A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Outer Hebrides vs. Glasgow for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Glasgow. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a natural, tranquil, and serene archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

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 live music, food, and shopping.

Outer Hebrides and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Outer Hebrides, 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 Outer Hebrides is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Glasgow is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is 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. Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Outer Hebrides 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.

Outer Hebrides has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

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 Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Outer Hebrides is not a live music destination.

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.

Outer Hebrides is not a live music destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is great for the beach. However, Glasgow is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Outer Hebrides. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Outer Hebrides 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Outer Hebrides draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

Glasgow is a good destination for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Glasgow. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Glasgow are notable family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Glasgow. 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 Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Couples?

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

Outer Hebrides is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

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 Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides and Glasgow are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow Better for Students?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

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

Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow 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. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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 generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Glasgow. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Glasgow. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

Families should spend more time in Glasgow than Outer Hebrides. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow than Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Glasgow, you'll find nightlife and live music. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

Outer Hebrides is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Outer Hebrides has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Outer Hebrides or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Outer Hebrides. In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Glasgow. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

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

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

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Glasgow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Glasgow. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Outer Hebrides is generally cooler than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 13°C (55°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Glasgow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Glasgow. Most visitors come to Outer Hebrides for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Outer Hebrides is around the same temperature as Glasgow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Outer Hebrides usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Glasgow in the Winter?

Both Glasgow and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. The weather in Outer Hebrides can be very cold. In the winter, Outer Hebrides is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Outer Hebrides in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Glasgow averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. It's quite rainy in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Glasgow in the Spring?

Both Glasgow and Outer Hebrides during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Glasgow for the activities around the city.

In April, Outer Hebrides is generally cooler than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 7°C (44°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Outer Hebrides