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

Should you visit Glasgow or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Phoenix, 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 high energy, friendly, 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Glasgow than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Glasgow, Glasgow has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Glasgow is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Glasgow is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also well known for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Glasgow different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Glasgow is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Both Glasgow and Phoenix offer a number of nice 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Glasgow is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Glasgow has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

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

Glasgow has an old town worth visiting. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

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

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Phoenix?

If you're looking to go shopping, Glasgow and Phoenix both offer plenty of nice 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Families?

Glasgow and Phoenix are both nice 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Phoenix are both nice 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix Better for Students?

Glasgow is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Glasgow or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Phoenix. In our opinion, Glasgow has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Glasgow than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Glasgow than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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

In Phoenix, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Glasgow or Phoenix?

In Glasgow, you'll find museums 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 Glasgow has to offer.

In Phoenix, 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 Phoenix has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Phoenix?

Glasgow 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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Glasgow and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Glasgow or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Glasgow is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Glasgow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Glasgow is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Glasgow can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Glasgow is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the activities around the city during these months.

Glasgow is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Glasgow