Road tripping is the best way to truly experience all that the UK has to offer. The sights… the smells… the (sometimes unpredictable) climate…
It’s the ideal location to discover hidden treasures.
Maybe you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the British countryside? Perhaps you’re keen to traverse the best tourist traps and seek out The Royals? No matter your reason for visiting the Isle, we have the tips you need to make sure you stick to a budget.
The best part? It’s perfectly achievable if you plan ahead!
1) Have a route in mind
Planning your journey ahead of time doesn’t mean you have to stick to a regimented route.
The best part of a road trip is the spontaneity of discovery! However, by planning ahead you can make sure you at least have suitable accommodation nearby, and of course, plenty of fuel stops (for the car and you)
The risk of not planning where to stay beforehand is that you could end up spending more than you anticipated. This is especially true if hotels and B&Bs are at full capacity. If you intend to travel in more rural areas, booking ahead is necessary as there will be less accommodation around.
2) Do your hire car research
Your hire car is the most important part of your road trip, and can also be the biggest money burner if you don’t do your research!
Whilst the thought of cruising though the British countryside in a classic drop top is tempting for many, expectations need to be lowered if you want to stick to a budget. To spend as little as possible on a UK road trip, you need the following:
– A reliable…
– …manual…
– …diesel car.
This doesn’t mean you need to hire a donkey. A diesel, sporty hatchback is definitely achievable. Just check the car’s fuel efficiency!
3) Calculate costs ahead of time
Much like planning your route ahead of time, your costs can be calculated beforehand to prevent any nasty surprises. By breaking down your costs ahead of time, you can see where your limitations are, as well as where you can be more flexible.
For an estimation, you should identify your planned hire car’s price and calculate how much it would cost you per day, including fuel. Other key cost areas to consider are:
- parking
- insurance
- accommodation
- mobile phone data
- food and drink
- attraction costs
4) Consider your driving times
As with other countries, there are busier and quieter times on the road in the UK. You don’t want to waste your trip or your fuel money sitting in traffic – so make sure you know the times to avoid (if possible).
Rush hour traffic in the UK starts around 7am and finishes around 10am Monday to Friday. The evening rush hour traffic is between 4pm and 7pm Monday to Friday. If you can’t avoid driving during rush hour, avoid the motorways where possible – they are notorious for traffic queues!
5) Go camping
Wild camping is only legal in the UK if you have the landowner’s permission. However, most are accommodating if you leave the site how you found it. There are also a number of cheap campsites available which can work out cheaper than hotels.
By camping a few nights during your road trip, you can save money on otherwise pricey accommodation. An additional benefit being that you get to connect with nature! There are so many stunning sites across the UK that will take your breath away, with locations including Snowdonia, the Lake District and Dartmoor.
6) Avoid toll roads and congestion charge zones
There aren’t that many toll roads in the UK, but it goes without saying that knowing an alternative route around the ones that do exist will save you money! The same applies for congestion charge zones in London – know where it extends. Currently, the congestion charge is enforced 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday.
7) Research special offer tickets for multiple tourist sites
If you intend to stop off at multiple attractions throughout your road trip, make sure you check out any discounted tickets for multiple sites. For instance, The National Trust have a touring pass which gives you free access to over 300 houses and gardens across 7 or 14 days, depending on the length of your road trip.
The UK is packed full of amazing sights and things to do, guaranteeing an unforgettable stay. Make sure you plan your road trip carefully. Once the money planning is out the way, you can take the wheel and enjoy all that the UK has to offer.
Produced in collaboration with Keith Michaels Insurance