Just click on the mode of transportation in which you are interested in knowing more about and begin planning how you will get around Great Britain.

Air Travel Within Great Britain Train Travel Within Great Britain Car Rental In Great Britain Bus Travel Within Great Britain Barge Travel and Barge Vacations In Great Britain Ferry Service In and Around Great Britain Britain On A Bike! Walking Through Britain Interesting Links for Great Britain Other Interesting Travel Links Discounts and Deals!

Air Travel Within Great Britain
Unlike the United States internal air travel seems to not be very important in Great Britain. This is due partly to the size of the area, it being much smaller than the United States, and the excellent network of train system and bus lines. In fact, if you will be traveling less than 200 miles, take the train. It is much quicker. Especially when you figure in the drive time from the airports to the city centers as compared to most train stations which will drop you right in the heart of everything. However, if you are planning to travel between the major cities such as London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow; or if you will be going somewhere where a sea crossing is involved such as to Dublin, Belfast, the Scottish islands, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man; you might prefer to fly as it would be a considerable time advantage for you.

Here is some information for you if you do plan to fly in Great Britain. British Airways (British Airways) operates shuttle services between London' Heathrow Airport and Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester. Normally passengers do not need a reservation and you can get a flight (sometimes hourly) without booking. There are also shuttle services from Gatwick. British Midland (British Midland - 0208/745-7321) operates out of Heathrow to Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, and Teesside. If you are headed for the Isle of Man you can fly Manx Airlines (Manx Airlines - 0345/256256) from Heathrow and London Luton. And, if it is the Channel Islands you are bound for, Jersey is served by British Airways (from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, and Plymouth), British Midlands (from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford) Jersey European Jersey European (from Birmingham, Exeter, Gatwick), and Air UK Air UK (Southampton and Stansted).

 

This site is for my UK visitors. Airflights is one of the largest UK based travel agencies who deal mainly in flight only. You can use their easy to use Online System  to search for "CHEAP FLIGHTS", "CHEAP AIR TICKETS", and "FLIGHTS". They have some of the "CHEAPEST FLIGHTS" on their live "TRAVEL" database of over 4,200,000 late availability  "HOLIDAY SUN", "CITY BREAKS" and "CHARTER FLIGHTS" from all of the UK's top tour operators

 

At Airport Parking Shop you can find discounts of up to 60% on gate prices not just at major airports like Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester but at 92 car parks around 22 locations in the UK. Click Here or on the button at the right for all of the details!

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Train Travel Within Great Britain
Traveling by train is far and away the most popular way to get around in Great Britain. You can get just about anywhere by train. And, if you can't get there by train, it is a good bet you can catch a bus at the station that will get you where you want to go!

Although you can just walk up to any ticket window and buy a ticket to just about anywhere you like while you are in Great Britain, many people opt to purchase a BritRail Pass (Brit Rail Pass Information) which will give you unlimited travel over the entire British Rail Network and will save you money. However, you must purchase the BritRail Pass before leaving the United States. And, if you do not plan to use it a lot, it is still less expensive just to purchase point-to-point tickets at a station after you arrive in Great Britain. BritRail Passes are available from most travel agents and from BritRail Travel International. However, before you purchase a pass, and there are several different passes to choose from with many different pricing structures, look over their literature very carefully or discuss it with your travel agent before you maker your purchase. Figure out where and how often you plan on using the train, and then compare the price of the pass you will need with the cost of point-to-point tickets.

 

The Train Line - Through our call centers and web site we help you to look, plan and buy your train tickets to anywhere in the UK. Innovation is at the heart of thetrainline’s business and over the past three years the company has grown and expanded its customer base by developing retail channels in order to meet the changing needs of both business and leisure customers. Created in 1997 by Virgin Rail Group to meet the growth in customer demand for rail services via telephone, the Internet, and other interactive channels. thetrainline was the first impartial rail retailer to sell train tickets online with its Internet service launched in early 1999. Just enter the destination and time of travel information in the search engine at your right and you are on your way!

If you want the flexibility of a car along with the speed of the train, you might want to consider purchasing a BritRail/Drive Pass. (Brit Rail/Drive Pass Information) Again, there are several different combinations you may purchase so, do your homework before you purchase.

