Trains (National Rail)
National Rail is the UK's intercity train network — 20+ private operators running on a single track system. Tickets are interchangeable: book once, use across operators.
| Route | Duration | Advance | Walk-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| London-Edinburgh | 4h15 | £40-90 | £180+ |
| London-Manchester | 2h10 | £35-65 | £160+ |
| London-York | 1h50 | £30-60 | £140+ |
| London-Bath | 1h30 | £25-45 | £95+ |
| London-Oxford | 1h00 | £20-30 | £40+ |
| London-Cambridge | 0h50 | £15-25 | £35+ |
🚆 Booking tip: Tickets open 10-12 weeks before departure. The cheapest fares (Advance) are fixed to specific trains. Use Trainline app (easier UI) or National Rail Enquiries (no booking fee).
London Underground
The Tube — 11 lines, 272 stations, runs 5:30am-midnight (Fri/Sat Night Tube on some lines 24h). Use contactless card or Oyster card.
- Cost: £2.60-3.40 per ride (contactless daily cap ~£8.10)
- How to pay: tap contactless bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Oyster card on entry AND exit
- Peak hours: 6:30-9:30am, 4-7pm weekdays — slightly higher fares
- Zones: 1-9 rings; most tourist stuff is Zone 1-2
- No cash: cash isn't accepted in the Tube
📱 Apps: Citymapper beats Google Maps for London. Tube status, fastest exit on platforms, and bus/Tube combos.
Coaches
National Express and Megabus are the main long-distance bus operators. Slower than trains but 40-60% cheaper. Good for budget travel.
- National Express: London to most UK cities from £6 advance
- Megabus: similar prices, fewer routes but London stops at Stratford/Victoria
- Book ahead: prices rise closer to date
- Duration: London-Edinburgh 9 hrs (vs 4h15 train), London-Manchester 5 hrs (vs 2h10)
Driving
The UK drives on the LEFT. Roundabouts are everywhere — give way to traffic from the right. See our Driving in the UK Guide for the full breakdown.
- Hire costs: £35-60/day for small cars, £60-100 for SUVs
- Fuel: £1.45-1.65/litre petrol, £1.50-1.70 diesel
- London ULEZ: £12.50/day for non-compliant vehicles — check before driving in
- Motorways: toll-free (UK rare exception: Dartford Crossing, M6 Toll)
⚠️ Don't drive in London. Congestion charge £15/day, ULEZ £12.50, parking £30+/day. Use trains/Tube; hire your car when you leave the capital.
Taxis & Ride-share
- Black cabs — licensed, metered, safest. Hail on street. £3.20 base, £5-20 typical fare.
- Uber — available in all major UK cities, usually 20-40% cheaper than black cabs
- Bolt / Free Now — alternatives to Uber, often cheaper
- Minicabs — must be booked (not hailed); only use licensed operators
🚕 Airport to city: Don't use taxi scams at airports. Heathrow: Elizabeth Line £12.80. Gatwick: Gatwick Express £20 or Southern £12. Edinburgh Airport: tram £6.50.