Edinburgh or Glasgow in October?

No reason why you can’t stay in one and take day trips to the other - there are frequent trains all day and the journey is under an hour each way. Perhaps see which city has more that interests you, stay there and day trip to the other. Both are great cities, but different atmospheres.

Edinburgh. It has a magnificent castle right in the middle of the city as well a sense of nature from the wonderful parkland around Arthur’s Seat. Some great museums too.

Glasgow is an excellent and interesting city and makes an excellent and easy day trip from Edinburgh. But Edinburgh is more traditionally picturesque.

I guess much might depend on the day trips you wanted to take. We did 3 days in each, before and after our Scotland tour this fall, and didn't lack for things to do. Although the number of day trip possibilities from Edinburgh are probably greater. And since they are so close together, you could see Glasgow as a day trip. Or 2 day trips.

Depending on if you love nature, history and castles, I’d recommend Edinburgh. Its location is great, amazing views, crazy good historic sites (castle), easy day trips to Stirling. It is nice in Glasgow, specifically in regards to museums but Edinburgh is more classic Scottish experience. Both are interesting but Edinburgh will suit you better in terms of what you’re looking for.

One week? Edinburgh over Glasgow.

Hi, DallasMom7,

I'm coming from a whole different perspective, but to quote the 1983 advertising campaign, that restored the city and gave it a pride that had been missing for years, "Glasgow's Miles Better".

That, and being named Europe's Capital of Culture in 1990, has brought Glasgow forefront as one of the most exciting, vibrant cities in Britain. Museums, almost all of which are free, world famous music venues, shopping, wonderful people, great restaurants, the magnificent 12th Century Glasgow Cathedral - what's not to love? And there's the World Pipe Band Championship, held every August on Glasgow Green.

I hope that you spend at least part of your holiday visiting Glasgow. You won't regret it!

All the best,

Mike (Auchterless)

Echoing those who’ve said it’s easy to visit and enjoy both.

In 2023 I spent 6 days/nights in Edinburgh, with two day trips. I had a wonderful time!
Trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-6-days-solo-in-edinburgh-in-late-june-2023-with-day-trips

In 2024 my sister and I spent 4 days/nights in Glasgow, with one day trip, and then 5 days/nights in Edinburgh, with another day trip. Another fantastic vacation!
Trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-glasgow-and-edinburgh-with-day-trips-and-lots-of-great-food

Stirling or Perth are just as easy from Glasgow as from Edinburgh, and for that matter Falkirk (for the wheel and the Kelpies, and if you take your time Falkirk as a town has a lot of history to explore). From Glasgow you have all the Clyde Islands (not just the Isle of Arran). Linlithgow is another place as easy to visit from Glasgow as from Edinburgh.

The Trossachs are easier to get to from Glasgow, as is Loch Lomond. Places like Inveraray and even Oban are eminently day trippable. It is even possible (if a very long day) to do the Jacobite steam train (or it's diesel equivalent) from Glasgow by using the Caledonian Sleeper seated cars from Glasgow Central Low Level.

St Andrew's is still day trip from Glasgow- about 40 minutes further from Glasgow than from Edinburgh, routeing via Dundee to pick up the same bus as you would from Leuchars.

From Glasgow a very easy castle to reach on the suburban trains is Dumbarton Castle- a place with a lot of history to it, but rarely mentioned on this forum.

Given the ease of getting between the two cities by train in 45 minutes or 24/7 bus in a bit over an hour I don't think it matters which you stay in. For me, personally, it would be Glasgow every time.

That is a difficult one to call.... The two cities are very different. Edinburgh is pomp and tourism. Glasgow lacks the pomp and royal connections and possibly gets fewer tourists. BUT it is a major city with some superb architecture and a proud history of trade and commerce.

Mike (Auchterless) has already extolled the virtues of Glasgow. It has lots of different museums - The Burrell and Kelvingrove are world class. The Riverside Museum is pretty good too!

It also has the Charles Rennie Mackintosh connections too. Glasgow cathedral is the equal of st Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, with its links to St Mungo (St Kentigern). The Necropolis is a wonderful example of a Victorian cemetery. There are the ruined castles of Bothwwell and Crookstone, easily visited from Glasgow. You also have the world heritage site of New Lanark neaarby too.

Edinburgh is just a short train journey as is Stirling with its castle. Loch Lomond is a popular day visit too. A bit further is the impressive Culzean Castle or youy could catch a ferry for day trips to Arran, Bute or Cumbrae. Rabbies offer a range of one day trips from Glasgow .

Stuart, thanks for mentioning Dumbarton Castle. You're right about its significance in Scottish history - well worth a read. I think that it had dropped off the radar as it was closed for repairs almost all of 2022, and didn't reopen until early 2023. It was only supposed to be closed for a short time, but the more they worked on it, the more needed repairs they found.

Another reason why it's possibly not as frequently visited is that you pretty much need a car to get there. It's a bit of a walk from the train station. First Bus routes 1 and 1B from Glasgow will also get you fairly close to the castle as well. The Dumbarton FC stadium is very close to the castle. Also visiting the castle involves a lot of steps, especially if you want to attempt the 500 steps up to the top of Tower Crag. (And of course the 500 steps back down!) The view from the top is impressive.

Anyone planning to visit Dumbarton Castle should also consider visiting the nearby Scottish Maritime Museum.

Certainly worth a day trip from Glasgow!

Mike (Auchterless)

Written fours later - Now that I've mentioned Dumbarton, I can't get this song out of my head!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rewPQ6d22vY

Such wealth of information!
Thank you so much, everyone!

I think you’d enjoy Edinburgh as a base city more than Glasgow which is grittier though has plenty of fine sights.
That said,I think Glasgow gives you better day trips…to Culzean Castle for example, to Loch Lomond and gorgeous West Highland scenery.
Do try to organise day trips, even if it is by using some of the highly rated small tour operators.Glencoe for example, Inveraray, Loch Lomond..all beautiful.

Both should be visited. It's difficult to express how much less touristy Glasgow is than Edinburgh. Which is more picturesque may depend on what architectural period you prefer. I like the late-19th/early-20th century stuff in Glasgow. I think if there is to be only one base, Glasgow's a better choice for those seriously bothered by significant crowds.

In September 2023 I had a 7 night vacation to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

You can do both. Both cities have several wonderful museums and churches.
In EDI, the Royal Mile is the main tourist section but there much more to see beyond that street. I enjoyed Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile. Walking along the Dean River is lovely. I didn't get to Leith but it sounds like an interesting section of the city - there has been a lot of improvement and a tram can take you there.
One day I took a Rabbie's tour- the fishing villages of Fife/ St. Andrews. It was enjoyable, a nice way to rest my feet, though I would have liked more time in St Andrew's.
Stirling is about half way between each city, though I didn't go there.
Glasgow has a less busy, touristy downtown compared to EDI- a different feel and architecture.

If you can fly into one city and and fly back home from the other city all the much better, as you will only have a few hours one day from the travel time, about 1 hour, and settling in between the two cities. Where I was flying from there were only flights to EDI and none from Glasgow so I had to travel back to Edinburgh the day before my early morning flight back home.

I had 5 full days in Edinburgh in mid-September and had tentatively researched a day trip to Glasgow by train, but I was so utterly delighted with Edinburgh that I stayed put--another trip must happen!

I think you'll find Glasgow to be less expensive lodging than Edinburgh. We've stayed in both and enjoyed both. They have a different "feel" but if I gave my opinion, it would start a shouting match :-)