban railway services. Locals still call them the Blue Trains, even though most are now painted maroon and cream. Look for signs to low level trains" at the Queen Street and Central stations. For more information and a free map, call Strathclyde Passenger Transport Travel Centre or the National Rail Enquiry Line. Details are also available from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board.

Information

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board (11 George Sq., near Queen Street station, City Center. 0141/204-4400. www.seeglasgow.com). National Rail (0870/748-4950. www.nationalrail.co.uk). Strathclyde Passenger Transport Travel Centre (St. Enoch Sq., City Center. 0870/608-2608. www.spt.co.uk).