Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 6/18/2009

Question
Hello! My husband & I would like to take 2 weeks car journey to the GB & visit England, Scotland & Ireland. We've never traveled by a car before & I'm not sure that we can cover all this great area in just 2 weeks. We don't want just to drive, but also visit the most interesting places. Do you think it's possible or we will have to reduce the list? Maybe it's better to travel by a train between the countries? And if so, will we still have the opportunity to see & enjoy beautiful views?
And one more question: in the big cities like London - is it better to rent a car or use metro due to the traffic jams?
Thank you very much!
Ortal.

Answer
Ortal - thank you for your question.

The cost of fuel in Britain is very high, our motorways and roads are crowded and the cost and difficulty of parking in the cities is, arguably, prohibitive.

In addition, Ireland alone is a huge place, on a separate island and most hire car companies would not allow you to take a UK hired car there - and the cost of shipping the car across is very high, too.

The roads in Scotland are beautiful, but very narrow and average speeds are very low.

In London, in addition to parking being up to (or more!) £20 for a few hours, there's a charge of £8 a day, just to bring your car into the capital.

So, as we have a great train system, with discount passes available to foreign visitors (if bought in your own country), I think you'll have guessed that I would recommend the train!

Have  a look at some guide books, decide what you really want to see, and come back to me with your country and your list of "must sees".

I'll happily advise you further.

Does this help, please?

Alun Hill, MCIJ

http://www.ShortEuropeBreaks.co.uk