HOW TO TRAVEL ENGLAND FAQ

In this Travel England FAQ video, we are answering the most asked questions about how to travel England, including how much should I budget for a trip to England and the cheapest month to travel to London as well as do I need cash for England?

England has a lot to offer, which is why is sees so many visitors each year. However, when planning a trip, there may be a few questions you still have before visiting.

Best time to visit England

England is a great place to visit but visiting at the right time is key.

January through to March is cold and wet but hotels are much more affordable; especially in the cities. You could visit at this time but wrap up warm and don’t expect all outdoor attractions and markets to be open. 

April to June is a fantastic time to visit England because the weather is warmer but the British school holidays do not begin until July. Visiting at this time will give you a great opportunity to see the country without the crowds. 

From the end of July through to the first week of September, is the school holidays; resulting in very busy cities and seaside towns and prices are sometimes 4 times the amount as they would be in the Winter. 

September to October are other great options, as children are back at school and the weather still remains fairly warm. 

November is my favourite time to visit the cities of London, Manchester of Liverpool. The weather is cooler but Christmas decorations and events are starting but crowds are still less. And of course, December brings festive magic everywhere so if you plan on sticking to visiting the cities, December can be a fun but expensive time to visit. 

Getting around England

We prefer to drive around the UK, giving you the option to save money by staying on the outskirts of major cities but also the freedom to travel where ever you want. If you plan on renting a car, book it as far in advance as possible and make sure you are fully insured. 

Another option is the train. There are plenty of routes across England and into Wales and Scotland but do check prices before deciding this option – trains can be incredibly expensive and you may find, if there are two or more travellers you are exploring with, a car may be a cheaper option. 

Whilst you are in the cities, you do not need to drive to get around. London offers the Underground system; a fantastic underground network of trains that will take you to every major sight in the city. In other cities, you can take light rail or rail options as well as buses to get around. Cycling can be an option in major cities but bike-sharing programs aren’t available across all of England. 

Planning a trip to England

How much should I budget for a trip to England?

A week in England will cost around $1500 – $2000, for a solo traveller, depending on where you are staying. London hotels are more expensive than other cities but you can visit the UK on a budget and spend as little as $100 a day.

What is the cheapest month to travel to London?

The cheapest months to travel to London and England are September to the start of October and January to March. You can find cheaper flights to the UK during these months and there are less tourists, so you will find a budget hotel easily and attractions will be quieter.

What is the best way to travel around the UK?

The train is the easiest way to travel the UK but catching buses with Megabus or National Express is often the cheapest way to travel the UK.

Is the train cheaper than the bus in England?

Often the bus is cheaper, especially when moving between smaller cities. However, the underground is much quicker than buses around London’s city centre and train travel around the UK is more reliable than buses.

Is food expensive in England?

Food prices vary in England but an average sit-down meal is more expensive in England than in Eastern Europe cities but similar to prices in the US and Western Europe. You can find cheap food in supermarkets and chain restaurants and decent-priced meals in pubs.

How do I get cheap London tickets?

Cheap London train tickets can be found when purchasing tickets in advance, online.

Use Nationalrail.com to compare prices. Also, avoid travelling between 6.30 – 9.30 and 15.30 – 18.40; this is peak travel time and prices are higher. Also, sometimes 2 singles can be better value than a return.

For cheap flights to London, compare prices on Skyscanner and check flight prices to London Stansted, Gatwick and Luton; these smaller airports can sometimes be cheaper than Heathrow.

How much money do I need for 2 weeks in London?

If you are a budget traveller and intend on cooking for yourself in a hostel and visiting the free attractions, you can visit London under $50 a day. However, if you want to eat out more and visit some paid attractions, you will need around $100 a day whilst those looking to go shopping, watch a theatre show or football game, expect to budget around $150 a day.

Is it worth renting a car in England?

If you are staying in a city, no, it is not worth renting a car. However, if you plan on travelling the country a lot, then it can work out cheaper to rent a car. However, compare prices on Avis and Europcar and make sure to book your car hire online as far in advanced as possible; prices rise as you get near the pick-up date.

How do I plan a road trip UK?

1. List the places you want to visit

2. Plot these destinations on google map to work out the most efficient routes

3. Compare rental prices using Travel Supermarket

4. Don’t pay for a GPS (car companies overcharge and you can use your phone GPS instead)

5. Be flexible with your dates but book accommodation in advance

6. Stick to the speed limits and laws

7. Enjoy your travels

How many days are enough to visit UK?

If you are only visiting London, you can spend 3-4 days to see the most popular attractions. If you want to visit other cities and sites in the UK such as Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford and Liverpool, plan at least 10 days in the UK.

How much should I budget for food UK?

If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, you could budget as little as £20 for food. However, if you will be eating out 2-3 times a day, you will need at least £35 a day, presuming you are picking up a light breakfast or lunch from the local supermarkets.

Do I need cash for England?

You will need some cash, mainly for buses and cabs. However credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

What is the cheapest airport to fly into England?

1. London Gatwick

2. Manchester

3. London Heathrow

4. Birmingham

5. London City Airport