One big difference between the U.S. and the UK is the use of public transport. In the U.S., we really don’t use public transport that much. Maybe in some parts of the country, but not as a whole. In my experience, using public transport seems to require driving to said transport, and at that point, you might as well just drive the whole way. It works a little differently in the UK. It’s really common to use trains and buses/coaches to travel, and people are less reliant on personal vehicles (which is cool until you need a ride).
Buses and trains are great, but there’s a lot to consider before you use them, especially if you have anxiety or are easily stressed. You need to account for maintenance issues, strikes, traffic, etc. So to help you out, here’s a brief guide to the main types of public transport in the UK (from my experience).
Trains
Trains are probably the most common and most used method of transport in the UK. In theory, they’re faster and more convenient than buses and cars. Once you’re used to them, they can be great. If you’re coming from abroad and have anxiety, they can be a little more difficult. Personally, I have trouble understanding the (rare) announcements to know where we are or what’s going on.
Another thing to consider is the strikes. You always need to check to see whether there are strikes on your travel day. These are becoming increasingly common, and plans can change at the last second. If you plan ahead and double check when the date nears, then you should be fine. Just understand that this is a possibility.
In my experience, trains (and their tracks) also seem to have a lot of maintenance issues. On my first solo train ride, we sat at one of the stations for forever, only to find out there was something wrong with the track and they were waiting for buses to take us to another station. Another time, the train sat, unmoving, on the tracks in the middle of nowhere for about 2 hours because there was an issue.
Don’t get me wrong, trains can be a great means of travel, and I’ve had good experiences with them, but at the end of the day, they’re not the most reliable. They can be highly convenient, but there’s likely to be something wrong, and the problems usually aren’t worth the ticket cost and the stress. But this is coming from someone with really bad travel luck, and my British friends will choose the trains nearly every time, so they’re still a great option.
Buses and Coaches
Buses and coaches aren’t as popular as trains, but they seem to be more reliable. There aren’t many strikes or issues compared to trains. Depending on where you’re going, it might take a lot longer to travel than on a train, though. And if you’re traveling through Wales, expect to get carsick.
I choose to travel by bus/coach when I go anywhere, especially by myself. There will usually be traffic delays, but these aren’t usually as long as with the trains. They’re also a cheaper alternative.
There honestly isn’t much to say about these. They’re pretty straightforward. I’d recommend traveling this way, especially if you’re stressed about the trip. But then again, I’m biased and have bad travel luck.
Cars
This isn’t exactly a type of public transport, but it is worth mentioning. If you have a friend with a car, maybe offer to split the cost with them. Long trips can be… shall we say, bonding experiences.
Underground
If you’re in a city like London, you’ll have the Tube, the Underground, or whatever other names people will call it. In American, it’s the subway system. I’ve only taken the tube once, so I don’t know all the ins and outs of this type of transport. I do know that there’s something called an Oyster Card that can make things easier for you.
Taxis
Taxis are also pretty straightforward. They can be really expensive in some areas, but they might just be your only way of traveling around small towns at weird hours (i.e., if you’re a student in Wales). My advice would be to make sure the driver has the meter turned on. I’ve been scammed by a driver who had it off. I couldn’t see the real price to argue it with him.
Planes
If you’re traveling between bigger cities (or to/from Northern Ireland), you can get a flight. I imagine it’s similar to getting a domestic flight in the U.S.. Again, pretty straightforward.
There are plenty of options to get around the UK. The one you use really just depends on what you feel comfortable with. Maybe you would prefer to sit on a nice train for your long trip, or maybe you would rather rely on a bus. Maybe you have a good friend with a car, or maybe you’re traveling around a big city with plenty of options.
Pulling from my experience, I would recommend a bus or coach if you have anxiety. But what works for me might not work for you, and that’s perfectly okay! Weigh your options and consider your concerns and priorities with travel. You’ll have options no matter what.
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