Major city · United Kingdom
Coatbridge
Give Coatbridge half a day for Summerlee Museum, not a night: it is 20 min by train from Glasgow and works as a wet-morning stop.
Coatbridge is a Monklands commuter town 9 miles east of Glasgow, built on iron and coal. The one thing worth crossing town for is Summerlee, a free museum on a former ironworks site with a working tram. Most travellers see it as a half-day from Glasgow rather than a place to sleep, though the two town-centre hotels are cheap and the rail links east to Edinburgh are good.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short, wet days)
- Airports
- Glasgow (GLA) · Edinburgh (EDI)
- Nights
- 0–1
About Coatbridge
Coatbridge is the principal town of Monklands, a district on Clydeside in Scotland's Central Belt and historically part of Lanarkshire. It sits 9 miles east of Glasgow, close to the M8 at the Eurocentral interchange, and has merged with neighbouring Airdrie and Whifflet. The town grew on pig iron smelted from locally mined ironstone, and its population was 42,300 in 2022. Most visitors come for the Summerlee Museum, which records the area's industrial past; many residents commute to Glasgow, and rail services continue east through Airdrie and Bathgate to Edinburgh.
The Monklands were once farmed by Cistercian monks from Newbattle Abbey, who also mined coal, and a 1799 account described orchards, crops and salmon-rich rivers. Industrialisation brought weaving to Airdrie and iron to Coatbridge, drawing workers mainly from Donegal. Ironworking declined in the 20th century as local ores ran out, with the industry relocating to Corby.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
See
What is worth your time in Coatbridge.
- Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life — Built on a former ironworks and crane factory, it shows Lanarkshire's industrial heyday, with a tram running to an old mine and Miner's Row.
- St Augustine's — This redbrick Roman Catholic church dates from 1873 and stands on Dundyvan Road, half a mile west of Central Station.
- Drumpellier Country Park — A large park around two kettle ponds formed by glaciation, with woods, wetlands, trails and a visitor centre.
Eat and drink
Specialities of this place.
- Crown Jewel — A Bank Street restaurant with a large selection of Indian dishes.
- Shimla Cottage — An Indian restaurant next to Sunnyside Station.
- The Mint — A small menu of burgers, steak pie, fish and chips and Italian dishes on Academy Street.
- The Vulcan — A JD Wetherspoon pub on Main Street, opposite the Mondo Hotel.
Customs
- Many residents are of Irish descent, reflected in the town's St Patrick's Day Festival.
- The town's identity is tied to its iron and coal industry, depicted at Summerlee.
Events
- St Patrick's Day Festival — Two weeks of art, theatre, sport, music and film, ending in a street event with Irish music and dancing around 17 March.March
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Coatbridge999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Coatbridge, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyCoatbridge is an ordinary commuter town and is safe by day; the usual UK city rules apply at night around the bars on Main Street.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGLA Glasgow (About 30 min by road to Coatbridge; check bus and rail links to Glasgow city centre first.).
- Getting aroundTrains from Glasgow Queen Street to Coatbridge Sunnyside run every 10–15 min and take about 20 min…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus or train single in the area£2–5 (≈ US$3–7)
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room£95 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · High £130 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GLA Glasgow (About 30 min by road to Coatbridge; check bus and rail links to Glasgow city centre first.) · EDI Edinburgh (Trains from Airdrie and Coatbridge run through to Edinburgh; check times.)
Map of Coatbridge
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Coatbridge
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Motherwell · 8.4 km straight line
- Cumbernauld · 9.1 km straight line
- Hamilton, Scotland · 9.5 km straight line
- Kirkintilloch · 11 km straight line
- Kilsyth · 13 km straight line
- Glasgow · 14 km straight line
- East Kilbride · 14 km straight line
- Carluke · 19 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Apr (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coatbridge: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Coatbridge Sunnyside run every 10–15 min and take about 20 min; an hourly loop from Glasgow Central reaches Coatbridge Central in about 50 min. Bus 201 links Coatbridge and Airdrie every 10 min. The town itself is walkable; taxis are the fallback after the last trains.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Train from Coatbridge Sunnyside to Glasgow Queen Street, about 20 min
The obvious pairing: museums, food and the last trains back are frequent.
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Train via Whifflet and Motherwell, or bus 201
Mausoleum and country park; check palace opening before you go.
Door to door: About 1 h
Train to Glasgow then change, or road via M8
Abbey and museum are the draw; the rail change makes it a half-day.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus 201 direct
New town with shopping and a museum; only worth it if you are already heading south.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
Train to Glasgow then to Balloch
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night by the loch.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Main St / Central station)
Georgian Hotel and Mondo Hotel, both walkable to the station and the shops.
Airdrie
One stop east; Tudor Hotel and more bars, useful if you want a bigger choice.
Bellshill / M8 corridor
Chain hotels off the motorway; only makes sense with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × £95 | £95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75 | £150 |
| Return train Glasgow–Coatbridge2 × £8 | £16 |
| Summerlee tram ride2 × £2 | £4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £29 |
| Trip total≈ £157 per person per day, bed included | £314≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main (fish and chips, steak pie) | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Indian restaurant main | £10–16 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of draught beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus or train single in the area | £2–5 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Taxi across town | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Some pubs and bars have no posted prices: ask the total before you order.
- Late trains thin out; check the last service back to Glasgow before a late dinner.
- Mondo Hotel parking: follow their instructions exactly or you risk a fine.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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CoatbridgeCoatbridge
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Coatbridge; the US consulate-general is in Edinburgh and most others are in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Glasgow Queen St → Coatbridge Sunnyside: about £5–6 (≈ US$7–8) return, 20 min
- Bus 201 Coatbridge → Airdrie: about £2–3 (≈ US$3–4), 10–15 min
- Taxi in town: £6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me (excuse me)
- Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (can I pay by card)
- Where is the station? — Where is the station? (where is the station)
English is the everyday language; Scots is spoken locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Coatbridge. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short, wet days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GLA and EDI: last train times from Glasgow to Coatbridge field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Walking cluster around Central station: Summerlee, Time Capsule, Monklands Canal towpath.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Summerlee, Drumpellier, Time Capsule) and eat pages with last orders.
- St Patrick's Day Festival dates and any road closures checked each February.
Sources
- officialVisitScotland — Lanarkshire
- officialSummerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
- officialDrumpellier Country Park
- officialTime Capsule Waterpark
- officialScotRail
- secondaryWikivoyage: Coatbridge, revision 5295042 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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