This post is in collaboration with Scottish Citylink. As always, all opinions and content are my own.
Looking for wheelchair accessible day trips by bus from Glasgow? I recently enjoyed a day trip to Dundee with Citylink, and I’m excited to share my experience. I hope it inspires you to plan a trip of your own!
With the festive season in full swing, my mum and I decided to treat ourselves to a wee day trip to Dundee for some lunch and a spot of shopping. Now, my mum isn’t the biggest fan of driving, especially to unfamiliar places, so we thought we’d take the stress out of the equation and hop on a Scottish Citylink bus instead.
Honestly, we were so impressed with the whole experience that we’re already planning our next bus adventure now that it’s opened more options for us! Usually, we’d depend on my partner to drive us and then come back to pick us up, but now we feel much more confident to explore by bus.
Here’s a little recap of our festive day out in Dundee from Glasgow.
Our journey kicked off at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow where we arrived at 9:50 am, all set for our 10:10 am bus to Dundee. As soon as we arrived at the bus stance, a friendly Citylink staff member greeted us warmly. They guided us to the bus, where we met the lovely driver, who was just as friendly. It’s so true what they say: ‘People Make Glasgow’.
Scottish Citylink – Assisted Travel & Accessibility on the Coach
To make boarding easier for me, the staff placed a portable ramp to help me clear the small kerb where the coach was parked. The driver then deployed the lift so I could drive onto the coach. I really appreciated being able to board first before the other passengers, as it made the process easier and less stressful.
Once I was in the wheelchair space, the driver secured my wheelchair with tie-downs and a seatbelt across my shoulder and lap.
I’ll admit, before travelling, I felt a bit anxious about whether there would be proper restraints for my wheelchair, especially since I have weak trunk muscles and struggle to hold myself upright while the bus is moving.
But I felt reassured as soon as I saw the belts and the driver made sure everything was tight and secure—and I was! I felt so safe that my wheelchair didn’t budge during the trip.
Scottish Citylink buses are a fantastic way to travel, with regular services throughout the day. Citylink operates routes to over 200 destinations, giving passengers a wide range of options.
The journey from Glasgow to Dundee took 1 hour and 45 minutes, which gave us plenty of time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. My mum sat right next to me across the aisle, so we could chat and she could lend a hand whenever I needed it.
Booking Travel with Citylink and Reserving Wheelchair Space
Our journey was very affordable. Since my mum is over 60 years old and has a National Entitlement Card, her fare was only £1. If I had a National Entitlement Card as well (disabled people living in Scotland can qualify for free bus travel if they meet specific criteria), my fare would have only been £1 too. However, even without a NEC, the journey price was £18 per person.
I’d recommend booking your journey in advance, as there is only one wheelchair space on each coach, and it also allows the staff to get the coach ready for you. It’s very easy to reserve the wheelchair space on the website when booking the journey. The lifts have a safe working limit of 300 kg, and wheelchair space dimensions are 1200mm (L) x 700mm (W) x 1350mm (H).
Wheelchair Accessible Day Trip to Dundee by with Citylink
As our bus rolled into Dundee bus station, the staff were already on hand, ready to help me get off the bus.
Once we were off, we headed straight for lunch. We initially planned to check out The Flame Tree Cafe since I’d heard so much about it. It was just a five-minute stroll from the bus station, but when we arrived, we saw it was absolutely packed. The staff kindly let us know that they were fully booked, which was a bit of a bummer since we were really looking forward to it. But not to worry—we decided to head towards the main shopping area instead.
That’s when we spotted Henry’s Coffee House. It looked super cosy, so we decided to pop in there for lunch. I went for a vegan ham and cheese ciabatta with a pot of peppermint tea, while my mum chose a festive vegan sandwich and a latte. Everything was lovely, and we finished off with a muffin and a scone.
Dundee’s Christmas Market
After filling our bellies, we wandered over to the Dundee’s Christmas market in City Square, right by the coffee house.
Though the market was on the smaller side, food stalls were serving up pizza, German sausages, festive drinks, doughnuts, and even marshmallows to toast by the fire pit. Plus, there was a Santa grotto, a few rides, and an ice rink that was wheelchair accessible.
There were only a couple of small stalls selling gifts, and it would have been nice to have a few more, as it felt somewhat lacking. We didn’t stay for long, but I think families with little ones would really enjoy the rides, ice skating and meeting Santa.
Christmas Shopping at the Overgate Centre
Next, we made our way to the Overgate Centre, where my mum could finish up her Christmas shopping. The Overgate has a wide selection of shops spread over two levels, all accessible via lifts. We took our time browsing and getting those last-minute gifts.
My favourite shop was Søstrene Grene. I’ve been wanting to visit this beautiful Danish homeware and lifestyle store for ages, and finally getting to explore it in person was a real treat! The shop was full of gorgeous items, especially their stunning Christmas collection.
I managed to restrain myself and only came away with a cute little house ornament and a set of light-up mushroom ornaments. Still, I can’t help but regret not picking up some Christmas decorations. I’ve already had a peek at their website and might just place a cheeky order soon!
Here are some additional suggestions for things to do in Dundee
If you’re planning to visit Dundee, there is plenty to enjoy beyond shopping! The city boasts a variety of museums that appeal to a wide range of interests. It’s known for its ‘jam, jute, and journalism’—think marmalade, the historic textile industry, and DC Thomson, the publishers of The Beano and The Dandy comics.
Here are a few museums I recommend checking out:
The V&A Dundee: Scotland’s first design museum, featuring exhibitions and innovative designs in a stunning building. Plus, there’s a Changing Places toilet available! Read my review of the V&A Dundee.
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum: This one’s a deep dive into the city’s history and culture, boasting an impressive collection of fine art and historical artefacts. Read my review of the McManus Art Gallery & Museum.
Discovery Point: This interactive experience revolves around the famous RRS Discovery ship, letting visitors explore Scotland’s maritime heritage.
So whether you’re shopping, munching, or soaking in some culture, Dundee has plenty to offer!
With routes to over 200 destinations, I hope you too feel inspired to plan a day trip by bus with Citylink.
Where would you like to visit with Citylink? Let me know in the comment section below.
Join me on a day trip to Dundee with Citylink: Watch here!
Where Next: You Might Also Enjoy
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Explore Anstruther and St Andrews with This Accessible Day Trip Guide
A Wheelchair Accessible Day Trip on the Trossachs Explorer Bus
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