Is it better to travel by car or train in UK?

Is it better to travel by train or car in England?

Train versus car in England… hmm.

Trains are good for big cities.

Like, London, for sure.

But, what about the Cotswolds?

Could you even get there reliably by train?

• Trains: Major Cities
• Cars: Rural Areas

Yeah, I think a car is a MUST for rural spots.

Remember that time in Devon?

Trying to rely on buses? OMG nightmare.

Taxis are a rip-off in the countryside, FYI.

• Cotswolds
• Devon
• Cornwall

So, I guess it depends on WHERE you’re going.

Trains = easy, no parking stress in London.

Cars = freedom, exploring tiny villages.

Decisions, decisions! I still can’t decide.

Whats the best way to travel around the UK?

Trains, huh? They’re okay, I guess. The scenery’s nice sometimes. But slow. God, so slow.

That’s the problem, see? It takes forever. Especially if you’re going north. Scotland. Man, Scotland. I miss it. The smell of the heather… and the rain.

The trains themselves are alright, mostly. Clean enough. Though, cramped. Always crowded, it feels like. Especially summer 2024, ridiculous.

• Overpriced, though. I paid a fortune last year to go see my sister in Edinburgh.
• Delayed often. Always some excuse. Leaves you stranded. Honestly, it’s infuriating.
• Lots of stations, I’ll grant you that. Too many, perhaps. Gets confusing. Feels impersonal.

Driving is better, at least you’re in control. More freedom. Though parking is a nightmare. Especially in London. Forget about London. It’s hell on wheels. I stick to the trains for that part. Even with the delays. Even with the cost. It’s less stressful, I think.

Buses, ugh. No. Just no. Never again. Cramped, smelly, and slow. The absolute worst. I took one once from Oxford to my parents’ place in the Cotswolds. Six hours. Six agonizing hours. Never again.

Flying? I guess for long distances, if you’re not too bothered about the environmental impact. Though I hate airports. The lines, the stress…

Is it cheaper to drive or take the train in the UK?

Right, so, last July, my partner and I, we were going to Edinburgh from Glasgow for a weekend. Train tickets? Bloody expensive! Peak time, like, £60 each way. Sixty quid! Highway robbery! I swear. We looked at car hire.

Honestly, the rental car was cheaper even with petrol. We only needed it for two days though. Plus parking in Edinburgh is a nightmare. Still, less than the train. Driving was easier, way more convenient, too. More flexible. We could stop off where we wanted.

The train was fast, I’ll give it that. But not that much faster. The traffic wasn’t terrible. Honestly, the peace of mind knowing we weren’t relying on timetables was worth it.

So, for us, driving won hands down. That trip, anyway. Definitely cheaper.

• Train: Peak fares: £60 each way (Glasgow-Edinburgh).
• Car: Rental + petrol was significantly less expensive.
• Factors: Convenience, flexibility, parking (a real pain in Edinburgh)

Is it safe to travel by train in the UK?

Train travel safe in the UK? Hmm. Yeah, rail is super safe here. Way safer than driving, that’s for sure. 16 crimes per million journeys? Wow. Extremely low chance of anything happening. My aunt always takes the train to Ipswich. Never had a problem.

What if something does happen, though? I mean, 16 is still something. Oh right, British Transport Police, BTP.

• Number: 61016
• Call or text! Good to know, I guess.

Should I even bother memorizing that? Probably not. Safer than driving, like I said. My commute to Birmingham, its always smooth.

How to travel between cities in the UK?

Buses: ubiquitous. Cash still works. Sometimes. Tram: Only in some places. Sheffield? Taxis exist. Pricey. Cycling is…an option.

• Buses: Can be slow. Always check the route. My bus from Brighton to Lewes? Ages.
• Trams: Efficient, where they run. Edinburgh is good.
• Taxis: Uber, Hailo. Expect surges. London taxi driver knew my grandma’s street. Spooky.
• Cycling: Rain gear essential. Potholes. Always potholes.

Trains trump all. National Rail Enquiries. Book ahead. Consider a railcard. Saved me a fortune on the London-Manchester run.

What is the best way to get around England as a tourist?

Trains: The quintessential British experience. Think Hogwarts Express, not a Greyhound. Scenic, relatively speedy, and you’ll avoid the M25’s existential dread. Plus, less chance of accidentally driving on the wrong side of the road – unlike my cousin Barry.

Buses: Budget-friendly, like a slightly less glamorous Ryanair flight. Expect delays; it’s a national pastime. Think of it as a slow-motion sightseeing tour, though you might feel like a sardine in a tin.

Planes: Great for hopping between major cities, but you’ll miss the charming English countryside. Unless you like seeing blurry green fields. It’s the fast food of travel; efficient but lacking soul. My flight to Cornwall last year was delayed for three hours.

Cars: Freedom! But you’ll be battling roundabouts – terrifying, tiny, swirling vortexes of metal. Parking? Good luck finding a spot smaller than my bathroom. I’m still hunting for my car after leaving it in York last summer.

Walking/Cycling: The most romantic but potentially exhausting option. Perfect for quaint villages but less so for navigating Manchester during rush hour. My knees are still recovering from a recent hike in the Lake District.

Best Option? It depends on your priorities:

• Budget: Bus
• Speed: Train or Plane (Plane only if long distances)
• Scenery: Train
• Adventure: Car (or bike if you’re brave/mad)
• Peace and quiet: Walking (but pack sturdy shoes!)