UK Transport Network

This section explains the different public transport options available in the UK.

Bus

Bus is the major public transport in most cities in the UK. Besides the famous double-deck red buses, various cities have their own double-deck or single-deck buses of different colours. 

The payment methods differ by cities. Some accept contactless card payment, some accept cash, while some require passengers to purchase tickets in advance. 

Before heading to a specific city, it is best to check the prices of bus tickets and for using other public transport in that city, as well as the payment methods. Bus tickets within a city normally cost £1 to £2 per trip.

Taking an intercity bus to go from city to city is also an option. Travelling on an intercity bus, which is called a coach, is normally cheaper than taking a train - but the journey time is obviously longer.

There are international bus routes from London and Glasgow to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. 

Passengers would have to purchase tickets in advance for both intercity and international coaches. The ticket price would be adjusted according to the journey distance.

Below are some websites for checking intercity or international coach routes:

National Express: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Megabus: https://uk.megabus.com/
Omio: https://www.omio.com/buses/united-kingdom

Please note that these are only a few examples of the many coach companies in the UK. 

Underground Subway

Not all cities in the UK have a metro network. So far, only London (Underground and DLR), Newcastle (Tyne and Wear Metro), Liverpool (Merseyrail) and Glasgow (the Glasgow Subway) have their own metro network, and each has a different system and fare structure.

Each metro network has its own route maps and apps, and may have single journey tickets, weekly or monthly tickets and accept contactless card payments.

Below are the official apps and websites of each city’s metro network, which can be browsed or downloaded for use in advance:


London Tube (Transport for London)
Official website: https://tfl.gov.uk/
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tfl-go-live-tube-bus-rail/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.tfl.gotfl&hl=en&gl=UK

Newcastle Tyne and Wear Metro
Official website: https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tyne-and-wear-metro-app/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.hafas.android.newcastle&hl=en&gl=UK

Liverpool Merseyrail
Official website: https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/merseyrail/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=glow.merseyrail&hl=en&gl=UK

Train (National Rail)

Taking a train is also a convenient way to travel between cities. 

The UK railway is operated by 28 railway companies, running independently in various areas within the UK.

Train tickets can be classified into 5 categories:

  1. Advance ticket: buy in advance, sold in limited numbers and subject to availability. These tickets are only valid on the date/train specified. Usually cheaper, but cannot be easily changed or refunded.

  2. Off-peak ticket: valid within the stated period during off-peak hours. It can be bought at stations, but some may need to be purchased online in advance; and some would have restrictions in that they cannot be used on fast trains. 

  3. Anytime ticket: valid anytime. More flexible and convenient, but most expensive. Note that there is a limit – passengers can only take scheduled trains operated by the same company.

  4. Season ticket: Unlimited travel between two stations for a specified period.

  5. Rovers and Rangers ticket: Unlimited travel within a specified area. There may be a few time restrictions on when you can travel.

Please note that Railcard holders can enjoy 1/3 off of the ticket price. For more details please go to Move to UK>Transportation>Ride discount

For further information on the railway routes, please refer to the following website:

UK National Rail website: 

Domestic flights

It is common for people in the UK  to travel between cities via domestic flights, as it is sometimes cheaper than taking a train. 

British Airways, Aurigny Air Services, Blue Islands, Eastern Airways, EasyJet, JET2, Logan Air all have domestic flights.

Extra time is required for travelling to the airport, going through security, etc.  It would be better for passengers to check-in online before heading to the airport or go to the airport two to three hours early for check-in.

Ferry

Taking ferries is a good option for those who don't like taking a plane or a coach.

There are 41 public ports which enable ferries and ships to travel into and out of the UK. 

Ferry companies include: Irish Ferries, DFDS, P&O, Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, Eurotunnel, etc. They offer different sea routes from the European continent to the UK, and vice versa.

For more details about the routes and schedule of ferries, please refer to the following page: https://www.directferries.co.uk/england.htm

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