Glasgow Bus Guide 2026: Routes, Fares & Day Tickets

Quick answer: Most Glasgow bus journeys are run by First Glasgow, with McGill’s covering the south and west. A single fare on First Glasgow runs from about £2.45 up to £7.05 depending on distance, and an all-day FirstDay ticket is £6.30 for the City and Local zone or £8.30 for the wider Network. Pay by contactless and the fare caps automatically, so you never pay more than the day ticket price. Fares went up in January 2026, so always check the operator’s site for the live price.

Glasgow’s bus network is big and it mostly works, but the fares and zones take a minute to get your head around. Here’s how to get about the city without overpaying. Last updated June 2026.

Who runs the buses in Glasgow?

There’s no single ticket that covers every bus the way an Oyster card does in London. Two operators do most of the heavy lifting, and each sets its own prices.

• First Glasgow (First Bus) runs the bulk of the city routes, the cross-city services and most of what you’ll catch in the centre, east end and out to the suburbs. This is the one you’ll use most.
• McGill’s dominates the south side, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and a chunk of the west. If you’re heading towards Paisley, Greenock or the southern areas, you’re often on a McGill’s bus.

Their tickets do not cross over. A First day ticket won’t get you on a McGill’s bus and vice versa. If your regular route mixes both, that’s worth knowing before you buy a weekly pass. Smaller operators like JMB and Stuarts cover a few outlying routes too.

Glasgow bus fares and day ticket prices

Here are the headline prices for the two main operators. First Glasgow fares changed on 11 January 2026 and McGill’s on 5 January 2026, so treat these as a guide and check the live figure before you travel. Single fares depend on how far you’re going.

Prices change, so confirm the current fare at firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow or mcgillsbuses.co.uk. If you only need one or two trips a day, a single is cheaper. Three trips or more and the day ticket usually wins.

The First Bus zones, City, Local and Network

First Glasgow splits its area into two zones, and your ticket has to cover where you’re going.

• City Zone covers central Glasgow and the inner areas.
• Local Zone covers the outer suburbs and towns around the edge.
• Network is the dearer ticket that covers both zones, so you can roam the whole First Glasgow area on one fare.

A City/Local day ticket is fine for most everyday trips inside Glasgow. You only need the Network ticket if you’re crossing right out to the likes of East Kilbride, Hamilton or Motherwell. If you’re not sure which zone your journey sits in, the Fare Finder on the First Bus site spells it out, or the app prices it for you before you pay.

The First Bus app and contactless capping

This is the bit that saves you money, so don’t skip it. There are two easy ways to pay that both stop you overpaying.

Tap On, Tap Off contactless

Just tap your bank card or phone on the reader as you board (and tap off on some services). First Glasgow then caps what it charges you. You’ll never pay more than the day ticket price across one day, and there’s a weekly cap too that resets every Monday. So if you take three buses on a Tuesday, you get charged the day rate, not three separate fares. Use the same card every time or the capping won’t link your trips up. It’s the no-thinking option and it’s hard to beat.

The First Bus app

The app (mTicket) lets you buy singles, day, weekly and 4-week tickets in advance, store them on your phone and activate one as you board. Handy if you want a ticket ready before the bus turns up, or if you’re buying for a few days. App and contactless prices match the standard fares. Cash is still accepted on board but you’ll need the right change and it’s slower for everyone.

Free and discounted travel

Scotland’s national concessionary scheme is generous compared to the rest of the UK.

• Under 22s travel free on most buses in Scotland, First and McGill’s included, with a valid Young Persons National Entitlement Card (NEC). Worth applying for if you’ve a young person in the house.
• Over 60s and eligible disabled people travel free with an NEC bus pass.
• Apply for the NEC through mygov.scot or your local library.

Night buses

Glasgow has a proper night bus network again, run jointly by First and McGill’s. First Glasgow runs four routes on Friday and Saturday nights, leaving the city centre (most start near the Garage on Sauchiehall Street) into the early hours.

• N2 to Easterhouse via Glasgow Cross, Parkhead and Shettleston
• N18 to Greenhills via Bridgeton, Rutherglen and East Kilbride
• N240 to Cleland via Parkhead, Bellshill, Motherwell and Wishaw
• N267 to Hillhouse via the Gorbals, Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Hamilton

It’s a cheaper way home than a taxi after a night out, and the 6pm Plus evening ticket (£4.75 City/Local) covers unlimited travel from 6pm right through to the early hours. Check the live timetables on the First Bus night bus page before you rely on one, as routes and nights can change.

Bus or Subway, which is better?

It depends where you’re going. The Glasgow Subway is faster and you never sit in traffic, but it’s a single circular line round the city centre and west end only. If your trip is on the loop, say Buchanan Street to Hillhead, the Subway wins every time. For anywhere the Subway doesn’t reach, which is most of the city, the bus is your option. Buses also run far later and cover the whole region, while the Subway shuts relatively early. Plenty of folk use both, the Subway for the quick west-end hop and the bus for everything else.

If you’re working out the overall cost of getting about, the bus is a big line in any Glasgow budget. Our cost of living in Glasgow guide puts transport in context alongside rent and bills. Driving instead? Check the Low Emission Zone rules and where to find free parking first, and if you’re new in town the moving to Glasgow guide covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a bus day ticket in Glasgow?
A First Glasgow FirstDay ticket is £6.30 for the City and Local zone or £8.30 for the wider Network. McGill’s day saver is around £6.05 to £6.20. Prices changed in January 2026, so check the operator’s site for the current figure.

Can I use contactless on Glasgow buses?
Yes. Tap your card or phone on the reader when you board First Glasgow services and the fare caps automatically, so you never pay more than the day ticket price. Use the same card each time so the capping links your journeys.

Does one ticket cover First and McGill’s?
No. There’s no shared ticket across operators. A First day ticket only works on First buses and a McGill’s ticket only on McGill’s. If your route mixes both, factor that in before buying a weekly pass.

Is the bus free for young people in Glasgow?
Under 22s travel free on most buses across Scotland with a valid Young Persons National Entitlement Card. You apply for the card through mygov.scot or your local library.

Do Glasgow buses run at night?
Yes, on Friday and Saturday nights. First Glasgow runs four night routes (N2, N18, N240 and N267) from the city centre into the early hours, with McGill’s covering other areas.

What’s the cheapest way to get about by bus?
For a couple of trips, buy singles. For three or more in a day, pay by contactless and let the daily cap do the work, or buy a weekly ticket if you commute every day.

How do I know which First Bus zone I’m in?
Central Glasgow and the inner areas sit in the City Zone, the outer suburbs in the Local Zone, and a Network ticket covers both. Use the Fare Finder on the First Bus site or the app to check your exact journey.

Fares and routes change. Always confirm the current price with First Glasgow or McGill’s, and check live concessionary travel rules at mygov.scot.