How simple is the train or bus system?

Question

I've never really rode on a train or a bus with set points that I had to go. So if i was planning on saving up a bit and going to see London, Manchester, Brighton, and the Warwick Castle, what would be my best strategy? I was planning on staying in a hotel, but not anything too expensive. And stay for a week or so. Im 18-will the hotels allow me to get a room?

Answer 1

Hotels will allow you to book your own room.  That shouldn't be any kind of problem.  Youth Hostels will allow even younger.  I doubt you'll have any trouble navigating the trains.  They are quick, clean and efficient, easy to figure out all over Europe.  

You should do a search of the towns you are planning on staying in, to find what kind of prices to expect for lodging.  Just search pensions, hostels, hotels, or bed and breakfasts, plus the name of the town, and you should be able to get a reasonably good idea of what prices will be.  If you are alone, and don't mind taking your chances, don't bother booking anything, as you will probably find much cheaper by just walking into the reception.

Answer 2

The bus and transport systems are easy to use, you pay the driver as you board the bus or you can get a ticket for multiple journeys.  For the train you usually get a ticket at the station office.

Here are some links for you.   For travelling distances around UK  National Express  (coaches) is cheaper than the train but the journey time is longer.  Get tickets on line or at the bus station.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/

http://www.gmpte.com/

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/default.as...

http://www.rail.co.uk/

You will have no problem with hotels etc, 18 is the legal age here.  Have your passport handy.

Enjoy your visit and keep safe, just be aware of your surroundings and you will be OK.

Answer 3

Your starting point depends on where you live. Wherever, it's best to do them in one of these orders.

Brighton > London > Warwick > Manchester

Manchester > Warwick > London > Brighton

http://maps.google.co.uk/

One way you could book your train/bus tickets is by doing it all online, which in my opinion is more confusing, or go up to the counter at your local train station, give them all the details of your journey - so the dates, times, places - and they should hopefully book it all for you, and give you all the tickets/information you need which you can take with you on your journey. Most places will even print you out a timetable of all the journeys you will make, pointing out how many stops there will be until it reaches your destination, how long you'll have to wait until the next step of the journey etc. It may all seem confusing when you book it and when you look at it on paper, but really when you're actually travelling it's much easier than it seems. Just hop on, hop off, wait, hop on. And so on. If you ever have trouble finding out where you are going at the train/bus stations, there are multiple boards everywhere showing the times, destinations and platforms needed. If you're still stuck, don't be scared to ask the people working there, they are very friendly and will point you in the right direction.

Anywhere you go, there are always cheap hotels/hostels you can stay at, for example a Holiday Inn, or any sort of travel lodge, B&B. At 18, any place will accept you since you are of legal age.

http://www.ukhotel.com/

edit: Just be aware when booking the travelling, it ends up costing more than the accomodation in some cases, especially when using trains. Since you are 18, you can get a  Young Persons Rail Card (just pay £20, fill in a form which you can find at any train station with a passport size photo of you, and you'll get one within a couple of weeks), it saves you a third off train fees.

Answer 4

Trains can be quite expensive for longer distances - say London to Manchester so book in advance to get the best deals.  But it's pretty quick and simple.

Also check out www.tfl.go.uk for getting around London.

You'll have no trouble with hotels being 18.  But do bring ID just in case for bars and clubs etc.