How to get about in the UK

Great Britain is so compact, getting around is straightforward. Here’s your guide to getting around Britain by public transport or hire car, bike or boat.

By road

Driving through Britain is a great way to explore its towns and cities, taking in stunning sights along the way. Britain’s road networks are extensive and well-connected, making journeys straightforward and fast (outside rush hour, of course).

If you have time, be sure to take in one of the spectacular road journeys, from The Coastal Way in Wales to the North Coast 500 in Scotland and Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland. Brits drive on the left, and road signs show distances in miles.

Hire cars are available from airports, train stations and ports, as well as in city centres and major towns.

By train 

Travelling by train is a leisurely way to explore Britain. It can be fast, too: you can leave London and be in Edinburgh four hours later, Cardiff in under two – or for the romantic, you can take the overnight sleeper service and wake up in the Highlands. It’s also one of the most scenic ways to get around, whether passing through rolling countryside or hugging the coast. 

Eurostar opens up Europe from London, with fast trains heading from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

If you’re coming from overseas, consider buying a rail pass for cost-saving options (some passes allow for unlimited travel in the UK). 

By bus

One of the cheapest ways – although probably not the fastest – to get around is by coach. Book ahead to grab a bargain: National Express has many fares from £6, while Megabus offers tickets from just £1 (plus booking fee) if you book early enough.

Coach trips are a good way way to tour popular destinations, from daytrips to the seaside or week long trips to areas like the Lake District or the Highlands of Scotland.

By airline

Although Britain is small,  taking an internal flight can cut travel time if you’re travelling longer distances, such as from southern England to the Highlands of Scotland, or to one of Britain’s many islands. 

By water

For more leisurely sightseeing, Britain has a large network of waterways you can explore by narrowboat. It’s a slow pace of life – narrowboats travel 3-4mph, allowing for plenty of time to enjoy the sights and sounds (and pubs) along the way. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing and luxurious way to see various parts of Britain, a cruise might be for you.  Choose a short three-day trip around part of the British coast, or a 12-day jaunt taking in ports in England, Ireland, Wales and as far as Orkney.

By bike

If you want to take in stunning views at your own pace, hiring a bike is a great option. There are more than 12,000 miles of signed bike routes 5,000 of which are traffic free. From coastal routes to along towpaths, or from coast to coast and top to bottom and even over to France, there’s a route for everyone.