National Express and other United Kingdom Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Since I don't like renting a car when I'm going on my own I've taken the National Express coaches a lot. They take longer than the train but they can take you to places without a rail station. They are also cheaper. A return ticket is just a bit more than a single. I've also booked an open jaw ticket a few times and found it a very good way to save money. This option is now hidden in the FAQ section, it used to be on the home page.
Just a word of caution, however: Don't plan your schedule too tight, the coaches are never on time. If you have to make a connection, allow for at least one hour in between.Once a coach broke down completely, which caused a delay of almost two hours, while we were waiting for a substitute coach.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: A very good way to save money are the rail passes and the point-to-point tickets which you can buy from outside the UK.
I've done it very often through BritRail. They send the ticket to you, I usually got it within two or three days.Even with a fee of 5 Euro the tickets are still a lot cheaper than buying them at the train station in the UK.
There is a cheaper rate available for young people, 25% off the regular price for people up to 25.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.britrail.net/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: BritRail also sell point to point tickets, apart from their passes. They have some very good deals for trains out of London, the main touristy routes. However, when comparing prices I found out that their point to point tickets for routes off the beaten path tend to be really expensive! If you plan to use a train outside the main lines, buying your ticket through National rail or simply at the train station will save you lots of money.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: From Germany there are many ways to get to the UK, flying is certainly the fastest one. Judging from my trips, budget airlines are not always the best way. It really depends where you're going to.
I live less than one hour away from Frankfurt airport and about one and a half hours from Hahn.

Flying to LONDON, I found out that British Airways or Lufthansa are better than RyanAir, all things considered. If you book early enough, you can get good fares on the regular airlines, Lufthansa even offers a sort of last minute special for 99 Euro round trip. Sign up to their newsletter to receive it.
BA or Lufthansa bring you to Heathrow and you can take the tube into the centre of London. Stansted Airport is a longer distance from London, so it's a train first and then the tube.
At first glance, RyanAir may look cheaper, but after you've added all the taxes , fees for checking in and luggage, the regular airlines can compete.

Going to CAMBRIDGE it's a different matter. Stansted Airport is much closer to Cambridge, there is a very good train service, so in this case RyanAir is the better choice.

Leave a Comment