You can also purchase a BritRail + Eurostar FlexiPass that includes a round-trip through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. Other than flying, the "Chunnel" is the quickest and easiest way to get across the English Channel. (I still prefer the ferry as I enjoy the relaxing ride with a good book sitting beside the rail and watching the waves go by. However, it certainly is not fast!) The rail ride under the English Channel takes about 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, or about an hour from motorway in England to motorway in France. From London's Waterloo Station to Paris's Gare du Nord the time is about three hours. For passenger service you can contact Eurostar Eurostar Information (Waterloo International, 0345/881881) or InterCity Europe (Victoria Station, 0207/834-2345). In the United States contact BritRail Travel (1-800-677-8585) or Rail Europe Rail Europe Information (1-800-942-4866). If you need to transport your car through the Chunnel, contact Le Shuttle Eurotunnel Official Web Site (1-800-388-3876 in the U.S. or 0990/353535 in the U.K.

And remember, just because you have a rail pass does not necessarily guarantee you a seat on the train. You may still have to book your seats in advance. Seat reservations are required on some European trains, particularly the high-speed trains, and it is always a good idea to always call ahead and make a reservation. Especially on very busy trains such as during the summer or to popular tourist destinations. And, you always have to book ahead if you want sleeping accommodations.

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Car Rental in Great Britain

I enjoy driving in Great Britain and do not seem to have much of a problem driving on the "wrong side of the road." The only real problem I seem to have is shifting with my left hand! If you are going to rent a car in Great Britain here are a few suggestions. One, make sure you have a good map, map your route in advance and write it down on in a small notebook with directions on where to turn and such (keeping in mind that most British road signs will normally point you to a place and, even if you cannot keep the road straight in your mind, keep the place in your mind and keep following the signs leading to that "place"), and a navigator who can help you navigate - especially in the round-abouts! Second, keep your cool. And lastly, DON'T DRIVE IN LONDON! Just kidding. I drive in London, I just don't enjoy driving in London!

In Great Britain you can drive on your own driver's license. However, an International Driver's Permit is a good idea. They are available from the American Automobile Association. And, before you drive anywhere in Great Britain, or in Europe, be sure you are familiar with the series of international road signs. You can also get a copy of them from the American Automobile Association. And, as you would be here in the United States, you will be held accountable for any damages, both to the rental car, other cars, or even people. Check with your insurance agent before you leave the states and see what your coverage will be if you rent a car overseas. Then, check to make sure you "fill in the gaps" with any additional coverage you might need while operating the rental car overseas. Also, beware of surcharges for drop-offs or one-way services. Also, just a word of warning, I have sometimes found that there is very little gas (oops, petrol) in the tank when you get your rental car. Be sure to check the tank and ask about refueling procedures before leaving the office.

Search and Book Car Rental from Expedia.com in the UK.

Moto Europa - If you are visiting Belgium, England (Office is in London), France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal or Spain, why rent a car when you can lease from Moto Europa. Getting Away has teamed with Ideamerge to provide an online way for you to learn more about, and perhaps subsequently order, a Renault Eurodrive tax-free, short-term auto lease. These leases can be great deals for persons traveling 17 days or more! And, this is the only site on the web where you can learn so much about them and order securely online. Tax-free, short-term leases have the touch and feel of a rental but can be much less costly and, in many respects, much simpler. You book and pay for your lease before taking delivery, signing a contract which allows Renault to register and fully insure in your name the exact vehicle of your choice for the period you requested. You do not, of course, pay the full price of the vehicle; the one low charge—tax-free and including full comprehensive insurance and breakdown coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and full warranty—is essentially the difference between preset buying and selling prices. After returning the vehicle, you have no further obligations whatsoever; Renault sells the vehicle to a rental agency or other party. Check it out today before you rent a car!

 

Want a car, but don't want to rent. If you need a car for at least 17 days, and you are at least 18 years old, Getting Away and Auto Europe can hook you up with a new Peugeot through the exclusive Peugeot Buy Back Program. Or, if you want to leave the driving to a professional while you sit back and enjoy the scenery, check out the Chauffeur Service offered by Getting Away and Auto Europe. You can also find sports cars, vans and even luxury vehicles at Auto Europe. In Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand and Spain, you can rent a motor home.

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Bus Travel Within Great Britain
Britain has a wonderful and comprehensive bus and coach system. Just to set things straight, and so you will talk like a traveler and not a "tourist," busses are used for short distances and coaches are used for long distances. The busses and coaches are less expensive than traveling by train. Normally by at least half. However, it is still slower to travel by bus. But then, it is a great way to see the country. The "Rapide" coaches do reduce the margin of time quite a bit as they are long-distance and normally use the motorways quite a bit. The seats on these coaches are quite comfortable (Not necessarily to be said for the seats on some of the busses.) and all coaches have washroom facilities on board. They also offer meal and rest stops on longer trips.

