UK Transport

Should you be flying into the UK, you can choose from a wide selection of airports. London Heathrow is the most flown to airport in the UK, and is easily accessible from across the globe. However, the UK has several regional airports - while these may be a little harder to fly to; most are accessible via direct flights, or with a change of aircraft en-route. Regional airports include Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol and Aberdeen. As a result, wherever you are traveling to in the UK, there will always be a convenient airport nearby.

Depending on where you want to go, you may wish to rent a car. If you are staying mainly in cities, public transport is a viable and cost effective solution. However, if you are visiting more remote or expansive areas, such as the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District or the Scottish Highlands, then you should hire a car, or take an organized tour, as public transport in these remote areas is lacking.

Several cities now have light rail and metro systems. London, for example, has the large London Underground system, as well as the Docklands Light railway and the Croydon Tramlink. Other cities with metro systems include Manchester, Nottingham, Blackpool, Glasgow, Newcastle and Sheffield.

If you wish to travel long distance, but do not wish to drive, then rail will be a viable alternative. Almost every large town and city is served by at least one station. The main long-distance lines are the Great Western Main Line (London to Bristol, Plymouth and Penzance), the West Coast Main Line (London to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow) and the East Coast Main Line (London to Peterborough, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh). There are also a number of scenic rural lines, with less frequent, smaller trains, such as the Settle-Carlisle line, which is world-famous for its stunning scenery and numerous viaducts.

You may also want to fly long-distance in the UK. Most airports offer domestic services; you should check individual airport and airline sites for details on schedules and fares.

Another option for long distance travel is by coach. Typically, this is a much cheaper option compared to flying; however it is also much slower, and more susceptible to delays such as traffic jams.