Getting Around Glasgow During the Commonwealth Games 2026
One of the best things about Glasgow 2026 is that every single venue is within an eight-mile stretch of the city. You’re not trekking out to some purpose-built park in the middle of nowhere. The SEC, Emirates Arena, Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre are all well-connected parts of Glasgow that locals use every day. The transport links are already there. You just need to know which ones to use.
One thing to be upfront about: unlike the 2014 Games, your event ticket does not include free public transport. You’ll need to sort your own travel. The good news is Glasgow’s a compact city with decent options, and none of the venues are hard to reach.
Train (ScotRail)
The train is your best bet for getting around quickly, especially if you’re coming from outside the city or staying somewhere on the rail network. ScotRail have confirmed they’ll be running extra services on key routes during the Games (23 July to 2 August), with additional staff at stations to help folk who aren’t familiar with the network.
Glasgow has two main stations. Glasgow Central handles services to the south and west, including Exhibition Centre station for the SEC. Queen Street covers routes to the north and east. They’re about a five-minute walk from each other in the city centre.
Worth knowing: Glasgow Central’s high-level platforms only fully reopened on 25 March 2026 after a fire in a nearby Union Street building forced the longest closure in the station’s 147-year history. All 15 platforms are back in service, but the Gordon Street and Union Street entrances remain closed due to an exclusion zone around the fire-damaged building. Use the Argyle Street, Hope Street or Jamaica Street entrances instead.
ScotRail recommends booking tickets in advance where possible. Queues at ticket machines will be longer than usual during the Games, and you don’t want to miss your event because you were stuck in a queue at Central.
Key stations for each venue
- SEC / OVO Hydro: Exhibition Centre station (4-minute walk across the bridge to the main concourse)
- Emirates Arena: Dalmarnock station (closest), or Bridgeton station then a 15-minute walk
- Scotstoun Stadium: Scotstounhill or Jordanhill station, both a short walk
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre: Carmyle or Shettleston station
Subway (SPT)
Glasgow’s subway is a simple circular loop. 15 stations, two directions (inner and outer circle), and you genuinely cannot get lost on it. If you end up going the wrong way, just stay on and you’ll come back round. Runs every few minutes during peak times.
A single ticket is £1.85 (or £1.80 with a smartcard). An all-day ticket is £4.45 (or £3.40 on smartcard). If you’re doing more than two trips in a day, the day ticket pays for itself.
The subway is particularly useful for:
- SEC / OVO Hydro: Cessnock station is the nearest subway stop, about a 10-15 minute walk along the Clydeside. Not as close as Exhibition Centre train station, but a solid option if you’re already on the subway.
- City centre access: Buchanan Street, St Enoch and Cowcaddens stations all drop you right in the middle of town for pubs, restaurants and hotels.
- West End: Hillhead and Kelvinbridge stations for Byres Road, Ashton Lane and the area around Kelvingrove. Handy if you’re staying that side of the city.
The subway doesn’t go near Emirates Arena, Scotstoun or Tollcross, so you’ll need a train or bus for those venues.
Bus (First Glasgow)
Buses cover every venue and most of the city. First Glasgow operates the majority of routes. An adult day ticket is £5.90, which gives you unlimited travel across the Glasgow network for the whole day. If you’re venue-hopping between events, this is probably the most cost-effective option.
Useful routes during the Games:
- SEC / OVO Hydro: Several services run along Argyle Street and the Clydeside Expressway past the SEC. Check First Bus route planners closer to the time for Games-specific services.
- Emirates Arena: Buses along London Road and the Gallowgate from the city centre.
- Scotstoun Stadium: Services along Dumbarton Road and Crow Road from the city centre and the West End.
- Tollcross: Buses along the Tollcross Road corridor from the city centre.
Buy your day ticket on the First Bus app before you travel. It saves messing about with contactless or cash on the bus, and the driver won’t need to issue a paper ticket.
Driving
You can drive, but think carefully about whether you actually need to. Glasgow has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covering the city centre, roughly bounded by the M8 to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south, and Saltmarket/High Street to the east. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the emission standards, you’ll be fined for entering the zone. It’s enforced 24/7, 365 days a year, by automatic number plate recognition cameras.
Here’s the good news for drivers: none of the four Games venues are inside the LEZ. The SEC sits on the edge of it along the Clydeside. Emirates Arena is in Dalmarnock, well to the east. Scotstoun is out west. Tollcross is in the east end. So you can drive to any venue without entering the zone. But if you’re heading into the city centre for food or drinks afterwards, check your vehicle’s compliance first at glasgow.gov.uk/LEZ.
Because the Commonwealth Games don’t include any road events (no marathon, no road cycling, no race walks), major road closures aren’t expected. That said, expect heavier traffic than usual around venue areas, especially around the SEC where parking is always tight. There’s limited parking at the SEC itself and it fills up fast during big events.
