Celtic Park away guide

Fly or take the train to Glasgow, both direct from most of the UK, then ride the suburban train from Glasgow Central to Dalmarnock and walk 10 to 15 minutes to the ground. Away fans sit in the lower corner of the Lisbon Lions Stand at the south-east corner, sectors 119 to 120, with a typical league allocation of around 3,000 (Football Ground Guide).

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

Glasgow is the rare away day with no hub detour: it has its own airport with direct flights from most UK cities, and a direct rail line from both Manchester and London, so you can go straight in. That leaves a real choice between flying and the train. Here are the ways in and roughly what each costs and takes, door to ground, allowing for the last leg out to Celtic Park.

Costs are estimates and swing hard on how far ahead you book. Advance train fares and off-peak flights are far cheaper than turning up on the day.

Getting there from Glasgow city centre

The standard route is the suburban train from Glasgow Central low-level to Dalmarnock. Trains run roughly every 15 minutes, take about 7 minutes and cost under £3 one way (Trainline). Out of Dalmarnock station, turn left, then right at the traffic lights signposted Parkhead A728. Celtic Park is visible ahead, about a 10 to 15 minute walk (Football Ground Guide).

Bridgeton, also on the Glasgow Central low-level line, is an alternative around a 10 to 15 minute walk from the ground (Away Grounds). You can also walk the whole way: Glasgow Central and Queen Street are about 30 minutes on foot, roughly 2 miles east (Football Ground Guide). Local bus routes serving the area include the 61, 240 and 255, taking around 20 to 30 minutes depending on matchday traffic (Away Grounds).

Getting there from Glasgow Airport

There is no direct rail link from the airport. Take the Airport Express service 500 bus, up to every 10 minutes and about 25 minutes, from the terminal to Buchanan Bus Station in the city centre, then connect to a Dalmarnock train or local bus for the last leg. A single is around £10.50 (Glasgow Airport). An alternative is the train from Paisley Gilmour Street, close to the airport, into the city and onward to the east end (Rome2Rio).

Nearest station, subway and walking time

Dalmarnock is the nearest station, about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the ground, with services under 10 minutes from Glasgow Central. Glasgow has no tram network, and the Glasgow Subway loop covers the city centre and west only. It does not reach Parkhead, so suburban rail to Dalmarnock or a bus is the way in. Other rail alternatives listed for the ground are Duke Street, about half a mile, and Bellgrove and Bridgeton, about a mile (Wikipedia). Expect long queues at Dalmarnock and Bridgeton after the final whistle as tens of thousands leave together.

Where to stay

The city centre is the sensible base. It puts you on the low-level line straight to Dalmarnock, keeps you in neutral territory before and after the game, and sits within walking distance of the bars, restaurants and sights. Merchant City, just east of George Square, is the pick for atmosphere without being anywhere near the home pubs by the ground. Staying out by Parkhead itself is not worth it for a one or two-night trip.

Inside the stadium and allocation

Away supporters are housed in the lower corner of the Lisbon Lions Stand at one end of the ground, at the south-east corner where that stand meets the Main Stand, sectors 119 to 120, accessed through gates 66 to 67 (Away Grounds). Away fans use their own segregated turnstiles. Typical allocation is around 3,000 for a league match, rising to as many as 7,200 for some cup fixtures. There are a number of restricted-view seats in the away section, sold at a lower price (Football Ground Guide).

Celtic Park is known for a loud, intense atmosphere, and the home support is passionate but generally welcoming to respectful visitors. Bags are restricted to nothing bigger than A5 (21cm x 14cm x 8cm), with exceptions for medical and accessibility needs, and all bags are searched, so travel light (Ground Regulations). It is an offence to enter with alcohol, while drunk, or with any pyrotechnic, and Police Scotland may search you. Smoking is banned throughout the stadium, vaping is not permitted on the seating deck, and alcohol is not sold inside the ground on matchdays (Football Ground Guide).

Where to drink

Glasgow is a good drinking city and a pint runs around £4.50 to £5, with Tennent's, the local lager, often nearer £4 (Expatistan, Morning Advertiser). For away fans the safe and sensible plan is to drink in the city centre or Merchant City, both neutral, then take the short train out.

• The Horse Shoe Bar, Drury Street. Classic city-centre institution with one of the longest bars in the UK, mixed crowd, fair prices.
• The Pot Still, Hope Street. Famous whisky bar with hundreds of malts, relaxed and neutral, good for a pre-train dram.
• Sloans, off Argyle Street. Glasgow's oldest bar and restaurant, tucked in an arcade, welcoming to visitors.
• BrewDog Glasgow, Argyle Street. Big craft range, neutral chain feel, easy to get a table with a group.
• Merchant Square, Candleriggs. Covered courtyard of bars and restaurants in Merchant City, spacious and mixed.

Avoid the traditional Celtic pubs near the ground on the Gallowgate and London Road, which are strongly home-focused, and do not wear away colours around Parkhead outside the away section (67 Hail Hail, Away Grounds).

Where to eat

Glasgow does hearty and cheap as well as it does sit-down. The local staples to try are a roll and square (Lorne) sausage for breakfast, a macaroni pie, and Cullen skink, a smoky smoked-haddock chowder (Glasgow World).

