Edinburgh vs Glasgow
An honest comparison. Which city suits your trip, and why many visitors do both.
This is one of the most common questions visitors ask about Scotland. The short answer: they are very different cities, and both are worth your time. Edinburgh is the capital, the historic one, the one you have seen in photographs. Glasgow is bigger, grittier, livelier, and full of surprises.
They are less than an hour apart by train. Many visitors do both, and it is easy to see why. If you only have time for one, this guide will help you decide. If you have time for both, even better.
We operate private chauffeur services from both cities into the Highlands, so we know both well. This is an honest, local take.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | Edinburgh | Glasgow |
|---|---|---|
| First impression | Dramatic. A castle on a rock, a medieval Old Town, a sweeping Georgian New Town. It looks like a film set. | Victorian architecture, wide streets, buzzing energy. Less polished, more alive. |
| Atmosphere | Refined, historic, walkable. Quieter outside Festival season. Compact centre you can cover on foot. | More urban, louder, friendlier. Glaswegians are famously warm. It feels more lived-in, more local. |
| Food and drink | Excellent restaurants, especially in Stockbridge and Leith. More tourist-focused dining on the Royal Mile. | Arguably the better food city. Finnieston is packed with quality restaurants. More independent places, fewer tourist traps. |
| Nightlife | Good pubs, decent bars, calmer overall. A quieter night out. | One of the best live music cities in the world. Barrowland Ballroom, King Tut's. More clubs, more edge. |
| Culture | Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Scottish National Gallery. Festivals dominate August. | Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Riverside Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, street art. Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture. |
| Shopping | Princes Street, George Street, independent shops on Victoria Street. | Buchanan Street, the Style Mile, Barras Market. Generally better for a proper shopping day. |
| Day trips | St Andrews (1h), the Borders, North Berwick, Stirling. | Loch Lomond (45min), the Trossachs, Ayrshire coast, Dumbarton Castle. |
| Getting to the Highlands | A9 north, about 3 hours to Inverness. Closer to St Andrews and the east coast. | A82 through Glencoe, about 3.5 hours to Fort William. Closer to Loch Lomond and the west. |
| Cost | Generally more expensive. Premium during August Festival season. | Generally cheaper for accommodation and eating out. Better value year-round. |
Which city for which visitor
First-time visitors
Edinburgh
It is the one everyone pictures, and rightly so. Easy to walk, full of history, and the skyline is unforgettable.
Foodies
Glasgow
More variety, more independent restaurants, better value. Finnieston and the west end are outstanding.
Music lovers
Glasgow
Not close. The live music scene is world-class. Barrowland Ballroom alone is worth the trip.
History and architecture
Both
Edinburgh for medieval and Georgian. Glasgow for Victorian and art nouveau. Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work is in Glasgow.
Families
Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat, the Castle, Dynamic Earth, the Zoo. Very walkable and manageable with children.
Couples
Either
Edinburgh is more romantic in the traditional sense. Glasgow has more energy and edge. Both have excellent restaurants.
As a base for the Highlands
Either
Edinburgh is closer to St Andrews and the east coast. Glasgow is closer to Loch Lomond, Glencoe and the west.
Doing both
The train between Edinburgh and Glasgow takes about 50 minutes and runs every 15 minutes. It is one of the easiest journeys in Scotland. No booking needed – just turn up and go.
If you have five or more days in Scotland, spending time in both cities is very doable. A common itinerary: 2 nights Edinburgh, 1 night Glasgow, then head north to the Highlands. Or use Glasgow as a stop on the way to Loch Lomond and Glencoe.
If you are flying into Edinburgh Airport, start there, then work west to Glasgow before heading north. It makes geographical sense and means you see both without backtracking.
Planning when to visit? Our guide to the best time to visit Scotland covers timing, weather and crowds. And our packing guide will help you prepare for whatever the weather throws at you.
FAQ
Is Edinburgh or Glasgow better?
Depends what you want. Edinburgh for history and scenery. Glasgow for food, music and a more local feel. They are very different cities, and both are worth visiting.
How far is Edinburgh from Glasgow?
About 45 miles. 50 minutes by train, just over an hour by car. Trains run every 15 minutes.
Is Glasgow safe for tourists?
Yes. Normal city precautions apply. Glasgow has shaken off its old reputation. The centre and west end are very welcoming.
Which city has better food?
Glasgow, by most local accounts. Finnieston and the west end in particular. Edinburgh is excellent too, especially Leith and Stockbridge.
Is Glasgow worth visiting for a day?
Yes. Kelvingrove, a walk around the west end, lunch on Finnieston, and the Riverside Museum make a full day.
Which city is better for families?
Edinburgh. More walkable, the Castle is a hit with kids, Arthur's Seat is a manageable climb, and there are more family-oriented attractions.
Can I visit both in one trip?
Easily. 50-minute train. Many visitors spend 2–3 days in one and a day trip to the other.
Which is better as a base for Highland tours?
Both work. We can collect from either. Edinburgh to Inverness is about 3 hours; Glasgow to Fort William about 3.5 hours.
Do I need a car to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow?
No. The train is frequent, fast and cheap. If you are heading to the Highlands afterwards, a car or chauffeur service is more useful for that leg.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Spring and early autumn are lovely and less crowded. August is Festival season – brilliant but busy and expensive. Glasgow is more consistent year-round.
Start your Highlands trip from either city
Private chauffeur from Edinburgh or Glasgow to the Highlands. Door-to-door, no car hire needed.