While I was studying abroad in Alnwick I found myself with some free time to travel around. Not being able to afford a rental car while I was abroad I had to come up with ways to get around that I was not familiar with. Being from smaller cites I had never really needed to bus, train, or fly anywhere so it was going to be a good learning experience.
In the United Kingdom I would say there are three to four main forms of travel depending on where you are located. Most places will have access to, at a bare minimum, a bus. Busing is a great and affordable way to travel. Since Great Britain is really only a bit bigger than the state of Minnesota you can often reach where you want to go via bus in day or less. For smaller distances buses make a great form of transportation. It is also surprisingly easy to understand the routes for a first time user. Locations are posted at the bus stops and they typically all run close to on time. One thing I would note is not all stops are stopped at on a line. If no one is at the stop they will typically pass it unless it is a bus hub. If you are planning on getting off it is good practice to hit a big red button which is situated somewhere close throughout the bus. This button lets the driver know that you are planning on getting off at the next stop. A few last tips I have for busing is double check the routes and times before the bus gets there, and lastly, be ready to pay as soon as you board the bus. Let the driver know your destination and whether it is a single (one way) or a return (round trip) if you do get a return hold on to your receipt you will need it to get back on!
The next most common form of travel I used was rail. It is a bit pricier but depending on the day and time you plan to travel it can be quite affordable and quick. You can take the same train from Alnwick all the way down to London in about 5 hours. You can buy tickets at the station but I prefer to have my tickets on my phone prior to departure. You can find tickets at a few different websites which allows you to shop around for deals. Make sure to read the routes as some may have you detrain. Bigger stations can be a bit daunting to figure out. Typically your ticket will not include platform information, even if they do always double check with the arrival and departure screens to ensure you get to the right platform. The ride is actually pretty enjoyable with a food car and fantastic views of the English countryside. As a final note remember to hold on to tickets if you have a return trip.
Flying is another big form of travel, but can be more expensive. The same notes apply to traveling on an airplane, such as keeping tickets in check and ensuring you get to the right terminal. Some of the benefits are you can travel much quicker than the previous forms of travel but in my opinion the extra hassle of checking bags dealing with liquids and other typical airline security can be a pain especially under the stress of traveling in unfamiliar places. Unless you are tight on time I would rather prefer traveling by train or bus.
One last, lessor know, form of travel would be ferrying. If you are planning on going to the Isle of Man or any of the Scottish Islands ferrying can be very affordable. Flights to these locations can be quite expensive as there are only a handful of flights that depart these locations and depending on time and passenger volume it can make it much more expensive. Ferrying is however much slower but for me it is all about the experience. I took an overnight ferry to Shetland and it was close to $200 cheaper than a plane however it took 12 hours. It departed at 4pm and arrived in Lerwick early the next morning. It was such a unique experience food was provided at the cafeteria, there was a small shop, and many different lounges. Unfortunately for me I found out that I can get sea sickness. I did not sleep at all on the way there. It is certainly not a cruise and you feel every wave that the ship rolls over. If you do plan to ferry bring some medication even if you do not think you will need it. Luckily on the way back I was able to get some medication to assist with the sea sickness and I am thankful for it. The journey back called for rough seas and a storm. Every wave we encountered could be heard throughout the ship as a loud bang against the hull, and the ship shuttered with the waves. It was a bit unsettling but no one else seemed too worried so I tried not to be. It is interesting to think the people around me used this ship weekly as a form of transportation to the mainland. For me it was as unique and thrilling as it could get but for them it was just the same as any other day. If you have the opportunity to take a ferry and haven’t experienced the ocean in that way please give it a try.
Whichever form of travel you decide to use it is sure to bring you to your destination and create life long memories. Some important things to note are always be prepared and pay attention to your soundings when traveling. While the odds of something going wrong are slim, it is always good practice to be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your belongings and when possible travel with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan on arriving or departing. Most important of all enjoy the trip and savor every moment you have while traveling.
Written by: Jack