As you'd expect of such a small and densely populated island, just about every place in Britain is accessible by train or bus. However, costs are among the highest in Europe - London's commuters spend more on getting to work than any of their European counterparts - while cross-country travel can eat up a large part of your budget. It pays to plan ahead and make sure you're aware of all the passes and special deals on offer - note that some are only available outside Britain and must be purchased before you arrive. It's often cheaper to drive yourself around, though fuel and car rental costs again are among the highest in Europe and will seem prohibitive to North Americans. Congestion around the main cities can be bad, and even the motorways are liable to sporadic gridlocks, especially on public holidays when what seems like half the population takes to the road
Internal flights
Since the distances involved are so small,
internal flights
are not the most obvious choice for getting around Britain. However, with several regional airports - including Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh - well served by...
read more >>
By train
In the recent past Britain's
rail network
has suffered a foolhardy privatization process and a chronic under-investment, resulting in a severe decline in services. With the ownership of the track and stations put into the hands of Railtrack,...
read more >>
By bus and coach
Inter-town bus services
(known as
coaches
in Britain) duplicate many rail routes, very often at half the price of the train or less. The frequency of service is often comparable to rail, and in some instances the difference in journey...
read more >>
By car
In order to
drive
in Britain you need a current full
driving licence
. If you're bringing your own vehicle, you should also carry your
vehicle registration
or
ownership document
at all times. Furthermore,...
read more >>
Taxis
Taxis
are a useful option for finding that hostel or sight that's off the beaten track or when time is limited. Also, if you're with a group hiring a taxi can work out as cheap as taking a bus. Reckon on paying around £3 for the first mile and £1...
read more >>
