Manchester
Regardless of how you choose to travel, the most important thing is staying safe. Whether you’re taking the train, bus, or renting out a motorhome for a couple of weeks, don’t ignore basic road safety rules and regulations that apply in the UK.
The United Kingdom may not seem like it has much to offer to travellers, especially those who are from there. However, that's not necessarily true, and with the right amount of planning and the willingness to get out of your comfort zone, you can have a great time travelling around Great Britain.
Regardless of whether you're from the UK or anywhere else in the world, you should seriously consider exploring the British Isles as your next holiday destination. The weather isn't the greatest all throughout the year, but that doesn't have to be a disadvantage — it means that you're going to have just as good of a time when you travel off-season, without so many tourists getting in the way.
If you're a British national and don't think that your country can surprise you in any way, you might want to challenge that notion and go on a road trip around the UK this summer. Going up north to hike in Scotland or exploring some of the less-known historical sites around Wales and Northern Ireland might prove to be a great way to travel across your home state on a budget.
Before you set out on that journey, though, it might be a good idea to reconsider your mode of transportation before you hop into your trusty car. There are many other ways of getting around the UK, which might save you money in the long run!
Motorhome excursion
One of the most overlooked, but also the best ways to travel around Great Britain is a road trip in a recreational vehicle. There are plenty of them for sale in the UK at any given moment, and you can always look into rentals if you don't want to commit yourself to a motorhome for the long term.
There are many advantages to travelling in a campervan. Firstly, think of all the cash you're going to save by not booking up a hotel room every time you stop in a city or a site you want to explore. This frees up the funds that can be spent on entertainment and fancy restaurants! Secondly, it allows you to take your entire family on an unforgettable adventure — travelling in an RV can be a great opportunity to teach your kids responsibility and how to get by without all of the amenities you left behind at home. Finally, you won't be restricted by return flights or late checkout fees — you decide how long you want to vacation for, where to travel next and how to get there.
Public transport
If you're more of a city dweller and you want to spend your holidays exploring the major cities in the UK, you should seriously think about using public transport in each one of them. It's the cheapest way to get around in cities. Sure, you're going to have to buy tickets, but you'll still spend less money than you would on parking fees. Not to mention saving yourself the stress of looking for a parking spot in London during rush hours!
Most cities offer timed cards you can purchase (such as the Oyster Card in London), which will allow you to take any bus or train within a specified period of time. It's cheap and especially convenient for tourists!
National rail
Train travel is a very divisive subject in the UK. On the one hand, it's a cheap and reliable way to travel around all of the countries in the Kingdom — opting to take the train is still one of the best ways to save money when on vacation. On the other hand, you might have to deal with frequent delays and annoying co-passengers. This is especially true in England over the weekends when tens of thousands of booze-drenched football fans travel across the country to watch their favourite Premier League team play in an away match. All in all, you'll have a hard time finding a cheaper way to travel on a budget, so you might as well take advantage of it.
Domestic flights
If you book your tickets in advance, catching a flight might prove to be even cheaper than taking the train! There are quite a few budget airlines that will take you to most of the larger cities in the UK at a competitive price. It may not be the best way to get around if you're planning to go to a few destinations during your vacation, but there are few better methods of transportation if you're just planning to visit one or two cities.
Hitchhiking
This option is only for the brave. There are some hitchhiking horror stories that will make you think twice about hitching a ride with a total stranger, but the truth is that there are no cheaper options available. After all, hitchhiking is free! You'll save money, meet new, (hopefully) interesting people, and it will have you feeling like you've truly seized the day.
The bottom line
Regardless of how you choose to travel, the most important thing is staying safe. Whether you're taking the train, bus, or renting out a motorhome for a couple of weeks, don't ignore basic road safety rules and regulations that apply in the UK.
If you play your cards correctly, you'll end up having a great adventure. If you book early, cheap train tickets will be plentiful, and the same thing goes for domestic flights. Hopefully, our travel tips will encourage you to explore more of the UK than just London and the surrounding area.
Don't hesitate to scour the web for the best deals on cheap bus, train or plane tickets — more often than not, they are limited offers that disappear almost as soon as they pop up!
