A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom London vs. Glasgow for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit London or Glasgow?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Glasgow can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Glasgow?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Glasgow. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow attracts visitors for its historical sights. London is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

Big Ben

How is London different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

London is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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.

Is London or Glasgow Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

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

London 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.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

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 London or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both London and Glasgow.

London is a must-see party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is London or Glasgow Better for Music?

London and Glasgow are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

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.

Is London or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is very good for its historic old town charm. However, London 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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Glasgow?

London is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

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.

Is London or Glasgow Better for Christmas?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Glasgow does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, London is a top place to visit during Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Glasgow does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Glasgow Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a must-visit destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Glasgow does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make London very popular during this season. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Glasgow does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Glasgow Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

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 London or Glasgow Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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 London or Glasgow Better for Students?

London is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

London is a great destination for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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.

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

London is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Public transit in Glasgow is fairly effecient and thorough. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is London or Glasgow a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or London?

How long in London or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Glasgow. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Glasgow. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

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

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

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

One day in London or Glasgow?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in London or Glasgow?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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.

Five days in London or Glasgow?

London is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that London has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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.

A week in London or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Glasgow, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Glasgow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Glasgow Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, London or Glasgow?

London has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London or Glasgow?

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 London or Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow and London 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 London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

London is a little warmer than Glasgow in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

London usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, London usually receives less rain than Glasgow. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit London or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Glasgow in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, London is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Glasgow averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, London often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. London usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Glasgow in the Winter?

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

Glasgow can be very cold during winter. London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally a little warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

London usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, London usually receives less rain than Glasgow. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit London or Glasgow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to London as well as Glasgow. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the activities around the city.

London is a little warmer than Glasgow in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, London often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and London