Location, Accommodation and Getting around Glasgow

This year’s conference is hosted by the University of Glasgow in Glasgow city.

Main conference venue: Advanced Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Glasgow

We are delighted to host this Social Media and Society conference at the University of Glasgow’s flagship research building, the Advanced Research Centre (ARC). in the University of Glasgow, which is located on the Gilmorehill Campus. Designed to foster collaboration and innovation, the ARC is a striking six-floor facility at the heart of the University’s west end campus.

The city of Glasgow is in west central Scotland. It’s Scotland’s largest city and is easily accessible from the rest of the UK and overseas by train, sea, road, and air. Declared the UK European Capital of Culture, Glasgow is also widely known as an international centre for music. Glasgow is a vibrant city also playing host to the Commonwealth Games (July 23-Aug 2), so be sure to book accommodation early.

If you have any accessibility questions or require specific support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the venue staff at [email protected] or call +44 (0)141 330 4170.

Important Note: As of 2025, all travellers to the UK, excluding British and Irish citizens, will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to or transit through the UK. Visit the useful information page for guidance.

Accommodation and recommended areas

The University of Glasgow is located in the West End, which offers a range of small hotels and guest houses within walking distance of campus. There are also excellent transport links to City Centre hotels via the Glasgow Subway. The closest station to the University is Hillhead, while Buchanan Street and St. Enoch stations serve the City Centre.

Booking Advice: Delegates are advised to book early

Glasgow is also hosting the Commonwealth Games at the end of July, so you may find accommodation is high in demand this summer. While we planned for this by making sure the conference took place in mid-July, please book early to secure accomodation.

Below is a list of hotels recommended by the Glasgow Convention Bureau and links to Booking.com for more information.

West End (approx. 5-10 minutes walk to campus):

City Centre (approx. 10 minutes by Subway from Buchanan Street or St. Enoch to Hillhead):

Getting to Glasgow

By Air: Glasgow has 3 international airports nearby, with connections across the UK and the
world:

  • Glasgow Airport is the closest airport to the city centre. Visit glasgowairport.com for more information. From there you can catch the express bus service outside the terminal and arrive in Glasgow in around 15 minutes. These teal-coloured buses are fully electric and depart every 10 minutes. Find out more by visiting firstbus.co.uk.
  • Glasgow Prestwick Airport is 32 miles (51km) from Glasgow. It is very accessible with train and bus services to the city centre. Find out more at glasgowprestwick.com.
  • Edinburgh Airport is 39 miles (63km) from Glasgow. There is a direct bus service from the airport to Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station which takes around 1 hour. Head to edinburghairport.com for more information.

There are regular trains between Manchester Airport and Glasgow Central. The average journey time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Many London airports fly directly to Glasgow Airport including London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stanstead. If you cannot get a direct flight to Glasgow or Edinburgh, London Heathrow is the most common airport for international travellers.

By Train
Glasgow is well connected by train from across the UK via Glasgow Central Station (links Glasgow to the south) and Glasgow Queen Street Station (operates routes mainly to Edinburgh and the north).To book tickets, visit scotrail.co.uk, tpexpress.co.uk, and avantiwestcoast.co.uk. To view all available routes from across the UK, visit thetrainline.com. If you’re planning a trip from London to Glasgow, check out the Caledonian Sleeper’s website and arrive refreshed after a comfortable overnight journey.

By Road
Scotland has an extensive motorway network. Glasgow connects to:
 Edinburgh via M8
 England via A1, M6, M74
 Stirling via M80
 West coast via M77

For more information on Scotland’s road network, visit the Transport Scotland website.

Getting Around Glasgow

Glasgow is a compact city and it’s easy to find your way around, whether on foot, by
bike, or public transport.

Glasgow is a very walkable city, especially the city centre. You can easily explore it
on foot whilst taking in the beautiful buildings and architecture around you. Don’t
forget to ‘look up’ when you’re in the city. Visit our neighbourhood guides to help you
get your bearings.

Glasgow has a cycle hire scheme run by You Well. Visit You Well to learn how it
works. For ideas of the best cycle routes in the city and surrounding areas, check out
Sustrans or the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.

Subway

The subway is one of the easiest ways to get around the city centre, west end and
southside of Glasgow. Running every 4 minutes at peak times, it takes just 24
minutes to complete a circuit of the 15 stations. You can buy a single ticket. Or, if
you’re here for a few days, you can get a Subway Smartcard, which offers the best
fares, and you can top up as you go. Visit the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
(SPT) website for more information.

Train
Glasgow Central Station links Glasgow by rail to the south and west. Glasgow Queen Street Station operates routes to the north and east, including Edinburgh. Visit the ScotRail website for information on all routes and timetables. A Roundabout ticket offers unlimited travel on ScotRail and Subway services for one day, to over 110 stations in the Greater Glasgow area. More information on the Roundabout ticket can be found at the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (STP) website.

