UK (England)

UK (England)
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Transportation in Britain

The United Kingdom is known as the site of origin of some of the most innovative solutions that have helped establish the global transportation network as we know it today. It's no wonder, then, that the country continues to be one of the most strategic spots on the world map of transportation routes, a major transfer point for international connections and an attractive destination in its own right.


Bus
The country's National Express is the largest coach service provider in Europe. The distinctive white National Express coaches serve more than 1,000 destinations, carrying over 16,000,000 passengers a year. Eurolines coaches connect the British and Northern Irish cities to 500 destinations across Europe. The largest domestic carrier is Stagecoach UK Bus, running a fleet of 7,000 buses and coaches between hundreds of cities and towns in the country.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
Eurolines, one way All 120 EUR Lyon-London
Car
In the United Kingdom, cars drive on the left side of the road. Arriving by car from France, it's possible to take a ferry or cross on a shuttle car train running the Eurotunnel under the English Channel. The Channel Tunnel has provided a rail/road connection since 1994. Shuttle trains carry cars from Calais, France to Folkestone, the journey taking around 40 minutes. Fares start at £49 one way. The most basic motorway junction is a two-lane flyover with four slip-roads, where there are two on each side of the motorway, to exit or enter. In the country, the majority of motorways and dual carriageways allow a maximum speed limit of 70 mph (110 km/h) for cars.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
Eurotunnel All 70 EUR 1 car, one way
Train
As the United Kingdom is the place where the steam engine was invented, its railway network is the oldest in the world. More than 20 train operators service nearly 5,000 kilometres of electrified track, making it easy to get into and around the country. The famous Eurostar high-speed train service, running through the tunnel under the English Channel, allows you to reach London from Paris in 2.5 hours. For 4 to 15 days of unlimited travel on trains within the United Kingdom, it's recommended to invest in the BritRail Pass.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
BritRail Pass All 167 EUR 4 days
Eurostar, one way All 230 EUR Paris-London
UK Railways, one way All 33 EUR Birmingham-Manchester
Air
The United Kingdom boasts well over a hundred airports scattered around Great Britain, Northern Ireland and even the smaller off-shore islands. Virtually all of the airports serve international flights. London has a total of six airports: Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Biggin Hill and London City. Heathrow Airport is considered Europe's busiest. It handles more than 60,000,000 international passengers per year, more than any other airport in the world. The major airports in Scotland are Edinburgh and Glasgow, Cardiff in Wales, and Belfast in Northern Ireland. The national carrier, British Airways, as well as a number of other airlines and low-cost carriers provide scheduled domestic and international connections.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
EasyJet, one way All 70 EUR Liverpool-Geneva
Ryanair, one way All 20 EUR Belfast-London Gatwick
Virgin Atlantic, one way: All 520 EUR New York Newark-London Heathrow
Ferry
There are regular ferry services that connect the British and Northern Irish passenger ports with harbours in Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Major ferry operators include P&O European Ferries, Stena Line, Sea France and many others. The most important ferry terminals are located in Plymouth, Poole, Dover and Portsmouth.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
return All 570 EUR Portsmouth-Bilbao, 2 people + car,
City Transport
Major cities in the United Kingdom boast the world's oldest public transportation systems. The London metro, commonly known as the Tube, is the oldest underground system, in operation since 1863. The metro in Glasgow was opened in 1896, and is the third-oldest in the world. Apart from the underground, the major cities rely upon conveniently planned bus networks, with the famous red double-deckers servicing London. In recent years, tram service has seen a revival all around the country, with many cities restoring their previously neglected tram networks.
Fare Type:Who?Price:Validity:
Edinburgh, 1 day bus pass All 4 EUR 24 hours
London, single metro ride All 5.75 EUR One ride