Transport in UK
Culturally rich with its tea etiquettes, diverse population that welcomes every one with open arms, and solid traditions, The United Kingdom needs to be visited once by everyone.
So, if you are to step into this land of fantasy, here is a quick guide about the different modes of transportation to assist you with some valuable information.
Flights:
The United Kingdom experiences billions of passengers flying in and out annually. Being the most preferable means of transportation, there are a total of 471 airports in the United Kingdom with one known as the busiest airport in the world.
The top three airports and aircrafts in United Kingdom are:
- London Heathrow Airport owned by the Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited is the largest airport with the biggest volume of travelers getting on board each day.
- Gatwick Airport owned by the Global Infrastructure Partners is on number second in terms of passenger volume.
- Manchester Airport being the third largest airport in the UK is owned and run by Manchester Airport Group.
Tip: If you are planning a trip, make sure to have a seat booked in advance.
Trains:
The railway system is yet another mode of transportation, frequently used by the locals to travel from one city to another. In the UK, the network comprises of two independent railway systems which includes:
- The Great Britain Railway system: established in 1944, the Great Britain railway system connects to mainland Europe through The Channel Tunnel.
- The Northern Ireland Railway system: On the other hand, the Northern Ireland Railway system connects Northern ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
Tip: Both of these railway systems carry 1.7 billion passengers annually on a combined statistic, so ensure that you pre-book your seat.
Tube:
UK also has a tube system: the three most commonly known and used tube systems are:
- London Underground also referred to as the Tube is the oldest transportation system which opened in 1863.
- Opened in 1987 was the second rapid transit system called the Docklands Light Railway which is more like an elevated light metro, offering lower passenger capacity.
- Then there is the Glasgow Subway opened in 1896to offer a substitute to the Docklands Light Railway.
- The last is the Newcastle’s Tyne and Wear Metro which was established in 1980.
Bus:
It seems like tourists never get bored of the big red tour buses when visiting London. But did you know that the bus business in the UK is run by the “Big Five” which include:
Taxi and Minicabs:
There are two types of taxis that can be normally seen on the roads. Black cabs being the more prominent ones with their traditional black colors and yellow Taxi signs above the windscreen. These cabs are metered and can be hailed from the streets or booked from taxi ranks. These are much expensive than hiring private cabs which brings us to the minicabs.
Minicabs have to be pre-booked and can’t be hailed down from the streets. Their fares are negotiable and depend mostly on how long the journey is. In addition, they are cheaper than black cabs and offer a more comfortable ride. Websites like Minicabit have made it easier for private hire taxi to be booked through reliable sources in the most affordable quotes.