Honestly? Unless you’re coming from somewhere with poor public transport links, leave the car and use trains or buses. You’ll save yourself the parking headache.
Getting from Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport is about 8 miles west of the city centre in Paisley. There’s no direct train link (a long-running saga that Glaswegians have been moaning about for decades), so your options are:
- Glasgow Airport Express (Service 500): The official bus to the city centre, operated by First Glasgow. Runs 24 hours a day, every 10 minutes during peak times. Journey takes about 15 minutes without traffic. Drops you at Buchanan Bus Station with stops at George Square and St Vincent Street (near Central Station). A single ticket costs around £10-11. Buy on the First Bus app or pay contactless on the bus.
- Taxi: Expect to pay around £30-40 to the city centre, depending on time of day and traffic. There’s a rank outside the terminal. Pre-booked private transfers are available too if you want a fixed price.
- Service 77: A cheaper alternative to the Airport Express. It’s a regular First Bus service that takes a longer route through Paisley but costs standard bus fare. Slower, but fine if you’re not in a rush.
Be aware that M8 motorway works have been causing delays in 2026, so allow extra time if you’re catching a bus or taxi from the airport, especially during rush hour.
Cycling
All four venues sit on or near established cycle routes, and Glasgow’s been investing in its cycling infrastructure over the past few years. If the weather’s decent (no guarantees in a Glasgow July, mind), cycling between venues is genuinely feasible.
VOI e-bikes replaced the old nextbike/OVO Bikes scheme in November 2025. You can hire an e-bike through the VOI app. They’re docked at stations across the city. Pay-as-you-go is charged per minute. Handy for shorter trips between venues or from your hotel to an event.
If you’re bringing your own bike, most trains allow bikes outside peak hours (check ScotRail’s bike policy for specific services). There’s cycle parking at all major venues, though it’d be wise to bring a decent lock.
Park and Ride
As of late March 2026, no dedicated park and ride scheme has been announced for the Commonwealth Games. This might change as the Games get closer. The organisers have said they’ll publish detailed travel guidance for ticket holders nearer the time. If park and ride does get set up, we’ll update this page.
In the meantime, SPT operates park and ride facilities at several subway stations (Shields Road, Bridge Street, Kelvinbridge), and there are car parks at suburban train stations that could serve a similar purpose. Just get there early. They fill up.
Getting to Each Venue: Quick Reference
SEC and OVO Hydro (Opening Ceremony, Gymnastics, Netball, Boxing, 3×3 Basketball)
- Train: Exhibition Centre station, 4-minute walk
- Subway: Cessnock, 10-15 minute walk
- Bus: Services along Argyle Street and Finnieston Street
- Driving: Limited SEC parking, fills quickly. On the edge of the LEZ.
Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome (Track Cycling, Judo, Weightlifting)
- Train: Dalmarnock station, short walk. Bridgeton is an alternative.
- Subway: No nearby station
- Bus: Services along London Road from city centre
- Driving: Outside the LEZ. Parking available but expect it to be busy.
Scotstoun Stadium (Athletics, Para Athletics, Bowls)
- Train: Scotstounhill or Jordanhill station
- Subway: No nearby station (Partick is the closest but still a fair walk)
- Bus: Services along Dumbarton Road and Crow Road
- Driving: Outside the LEZ. Street parking in the area but arrive early.
Tollcross International Swimming Centre (Swimming, Para Swimming)
- Train: Carmyle or Shettleston station
- Subway: No nearby station
- Bus: Services along Tollcross Road from city centre
- Driving: Outside the LEZ. Residential area, so parking is limited.
Top Tips for Getting Around During the Games
- Book ScotRail tickets in advance, especially for evening events at the SEC. Exhibition Centre station will be rammed after big sessions.
- Get a day ticket. Whether it’s the subway (£4.45), First Bus (£5.90), or a ZoneCard covering multiple modes, a day pass will save you money and hassle if you’re attending more than one session.
- Avoid driving to the SEC. Parking is a nightmare there at the best of times. The train or bus is faster and less stressful.
- Allow extra time. Stations and bus stops near venues will be busier than usual. Give yourself at least 30 minutes more than you think you need.
- Download the apps. ScotRail, First Bus and VOI all have apps for live times, ticket purchasing and journey planning. Get them set up before you arrive.
- Use Glasgow Central’s open entrances. Remember that Gordon Street and Union Street entrances are still closed following the March 2026 fire. Use Hope Street, Argyle Street or Jamaica Street instead.
- Check for updates. Transport plans may change as the Games get closer. Keep an eye on glasgow2026.com and ScotRail’s Commonwealth Games page for the latest information.
Glasgow’s not a complicated city to get around. The venues are spread across the city but they’re all well-served by public transport. Sort your tickets in advance, leave the car if you can, and you’ll have no bother getting to and from events.
