Britrail pass?

[Firetacoma]

You think hire a car in London and keep if the entire time?

Or train to say, Edinburgh and then rent a car for the time in Scotland? The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...

[Phil]

You think hire a car in London and keep if the entire time?

Or train to say, Edinburgh and then rent a car for the time in Scotland? The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...

I would take the train to Edinburgh then hire a car for outings from there. Much less stressful. You will have to adapt to road features like roundabouts, no turns on red lights under any circumstances, slow lanes on the left, road signs that tell you where you are going not just a number and direction and, of course, a gearstick among other things. Oh, and one other thing. Edinburgh is virtually closed to traffic at the moment with many roads dug up as they work on laying tramlines. Even the locals find it difficult getting around the city so be warned.

[JS Sanders]

Why not take a train from London-Edinburgh? British trains are 1st class, comfortable, and reasonably quiet. Driving in and around London is nightmarish for most anyone, even natives.

Once you reach Scotland, by all means hire a car. Better yet, either bring your sat-nav or request a vehicle with it installed. These are well worth the small expense and will save you much aggravation behind the wheel.

Also, purchase this book entitled Driving In Britain - A North American's Guide to the Ins and Outs and Roundabouts of Driving Over There.

It can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Driving-Britai...7309724&sr=1-1

It'll make matters far less stressful - especially when you hit your first roundabout. I recommend it highly.

Slainte,
steve

[Firetacoma]

Thanks all!

I am looking at rental car prices and am stunned by how cheap it actually is... though I know gas is almost $5 a gallon!

Thanks for the tips about Edinburgh traffic Phil. I was curious if many hotels there had their own parking or would we have to worry about that as well?

[Jack Daw]

Thanks all!

I am looking at rental car prices and am stunned by how cheap it actually is... though I know gas is almost $5 a gallon!

Thanks for the tips about Edinburgh traffic Phil. I was curious if many hotels there had their own parking or would we have to worry about that as well?

Perhaps, but make sure you understand the auto insurance charged foreigners on a daily basis. It adds up.

[Phil]

Many hotels do have parking but, if not, street parking is scarce, expensive and rigidly enforced by a set of neo-nazi traffic wardens called locally the "Blue Meanies" from their uniforms and intransigent attitude towards parking infringements. Street parking is controlled far beyond the city centre so even some suburban areas are involved. Also new legislation is the pipeline to stop people leaving the country if they have unpaid traffic fines - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...overnment.html.

[starbkjrus]

You think hire a car in London and keep if the entire time?

Or train to say, Edinburgh and then rent a car for the time in Scotland? The wrong side of the road thing scares me a tad...

Thanks all!

I am looking at rental car prices and am stunned by how cheap it actually is... though I know gas is almost $5 a gallon!

Thanks for the tips about Edinburgh traffic Phil. I was curious if many hotels there had their own parking or would we have to worry about that as well?

I do drive occasionaly in the UK but don't particularly enjoy it. It's stressful to have everything reversed. I'll do it in the countryside, villages and small towns (no problems in Dumfries for instance) but I'd never drive in Edinburgh or Glasgow. London?!? Good heavens no!

For times in the cities use public transit then hire a car for day trips outside the cities or if you are going to spend a few days village hopping and seeing the countryside.

[sydnie7]

Last time (about 3 years ago) we purchased a separate rental car insurance policy from a third-party company that specializes in such. Can't remember the name, sorry, but I'll keep looking. Meanwhile do some Googling on "rental car insurance policy UK" and see what you find. We were there a month, and it was WAY less expensive than insuring through the rental company. If you're putting the car on a premium credit card, that also insures you to a certain extent (check w/ your credit card co. to be sure) but we went with the extra coverage to be on the safe side.

IIRC it's actually a 6-mo or year-long policy that covers any car you rent during that time.

FYI, if you are left-handed, you will likely adapt very easily (according to two sisters and mother who are all lefties and have driven there).

[Chas]

Hi Firetacoma,

There are pros and cons to both sides and even for a local there is no ideal solution.

If you have bulky, awkward luggage and a complex itinerary, then maybe the car is the best option. If so, then the Highway Code is what you need to consult:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_070202
These are the rules of the road and what is used when taking a driving test. When in doubt - drive slower, it is after all a beautiful country.

Our railway system today is far improved from ten or twenty years ago, but there are still some little minefields for the unwary. If you can, buy and pay on-line at least 24 hours before departure - buying on the day might be excessively expensive. In January, I had to travel to London from Norfolk (80~90 miles). I checked on-line and found the fare to be £6 each way. I wasn't thinking so did not pay for tickets then and there. Went to station next day - £35 return instead of £12.

Oh yes, a quick word about taxis. A licenced taxi (hackney carriage) will have a badge on the back and inside giving licencing details. Tariffs are set and 100 similar journeys will all cost the same. They also have to meet a certain standard of cleanliness and civility. Very difficult to book in advance. There are also 'mini-cabs' - often cheaper and can be pre-booked, but are unlicensed, unregulated and can charge more and can be filthy (I once shared the back seat of a mini-cab with a German Shepard giving birth to a litter of pups). You pay your money - you take your choice.

Your best bet is probably a mixture of car hire and train to give yourself the greatest flexibility.

Regards

Chas

[sydnie7]

[snip] I once shared the back seat of a mini-cab with a German Shepard giving birth to a litter of pups. . . [snip]

Oh, but the stories you get to tell! Sounds like something from Randy Wayne White

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