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

Should you visit Glasgow or Denver?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Denver, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a friendly, cultural, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Denver

Denver is a accessible, sprawling, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Glasgow and Denver: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Glasgow or Denver?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow. Although Glasgow and Denver are roughly the same size, Glasgow has more sights and attractions for tourists. Glasgow is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Denver is known for its skiing and hiking. Glasgow is more touristy than Denver and is popular 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. Denver is popular for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

How is Glasgow different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Skiing?

Glasgow
Denver

Denver is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Glasgow is not a skiing destination.

Head to Denver for some great skiing and other winter activities. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Glasgow is not a skiing destination.


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

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

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

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Glasgow. 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.

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Glasgow is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.


Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Music?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is renowned for its live music scene. However, Denver is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Denver is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Denver does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Glasgow to see the old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Denver does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Hiking?

Glasgow
Denver

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

Denver has hiking trails worth exploring. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Denver?

Glasgow
Denver

If you're looking to go shopping, Glasgow and Denver both offer plenty of good spots.

Glasgow has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Denver is a great destination for shopping. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Families?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow and Denver are both good destinations for the whole family.

Glasgow offers lots of family activities. 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.

Denver is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Couples?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow and Denver are both good to visit as a couple.

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.

Denver is a nice destination for couples. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.


Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Glasgow or Denver Better for Students?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a well-known place for students. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Plenty of students visit Denver. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

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

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.


Is Glasgow or Denver a more walkable city?

Glasgow
Denver

Glasgow is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Denver or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Denver?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow than Denver 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.


  • How many days in Glasgow or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Glasgow 2-3 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Glasgow or Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Glasgow. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Glasgow or Denver?

Glasgow is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Denver, you'll find skiing and nightlife. 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 Denver has to offer.


Five days in Glasgow or Denver?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Denver 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.

A week in Glasgow or Denver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy destination of Glasgow. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denver or Glasgow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is $181, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Glasgow and Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Glasgow $93
    Denver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Glasgow $186
    Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Denver

Looking for a hotel in Glasgow or Denver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Glasgow


Hotels in Denver


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Denver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Glasgow $34
    Denver $101

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow

Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Easy Bus Transfer Between Airport and City Center: $13
  • Glasgow hotels to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Arrivals Airport Transfer to City Accommodations: $55
  • Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow (GLA) Airport: $64
  • Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow Airport to City centre: $65
  • Private Transfer from Glasgow City Hotels to Greenock Cruise Port: $85
  • Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Business Car: $93
  • Departure Private Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Business Car: $98
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $104
  • Private Airport Transfer from and to Glasgow : $120
  • Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Luxury Car: $139
  • Glasgow Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Luxury Van: $145

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Denver Airport Transfer To/From Aspen for 6-14 Sprinter Van: $1,950
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Snowmass/Aspen - Arrival Private Transfer: $295
  • Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by SUV: $290
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $284
  • Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $254
  • Private One Way Transfer From and To Denver Colorado: $200
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer: $194
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
  • Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Intl. Airport to Downtown: $173
  • Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car: $161
  • Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury SUV: $136
  • Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Glasgow or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver and Glasgow change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Glasgow $56
    Denver $42
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:


  • Dessert at Farmer's Market
    $2.26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146

Typical Food Prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.

  • RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
  • Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Glasgow $28
    Denver $52
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)
    $15
  • Two Bike Rental
    $43

Tours and Activities in Glasgow

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.31
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Glasgow Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Uncover Historic In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Discover Glasgow's Imperial Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • City Center Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm: $15
  • Private Historical Walking Tour: $16
  • Street Art Guided Walking Tour: $18

Tours and Activities in Denver

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:

  • Shared Golden's History Wagon Ride Tour in Colorado: $65
  • Small-Group Cocktail Tour in Denver: $99
  • 1.5 Hour RiNo Art District Walking Tour: $28
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
  • 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $28
  • Beginner Rock Climbing Tour: $200
  • Best of Denver Tour: $64
  • Best of Denver Tour: $30
  • Bike and Booze Tour of RiNo & Downtown: $76
  • Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver: $139
  • Cheesman Park Ghost Tour: $28
  • Colorado Gold Rush Mountain and Mine Half-Day Tour from Denver: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Glasgow $19
    Denver $5.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $15
  • Ciders at Kilted Skirlie
    $4.39

Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:

  • Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
  • Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
  • Secrets & Summer Serves at Glengoyne Distillery: $25
  • Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $44
  • Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
  • Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
  • Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $75
  • The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $125
  • Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $187
  • Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $188
  • Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $459

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Glasgow and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Glasgow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Glasgow is in Europe and Denver is in North America, 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 Glasgow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Glasgow 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Glasgow.

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


Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Denver?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Denver, 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.