Is Glasgow expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Glasgow is one of the better-value big cities in the UK: cheaper than London and usually cheaper than Edinburgh, especially for hotels and drinks. A budget day is about £70 per person and a mid-range day about £140. Most of the money goes on accommodation, now with a 5% visitor levy, and on food and drink; most of the big museums are free.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | £35 | £70 | £140 |
| Food & drink | £25 | £45 | £85 |
| Sights & tickets | £5 | £15 | £40 |
| Local transport | £5 | £8 | £25 |
| Per person, per day | £70 | £138 | £290 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Glasgow day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Flat white | about £3.20–4 |
| Pint of beer in a pub | about £5–6.50 |
| Subway single | about £1.95 |
| Subway all-day ticket | about £4.50 |
| Kelvingrove, Riverside Museum, Burrell Collection | free |
| Afternoon tea at Mackintosh at the Willow | about £30 |
| Mid-range dinner for two in the Merchant City | £60–90 with drinks |
| 3★ double room | roughly £90–160 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, especially on concert and football weekends and during Celtic Connections; since 26 January 2026 Glasgow adds a 5% visitor levy to overnight stays. Food and drink take the next slice, with mains around £15–25 in the Merchant City and £18–30 at well-known West End restaurants. Sights cost little because Glasgow's major museums, including Kelvingrove, the Riverside Museum and the Burrell Collection, are free. Day trips to Loch Lomond and the Highlands are the main extra.
When it is cheaper
January–March and November (outside Celtic Connections and Christmas markets) are usually the cheapest months for hotels, often 20–30% below summer weekend rates.
How to spend less
- Plan days around the free museums: Kelvingrove, the Riverside Museum, the Burrell Collection, GoMA and the Hunterian.
- Buy a Subway all-day ticket for about £4.50 if you will make three or more trips.
- Eat a two-course lunch special in the West End or Merchant City rather than dinner à la carte.
- Use trains to Loch Lomond (Balloch) instead of paying for a coach tour.
- Stay on weekdays; Friday and Saturday hotel prices are much higher.
- Look for free gigs and open-mic nights in pubs.
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Common questions
Is Glasgow cheaper than Edinburgh?
Usually yes, especially for hotels, food and drinks. Both are worth visiting; they are 50 minutes apart by train.
How much does a day in Glasgow cost?
About £70 per person on a budget, about £140 mid-range and about £290 for comfort.
What is the Glasgow visitor levy?
Since 26 January 2026, Glasgow adds 5% to the price of overnight accommodation. Check whether your booking already includes it.