Car rental Glasgow
Planning to visit Glasgow? Then you’ve come to the right place for your car hire guide. Car rental services give you the flexibility to move about at your convenience. You don’t have to worry about waiting for cabs or trying to catch public transport. This article provides you with infallible insights on car hire services and how to find your way around the city.
Glasgow Guide
The history of Glasgow dates back before 550 CE. However, it was not until the 12th century that the city began to experience rapid growth. It is strategically located on both banks of River Clyde about 32 km (20 miles) from its firth at the Atlantic. As a port city and manufacturing centre, Glasgow has survived major economic shakeups especially after World War I. Today, the city remains home to heavy manufacturing and engineering firms in the mechanical and aerospace industries.
In addition, Glasgow stands out as a centre for academic excellence with three universities and several colleges. These institutions of higher learning are pivotal in driving research and innovation which support the industries in the city. With a population of 611,748 people as of 2019, the city prides itself as a centre for European culture. Here, you will enjoy the Scottish Ballet and a wide variety of musical performances. Also, if you are a football fan, get ready for some action.
The closest major city to Glasgow is Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. It is only 67.3 km (41.8 miles) away, which allows you to drive to the city in under an hour. A visit to this hilly city won’t disappoint you. You get a chance to explore the ancient town and the elegant modern parts of the city. A visit to Edinburgh Castle will give a breathtaking view of the city. It will also give you the opportunity to learn a thing or two about Scotland’s crown jewels.
Downstream River Clyde lies another port town – Dumbarton, which you might be interested to explore. It will take you about 24 minutes to drive the 24.1 km (14.97 miles) long stretch on the Great Western Road. A visit to the town is not complete without a tour to Dumbarton Castle. Sitting on the famous Dumbarton rock, this ancient fortress holds the longest record among other strongholds in Scotland. Here you will go down the memory lane and learn about some important events that befell the stronghold such as the Vikings’ siege of 870 AD.
Explore with your rental car
Once you have found a place to stay, it’s time to take advantage of your rental car and explore the city. The good news is that there are lots of places to visit. You will be spoilt for choices! You can start off your day with a breakfast treat at the Willow Tea Rooms, 97 Buchanan Street, within the city. Here, you can sample delicious Scottish cuisines before heading out of the city.
The Glasgow Science Centre is one place that will blow your mind. Located at 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA, the centre is only 3.21 km (2 miles) from the willows Tea Rooms. It should take you about 12 minutes to drive there. This is a great place for families to visit as it is packed with treats for everyone. Another awesome destination is the Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium. This facility is home to over 1000 sea creatures such as sharks and various fish species.
It should take you about 30 minutes to drive to the centre via the Great Western Road. This is a distance of 30.42 km (18.9 miles). Other notable places you can visit include the famous “High Kirk of Glasgow” which is the Glasgow Cathedral, Glengoyne Distillery and SV Glenlee also known as The Long Ship just to mention a few.
Airports
The two airports that serve Glasgow city are Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Glasgow Airport. Both are international airports connecting the city to popular destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Antalya. Some of the airlines that serve these airports include British Airlines, Blue Air, Air Canada, Lufthansa and KLM.
Getting a rental car at Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick airports is a breeze. There are lots of companies that operate 24/7 and with the help of the internet, you can get a car in minutes. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a compact, family carrier or a premium car. You’ll surely get a vehicle that suits your needs.
You can get the services of both local and international car rental companies. The big names operating in these airports include Avis, Alamo, Devere Global, Sixt and Hertz just to mentions a few. There are also local car hire firms that offer quality services such as Celtic Legend, Clarksons and Aberdeen.
Traffic
Glasgow has a great network of trunk roads which connect the city with other towns. Generally, the roads are well serviced and you should except fairly smooth rides. As you drive around Glasgow, it is important to tune in to live traffic and travel news channels. These help you to know whether there are any incidents on the road. This way you can choose a different route.
The speed limits on highways, urban roads and single carriageways are 113 km/h (70 mph), 48 km/h (20-30 mph) and 97 km/h (60 mph) respectively. It is also important to note the rush hour times in the city. These are usually between 7:30 – 9:30 am and 3:30 and 6:30 pm on weekdays. Weekends are usually less busy.