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

Should you visit Glasgow or Portland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Portland, 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 cultural, historic, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Portland

Portland is a nature-filled, scenic, and laid-back city. 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Glasgow and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Portland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Glasgow. Although Glasgow and Portland are about the same size, Glasgow has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Glasgow is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Portland is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Portland is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. 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 Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Glasgow is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

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

Glasgow is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is very popular for nightlife. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Glasgow is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Music?

Glasgow is very popular for live music. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its live music scene.

Glasgow is known as a music capital 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.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Portland. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for its Old Town?

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

Glasgow is a good destination for visiting its old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Portland does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Portland for the hiking trails. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Portland?

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

Portland is a great destination for shopping. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Families?

Glasgow and Portland are both notable 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.

Portland is a family-friendly place to visit. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Portland are both notable 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.

Portland is a nice destination for couples. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Portland. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

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.

Is Glasgow or Portland Better for Students?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

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

Glasgow is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Glasgow can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Glasgow or Portland a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Portland are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Portland is very walkable. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Portland?

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

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

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.

In Portland, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Portland?

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.

In Portland, you'll find nightlife and live music. 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 Portland has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Portland?

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.

Portland 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 Portland?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portland. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Glasgow and Portland, 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. Even though Glasgow is in Europe and Portland is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Portland?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Portland, 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 Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Portland. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is cooler than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Portland. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Portland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Portland. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Glasgow is generally cooler than Portland. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Portland. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Portland in the Winter?

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

Portland can be very cold during winter. Glasgow can get quite cold in the winter. Glasgow is cooler than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Portland during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Portland. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Portland in the Spring?

Both Portland and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Glasgow is cooler than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Portland. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Portland. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland and Glasgow