Picture choosen by: MissKan Kongsom Getting around UK An extensive national public transport journey planner for the UK is available on the Traveline website.
Transport Direct also operate a website for all modes of transport, including planes, cars, and allows comparisons to be made with public transport options.

By plane
Given the short distances involved, flying is rarely the cheapest or most convenient option for domestic travel within the UK with the possible exception of between southern England and Scotland. The main domestic hubs are London, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The arrival of budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet have seen a boom in domestic UK air travel, and have forced fares down considerably. To get the best fare, it is advisable to book as far in advance as possible. It is worth noting that many regional airports are not connected to the national rail network, with connections to the nearest cities served by relatively expensive buses. Photo ID is required before boarding domestic flights in the UK. Check your airline's requirements carefully before setting out.
'Screen-scraper' comparison websites can be a useful way to compare flight costs between airports or even city pairs (suggesting alternative airports, for instance). Beware that some airlines, such as Ryanair, object to being included in these searches, so these sites are not always comprehensive.

By train
The UK has an extensive privatised train network of some 34,000km (21,000 miles) covering most of the country, from Penzance in Cornwall to Thurso in the far north of Scotland. There is a multitude of different tickets, which can make train travel confusing, even for UK citizens.
Train services are not as fast as the high speed lines of France or Germany. However the UK has one of the busiest commuter and freight networks in the world with a relatively high standard of service on both main and secondary routes. Train services can range from excellent to very poor, and the trains themselves can range from older and more comfortable locomotive-hauled coaches to less spacious and less comfortable multiple units. Train travel is a viable option for exploring the UK and is usually quicker and cheaper than bringing a car into the country or renting one.
Planning your trip
The first source for rail travel information in the UK is National Rail. The National Rail website, and the National Rail Enquiries phone service on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50 provide train time and fare information. However National Rail do not sell tickets. Tickets are sold by train operating companies, either from ticket offices and ticket machines at railway stations, over the phone or from one of several websites.
National Express have one of the more user-friendly websites. It is particularly useful because of the way in which it allows you to compare the cost of two one-way tickets versus a return ticket. A lowest fare finder also quickly shows you the cheapest combination of trains. It makes no charge for credit / debit card payments nor ticket collection / delivery.
thetrainline.com is one of the largest train ticketing websites, but its interface is not as easy to use as others. Thetrainline.com also provides the ticketing software to the websites of many of the train operating companies listed above. It charges both a credit / debit card handling fee and a fee to collect your tickets from a station or to have them posted to you.
Tickets
In general you can save money on train travel by booking in advance (tickets normally go on sale three months in advance) and by avoiding travel during peak times (6-9.30am, 4-7pm Monday to Friday) as trains are busier and more expensive. You are required to buy a ticket prior to boarding a train, else you are liable to pay a 'penalty fare' and may be prosecuted for fare evasion.
National Rail offers three broad kinds of ticket, which allow you to choose between flexibility and value. In increasing order of cost per mile, tickets are classed as:
Advance - Buy in advance, travel on specific trains
Off-Peak - Buy any time, travel 'off-peak' (outside busy times, normally after 10am and all day at the weekends)
Anytime - Buy any time, travel any time
Advance tickets are only sold as single (one-way) tickets. With the exception of suburban and commuter trains, the cheapest fares are almost always Advance tickets.
Discounts
Discounts on these tickets are available for:
Children - up to the age of 15
Small Groups – of between 3 and 9 people
Large Groups – 10 or more people
Railcards – discount cards valid for one year
Regional Railcards – offering discounts within a specific region
See Rail travel in the UK for full details.
Ranger & Rover tickets
Ranger and Rover tickets are tickets that permit unlimited travel with relatively few restrictions over a defined geographical area for a period of anything from one to fourteen days. A full list of tickets is available with their terms and conditions from National Rail. These tickets include Rovers for almost every region of the UK, but notable tickets include:
All Line Rover: 7 or 14 Days - These national Rovers allow one or two weeks travel on almost all scheduled rail services in the UK. As of January 2009, they cost £375 / £565 respectively for standard class, and £565 / £860 for first class, with concessions for children and railcard holders.
Freedom of Scotland Travelpass: 4 days in 8 or 8 days in 15 - £105 and £140 respectively, with concessions for children and railcard holders.
Services
With the exception of certain regional, local and some suburban routes, trains feature two classes of accommodation:
Standard class accommodation with two seats either side of the aisle with a variety of facing 'table' or more private 'airline' seats.
First class accommodation, with two seats and one seat either side of the aisle, with a larger seat, more legroom, and an at-seat service of drinks, refreshments and a newspaper (not all at seat services available at the weekend, or for the entirety of the journey).
Longer distance journeys feature some or all of the following:
Free seat reservations, indicated by a paper tag or electronic display above each seat
A walk-up buffet or shop, or a trolley service of drinks and refreshments moving through the train
Air conditioning throughout
At least one carriage with a fully disabled-accessible toilet and baby changing facilities
On some services, a complimentary or paid wireless internet service
There are also five scheduled overnight sleeper trains that operate every night of the week except Saturday:
The Lowland Sleeper, which leaves from London Euston as one train, but divides to Glasgow, Edinburgh
The Highland Sleeper, which leaves from London Euston as one train, but divides to Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness.
The Night Riviera, which travels from London Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance
Reservations are mandatory on sleeper trains, and supplements are payable on top of most ticket prices to reserve a berth. Special advance purchase tickets known as Bargain Berths are available on the Scottish sleepers, starting at £19. They are only available from ScotRail.co.uk. All sleeper trains offer:
Reclining seated accommodation (comparable to daytime first class)
Standard Class (a cabin with two berths; solo travellers will share with someone of the same sex)
First Class (a identical cabin but with a single berth and more generous breakfast, toiletry pack and access to departure and arrival lounges at larger stations)
Steam trains and preserved railways
These are enjoyed for their own sake at least as much as they are used as a means of transport.

