Getting Around In The UK

[sue_in_oz]

We always hire a car, booked from here as we are visiting family as well as touring around. But use public transport sometimes when more convenient

Used Avis last year using QFF code for discount, was cheaper than Hertz with (very very large) employer's discount code :shock:. Also no upfront pay like many of the cheaper online options. Amount quoted with booking was exactly what I paid.

HTH

Sue

 

[Lord Mud]

As a current UK resident (and driver) from Victoria I honestly don't belive that the speed cameras here are anywhere near as bad or the penalties as swift or unreasonable as they are in Vic. 90MPH is the rule rather than the exception on a motorway and you will see a speed camera from fair way away. If your car has satnav, it will tell you where they are as you approach. IN 2 years I have not been caught yet an have sped past police cars with little to no abandon. (touching wood on desk). The best application of speed cameras here (that I actually agree with) is the roadworks zone average speed ones.
Personally, with the current spate of price rises, cancellations and rail works on the go - particularly on the weekends where the main lines are often closed and "coach services" are replacements. I would advocate the use of a car for any travel outside of london. no matter how bad the traffic.
My parents visited last april and hired a car through europcar and found it was fine. Most of the cars here are selected now on their MPG ratings and particularly on diesel you will certainly get good mileage.
I like to catch the trains when going into London only and even if going into outer suburbs (Harrow, Watford etc) I still prefer to drive. The only thing I am getting concerned with is the congestion zone around Manchester which is gonna be interesting.
YMMV

 

[simongr]

Yep, as turtlemichael states there are drawbacks. Motorways seem to be very congested even out of the main cities. I find UK drivers a little, err, daring when it comes to overtaking (have had a couple of reasonably close calls) on normal (non divided) roads.

That's an interesting comment - it wasn't until I lived in Oz that I was overtaken on the inside on a regular basis.

I just got a price for car hire for three weeks with Hertz - a Jetta "or similiar" (which had better mean NOT a Kia piece of s*** - and being Hertx #1 I should get some form of upgrade. QUoted GBP350ish - but will need to add baby seat to that...

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I should add, given the discussion around European rail travel earlier in the thread, that the definitive resource is The Man in Seat Sixty-One...

He also does a comparision with Eurail passes and concludes (and remember we're talking Europe, not UK) that it is rarely worth getting a pass unless you want a very high degree of flexibility.

His passion for rail has made me plan a midyear trip to Malta from London.

 

[Moody]

His passion for rail has made me plan a midyear trip to Malta from London.

If I were you I would consider flying as you will be considerably dryer upon arrival. But it is a fascinating little country and very good value unless the insideous Euro has put paid to that fact. Don't miss taking the ferry to Gozo, and although the bus services around the island are OK I would advise you to hire a car if you like exploring.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

If I were you I would consider flying as you will be considerably dryer upon arrival

The 'train trip' includes a ferry from Sicily to Valletta. I count ferries as aquatic trains.

 

[medhead]

I should add, given the discussion around European rail travel earlier in the thread, that the definitive resource is The Man in Seat Sixty-One...

He also does a comparision with Eurail passes and concludes (and remember we're talking Europe, not UK) that it is rarely worth getting a pass unless you want a very high degree of flexibility.

His passion for rail has made me plan a midyear trip to Malta from London.

Excellent website thanks :!:

One grain of salt with his conclusion re rail passes. His examples are for short trips. I suspect that as the number of days increases the passes will move to being better value.

London to Malta sounds great. I see he also has London to Australia, umm I wonder how the family would feel....