National Express, and the Scottish associate, Scottish Citylink, are the two largest British operators. Victoria Coach Station in London is the hub of National Express (Glasgow for Scottish Citylink) which also has offices at both Heathrow and Gatwick. The National Express system has over 1,500 destinations and about 2,500 agents nationwide. National Express also offers a Tourist Trail Pass (from about £50 to about £180) which will allow you from 3 consecutive days of travel to 15 out of 30 days of travel. Students and persons under 25 may purchase a Discount Coach Card (for about £8) that will qualify you to discounts of up to 30%. The Tourist Trail Pass can also be purchased in the United States from British Travel International (1-800-327-6097).

For additional information contact National Express at Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP (0990/808080) or Scottish Citylink in Glasgow (0990/505050).

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Barge Travel and Barge Vacations in Great Britain
There are many people who swear that the best way to see many parts of Great Britain is on one of the brightly painted, narrow barges that cruise the many canals of the area. If you believe you would like to sample this type of a vacation you should first request a copy of the booklet Inland Waterway Holidays from the BTA, the British Tourist Authority. (1-800-462-2748 or British Tourist Authority) You might also want to check with one of the following: Inland Waterways Association (114 Regents Park Road, London NW1 8UQ, 0207/586-2510), British Waterways (Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD1 3QA, 01923/226422), or U.K. Waterway Holidays (1 Port Hill, Hertford, SG14 1PJ, 10992/550616).

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Ferry Service in and around Great Britain
There is also an extensive ferry service in Great Britain.
The Isle of Wight... (0990/827744) operates a car-ferry between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. Ferry travels between Lymington and Yarmouth and takes about 35 minutes. There is also a crossing between Portsmouth (Southsea) to Fishbourne that takes about 40 minutes. Red Funnel Ferries (01703/330333) operates a car-ferry and hydrofoil service between Southampton and Cowes. Hovertravel (01983/811000) has a hovercraft shuttle between Byde and Southsea that takes about 10 minutes.

The Channel Islands...If you want to do a little island hopping in the Channel Islands, there is an extensive ferry system that will allow you to do so. Fast hydrofoils skip around to all of the islands. Sark can be reached from Guernsey in less than an hour by Sark Shipping (01481/724059) or from Jersey by Emeraude (01534/66566). Herm is only about 15 minutes from Guernsey by Herm Seaways (01481/724677), Munson Herm Ferry (01481/722613), or Trident Charter Company (01481/721379).

Hoverspeed operates the following routes:
Dover - Calais  (fast ferry - under 1hr)
Dover - Ostend  (fast ferry - around 2hrs)
Newhaven - Dieppe       (fast ferry - around 2 hrs)
Newhaven - Dieppe       (classic ferry - around 4 hrs)
Reservations and Information - 08705 240241
Book On-Line and save 2% - http://www.hoverspeed.com/

Ferries also operate daily regular schedules to the continent and to Ireland. Check out the links below for just about all of the information you will need to get from Great Britain to the European continent.

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Britain on a Bike!
One of the best ways to explore Britain, if you have the time, is on a bicycle. Although they are banned from the motorways and most dual carriageways and main trunk roads, all of the side roads and country lanes are open and welcome bicycles. Many part of Britain also have bicycle routes in towns and thorough parts of the countryside. Cyclists can also legally use public bridle ways – green, unsurfaced tracks and trails reserved for horses, walkers, and cyclists. If you are really into doing Britain on a bike, be sure to obtain one of the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps to help you plan your cycling.

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Walking Through Britain
Great Britain is criss-crossed by wonderful footpaths and meandering trails. In fact, over 100,000 miles of footpaths are located throughout England and Wales. They range from short, local paths to very long treks such as Peddar's Way in East Anglia and the Pennine Way in Yorkshire. I especially like the Cotswold Way as it is one of the more scenic walks in the world. It stretches between Bath and Chipping Campden (two of my favorite English cities) for a distance of about 100 miles and affords incomparable views. Contact me if you would like additional information on walks in Great Britain.

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Interesting Links

If you live in the UK, visit Best Travel Deals for all of your holiday needs. They offer the best deals on flights, hotels and package holidays. Simply click the relevant button to your left or on Expedia.co.uk home to find all the lowest prices and special offers.