By car
All of the UK drives on the left. Visitors from the United States and Canada should bear in mind that as in the rest of Europe most cars in the UK are manual (i.e. "stick-shift") transmission, and that car rental companies will allocate you a manual transmission car by default unless you specifically ask for an automatic when you make a reservation. You will usually have to pay a few extra pounds for an auto but not having to worry about gears whilst learning to drive on the "wrong side of the road" is well worth paying extra for!
A car will get you pretty much anywhere in the UK. Parking is a problem in large cities, and especially in London, can be very expensive. Petrol (gasoline) is heavily taxed and therefore expensive, currently at around £1.07 per litre (around €1.20 per litre, US$5.50 per US gallon). The cheapest fuel is usually available at supermarkets. Branches of Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Asda tend to have fuel stations in their car parks, which are often cheaper than the big name fuel stations like Esso/Exxon, Shell and BP.
There are very few tolls (mainly on some large bridges/tunnels, such as the Severn Bridges) but a levy (congestion charge) of £8 (€8.68, US$10.95) is payable for driving in central London.
Traffic can be very heavy, especially during 'rush hour', when commuters are on their way to and from work - typically 7-10AM and 4-7PM. School holidays can make a noticeable difference, however, particularly in the morning rush hour.
The traffic jam happens often that try to avoid driving to Heathrow when you are going to catch a plane.
Tipping: To save your money, fuel and time spent on heavy traffic, “Park and Ride” scheme, with car parks on the edge of the city and cheap buses into the city center will be a better option.
The UK has a comprehensive system of road numbers. These generally take precedence on signs: British roads are signed on a route-based rather than destination oriented basis. Therefore, before setting out on a long journey, plan the route you are going to take and note the road numbers you will need to follow..
Enforcement cameras are widespread on all types of road, though more used in some areas than others (North Yorkshire, for example, has a policy of using only mobile speed cameras operated by police). Static cameras are often well signed, painted bright colours with clear markings on the road. While this might seem rather strange, the idea is to improve their public acceptance as a 'safety' measure (rather than the widely held opinion that they're there to collect money).
There are some variable mandatory speed limits on the M25 to the west of London (enforced by cameras, again), and the M42 near Birmingham - these are shown on overhead gantries inside a red circle; other temporary speed limits shown on matrix boards are recommended but not mandatory. Apart from these and around roadworks, the motorways are generally free of fixed speed cameras. Speeds on motorways are generally much higher than the stated speed limit (usually at least 80mph), and visitors are advised to be aware of this and stick to the inside lane. Driving at slower speeds in the outside (overtaking lane) may cause frustration to other drivers.
Don't drink and drive in the UK. The maximum limit is 30mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.03%). Note that a refusal to provide a breath test will result in penalties almost as severe as those for drink driving itself. Failing a breath test or refusing to give a sample of breath when requested by police will result in your immediate arrest and transport to a police custody suite where a police doctor will draw a sample of blood.
Drivers from abroad should take note that many British drivers regard the flashing of headlights as a signal that they can proceed, rather than as a warning, or as a signal to slow down due to the presence of police. This misunderstanding has led to a number of accidents. In a dangerous situation, where there is a risk of death or injury, sound your horn, even during the night. The inappropriate use of the horn is illegal between 23:00 and 07:30.
It is also an offence to use your mobile phone whilst driving. Police will stop you for using your mobile phone and a £60 penalty will be issued on the spot. This fine will be accompanied with 3 points endorsed on your license. Also, it is a legal requirement that all persons in a vehicle to be wearing their seatbelt. Persons not wearing a seatbelt may receive a £30 fine. Use of fog lights where there is no fog is also an offence for which you may receive a £30 fine.
For further information on driving in the UK, buy a copy of "The Highway Code"; this is the government-published book that is used to teach drivers the rules of the road when they are learning.

