Great Britain Travel: Finding the Great in Britain
Britain, or Great Britain, is one of the most popular tourist destinations, holding not only the cultural legacy of the United States and Canada but a varied geography, age-old attractions, and unique places to stay. In this guide we'll cover the Web's resources for getting there, getting around, finding accommodation, and discovering other useful information about the Great Britain that will enlighten your vacation experience.
Expand All Guide SectionsGreat Britain Travel Basics
England, a constitutional monarchy headed by Queen Elizabeth II, contains the roots of American ... read more »
Travel Requirements for Great Britain
Although the findingDulcinea Travel Guide ... read more »
England Vacation Packages
There are many U.K. travel sites that now cater to accommodation, airfare, and other travelers' ... read more »
Getting to England
Because London is a major European hub, affordable airfare from the United States can be quite easy ... read more »
England Hotels
There are a variety of accommodation options in England. The vast and affordable hostel network is ... read more »
Getting Around in England
Dulcinea's Insight
- Train travel is one of the most popular and efficient methods of transport in England. The network is extensive, affordable, and covers all areas, no matter how remote. The rail sites we recommend below allow you to book tickets and learn how to make easy connections to your destinations.
- Not all transportation sites cater to international credit card holders. If you come across this problem, often speaking with a site representative on the phone will allow you to pay using a non-U.K. card and billing address.
- Getting into London by taxi from its main airports, Gatwick and Heathrow, can set you back as much as £40 (about $85). The Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express are 15-minute train rides to Paddington Station in the center of the city, and tickets cost approximately £15 one way.
- Even if you're in town for only a few days, take advantage of the more affordable train and bus passes that commuters use, like London's Oyster card. For a tourist on the go, an efficient, discounted ticket that covers an entire city is the optimal choice.
Dulcinea's Picks
For air travel ...
Kayak
is a flight search engine "started by founders of Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia" that is best for travelers looking to book flights from England to other destinations in the United Kingdom or Europe. The site searches hundreds of airlines and other engines, and also includes hotel and car rental search options.
AirNinja
is a search engine specializing in results from low-cost and charter airlines. Perfect for travel within the United Kingdom, the site also trawls nondiscount airlines, giving you the full picture of the fare options available
British Midland Airways
(BMI) is a popular low-cost airline that travels within England as well as to/from the United States and Europe. Often BMI is one of the best ways to find cheap air travel within the United Kingdom. The search process on the site is simpler than most and the prices are comparable to other low-cost airlines.
For train travel ...
TheTrainLine
, based in the United Kingdom, is a good source for buying train tickets for travel within England and around the United Kingdom and Europe. The clean design has a simple search function and also includes a hotel search with many discounted room prices, starred ratings, photos, and descriptions.
BritRail
caters to foreign and U.K. travelers looking to purchase rail passes for travel around the U.K. mainland. The site has timetables and a useful and extensive "Suggested Itineraries" page, as well as intuitive sections like "How do I get to?", which explains the closest train connections to picturesque villages and other far-flung destinations.
For bus travel and tours ...
The Backpackers' Ultimate Guide
(BUG), recommended elsewhere in this guide, has a page on "Bus Travel in Great Britain" that's an excellent resource covering the numerous bus operators in the country, insight into cheap deals, and a more detailed explanation of each major company's offerings.
National Express
is the predominant nationwide coach service in the United Kingdom, comparable to Greyhound in the United States. One good feature of this company is the number of destinations reachable from England's airports, as well as the special packages for festivalgoers, sports fans, and weekend vacationers.
Megabus
is an alternative to National Express that covers fewer destinations but can help you comparison shop before you buy. Check out the "Stops" page for a map of the destinations Megabus covers in England, Wales, and Scotland.
PlusBus
is a public transportation ticket tool that adds a cheap bus fare to your train or tube fare, allowing you to travel around on various bus lines at a discounted rate. Take note of this option when you're purchasing subway tickets in England.
Transport for London
is a government site that provides information about London transportation modes and ticketing, including the Oyster (a more affordable way to use the subway, or "tube"). This site also has a useful "Getting Around" section for more information about London transport methods.
For taxi service ...
Traintaxi
specializes in taxis operating to and from U.K. train stations. A quick option for transport to wherever you're staying, the site also provides phone numbers that can help you find a taxi service from wherever you are in England.
For car rental ...
Britain Express
, a traveler's resource, has an extensive list of links to car rental sites based in England. The list also includes caravan/RV rentals, and many of the choices here provide pick-up at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
easyCar
is the car rental offshoot of easyJet, a successful low-cost airline based in the United Kingdom. This clean, catchy site covers dozens of countries and has a good list of economy and standard cars as well as premium vehicles like BMWs. The company has pick-up centers at many locations in England's major cities and airports.
Who knew?
Transport Direct
provides an interesting tool if you're looking to know the CO2 emissions required of your journey in the United Kingdom. Enter your approximate journey distance, list the number of travelers, and see which mode of transport requires the least energy.
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