- Introduction
- About Hampden Park: the essentials
- How to get to Hampden Park by train?
- What to do at Hampden Park?
- Travel tips for visiting Hampden Park
- Conclusion
- Explore more stadium guides
Introduction
Hampden Park has its place firmly in Scottish footballing history as the national stadium of football in Scotland and the home of Queen’s Park Football Club. Opened in 1903 and renovated frequently since. It can currently accommodate almost 52,000 supporters. The stadium also hosts rugby and athletics.
Being the home of the Scottish national team, alongside Queen’s Park FC, the ground is regularly used by fans across Scotland. The best way to get there, whether you’re from Inverness or the Scottish Borders, is by train. It’s quick, convenient, and far better than sitting on a coach for hours.
This article will provide some more information about the stadium and detail the best way to reach it by train. As well, it’ll give some pointers to save money and make your journey by train even more convenient.
About Hampden Park: the essentials
Hampden Park is a legendary football stadium. It has transcended the confines of Scottish football and even made an impact on European football history. The stadium has hosted six European Cup finals, including the 1960 European Cup final, which remains the largest attendance ever recorded to date, with a remarkable 127,621 supporters.
As well, the stadium has hosted three Champions League finals, two Cup Winners’ finals, and one UEFA Cup Final. Outside of football, the stadium has hosted the 2012 Olympic Games. In 2014, it was converted into an athletics stadium for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and hosted the closing ceremony that year.
In 2028, Hampden Park will host matches during the UEFA European Championship. Fans at Hampden Park frequently participate in the Hampden Roar, which is renowned throughout Scotland for intimidating opposing teams. Although the roar has become more muted due to reduced stadium capacities, it can still add a unique charisma to matches that aligns with the stadium's extraordinary heritage.
How to get to Hampden Park by train?
The nearest stations to Hampden Park are Mount Florida and Kings Park stations, which are approximately a ten-minute walk from the stadium, making travel there fairly simple. If you’re travelling from around Scotland, then you can travel to Glasgow Central Station and then change trains for Mount Florida or Kings Park.
From Glasgow Central, the main train operators include CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express, and ScotRail. ScotRail is also the sole train operator at Mount Florida and Kings Park Stations. Here are some popular routes to the stadium:
1: Glasgow Central to Mount Florida
Travelling from Glasgow Central to Mount Florida takes around ten minutes with ScotRail. Trains usually leave every few minutes.
2: Glasgow Central to Kings Park
On average, it takes around ten to fifteen minutes to get from Glasgow Central to Kings Park with ScotRail.
3: Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central
The journey from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central takes around one hour and ten minutes when travelling with ScotRail or CrossCountry.
4: Dumfries to Glasgow Central
Getting from Dumfries to Glasgow Central takes about one hour and forty-six minutes with ScotRail. After reaching Glasgow Central, you then need to change trains for either Mount Florida or Kings Park.
What to do at Hampden Park?
If you haven’t been before, then any Scottish football fan needs to go on the Hampden Park stadium and museum tour. On the stadium tour, you’ll see the players’ tunnel, walk along the side of the pitch, imagine what the footballers see on match day, and much more. The museum is located in the heart of Hampden Park and is filled to the rafters with irreplaceable footballing treasures. You’ll be able to see the original Scottish Cup, the oldest national football trophy, and trace the history of Scottish football from its origins to the present day.
There’s also the Hampden Café if you’d like some refreshments after learning all about Scottish football’s intriguing and glorious past.
Travel tips for visiting Hampden Park
Glasgow is a major city, and it can get extraordinarily busy on match days. It’s well worth giving yourself plenty of time to get there, just in case there are any delays or you’re slowed down by the crowds. It’d be a good idea to check live travel updates before you leave, too; that way, you can stay ahead of any delays and adjust your route accordingly. It’s advised that you get to the stadium one to two hours before kick-off, as it leaves you enough time to get a drink, a snack, and get to your seats.
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to avoid any unexpected comeuppances. You can do that easily by booking your tickets in advance. Not only will you be able to secure the seats you want at a reasonable price, but it’ll also allow you to familiarise yourself with the route to the stadium. Don’t be like countless away fans and don’t realise they easily get the train to Mount Florida or Kings Park.
Conclusion
This ultimate guide to reaching Hampden Park by train offers a wealth of information to enhance your travel experience. By providing detailed insights into the best travel routes, ticketing strategies, and timing considerations, the blog ensures that you can plan your journey with confidence and ease. Whether you're attending a major sporting event or a concert, understanding how to efficiently navigate the rail network allows you to focus on the excitement of the occasion. This guide not only helps you save money but also maximises your enjoyment by reducing travel stress, making your visit to Hampden Park truly memorable.