As Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games, visitors share their experiences navigating the city's transport system, highlighting both ease and challenges.
London, United Kingdom Jul 31, 2026 ALN: GLASGOW has been welcoming thousands of spectators and athletes from 74 nations over the past week for the Commonwealth Games with 10 sports being held across four venues. This event, which is a significant international multi-sport competition, has drawn attention not only for the athletic performances but also for the logistical challenges associated with transporting large numbers of visitors throughout the city. The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, provide a platform for athletes from across the Commonwealth to compete, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Glasgow's hosting of the Games is seen as an opportunity to showcase the city, its culture, and its infrastructure.
Organisers set up the scaled-back Games within an eight-mile radius so spectators wouldn’t spend hours travelling between the venues. This decision reflects a growing trend in event planning where accessibility and the spectator experience are prioritized. By limiting the distance between venues, organizers aimed to enhance the overall experience for attendees, allowing them to enjoy more events and reduce travel-related stress. However, the question remains: just how well connected is the city?
We’ve had a look at the routes and asked fans how they’ve been finding travelling across Glasgow. The ease of transport can significantly influence the overall experience of attendees at such large-scale events, and Glasgow's transport system has been put to the test during this period.
Sports have been held at venues on the edges of Glasgow city centre. The netball has been hosted at the Hydro, a prominent venue known for hosting large concerts and events, while the weightlifting has been held at the neighbouring Armadillo, which is part of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). The SEC Centre has also hosted 3x3 basketball, lawn bowls, and boxing, with judo events still to come. These venues are strategically located to maximize accessibility for both participants and spectators.
Scotstoun Stadium in the west of the city has played host to the athletics, while Tollcross International Swimming Centre in the east has just finished up hosting the events in the pool. The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will host the track cycling over the coming days, while the Emirates Arena next door has welcomed the gymnastics competition. Each of these venues has its own unique facilities and capabilities, catering to the specific needs of the sports being contested.
The Hydro and SEC Centre are easy to reach by train, with fans able to reach Exhibition Centre station – which is a short walk away – via regular low-level services from Glasgow Central. The availability of frequent train services is critical during such events, as it allows for a smooth flow of attendees to and from venues. Further down the same train line, fans can get off at Scotstounhill to reach Scotstoun Stadium for the athletics, though there is a 15-minute walk between them. This at least makes over half the sports fairly easy to travel between, but the remaining venues are less well connected.
The nearest train station to Tollcross International Swimming Centre is Carntyne on the low-level line from Glasgow Queen Street. While services are regular, fans face a walk of 15 to 20 minutes to reach the venue, which is in a residential area. This distance can be a barrier for some attendees, particularly those with mobility issues or families with young children. It is also time-consuming to get from Tollcross to other venues. For example, if you had seen swimming in the morning and were then going to events at the SEC later on, you’d be facing travelling up to an hour using likely a combination of buses and trains. This illustrates a logistical challenge that could deter spectators from attending multiple events in one day.
The Emirates Arena and velodrome are about a 13-minute walk from Dalmarnock train station. This means it’s easy to get between the cycling and events at the SEC or Scotstoun with Exhibition Centre and Scotstounhill on the same railway line. However, getting between Tollcross and these venues would be more challenging. With swimming and gymnastics now wrapped up and cycling yet to start, fans shouldn’t need to make this trip, but the potential for confusion and delays remains a concern.
Fans may have seen some inter-venue buses travelling about the city, but these are not for spectators and only for those with accreditation – such as media or dignitaries – with people generally encouraged to use public transport. This limitation has raised questions about the adequacy of transport options for the general public, particularly in a city that is hosting an international event of this scale.
Speaking to fans outside the SEC complex, they seemed to be finding travel around Glasgow fairly reliable, simple, and cheap, but there were a few suggested improvements put forward. The feedback from attendees can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the transport system and areas for enhancement.
One fan who had travelled down from Aberdeen and made his way into Glasgow from Dunblane on the train said: “It was pretty good, it was pretty simple. We used the kids for a £1 pricing structure so that was quite cheap. There were no delays on the line or anything.” This positive experience highlights the importance of affordable ticketing options, particularly for families and groups attending the Games.
Another mum from Dunblane said she found trains were frequent and easy to use to get into Glasgow but added she was having to make a travel plan to get to Scotstoun for the athletics. “We’ll need to work out a plan for the athletics, but we need to get a train and a bus,” she said. This indicates that while the initial leg of her journey was straightforward, the complexity of the subsequent travel leg could pose challenges.
Another fan who took the bus into Glasgow from Cumbernauld said she walked to the SEC from Buchanan bus station, having been surprised to find there were not shuttle buses on offer. She said it would have been helpful to have integrated ticketing between different modes of transport. “I was surprised there were no Commonwealth Games shuttle buses or something like that,” she said. “It’s not the worst, as there’s plenty of options in Glasgow and we’ll probably take the train back to Central after. Integrated tickets between different transport options would be good but otherwise it’s worked quite well.” This feedback underscores the need for better coordination among transport services during large events to streamline the experience for attendees.
A dad from Hamilton said he found it simple to travel into Glasgow by train but did say when big events are not on, capacity on trains can be a problem. “A lot of the time when there’s not things on like the Commonwealth Games, there’s not enough carriages on during rush hour,” he said. “But for the Games, it’s been absolutely fantastic.” This sentiment reflects a common issue in public transport systems where demand fluctuates significantly based on events, necessitating a responsive approach from transport providers.
Overall, the transport experience during the Commonwealth Games has been a mix of positive feedback and constructive criticism. While many fans have found the system to be efficient and affordable, there are clear areas for improvement, particularly in terms of connectivity between venues and the availability of integrated transport solutions. As the Games continue, it will be crucial for organizers and transport authorities to address these concerns to ensure a positive experience for all attendees.
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