Hi everyone! My soon to be husband and I will be taking a trip to England in August. We wanted to visit Stonehenge and the surrounding area, and stay at a bed and breakfast out in the country- which will mean we have to drive! The one thing holding me back from booking this trip is the driving. I'm just not sure if I can do it! Should I worry? We'll be flying in, so we'll be renting a car from the airport. Tell me I'm thinking to much into this??
2007-03-02 11:59:05 · 10 answers · asked by LARA N 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
The bad bits:
We drive on the other side of the road.
You have to expressly request an automatic - most Brits drive manual cars.
We have roundabouts all over the place.
The roads are much narrower than in the US.
We drive much faster than in the US on narrower roads.
The roads are significantly busier than in th US.
You do not want to drive in London if you can avoid it.
On the up side:
Having a car will really give you the freedom to explore the wonderful countryside (I'm a country bumpkin and wouldn't like to think that all you'd seen was London).
If you know the rules then it's just like driving anywhere... there are some significant differences like we don't filter right (or left in the UK) on a red light.
If you stick to the motorways (freeways) and take it easy you shouldn't have too many problems. Better still, if you have satellite navigation with the UK loaded on it, take that and you won't have to worry about finding your way.
I would say go for it and have a drive, but take it really carefully and don't drive at night until you've built your confidence.
Bear in mind that even though the rest of Europe drives on the same side as the US, the roads are still crammed and tiny, so you'll have the same problems everywhere.
Swot up before you come by reading the Highway Code: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/
Go for it, you'll have a great time!
2007-03-09 05:34:56 · answer #1 · answered by muppetofkent 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok I travel back and forth to the UK 6-8 times a year so I keep a car over there..Driving over there can be a little tricky the cities are sooooo congested and out the country you run into fairly narrow roads I think the signage is fairly international now and should not present too much trouble..The thing is to orient yourself to drive on the other side of the road on the other side of the car after a day or so you will be good. Just go for it ...just take it slow don't let anyone spook you and you will be fine....The very best of luck...P/S If you are just too too worried you can plan the trip around public transit the trains and bus's are really great and go everywhere
2007-03-02 13:51:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mian difference is that we drive on the 'wrong' side of the road - i.e. the left. It's easy to get the hang of but one thing to bear in mind is that it's easy to turn or 'drift' onto the wrong side of the road, keep this in mind. Where the roads are busy you won't have a problem as you'll just be moving with the flow of traffic but on some quiet stretches of road it can, and does, happen.
Roads in England are very varied - the motorways (equivalent to the interstates) are long, straight and generally fast flowing but some of the country lanes are narrow, twisting and slow going. They're wonderful to drive along.
Because England is comparatively small with a lot of people there aren't really any stretches of remote road and you're never more than a few minutes from the nearest town or village.
One thing that you might want to take into consideration is that most cars in the UK are manual (stick shift), if you're used to driving an autotomatic transmission you might want to mention this to the hire company.
Many of the road signs are the same or similar to those in the US, you can check all the signs used on UK roads here... http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs_index.htm one of the main differences is that we don't have 'yield' signs we have 'stop' signs.
One of the other things you'll notice is the price of petrol (gas) - it's about double that of the US and is sold in litres as opposed to gallons, currently about $1.80 a litre (a litre is a bit less than a quart).
And be prepared for traffic jams if you're visiting during the holiday season or at peak times such as public holidays. You may want to avoid driving at the worst times by setting off early on your journeys.
There isn't anything you need worry about too much, just remember to keep to the left side of the road.
2007-03-02 12:34:01 · answer #3 · answered by Trevor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry.
If you are level headed and experienced drivers, you will cope.
The most difficult aspect is to remember that after years of driving on the wrong side of the road, the UK retains the correct side!
When I last drove in Europe, the hardest part was leaving the airport because of the traffic levels. When I got onto the open road (away from motorways/freeways, etc.), I had time to think at each intersection, etc. After a while, it became almost second nature. (Until I came to a roundabout in the middle of a village and I had to stop to think. Just ignore the inevitable horn blaring - they would have something to blare about if you went the wrong way and caused an accident!)
I would suggest keping away from busy urban areas until your confidence has grown. The area around Stonehenge will not present you with undue problems.
Have a good time
2007-03-03 03:03:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just came back from England, and trust me, you're not looking too much into this.
I would not even attempt to drive in the UK just because everything is so different. The signage, driving on the left side, traffic laws and patters. Uh-uh. No.
You don't need to rent a car. Plan your trip properly. Decide were you want to go and then makes plans on how to get there. Most of my trips abroad never involved me renting a car and I got off the beaten path quite alot!
2007-03-02 12:36:31 · answer #5 · answered by Midoria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We drive on the Left, and if you want automatic transmission, you'll need to tell the car-hire company that when you book the car.
Driving on the wrong side of the road is easier then having the indicator lever on the wrong side of the steering wheel.
The signs are logical enough, but take a look at the highway code before you come over.
An old friend once hit a cow at 60 miles per hour near stone henge, and completely wrote off his dad's car. And the cow.
2007-03-07 10:33:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is so sweet! Congratulations on your 'soon to be wedding' I am so happy for you!
Going to England and staying in a quaint b&b will be so romantic you are going to have a great time!
My advice about driving though, is to not drive and take public transport. Get bus and train timetables and phone numbers for local cab/taxi companies.
If you really want to drive, get an automatic and be alert about staying on the left and be watchful for road signs which are pretty clear.
There are no stop signs in UK, just red lights. You CANNOT turn on red like in the US. The Yield signs are 'Give Way' in the UK. A green light is a green light you do not need to yield to anyone.
Roundabouts are trickly. Slow down as you approach them and look to your right. You are going to give way to traffic on your right. You do not need to stop if nothing is coming just slow down and check as you approach then check again just before you go around.
What airport are you flying into? You will be able to get a train or bus to your destination, England isn't like America, there is enough public transport in most places.
If you want more info and specific details you can e-mail me and I will try to help you more.
2007-03-03 16:02:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am meant to be going to London on Saturday unsure if i am going now I have been to London a few times and i loved it I think a lot of people feel the same way about where they live hun If the weather was better over in Ireland it would be so much better but i dont think i could ever leave here California does look lovely too
2016-03-16 03:21:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are worried about it, trains go everywhere in England and they are on time and not too expensive. There is also terrific bus service. Once you get to Salisbury by train or bus and find your b & b, you can get a tour bus out to Stonehenge. You really don't need a car there. I've been many times and never attempted to drive and was able to get everywhere I needed to go. Enjoy!
2007-03-02 12:07:28 · answer #9 · answered by luna 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well im from england and i dont really get what u mean? if u mean because we drive on different sides of the road then I would say be careful, i dont want to put you off but our country roads are where people speed more because A) no police about B) No speed cameras and C) its riskier, dont call me stupid because I dont do it, but everyone here does, but dont be put off because it MIGHT be calmer, if u mean something other than that then sorry i dont get you
2007-03-02 12:08:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