A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Glasgow for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Canberra or Glasgow?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Canberra or Glasgow? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a cultural, historic, and high energy city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Glasgow?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Glasgow is more popular for its nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Canberra is known for its food and hiking. Glasgow is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also home to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Glasgow and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Glasgow?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Glasgow.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Many visitors head to Glasgow specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Glasgow? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Canberra has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Glasgow is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is terrific for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Glasgow. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Glasgow. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Glasgow?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Canberra and Glasgow.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to go shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Families?

Canberra is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Canberra. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Glasgow make for a good place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Glasgow are very good destinations for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Glasgow is very popular with students. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Is Canberra or Glasgow Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Glasgow is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Glasgow has some very good public transit options. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Canberra or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Glasgow is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Glasgow is a very walkable city. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and Glasgow. In our opinion, Glasgow has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Glasgow than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Canberra than Glasgow. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Canberra, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Glasgow than Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Glasgow that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Glasgow.

One day in Canberra or Glasgow?

In Canberra, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Glasgow offers museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Glasgow?

In Canberra, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Canberra has to offer.

Glasgow is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Glasgow, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Glasgow?

Canberra is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glasgow is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Glasgow is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Glasgow, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. And not only is Canberra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and Glasgow is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Canberra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Canberra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow than you might in Canberra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Glasgow Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Glasgow, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Canberra or Glasgow?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Glasgow has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or Glasgow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Glasgow. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Canberra is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Glasgow averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Glasgowin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Canberra or Glasgow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Glasgow. Many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In April, Canberra is generally much warmer than Glasgowin October. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than Glasgowin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Glasgow in the Winter?

Both Glasgow and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. Canberra is much warmer than Glasgow in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than Glasgowin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Canberra or Glasgow in the Spring?

Both Glasgow and Canberra during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

In the spring, Canberra is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Glasgow averages at about 7°C (45°F)in April.

Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Glasgowin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Canberra