• Cafe Gandolfi, Merchant City. Long-standing Glasgow room doing proper Scottish produce, good for a relaxed sit-down.
• Mharsanta, Merchant City. Traditional and modern Scottish, Cullen skink, mussels and steak pie (Visit Glasgow).
• The Butterfly and the Pig, Bath Street. Quirky basement doing traditional Scottish plates and big breakfasts.
• Sloans, city centre. Bar food and Scottish mains in a historic setting, handy before the train.
• Porter & Rye, Finnieston. Steak specialists, more of a treat, book ahead (Scotsman Food and Drink).
• Any city-centre greasy spoon or bakery for the classic roll and square sausage on the morning of the game.

What to do

If you are making a day or two of it, Glasgow packs a lot within reach of the centre, and its two flagship museums are free.

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, free, Victorian sandstone landmark with Dali, a Spitfire and 8,000-plus objects across 22 galleries (Glasgow Tourism).
• Riverside Museum, free, Glasgow's transport museum in Zaha Hadid's striking waterfront building, with the tall ship Glenlee moored alongside.
• George Square and the City Chambers, the civic heart of the city, grand Victorian architecture off Buchanan Street.
• Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, a medieval cathedral dating to 1136 beside a hillside Victorian burial ground with the best city views.
• Glasgow Green, the city's oldest park, next to the east end and home to the Doulton Fountain and the People's Palace.
• Buchanan Street and the Style Mile, the main shopping run through the centre, good for a wander between the pubs.
• Charles Rennie Mackintosh trail, the Willow Tea Rooms and the Mackintosh sites for the city's signature design.

Common questions

How do I get from Glasgow Airport to Celtic Park?

There is no direct train. Take the Airport Express service 500 bus, up to every 10 minutes and about 25 minutes, from the terminal to Buchanan Bus Station or Glasgow Central, a single around £10.50, then the low-level train to Dalmarnock and a 10 to 15 minute walk (Glasgow Airport, Trainline).

Which airport do I fly to for Celtic?

Glasgow Airport (GLA), about 10 miles west of the ground, is the obvious choice and has direct flights from most UK cities, so no hub or detour is needed. Edinburgh (EDI), about an hour east by train, and Prestwick (PIK), to the south-west, are workable alternatives if the fare is better (Glasgow Airport).

Where do away fans sit at Celtic Park?

In the lower corner of the Lisbon Lions Stand at the south-east corner, where that stand meets the Main Stand, sectors 119 to 120 through gates 66 to 67. Away fans have their own segregated turnstiles. Some seats have restricted views and are sold at a reduced price (Away Grounds).

What is the away allocation at Celtic Park?

Around 3,000 for a domestic league match, which can rise to as many as 7,200 for some cup fixtures. It may be cut for opponents with a smaller travelling support. Book through your own club, as away tickets are allocated to the visiting side (Football Ground Guide).

What time should I arrive?

Give yourself an hour before kick-off at the ground. The Dalmarnock train fills up and bags are searched at the turnstiles, so allow extra time. Drink in the city centre first, then aim to be on a train out at least 45 minutes before kick-off, as services and the walk get busy (Trainline).

Can you drink alcohol inside the ground?

No. Alcohol is not sold inside Celtic Park on matchdays, in line with the rules on drink at Scottish football grounds. It is also an offence to try to enter with alcohol or while drunk, and you may be searched by the club or Police Scotland (Football Ground Guide, Ground Regulations).

How much is a pint in Glasgow?

Budget around £4.50 to £5 for a pint in a city-centre bar, with the local Tennent's lager often closer to £4, and cheaper still in some traditional pubs. Prices are higher in the more upmarket Finnieston and Merchant City spots (Expatistan, Morning Advertiser).

Is Glasgow safe for away fans?

Glasgow is a friendly, straightforward city and the centre is fine on a matchday. The main rule is to stay neutral near the ground: do not wear away colours around Parkhead outside the away section, avoid the home pubs on the Gallowgate and London Road, and keep your pre-match drinking in the city centre or Merchant City (Away Grounds).

Which areas are away-friendly for a drink?

The city centre and Merchant City are the neutral, mixed-crowd areas and where you should base yourself. Bars like the Horse Shoe, the Pot Still, Sloans and Merchant Square welcome all comers. Steer clear of the traditional Celtic pubs immediately around the stadium (67 Hail Hail).

Does my match ticket include free local transport?

No. Unlike some grounds, a Celtic Park ticket does not cover local buses or trains, so you pay the ScotRail or bus fare separately. The Dalmarnock train from Glasgow Central is under £3 one way, and the Airport Express is around £10.50 (Trainline, Glasgow Airport).

How far is Celtic Park from the city centre?

About 2 miles east of the centre. On foot it is roughly 30 minutes from Glasgow Central or Queen Street. By train it is under 10 minutes to Dalmarnock, then a 10 to 15 minute walk, and local buses take 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic (Football Ground Guide).

Where should I stay for a Celtic away game?

The city centre or Merchant City. Both keep you neutral, put you on the low-level line straight to Dalmarnock, and sit within walking distance of the bars, restaurants and the main sights. There is little reason to stay out near Parkhead for a short trip.

Can I make a weekend of it in Glasgow?

Easily. The two big museums, Kelvingrove and the Riverside, are free, and Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis, George Square, Glasgow Green and the Buchanan Street shops are all close to the centre. Add in the food and the bars and there is comfortably a day or two here around the game (Glasgow Tourism).