By bus and coach
Local bus services are of variable quality and cost. It is useful to note that many cities and large towns have day cards for their bus networks that can work out as good value. Locals and staff will be willing to help you if you are confused by timetables.
Coach travel tends to be slower than train travel, as well as less frequent, although it is comfortable and often much cheaper. Coaches, like trains will also generally take you right to the centre of town.

By taxi
There are different types of taxi in the UK.
In London and other major cities, strictly regulated "Black Cabs" can be easily recognised by their recognisable shape. The drivers must pass a strict test on the geography, known in London as "the knowledge". Black Cabs can be hailed in the street.
Outside major cities normal cars and minibuses can be licensed as taxis - it is up to the local council how they are distinguished, but they always carry additional plates, usually at the rear, giving details of their approval by the relevant local authority and number of passengers they can carry. Visual identification is almost always through an illuminated sign on the roof, and often through a distinctive colour paintwork.
Minicabs, also known as "private hire vehicles" outside of London are normal saloon cars or vans/minibuses and available nationwide. They are similar to taxis, but must be pre-booked from a minicab office or over the phone: they cannot be hailed in the street. Minicabs may be 'metered' as taxis and charge by mileage/time, or 'off-meter' and charge a set rate for a set route. Properly regulated Minicabs will always have a local authority approval plate as with taxis.
Any other car or driver offering to take you anywhere may not be licensed or insured; some large cities have a problem with such drivers touting for business so take care, especially if you are female and travelling alone. Generally speaking, tipping is expected in London, but is not customary elsewhere.

By boat
Ferries link the mainland to the many offshore islands including the Isles of Scilly from Penzance; the Isle of Wight from Southampton and Portsmouth; the Isle of Man from Liverpool and Ireland, the Orkneys and Shetland islands. There are also numerous car and passenger ferry routes between England and France and between Ireland and the UK. There are also regular ferry services between Northern Ireland and Scotland and these depart Larne, Belfast, Troon, Stranraer and Cairnryan. There are also routes from Northern Ireland to Birkenhead and Fleetwood (both near Liverpool in England).

By thumb
Pedestrians are banned on motorways, motorway junctions, as well as on certain primary routes. However, aside from those exceptions, hitchhiking is not illegal. The British are very aware of safety, and you may expect a long wait for a ride.
If you use signs, it's fairly customary to use the number of the road on them rather than the destination. In other words, from Birmingham to London you wouldn't use a sign "LONDON" but rather "M25". Two places where signs are quite useful are Land's End and John O'Groats, the two extremes of the country, especially if your sign says the other.
Note that traffic in more remote areas of Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall can be quite scarce.