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5 Best Bus Tours in Glasgow

6 Best Bus Tours in Glasgow

  • Tour Services – We interviewed people who went on these bus tours to help us rate the quality of each company’s service and the types of tours they offer.
  • Expertise – We looked at their years of experience and any commendations they’ve received.
  • Prices – We also checked out bus tours that have varying prices so that you can choose which ones can accommodate your budget.
  • Value-Added Services – Lastly, we evaluated the additional services they offer in each tour, which can contribute to the convenience of their customers.

Break free from your mundane routine by going on a bus tour! Check out our list of the best bus tours in Glasgow and experience the thrill of watching the world go by at an average speed of 15 miles per hour. 

Whether you’re a local looking to rediscover your city or a visitor eager to uncover its wonders, these tours promise an unforgettable journey that’ll leave you with cherished memories.

1. City Sightseeing Glasgow

City Sightseeing Glasgow's Homepage

Tour Services: Glasgow Tour, Music Tour, Private Tour, Isle of Bute Tour, Mull, Staffa & Iona

Website: https://citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk/

Address: George Square, Glasgow G2 1BA, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 141 204 0444

Google reviews score4.4/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.6/5
Tour Services4.5/5
→Quality4/5
→Range of Services5/5
Expertise5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)5/5
Value-Added Services5/5

Pros

  • Recorded commentary in seven different languages
  • Live commentary from tour guides
  • Offers a Glasgow tour with 21 key stops
  • Also offers a music tour and a private tour
  • Discounted ticket options available for large groups
  • Also offers discounts for students and concessions

Cons

  • No toilets onboard
  • Reports of late arrivals

City Sightseeing Glasgow offers a bus tour experience that showcases the best of this vibrant Scottish city. 

First off, we appreciate that they offer a choice of recorded commentary in seven different languages via audio channels at every seat. 

They even offer live commentaries from tour guides who add a personal touch to the experience – there’s nothing like local insight to spice things up!

The Glasgow tour itself covers 21 key stops across Glasgow. This allows visitors to explore popular landmarks such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, and the vibrant shopping district. 

The option for private tours makes it convenient for large groups, special events, and school trips, providing a tailored experience for different occasions.

We were also pleased with the discounted ticket options for larger groups. Groups of 10 or more receive a £1 discount per person, making it an attractive choice for families, friends, or organised tours. 

Furthermore, students and concessions also enjoy a £1 discount off the standard adult price, making the tours more accessible to a wider range of visitors.

Unfortunately, there are apparently no toilets onboard, so we’ll have to shave off points for convenience and comfort.

We also heard reports of late arrivals from their previous customers.

2. Timberbush Tours Glasgow

Timberbush Tours Glasgow's Homepage

Tour Services: Private Hire Tours; Glenfinnan, Mallaig, & Glencoe Adventure; Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands; Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, & Stirling; Isle of Skye, the Highlands, & Loch Ness Tour, Loch Ness, Inverness, & the Highlands

Website: https://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/our-tours/from-glasgow

Address: 19 Killermont St, Glasgow G2 3NX, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 131 226 6066

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:30AM–6PM

Google reviews score4.4/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.6/5
Tour Services5/5
→Quality5/5
→Range of Services5/5
Expertise5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4/5
Value-Added Services4/5

Pros

  • 25 years of experience
  • Received recognitions
  • Explores Scotland’s attractions and historical sites
  • Implements eco-friendly practices 

Cons

  • Minimum passenger requirement of 6
  • Children under 4 years old cannot be accommodated

Established by husband-and-wife team June and Gary Voy 25 years ago, Timberbush Tours is one of Scotland’s longest-running and highly regarded tour operators today. 

The company even has a 5-star Visit Scotland accreditation and has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2011.

With a wide range of 1-, 2-, and 3-day tours, we appreciate their variety of options available to explore Scotland’s attractions and historical sites. These include Loch Ness, Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Inverness, and the Highlands to name a few.

Customers praised the modern, air-conditioned vehicles offered by Timberbush Tours. Ranging in size from 10 to 53 seats, these vehicles cater to groups of all sizes, giving them comfort and convenience throughout the journey. 

The eco-friendly practices employed by Timberbush Tours resonated with us, particularly their commitment to fuel efficiency.

