Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) (tel: 0871 200 2333, for the Traveline information hotline; website: www.spt.co.uk) is the region’s passenger transport authority and manages the underground. You can also obtain information and tickets in person from the Travel Centre, St Enoch Square (Monday to Saturday 0830-1730) and at Buchanan bus station (Monday to Saturday 0630-2230 and Sunday 0700-2230). There are also Travel Centres at domestic arrivals at Glasgow Airport and Hillhead underground station.

Glasgow is served by a 15-station underground system known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’ or the Subway, which runs in a 10km (6-mile) loop through the city centre and the West End, every four to eight minutes, Monday to Saturday 0630-2330 and Sunday 1000-1800. There are connections to overland rail services at Queen Street station via Buchanan Street underground and to commuter rail services at Partick station. Underground tickets are available from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the station.

The suburban commuter rail network, run by First ScotRail (tel: 0845 755 0033; website: www.firstscotrail.co.uk) on behalf of SPT, is the largest in Britain outside London. Services run between 0630 and 2400, although different services vary, with later starts at the weekend. National Rail Enquiries (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides 24-hour information on timetables and fares. Tickets are available from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the stations.

These services are complemented by an extensive bus network, which is provided by a number of competing operators, with First being the main provider (tel: 0871 200 2233, for the Traveline information hotline; website: www.firstgroup.com). Services run roughly between 0600 and 2300 Monday to Friday, with a slightly later start at the weekend. However, some specific routes continue through the night. Tickets are available (exact change only) from the driver.

The Discovery Ticket pass offers unlimited underground travel for one day (not valid before 0930 Monday to Saturday), while the Roundabout Ticket allows for unlimited travel by train and underground for one day (not valid before 0900 Monday to Friday). The Daytripper Ticket is valid for the underground, rail, most buses and some ferries. Passes are available at Travel Centres and larger rail stations.

Taxis are widely available and black hackney cabs can be hailed on the street. All are licensed and have meters fitted. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. The largest operator is Glasgow Taxis (tel: (0141) 429 7070; website: www.glasgowtaxis.co.uk).

Glasgow’s city centre is fairly compact and most hotels are centrally located, so a car is not necessary for getting around. Nevertheless, general driving conditions, parking and access generally is good. The rush hours of 0700-0930 and 1600-1830 are best avoided.

There is a 24-hour car park at Concert Square, which is constantly manned. For theatregoers, two ticket machines within the car park offer cheap tickets after 1800, which can be bought before going to the theatre. These are valid all evening.

The minimum age for hiring a car is 25 years – drivers aged 23 to 24 years might be able to hire a car, although an extra charge applies. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are accepted. The hire price includes legal liability, third party and public liability, which are all required by law.

In addition to a number of local car hire operators, Avis, 70 Lancefield Street (tel: (0141) 221 8328 or 0870 608 6339; website: www.avis.co.uk), Budget, Glasgow Airport (tel: 0844 581 2252; website: www.budget.co.uk), Europcar, Kingston Bridge Trading Estate, Unit 4 Watt Street (tel: (0141) 418 0040; website: www.europcar.co.uk), Hertz, 138 Hydepark Street (tel: (0141) 204 1405 or 0870 850 2657; website: www.hertz.co.uk) and National, 76 Lancefield Quay (tel: (0141) 204 1051; website: www.nationalcar.com), are also represented in Glasgow.

Bicycles are available for hire from West End Cycles, 16-18 Chancellor Street, Partick (tel: (0141) 357 1344), and from Alpine Bikes, 4 Couper Street (tel: (0141) 552 8575; website: www.alpinebikes.co.uk).

There are plans to extend the 120km (75-mile) Glasgow Cycle Network to 375km (233 miles). This is expected to be completed by 2012. The network is linked to the 16,093km (10,000-mile) National Cycle Network, which includes a path from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. The national cyclists' organisation, the CTC (tel: 0870 873 0060; website: www.ctc.org.uk), can supply information on local cycling clubs. Sustrans (tel: (0131) 539 8122 or 0845 113 0065; website: www.sustrans.org.uk) provides a list of free cycling publications and information on the National Cycle Network on its website.