Deciding whether to travel around the UK by train, by car, or by using a combination of both is one of the biggest planning decisions you will make. In this episode, we talk through the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what works best for your route, travel style, and priorities.

We explain how UK train travel works in practice and why trains are often the best choice for getting between major cities and towns. We also clear up a common misconception: once you arrive in places like London, York, Edinburgh, or Bath, you generally do not need a car, as these cities are compact, walkable, and well served by local transport.

We then look at when driving makes more sense, particularly for countryside destinations and rural regions, and share common planning mistakes to avoid adding unnecessary stress or cost to your trip.

In this episode, you will learn:

• When trains are the best option for travelling between UK cities and towns
• Why cities like London, York, Edinburgh, and Bath are best explored on foot once you arrive
• How the main UK rail routes fit into itinerary planning
• When hiring a car makes sense for countryside and rural destinations
• Why combining trains for long distances and cars for short rural loops often works best

📝 Show Notes - Episode 184

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #157 - Train Travel Mistakes
• Episode #155 - Road Trip Planning Mistakes
• Episode #182 - Planning a UK trip

• Click here to book a 30 minute Q&A with Doug Collins (our resident rail expert)
• Click here for our UK Train Travel Planning Bundle

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👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
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Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

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London should not feel like a sprint across Zones 1 to 3. In this episode, we share practical, real-world strategies to help you plan London in a way that saves time, protects your energy, and makes the city easier to enjoy.

Rather than rushing between scattered attractions, we explain how to plan by areas, make smarter transport choices, and design days that feel calmer and more enjoyable.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why planning London by neighbourhood works better than chasing a long attraction list
• How to structure days with two nearby highlights and one flexible option
• How contactless payments and Oyster fare caps work
• When to use the Tube, buses, Thames Clippers, or simply walk
• How station walking distances, queues, and crowds affect timing
• Why accommodation location matters more than many visitors expect
• Practical budget tips including free museums, pre-theatre menus, markets, and meal deals
• When experiences like Sky Garden, Buckingham Palace openings and special exhibitions need booking ahead
• How major 2026 events such as the London Marathon, Wimbledon, and Notting Hill Carnival affect crowds and transport

If you want a London trip that trades rushing for rhythm and overwhelm for clarity, this episode will help you plan with confidence.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 183

🎧 Listen to next:

• Episode #68 – Choosing the Best Place to Stay in London
• Episode #161 – Top 12 Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in London and How to Avoid Them
• Episode #106 – Guide to the London Pass with Daryl Bennett

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

Support the show

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️

We share a clear, practical plan for designing a realistic UK trip in 2026. From choosing dates and budget to matching transport with routes, this episode focuses on what actually matters so your itinerary feels calm and doable. We also cover key 2026 dates, booking timelines, UK ETA requirements, and the most common planning mistakes to avoid.

In this episode we cover:

• Dates & expectations: picking dates before places to avoid disappointment
• Budgeting: setting a realistic budget that shapes your itinerary
• Route planning: clustering destinations that flow by rail or road
• Transport choices: choosing trains, cars, or a combination based on your itinerary
• Advance bookings: when to book accommodation, tours, and automatic cars
• Entry requirements: understanding UK ETA rules and using the official site
• Common mistakes: avoiding cramming too much in and unrealistic travel times
• Peak periods: planning around school holidays, bank holidays, marathons, and festivals
• Money & packing: paying contactless and packing layers for changeable weather
• Planning tools: using our free challenge, itinerary planners, itinerary planning guides, & maps to help provide clarity.

Support the show

🎟️ Sponsored by Walks Tours & Devour Tours. Explore London with expert guides, from sightseeing to food tours.

👉 Book London sightseeing tours with Walks
👉 Book London food tours with Devour

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy.

🎤 Leave us a voice message

➡️ Sponsor our show
➡️ Leave us a tip

Work With Us - Contact info@uktravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. Using them supports the podcast at no extra cost. Thank you ❤️