Glasgow is a big city, but that said, most things are within walking distance. It's no more than 3 miles across the downtown area and I can walk from my flat to downtown in 30 minutes. Walking is a great way to explore the city and find new places, but it isn't always the most practical. Other options for getting around Glasgow include:

Underground

Glasgow is the only city in the UK, other than London, to have an underground system. It is a simple circle with trolleys running in both directions. I used it a lot when I stayed in Queen Margaret as I could catch it at the Hillhead stop on Byres Road and ride to Buchanan Street downtown much faster than using a bus. A one way fare is £1.00 and a day ticket (called a Discovery pass) is £1.70, but can only be purchased after 10am. On Sundays, it the first trolley isn't till 11am and the last service is at 6pm.

Buses

Although there are several bus services in Glasgow, the only one of importance is First Group. They run the majority of intra city services. Prices for a single journey range from 95p-£1.20, so if you are taking a round trip or need to changes buses, a day pass is the way to go at £2.25. The drivers are generally very helpful and if you need to know fare information, just ask. You need to have exact change or else lose the excess. If you plan on taking the bus most days, First Group has bus passes in week or term lengths. A passport style photo is needed to buy a bus pass and you can get them in photo booths at the major train stations and many large grocers. I had a few taken before I left the States and have used almost every one.

Taxies

Taxies come in two varieties - black and white. Black cabs (0141 429 7070) are the official taxi service and are the safest option. Many other taxi companies operate in Glasgow and usually run several pounds less for a trip. The slogan is "white to go out, black to come back." The white taxi company I use is located in partick (0141 954 7070 or 0141 334 2828) and will run from the airport to Glasgow or visa versa for £10 (make sure you confirm that price when you call them). Black cabs usually charge about £15 for an airport run.

Trains

Local train service is run by First Group. It is fairly reliable, inexpensive and quick, but unless you live near a station, it may not be practical for common usage. A journey of a few stops is £1.50. A young persons card (also for full time students over 25) is available for £20 and gives 1/3 off all rail travel in the UK. If you plan to take the train to any farm placements, or for a bit of sightseeing, it pays for itself quickly. Rail travel can be organized through the National Rail Service.

Driving

If you are up for it, car rentals are just as easy as in the US. Many American companies have branches in Glasgow including Enterprise, Hertz, and National. The best UK rental company is Arnold Clark and they have centers all around Glasgow so you don't need to go to the airport or Anderson Quay to pick up your car. If you reserve early enough, you can get a small, manual car under £16/day. It's really not as hard as you think to drive on the "wrong" side of the road, so don't let that hold you back. Roundabouts are the hardest aspect of driving in the UK and I would recommend having a basic understanding of the right-of-ways involved before you drive much in Scotland. A couple of good roundabout websites - one on driver education and an animated tutorial.