Whether you’re seeking to explore the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, the historic streets of Edinburgh, or the lively buzz of London, the way you travel from A to B can make all the difference!
With so many transport options at your disposal (and lots of them more complicated than they seem from the outside) it’s important to consider how best to get around. I'd even go far to say that it's the second most important after where you stay in the UK! Each mode of transport offers its own set of advantages and challenges, depending on your preferences and itinerary.
When it comes to environmentalism and scenic views, let's be honest: travelling by train is hard to beat! The UK boasts one of the most extensive rail networks in Europe, making it an ideal choice for both short and long-distance travel. You can easily hop on a train from major cities like London, Manchester, or Glasgow and reach smaller towns and rural areas within a few hours (and often a few changes).
The Best Ways to Get Around in the UK
Travelling by train
When it comes to environmentalism and scenic views, let's be honest: travelling by train is hard to beat! The UK boasts one of the most extensive rail networks in Europe, making it an ideal choice for both short and long-distance travel. You can easily hop on a train from major cities like London, Manchester, or Glasgow and reach smaller towns and rural areas within a few hours (and often a few changes).
Booking tickets in advance can save you money, especially if you opt for railcards, which offer discounts for young travellers, seniors, and families. The train stations themselves are often located in the heart of the cities, meaning you’re never far from your destination. The biggest downside is delays, which can occasionally disrupt your plans, especially during peak times. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to travel, trains are a top pick, as they produce way less carbon than driving or flying!
For those who love flexibility, driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Renting a car is an option, but if you’re planning to travel frequently, bringing your own vehicle might be an easier alternative. One of the joys of driving in the UK is the opportunity to experience scenic road trips. From the winding coastal routes of Cornwall to the majestic Scottish Highlands, the UK’s roads offer picturesque views at every turn!
Driving and road trips
For those who love flexibility, driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Renting a car is an option, but if you’re planning to travel frequently, bringing your own vehicle might be an easier alternative. One of the joys of driving in the UK is the opportunity to experience scenic road trips. From the winding coastal routes of Cornwall to the majestic Scottish Highlands, the UK’s roads offer picturesque views at every turn!
However, navigating busy cities like London can be a challenge, with congestion charges and limited parking. It’s worth remembering that motorways can become busy, particularly during rush hours, so planning your journey carefully can save you time and stress.
Though almost never necessary, domestic flights can be a useful tool for travelling quickly across the UK, especially if you’re heading to a distant destination like Northern Ireland or the Scottish Islands. Alternatively, these can be reached by boats - they might cost you more, but not the environment where we all live!
Domestic flights and boats
Though almost never necessary, domestic flights can be a useful tool for travelling quickly across the UK, especially if you’re heading to a distant destination like Northern Ireland or the Scottish Islands. Alternatively, these can be reached by boats - they might cost you more, but not the environment where we all live!
Budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair offer affordable flights between major cities, making it possible to reach far-flung locations in no time - by which we mean not a very long flight time (the time adds up when you factor in the time you need at the airport). However, flying does come with a few drawbacks. Security checks, baggage restrictions, and potential delays also add to the stress. And again, the environmental aspect! For shorter distances, you may find that taking the train or coach is a more time-effective and economical choice.
For the ultimate in flexibility and comfort, consider hiring (or purchasing, if you can) a motorhome or campervan. This option allows you to travel at your own pace, with the added benefit of also having accommodation on the move (this latter point is especially poignant in the UK where accommodation is often neither cheap nor comfortable). Whether you’re heading to the Lake District, the Welsh countryside or the coast of Cornwall, a motorhome gives you the chance to explore remote areas and sleep under the stars!
Motorhomes and camper vans
For the ultimate in flexibility and comfort, consider hiring (or purchasing, if you can) a motorhome or campervan. This option allows you to travel at your own pace, with the added benefit of also having accommodation on the move (this latter point is especially poignant in the UK where accommodation is often neither cheap nor comfortable). Whether you’re heading to the Lake District, the Welsh countryside or the coast of Cornwall, a motorhome gives you the chance to explore remote areas and sleep under the stars!
Before embarking on your adventure, make sure you have comprehensive motorhome insurance to cover the vehicle and any unforeseen mishaps. Insurance is vital, as it will help protect against the costs of accidents or damages that might occur along the way! While driving a motorhome can take a bit of getting used to, the freedom to hop from one destination to the next without worrying about bookings or check-out times is a huge advantage.
Of course coming in first in terms of environmental impact (and last in terms of speed) is walking and cycling, where the only carbon expended is out of your mouth (and the footprint of whatever you ingested as fuel).
Walking and Cycling
Of course coming in first in terms of environmental impact (and last in terms of speed) is walking and cycling, where the only carbon expended is out of your mouth (and the footprint of whatever you ingested as fuel).
Cycling and walking can be particularly nice in the UK as they have a extensive and well connected cycle and walking paths through ancient forests and grubby fields - and even through big cities!
Last, but not least, we have buses (to get around towns and cities) and coaches (to get between towns and cities). These are more environmentally friendly than flying or driving, quicker than walking and cycling and almost always cheaper than trains. Bus prices are 'pay on the day' (and often only by card) - please note that UK buses don't always accept cash any more! Coach prices go up nearer the day of travel so it's worth booking far in advance for the best deals.
As someone who lived in the UK for twenty years, I can say that the best way to travel around the UK is a mixture of these: it all depends on where you're going, what your levels of comfort are, how long you have for the trip and so on. Big props to motorhomes and caravans for the added advantage of accommodation on the go, and a word of thanks for walking, cycling, buses, coaches and trains for being the most environmental options!
Buses and Coaches
Last, but not least, we have buses (to get around towns and cities) and coaches (to get between towns and cities). These are more environmentally friendly than flying or driving, quicker than walking and cycling and almost always cheaper than trains. Bus prices are 'pay on the day' (and often only by card) - please note that UK buses don't always accept cash any more! Coach prices go up nearer the day of travel so it's worth booking far in advance for the best deals.
Wrapping Up: The Best Ways to Travel Around the UK
As someone who lived in the UK for twenty years, I can say that the best way to travel around the UK is a mixture of these: it all depends on where you're going, what your levels of comfort are, how long you have for the trip and so on. Big props to motorhomes and caravans for the added advantage of accommodation on the go, and a word of thanks for walking, cycling, buses, coaches and trains for being the most environmental options!
