I love a cheeky weekend away, but as a non-driver, a solo road trip isn’t possible. However, I have never let that put me off and instead enjoy travelling the UK via public transport. My boyfriend drives so we do go on trips together where he takes the wheel;’ but here are some tips on taking a staycation when you don’t drive.
Plan Your Route
Public transport can be great, but in my experience going up and down the country is much easier than going side to side – however, don’t let that put you off. Instead, head to apps like Google Maps and the Trainline to get an idea of what different routes are like and where you fancy going to. In the past, I have travelled by Coach and even taken the Megabus when I needed to keep costs down, so there are definitely options. One reason for me taking a train rather than a coach or bus is the size and comfort of seats – as a plus-size person, I don’t want to be cramped into a bus seat if I can help it. You know your own needs, so make sure you plan your mode of transport and your route depending on your needs – for example, you might want to look into how accessible are UK train stations and in particular the stations you will be visiting before you commit to taking a trip.
Keep Costs Down
One thing that I found when travelling by train regularly is that the cost can add up, especially if you leave it until the last minute to get organised and book your train. In general, tickets are released 12 weeks in advance and as such; it is worth looking from that point at train prices and how your journey might work out. If you can be flexible with the time of day that you can travel then this could be something that brings down the cost. In the past I have also found first-class accommodation just a few pounds more than standard accommodation; but it often includes drinks and sometimes a meal and a such, in the long run, can actually work out cheaper.
Consider Your Accomodation
If you getting public transport to your destination then you need to look at where your hotel is compared to the station – of course, there are always options such as local public transport or getting a taxi but knowing how you are going to get to your hotel in advance can make the whole process much less stressful.
Be Brave
Travelling on your own by public transport can sometimes feel scary; I always wear headphones and just go for it – otherwise, you could be missing out on some really fun trips that you want to take – enjoy!
If you have any tips for taking a staycation when you don’t drive please feel free to share them below
*Collaborative post