I'm planning on spending about 6 weeks traveling in Britain, using Norwich as my home base. I hope to spend several days in London, a two hour commute from Norwich.I feel this would save me from having to pay for hotels while in London. Additional Major destinations I plan on traveling to are Cambridge, Bath, Oxford, the Cotswolds. the Lake District,York, and Edinburgh. Again,I would plan on commuting back and forth to those places in closer proximity to Norwich, and staying at those that are further away. Which would be the most cost-effective mode of transportation for me: A 30-Day "Britrail Consecutive Pass"
or leasing/renting a car (including basic costs and gas)?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
You'll have to do the math yourself. We love to use the trains in the UK. But the Cotswolds and Lake District are 2 areas where they aren't as helpful. When you calculate how much a car will cost you, be sure to include the cost of gas (petrol- very, very expensive over there) and parking (expensive in many places and scarce, or on the outskirts of many others.) You might also wnat to check into point-to-point tickets. If you purchase in advance these are often cheaper than a pass now days. The BritRail pass used to be a real bargain, not as much anymore.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33864 posts
Wow, that's ambitious. Of the places you mention only Cambridge is reasonably close. Even then its an hour drive, more when you get stuck behind a tractor.
Norwich is really remote from anywhere. I'm afraid that much of your trip will be sitting in a car or a train.
Remember that a 2 hour trip by train is really more because you have to get to the station early, and once you have reached London, or elsewhere, you have maybe 20 or 30 minutes more to get to your destination; and the same coming back. 5 hours of valuable overseas time can be a big hit.
Also, as said above, point to point tickets can be a good way to go but anytime tickets can be very expensive. Advance tickets will be much cheaper but generally only let you travel outside the peak times, and into London often will only be for travel after 10:30 or so. Measure twice and cut once.
Petrol £1.17 per litre, Diesel £1.19 at the moment.
Posted by
OP
Laguna Niguel, Califonia, U.S.A.
17 posts
Nigel,
Thank you so much for your advice. It certainly makes sense that the two hour trip from Norwich to London by train would be increased by trips to and from the stations, as well as traveling to my destinations in London. I may have to rethink my plans to commute from Norwich as much as I had hoped.
I'm really more comfortable using Britrail than renting a car, but It sounds like I may have to use a car for the Cotswolds. I was also surprised that a point-to-point ticket may be a better deal than a Britrail pass, though I understand there are some restrictions. I appreciate any other feedback you might be able to give me. Thanks again,
Michelle
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
If you are committed to Norwich. Why dont you take advantage of that and see sights that side of the country: Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Lincoln; Ely Cathedral; Constable country; Norfolk Broads. (I dont think any are in RS tours). We have done them all (mostly by car) and enjoyed them all. Norwich itself (within the town center) has some very interesting areas