One downside is their minimum passenger requirement of 6 for a tour to operate. This could pose a challenge for individuals or small groups looking to join a specific tour on their preferred dates. 

Additionally, children under 4 years old cannot be accommodated on these tours, which may limit family participation.

3.  Glenton Holidays

Glenton Holidays' Homepage

Tour Services: City Tours, Group Tours, Private Tours, Coach Holiday Company, Coach Tours, Day Trips, Door to Door Service, European Tours, Ferry Travel, Group Travel, Guided Tour, Luxury Travel, River Cruises, Sightseeing Tour, Sightseeing Trips

Website: https://www.glentonholidays.com/

Address: Glenton Holidays, 30 Gordon St, Glasgow G1 3PU, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 800 024 2424

Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 9AM–5PM

Google reviews score4.3/5
Tripadvisor reviews score3/5
Score consistency3.8/5
Total Reviews3.7/5
Tour Services4/5
→Quality3/5
→Range of Services5/5
Expertise5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4/5
Value-Added Services5/5

Pros

  • Over 15 years of experience
  • Door to door service
  • Offers gift vouchers
  • 25% discount applies to children under 14
  • Wide selection of coach trips across the UK
  • Offers European breaks

Cons

  • Closed on Sundays
  • Reports of disorganised bookings

Glenton Holidays, with over fifteen years of experience, offers a range of bus tours and European breaks. 

We’re impressed with their convenient door to door service, which is now included as standard on all select holidays. Customers we interviewed appreciated the convenience of starting their holiday right from their own front door.

They also offer gift vouchers in different denominations, allowing flexibility when purchasing holiday experiences. 

Additionally, families with children under the age of fourteen loved their 25% discount, making Glenton Holidays an attractive option for family travel.

We love their wide selection of coach trips across the UK. Customers highlighted the opportunity to explore sights within the country that rival those abroad, allowing them to embrace British culture, history, and vibrant cities.

The company’s range of European breaks was also a big draw. They cater to diverse preferences, whether guests sought the vibrant streets of Spain, the lively cities of the Netherlands and Sweden, or a serene getaway by the seaside in Tenerife.

While the overall feedback was positive, we do have a couple of concerns. First, Glenton Holidays is closed on Sundays, which could potentially limit communication or assistance on those days. 

We also heard occasional reports of disorganised bookings, where some unlucky customers experienced issues with their reservations. We agree that this could be quite frustrating for some.

4.  Red Bus Bistro

Red Bus Bistro's Homepage

Tour Services: Bus Hire, City Tours, Guided Tour, Private Hire, Sightseeing Tour, Evening Dining Experiences, Afternoon Tea Tour 

Website: http://www.kksnaps.co.uk/

Address: 40B High St, Glasgow G1 1NL, United Kingdom

Contact Details: http://www.kksnaps.co.uk/contactform

Operating Hours: Tue-Sat: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM

Google reviews score4.8/5
Facebook reviews score5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.9/5
Tour Services4/5
→Quality3/5
→Range of Services5/5
Expertise4/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4/5
Value-Added Services5/5

Pros

  • Known for their Glasgow Afternoon Tea with Fizz Tour
  • Also famous for their Inverclyde Sunset, Sea, and Soiree Dining Tour
  • Offers refreshments and entertainment
  • Featured by notable media outlets

Cons

  • Comparatively pricey
  • Booking mix-ups
  • Children under 9 not allowed

Red Bus Bistro, a family-owned outfit, offers unique and captivating bus tour experiences for travellers to enjoy. 

They’re known for their Glasgow Afternoon Tea with Fizz Tour, which offers an afternoon aboard a vintage red sightseeing bus with delicious afternoon tea and a glass of fizz.

Another highlight is the Inverclyde Sunset, Sea, and Soiree Dining Tour. We love the idea of having a welcoming glass of fizz and mouth-watering canapés offered on board the bus. 

Red Bus Bistro has been featured in notable media outlets such as the Evening Times, BBC Radio, and Scotsman Food and Drink. This positive exposure speaks to the quality and appeal of their services.

On the downside, Red Bus Bistro can be considered a bit pricey, with prices ranging from £42 to £69 per person. However, many of the customers we spoke to felt that the unique experiences and quality of service justified the cost.

