Glasgow on a Budget – How to Eat, Stay, & Do It Cheaply (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Where to Stay | Free Things to Do | Cheap Eats | Tips | FAQs

Exploring a major city like Glasgow might seem like an expensive task, but it doesn’t have to be. The city has a bundle of cheap and free things to do, meaning you can still have an amazing time without emptying your bank account. 

As a Glaswegian, I know all the best ways to see my city on the cheap. I’ve shared all my top tips and bargain attractions below so you can experience the best things to do in Glasgow without splashing the cash!

Where to Stay in Glasgow on a Budget

Cheaper areas in Glasgow tend not to have many accommodation options, but thankfully, there are budget hotels throughout the city’s hotspots. 

Finding an affordable hotel is less about the neighbourhood and more about booking a budget hotel. The areas below offer some accommodation options and are generally more affordable, but you can also find bargains elsewhere.

For a list of even more places to stay, check out my full guide to where to stay in Glasgow.

Trongate

👉 Best Area For Thrifting | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Glasgow City – Riverside

Trongate is on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre, making it an easy walk from the two main train stations. There are plenty of restaurants around, and just to the east is the Barras Market. This retro market is open every Saturday and Sunday, featuring hundreds of stalls selling a wide range of items, from Scottish sweets to video cassettes, vintage clothing, and more. 

There are several affordable accommodation options in Trongate, but the area is popular so it’s best to book in advance. The Holiday Inn Express Glasgow City – Riverside is in a great location for exploring the city centre and guests have access to a free breakfast buffet, saving money on food.

Shawlands

👉 Best Area For Parks | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Number 10 Hotel

Shawlands is a trendy area in Glasgow’s south side, within walking distance of both Queen’s Park and Pollok Country Park. There are plenty of cool little independent shops here, including vintage shop Glad Rags, LGBTQ+ bookshop Category Is Books, and ice cream seller La Gelatessa. 

Number 10 Hotel is in a quiet spot next to Queen’s Park and a short walk from Crosshill train station, with frequent trains passing through to Glasgow city centre.

City Centre

👉 Best Area For Shopping and Nightlife | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: ibis Styles Glasgow Central

It might be surprising that Glasgow City Centre is one of the most affordable areas to stay, but there are far more options here and therefore far more budget options. The City Centre is the heart of Glasgow and the area with the best links to the rest of Scotland, with two main train stations at Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central. 

Ibis Styles Glasgow Central is a short walk from Anderson train station and not far from the trendy neighbourhood of Finnieston, where you can find the budget Mexican restaurant Rafa’s. In the other direction, wander over to the Gallery of Modern Art, which is free to visit.

Buchanan Street is a great spot for a window shopping spree, and you can book a spot on a free tour of the very grand Glasgow City Chambers. 

7 Free Things to Do in Glasgow

Glasgow Necropolis

Explore a landmark graveyard and enjoy incredible views over Glasgow.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 287 5064 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 4:30 pm Mon-Sun | Entrance: Free 

This might seem like an unusual choice, but the Glasgow Necropolis is one of the city’s top attractions, which is why I included it on my Glasgow itinerary.

This historic graveyard contains hundreds of striking monuments and commands an expansive view over eastern Glasgow. This makes for a beautiful walk for history buffs and book lovers, as the necropolis is a key location in the iconic Glaswegian novel Lanark. 

Pollok Country Park

Visit a flock of Highland cows in this sprawling urban park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 616 6410 | Website | Hours: 24/7 | Entrance: Free 

Pollok Country Park is an ideal spot for a tranquil stroll, with the bonus that you’ll likely see a fluffy cow or two. 

This green space in Glasgow’s south side contains the stately Pollok House and the Burrell Collection — also in this list. But the undisputed peak attraction of the park is the flock of Highland cows, which will sometimes allow themselves to be petted!

Glasgow Cathedral

See the tomb of Glasgow’s patron saint in this majestic cathedral.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 552 6891 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 1 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: Free 

Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in Scotland, and it’s completely free to enter. It was consecrated in 1197 and dedicated to St Mungo, whose tomb lies in the crypt next to the sparsely beautiful Blackadder Aisle.

The Burrell Collection

You can admire artwork by European masters in this substantial art and artefact collection.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 287 2550 | Website | 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Thu & Sat, 11 am – 5 pm Fri & Sun | Entrance: Free

Glasgow has an abundance of free museums, and the Burrell Collection is one of the finest on offer. 