Bus
First Bus Glasgow operates over 80 routes across the city and there are a variety of tickets to choose from. A day ticket allows unlimited travel in your selected area all day. A weekly ticket is cost-effective if you’re staying here longer. Download the First Bus App (at the bottom of the First Bus web-site) where you can buy and store tickets on your phone, plan your journey and track the arrival of your next bus. First Bus also operates an express service between the city centre and Glasgow Airport. The journey time is 15 minutes.

Taxi
Glasgow’s taxi drivers are some of the friendliest in the world. Glasgow Taxis operates 5 and 6-seater cabs in and around the city. If their yellow light is on, they can be flagged down on the street, or alternatively, call +44 (0)141 429 7070 to book. Check out the Glasgow Taxis website for more information. Saltire Private Hire specialise in airport transfers and is a good option if you’re flying
into Glasgow. They also offer bespoke tours of Glasgow and beyond to help you explore the sites of the city in comfort. Visit Saltire Private Hire’s website for more information and booking.

Car
Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road and there are speed limits that apply to certain areas of the city. These are likely to be signposted on the road you are driving. Seat belts are compulsory for all drivers and passengers. This applies regardless of where you are sitting in the car. Be aware that Glasgow has introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city centre. All vehicles entering the LEZ must meet the low-emission standards or face a penalty charge. For more details, visit Glasgow City Council‘s website.

Places to eat

Casual & local favourites

  • The Left Bank: A popular modern European spot near the heart of the West End, great for brunch, lunch, or dinner with a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Stravaigin: Highly rated for inventive Scottish cuisine with global influences, perfect for a special dinner out.
  • Bothy Glasgow: Classic Scottish dishes in a cosy setting, ideal if you want to try local flavors.
  • Ubiquitous Chip: A West End institution known for high-quality Scottish food in a stylish space.

Cafés & lighter bites

  • Kember & Jones: Excellent café on Byres Road, great for breakfast, coffee and pastries.
  • West End Cafe: Small local café for a quick coffee or snack between sessions.
  • Cafe Source Too: A friendly neighbourhood restaurant serving a mix of lunch and early evening fare.
  • Kelvingrove Café: Perfect for a relaxed lunch or coffee near Kelvingrove Park and museums.

Pubs & bars

Great for post-conference drinks, casual networking or evening socialising:

  • Innis & Gunn Glasgow West End Brewery Taproom: Craft beer and relaxed vibe on Ashton Lane.
  • Curlers Rest: A traditional pub on Byres Road with good pub grub and drinks.
  • Tennent’s Bar: Classic Glasgow pub experience with beers and casual food.
  • West Side Tavern: Warm, well-reviewed tavern perfect for drinks with colleagues.
  • The Kelvin: Stylish cocktail bar near Great Western Road for a more elevated evening tipple.
  • Inn Deep: If you are a fiend for craft ale and hipster aesthetics, Inn Deep is an excellent choice with some excellent views of the River Kelvin.

Tips for delegates

  • Byres Road and Gibson Street are the main arteries of West End dining. You’ll find lots of cafés, bars and independent restaurants clustered here.
  • Consider booking ahead for dinners, especially for popular places like Ubiquitous Chip or Stravaigin. July is set to be a busy month for Glasgow.

Things to do

Alongside the conference programme, Glasgow’s museums, galleries, and heritage spaces offer opportunities to explore questions of culture, representation, and everyday social experience that resonate with the themes of Social Media & Society.

Many of these venues are free to enter and easy to reach from the city centre, making them ideal for a short visit between sessions or a longer wander before or after the conference. We hope this guide helps you experience a little of the city beyond the conference rooms.

Major museums & galleries

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

A Glasgow icon with 22 themed galleries covering art, natural history, Scottish culture and more. It’s set beside Kelvingrove Park, great for a stroll afterward. Admission is free. Find out more here.

The Burrell Collection

In beautiful Pollok Country Park, this world-class art and artefacts collection spans thousands of years and includes works by Manet, Degas, and ancient pottery. The building itself recently won architectural awards. Find out more here.

Riverside Museum & The Tall Ship

Explore Glasgow’s transport heritage in a striking Zaha Hadid-designed building. Outdoor interest continues with the historic Tall Ship Glenlee moored beside it. Find out more here.

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

Right in the city centre, GoMA showcases contemporary art and thought-provoking exhibitions. Find out more here.

History & heritage

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art

Next to the medieval Glasgow Cathedral, this museum encourages reflection on faith, philosophy, and cultural diversity. Find out more here.

The Hunterian Museum

At the University of Glasgow, explore one of Scotland’s oldest museum collections. Find out more here.

House for an Art Lover

Inspired by Mackintosh’s art and design, this house and gardens in Bellahouston Park offer a quieter artistic retreat. Find out more here.

The Tenement House

Delve into everyday life in early-20th-century Glasgow with a preserved period home, perfect for delegates interested in social history. Find out more here.

Hidden gems