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

Should you visit Glasgow or Killarney?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Killarney, 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 historic, high energy, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Killarney

Killarney is a local, natural, and peaceful town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Glasgow and Killarney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Killarney?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Killarney, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Glasgow is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Killarney is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Killarney is more touristy than Glasgow and is popular for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. Also, Glasgow is famous for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Glasgow different from Killarney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Glasgow is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Killarney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Killarney offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

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

Both Glasgow and Killarney offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Killarney offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is terrific for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for Music?

Glasgow is terrific for live music. However, Killarney is not a live music destination.

Glasgow is a world class music destination. 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.

Killarney is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Killarney does not have a historic old town.

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

Killarney does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for Hiking?

Killarney is great for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Killarney for the hiking trails. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Killarney?

Glasgow is a city with good options for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Glasgow is a great destination for 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.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for Families?

Killarney 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 Killarney. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

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 Glasgow or Killarney Better for Couples?

Killarney is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Killarney is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. 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 Glasgow or Killarney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Killarney are notable places to visit.

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.

Killarney is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

Is Glasgow or Killarney Better for Students?

Glasgow is well known for students. However, Killarney is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Killarney is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow is well known for its public transit. However, Killarney is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Glasgow or Killarney a more walkable city?

Glasgow is well known for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Killarney is not a very walkable city. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

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

Should I spend more time in Killarney or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Killarney?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Glasgow than Killarney. 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 Killarney 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 Glasgow or Killarney?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Glasgow. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Killarney, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Killarney?

You'll find live music and food around the friendly destination of Glasgow. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Killarney, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Killarney has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Killarney?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Glasgow. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Killarney is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Killarney?

Glasgow is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Killarney. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Killarney. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Glasgow and Killarney, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Killarney?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Killarney, 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 Glasgow or Killarney?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Glasgow or Killarney in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Killarney. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Killarney for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Killarney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Killarney averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Glasgow often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 140 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Killarney. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Killarney in the Autumn?

Both Killarney and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Killarney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Glasgow is generally cooler than Killarney. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Killarney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Killarney during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Killarney. It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In October, Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Killarney. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Killarney in the Winter?

Both Killarney and Glasgow during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Killarney for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Glasgow can get quite cold in the winter. Glasgow is much colder than Killarney in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Killarney fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Killarney. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 44 hours of full sun.

Killarney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Killarney. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Killarney in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Killarney. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Killarney because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Glasgow is cooler than Killarney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Killarney averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Killarney during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Killarney. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Killarney and Glasgow