There are over 9,000 historical objects and paintings in this purpose-built site in the heart of Pollok Country Park. Highlights include work by artists Degas and Cezanne, as well as Chinese pottery from the Ming Dynasty. 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Enjoy this incredible art collection in the heart of the West End, all for free.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 276 9599 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Thu & Sat, 11 am – 5 pm Fri & Sun | Entrance: Free 

You can spend all morning in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. There are 22 galleries in this incredible Victorian building with displays of animal specimens, ancient Egyptian relics, enormous portraits, and more. Plus, if you’re in the museum at 1 pm, you’ll be able to listen to an organ recital, free of charge. 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Take shelter from the cold in a tropical jungle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 276 1614 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5:45 pm Mon-Sun | Entrance: Free 

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a hive of activity in the West End. The gardens are open year-round, including the tranquil greenhouses, which offer welcome shelter on colder days. On sunny days, you can stretch out on the grass, and there are often drama performances or events held in the summer. 

The Hunterian Museum

This museum has an impressive exhibition of Roman ruins, plus a gruesome surgical collection.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0141 330 4221 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free 

The Hunterian collection is so massive that it is split across six venues, but the most impressive one is on the University of Glasgow campus. Here, you can see parts of the Roman Antonine Wall, which was built from coast to coast across Scotland to mark the northernmost point of the Roman Empire. 

Cheap Eats in Glasgow

Many places, including supermarkets, offer discounted lunch options or meal deals so you can refuel on a budget. There are also plenty of takeaway spots which offer affordable dinners or restaurants with 2 for 1 deals midweek. Plus, I’ve shared my list of great value restaurants in Glasgow below. 

Sugo Pasta

Pasta

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: £

Sugo Pasta has a straightforward concept – it does pasta, really well. There are ten regular pasta dishes and a few specials, plus some simple but delicious desserts. The pasta is fresh, flavourful, and doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. Sugo doesn’t take bookings, so make sure to come early on weekends or be prepared to wait. 

The University Cafe

Scottish & Italian

📍 Google Maps | Price Range: £

Fish and chips are a classic Scottish budget meal, and there’s no better place to order some than at the iconic University Cafe. This Art Deco cafe has been run by the same family since 1918 and serves up some heartwarming food. Look out for the Anthony Bourdain special. 

Ranjit’s Kitchen

Panjabi

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: £

Ranjit’s Kitchen is a fully vegetarian restaurant, but it’s worth a visit for meat eaters too. Every dish is packed with flavour and made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. The daal of the day is always an excellent shout, as is the sweet channa. Plus, everything on the menu is incredibly affordable. 

Rafa’s

Mexican

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: £

Rafa’s is a little bit hard to find if you don’t know the way, but exploring is half of the fun. Tucked away down Hidden Lane, this tiny Mexican restaurant offers some of the best tacos and burritos you can find in Glasgow.

5 Tips to Do Glasgow on a Budget

Don’t Rent a Car

Having a rental car in Glasgow is not only unnecessary, but it’s also an inconvenience. Glasgow is tricky to drive in, with many one-way streets and bus gates. Plus, parking is hard to find and expensive. Instead, save your money and take public transport. There’s a well-developed bus network, plus trains and a subway system.

Try a Pub Dinner

If you’d like a sit-down dinner, but don’t want to go overboard on the budget, why not try some pub grub? Many pubs in Glasgow offer food at a reasonable price in a more relaxed setting. These cheap and cheerful meals are a staple of Scottish food.

Bring a Student ID

Students are eligible for a lot of discounts in Scotland, including on attraction tickets and on some meal deals. This often applies whether you’re a student in Scotland or elsewhere, so make sure to bring your student ID, just in case. This is also true for senior citizens and disabled people. 

Dine at Bakeries

Bakeries are a great way to buy a hot meal on the cheap, and Glasgow has plenty of them. There are independent bakeries all across the city and the chain Greggs, which sells extremely affordable pastries. Bayne’s Bakery in Buchanan Bus Station is also a great option. 

Use a Debit or Credit Card Without International Fees

Before you travel to Scotland, check what fees your bank will charge when paying with your card abroad. These fees can add up, so it’s best to use a card without international fees when visiting Scotland. Also, it’s often cheaper to pay in GBP and use your bank’s conversion rate. 

FAQs

How much is a reasonable budget for visiting Glasgow?

You should set your budget based on what you plan to do in Glasgow. Dining out frequently will be more expensive than making your own meals, and a typical budget will differ whether you visit free attractions or paid shows. For someone planning on seeing free attractions, and eating lunch and dinner in restaurants, £130-150 a day is a reasonable range.

How expensive is accommodation in Glasgow?

Accommodation prices differ throughout the year and are more expensive around Christmas. Generally speaking, visitors should be able to find a budget hotel for around £80 a night.

What is the cheapest way to plan a visit to Glasgow? 

The biggest expense you’ll face in a trip to Glasgow is your accommodation, so it’s worth booking your hotel far in advance and travelling at a less busy time of year. Prioritise visiting Glasgow’s free attractions and travel by public transport – bus, train, or underground – as this is far cheaper than travelling by taxi.

***

With these recommendations, seeing Glasgow on a budget is a breeze. Leave me a comment with any further questions you have. Plus, if you’d like to branch out from the city, I’ve put together a list of the best day trips from Glasgow, many of which are quite affordable.