Venere Travel Blog - It's our business where you sleep!

The UK has such an elevated position relative to its size in terms of political and cultural influence that many visitors are surprised at just how small it actually is. At less than half the size of France and dwarfed by the behemoth Unites States, the UK is a mere 149,000 square miles. While the UK may be compact, visitors who want to explore it are faced with a myriad of transport options to get around, some of which are more useful than others.

Flying domestically within the UK is, generally speaking, useless. The exception here is travelling to Scotland from London. Considering that most UK cities are only a few hours away from each other by train the time saved by flying the distance is minimal. This is especially so since airports are generally situated outside the cities they serve. When the time taken to get to and from the airport is added to the check-in and travel time there is no time saving at all. When you compare the cost of plane tickets with train tickets and take environmental considerations into account flying domestically seems ever more ridiculous. Flying from London to Scotland can make sense if you are really pushed for time, but since the overall saving is no more than a couple of hours this will not apply to tourists but rather business visitors.

Travelling long distance by bus can be one of the most hellish experiences imaginable. It is a very cheap way to travel but for a reason. Visitors on a very tight budget will be able to save a few pounds by travelling by bus around the UK but for everyone else it will detract from the overall experience and is to be avoided. That said, rural bus services are often the only way to visit remote places and the bus becomes not only useful but indispensable. When it comes to bus travel the essential maxim is ‘short distance good, long distance bad.’

Easily the best way to travel around the UK is the train. It is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the plane and is usually a pleasurable experience, unlike the bus. The UK rail network is extensive and the services (generally) reliable. Ticket prices can vary wildly, the best advice is to be flexible about the time you travel and to buy the ticket about a week in advance. Be aware that tickets for travel at peak time (such as arriving in London about nine AM) can be extortionate so avoid them at all costs. In addition to these savings, train companies offer family savings and specific outing tickets. An example of this is the flexible ticket allowing exploration of all the Cornish branch lines within a week. As with most travel options, many trains will be full with holidaying families in the high summer, making paying the extra for an early morning ticket all the more attractive for lovers of peace and quiet.

Photo of a UK bus by felissy.