UK Travel and Transport Tips

The UK has a fairly good transport system, both between cities and around them. Wherever you want to go, there are probably at least two or three ways of getting there- most placed are served by buses, overground rail or underground networks, and possibly even ferries. Possibly the most famous British transport option is the double-decker Routemaster bus.

Sadly, the Routemasters are being gradually retired and replaced with ordinary single-decker buses, which are far less fun, but you can still find the tall buses in service in some parts of London and most major cities run double-decker bus sightseeing tours. They're great in good weather, but less advisable in the rain when you probably won't see all that much.

Some budget coach companies are buying up the Routemasters and running them between cities. They're not quick but they are reliable, so if you choose to travel intercity by the cheapest bus fare possible you might be lucky and get a view from the top deck.
While the UK's train system is considerable and usually fairly good, it's also one of the most expensive in Europe. Buses are much cheaper but if you'd prefer to travel by train, book as far in advance as you can. It's possible to save up to 40% of the ticket price but even if you book the day before travelling you might still make a good saving.

Some people like to travel by train for the sake of the trains rather than to get from A to B, and the UK has preserved a number of steam railway lines for rail lovers. You can find them in Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales (near the home of the first ever rail transport system), on the North Yorkshire moors, around the Isle of Wight, and in Loughborough.

So far only a few British cities have underground systems. London and Glasgow are the two most extensive, and as in many European cities, underground or 'tube' travel is usually the quickest and simplest way to get around the inner city. However, it pays to avoid rush hour, especially in summer as the tube can become very hot, sweaty, and crowded. Anyone used to the beautifully air-conditioned carriages found in some continental Metro systems will be sorely disappointed!

Not all stations are underground, and the tube network extends a long way to the north and south so some travellers won't need to use anything else. The downside is that travelling by tube can be expensive, particularly if you're staying some way out of central London. Most visitors invest in day travelcards, but it's better to do as locals do and buy a rechargeable Oyster card. They're very easy to use (just swipe over the sensor as you walk through the barrier) and work out far cheaper even for a short stay.

Beware of unlicensed minicab or taxi operators, particularly in London. If you are approached and offered a taxi service while walking always turn it down. Legitimate taxis are clearly marked and they are never all that far away in the bigger cities so you probably won't have long to wait.

The ferries aren't confined to seaports. London, Liverpool, Cardiff, and many other cities run ferry or water taxi services up and down their rivers for transport purposes, and for anyone travelling on a budget, it's worth remembering that a return ferry trip is often just as scenic as a pleasure cruise and a whole lot cheaper.

Jess Spate is a former resident of North London but now lives in Wales. She travels widely and frequently, writing for Sell My Timeshare and timeshare resales websites.