UK TRAVEL SEARCH
Rental Cars (Self Drive) - Driving in Britain & Ireland
Rental cars always offer a great way to travel around the UK countryside. Our recommendation however is that unless
you are really comfortable with driving on the right hand side of the road (the opposite side of the road to the US) that you contact one of the rental car operators listed on UK Travel Search to
put together a personalised UK/Ireland car rental travel itinerary. Many car rental companies also have "go as you please" accommodation voucher programs using prepaid accommodation vouchers whch represent considerable savings over regular accommodation prices, especially in peak travel summer months.
A BIG tip however, whilst driving in the country in the UK and Ireland is a fantastic and unhurried way to go at your own pace and
discover the real Britain and Ireland, stay out of London unless you REALLY have to drive in London.
Not only is the congestion horrific within London, the new Congestion Charge for central London, (now a staggering £8 per day from July 2005) little or no meter parking, (£100 fine for overstaying a parking meter ) wheel clamping (another £50-£75 depending on where and how long you overstay your meter) and the ultimate
disaster, having your car picked up (literally!) by a specially outfitted removal truck and bodily removed to a pound, (cost to get your car out of the pound - up to £150-£200 pounds!) make driving and parking in London an absolute nightmare if you are a visitor - and even if you live here!!.
The same can be said for the motorways in the UK, especially the arterial ring road around London, the dreaded -
to be avoided at all costs in peak hour (which is now 24 hours a day) M25, darkly referred to by UK motorists as the worlds biggest and longest parking lot....
For those however who have the time and are used to driving on the right hand side, a rental car for part or all
of your holiday here allows you the freedom to go where you want, when you want - how you want!
Look through the UK Travel Search Directory for
a rental car operator or a specialist inbound uk travel operator to put
together a special custom made self-drive rental car and accommodation package for you. You can stay at old country
pubs and inns, manor houses, stately castles or even good value bed and breakfast lodging. Whatever - the choice
is extensive.
As Britain (and Ireland) are small and compact countries by world standards, cities and towns in Britain and Ireland are generally only a
few hours driving between each other, with major motorways (freeways) to speed you between cities, (speed limit 70
mph is strictly observed on motorways) an excellent secondary road system off the motorways, and charming and
peaceful country back roads if you want to take the really scenic route.
However, as with anybody driving in an unfamiliar area or country, the real challenge lies in knowing where you
are going and taking the time to thoroughly research your drive before you commence your trip. Most of the UK car rental operators or inbound travel operators can help
you here with personalised trip planning as part of thier custom itinerary travel services, offering research for your travelling
route(s), roads and directions, times between destinations, attractions, even great old pub stops for lunch!
For more information on driving in Britain and Ireland we have also provided some useful links below.
Recommended Rental Car Companies:
Find Street/Suburb & Maps
Driving: Directions/Distance/Planning
Traffic Reports
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