A few reports of booking mix-ups were also mentioned by some customers, causing inconvenience and confusion. Red Bus Bistro should address these issues to ensure a smoother booking process and improve customer satisfaction.

Lastly, do note that children below 9 years old are not allowed, which means families with younger kids sadly can’t participate in the activity.

5. Rabbie’s Tours

Rabbie's Tours' Homepage

Tour Services: Group Tours, Private Tours, Boat Cruise, Coach Tour, Conference Services, Day Tours From London, Day Trip, England Tour, Europe Tour, Ireland Tour, Outlander Tours, Round Trip, Spain Tours, Student Tours, Tour Travel, Whisky Tours

Website: https://www.rabbies.com/en

Address: Buchanan Street Bus Station, Killermont St, Glasgow G2 3NW, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 131 226 3133

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:30AM–10PM

Google reviews score4.8/5
Tripadvisor reviews score5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.9/5
Tour Services5/5
→Quality5/5
→Range of Services5/5
Expertise5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)3/5
Value-Added Services5/5

Pros

  • Wide range of tour options
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Iconic TV and movie locations
  • Scotland’s most fascinating sights
  • Commitment to sustainability
  • Accommodates special mobility requirements

Cons

  • Comparatively pricey
  • Does not accept children under 5

Rabbie’s Tours offers a range of Scottish bus tours catering to various travel preferences, whether you’re embarking on a day tour of Inverness or indulging in a 17-day Scottish island adventure.

The day tours provided by Rabbie’s Tours were highly praised by customers we surveyed. They were able to explore Scotland’s most fascinating sights, such as Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Rosslyn Chapel, the Scottish Borders, and St. Andrews.

We think film and TV enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to visit iconic locations featured in famous productions. Rabbie’s Tours’ scenery could transport customers to the realms of Hogwarts, the Highlands with 007, or the world of Claire Randall.

Rabbie’s Tours offers a money-back guarantee. This commitment to customer satisfaction was appreciated and provided peace of mind.

We also love the company’s commitment to sustainability, such as carbon offsetting, preservation of footpaths, and supporting local pitstops. 

Additionally, Rabbie’s Tours provides student discounts and concessions, making their tours more accessible and appealing to a wider range of travellers.

Rabbie’s Tours welcomes customers with special requirements and encourages prior notice for wheelchair accessibility or the need for accessible rooms.

On the downside, some customers mentioned that Rabbie’s Tours can be comparatively pricey. While the quality of the experience was appreciated, the cost was a consideration for budget-conscious travellers.

It’s also important to note that Rabbie’s Tours has a policy of not accepting children under the age of five. 

6. Raz Hire

Tour Services: Airport Transfers, Long Distance Travel, Business Travel

Website: https://razhire.co.uk/

Address: Contact for more information

Contact Details:

T:  +44 141 212 0850

E:  [email protected]

Operating Hours: Contact for more information

Google reviews score4.9/5
Tripadvisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency4.7/5
Total Reviews4.5/5
Tour ServicesN/A
→QualityN/A
→Range of ServicesN/A
Expertise5/5
Prices (A higher score means better value)4.5/5
Value-Added Services5/5

Pros

  • Versatile Services
  • Airport Transfers
  • Long-Distance Travel
  • Licensed Drivers and Safety Measures
  • Competitive Pricing

Cons

  • Limited information on tours

Raz Hire offers a range of services, including airport transfers, long-distance travel, and business travel.

We think this versatility allows them to cater to various transportation needs, making them a convenient choice for individuals and businesses alike.

Raz Hire specializes in airport transfers in Glasgow and Edinburgh, covering major UK airports. The company’s commitment to monitoring all flights ensures that drivers arrive on time, providing a reliable and punctual service for travelers.

In addition to airport transfers, Raz Hire provides long-distance car services for day trips or business travel across the UK.

The focus on comfort and stress-free travel, along with skilled drivers, contributes to a positive experience for passengers.

We like that Raz Hire emphasizes the safety of its clients by employing fully licensed drivers who have undergone a DBS check. This commitment to safety ensures that clients can trust the drivers and have peace of mind during their journeys.

Raz Hire offers competitive rates for its high-quality services, which we think gives them an edge.

The transparency in pricing, with fixed rates and no hidden fees, provides customers with clarity and helps in building trust.

There’s limited information about tours specifically. It might be best to get in touch with them for this.

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