UK travel: Your transport options explained

It sounds utterly simple, doesn’t it? After all, when most of us think about a trip to the UK, we think about one thing and one thing only; the London underground. This is regarded as one of the best of its kind in the world and in some ways, is rather fashionable.

However, if you are serious about getting the absolute most from your UK trip you need to expand your horizons. Sure, if you are a first-time visitor, then you probably are going to remain in the capital. After all, the list of attractions is endless, and you can comfortably fill your visit.

If you find that you are regularly returning to the UK, it might be time to think about your trip a little differently. There is more to the country than Big Ben, and if you can open your mind up somewhat you’ll see glorious countryside and the so-called “local” side of the UK that very few outsiders realizes exists.

For example, take the Belfry. This is one of the best golf courses in the world, having once held the Ryder Cup, whilst it also has fantastic hotel facilities. This is right in the middle of the country and provides you quick access to the Midlands.

Of course, there are plenty of other options. Some might turn to the Yorkshire Dales, while others might consider going even further north to the vibrant city of Edinburgh. There are a whole host of UK attractions at your fingertips but getting out of London tends to be the big obstacle for a lot of tourists.

This is what we primarily want to discuss today. While the UK’s train network is regularly featured in the media for both good and bad reasons, it can provide very easy access to a lot of areas. London is of course the transport hub and allows you to do this, but our big tip here is to plan your journey significantly in advance. If you try to pay on the day, you’ll be met with hugely inflated prices, and your vacation suddenly becomes very much unaffordable.

You don’t just have to rely on the train, though. There are numerous coach companies in the country, with National Express and Megabus widely regarded as the “big two”. Both of these companies have routes around the nation, and again London is the central point. Some tickets can cost just a few pounds each, but again booking in advance is crucial. It’s worth mentioning that coaches often run from airports as well, meaning that you can get to another city as soon as you land in London.

Then, we have internal flights. The UK is blessed in this regard, as internal flights tend to be very good value for money. Granted, the number of carriers is certainly decreasing following the recent collapse of Flybe, but if you are looking to get from London to Scotland this can be one of the most time and cost-effective ways to do so.

It would be fair to say that these are the three main options but as we alluded to previously, your main aim should just be escaping the hustle and bustle of London. If you can do this, you’ll make your UK trip very different indeed.