| By Land
Few formalities are encountered when driving
between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station
in London, serves destinations in the United Kingdom.
For further information, contact Eurolines (4
Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1PP; tel:
(08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694
Car
Most large cities in the UK have extensive public
transport., and in city centers, parking is usually
difficult and expensive, particularly in London.
However, if you are travelling to countryside
or remote areas, hiring car is essential.
Speed limits are 30 mph in urban areas, 60 mph
on roads away from built-up areas and 70 mph on
motorways. In the UK traffic drives on the left-hand
side of the road. Full/cir/information can be
found in The Highway Code, available in most bookshops
and newsagents.
On most roads, parking is restricted between
8am-6:30pm weekdays and 8am-1:30pm Saturdays.
Do consult the parking restriction signs (usually
found on street light posts) before you park your
car. In central London, parking fees and fines
are one of the major incomes for local councils.
You often find that traffic wardens show up from
nowhere as soon as you have left your car on the
road. If you are not careful, you may find a yellow
fine notice on your car, or your car wheel-clamped,
or even worse that your car towed away (it costs
fortune to get the car released).
In case of breakdown, you can call the following
free phone numbers for assistance:
AA: 0800 887766
RAC: 0800 828282
National Breakdown: 0800 400600
Many breakdown assistance clubs in other countries
have reciprocal arrangement with AA or RAC in
the UK. Check with your own club and find out
what assistance you may get free of charge.
If you are over 21 years old and have a valid
International driving licence, you can hire a
car from car rental companies.
Avis: 0181 848 8733
Hertz: 0171 670 1799
Budget: 0800 181181
Europcar: 0181 950 4080
Eurodollar: 01895 333000
RAIL:
Within the UK, railway travel is an excellent
way to explore the country. Special rail passes
are available to visitors for unlimited rail travel
within the UK (or within the Europe) for specific
periods, and they offer excellent value for money.
Rail passes must be purchased before you arrive
in the Uk and can be obtained from travel agents
and British Rail overseas offices.
The standard rail tickets are expensive in the
UK. However, if you can travel off-peak periods,
there are a number of reduced priced tickets:
Cheap Day Return, Network Break, Saver and SuperSaver.
You can check the on-line railway
timetables for the whole UK.
British Rail also offers a number of luxury rail
tours: Royal Scotsman, Great Wales Express, Great
Britain Express (0171 730 9600)
You are into steam trains, there are a few still
running: Scottish Highland (Est Highland, Strathspey,
West Buchan), Wales (Snowdonia National park to
Blaenau Ffestiniog), England (Settle-Carlisle,
Romney-Dymchurch)
Eurotunnel or the Channel Tunnel:
All road vehicles are carried through the tunnel
in Eurotunnel shuttles running between the two
terminals, one near Folkestone in Kent, with direct
road access from the M20, and one just outside
Calais, with links to the A16/A26 motorway (Exit
13). Each shuttle is made up of 12 single- and
12 double-deck carriages, and vehicles are directed
to single-deck or double-deck carriages depending
on their height. There are facilities for cars
and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans,
campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft).
Bicycles are provided for. Passengers generally
travel with their vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles
are carried on special shuttles and drivers travel
in a separate carriage. Terminals and shuttles
are well equipped for disabled passengers, and
Passenger Terminal buildings contain a variety
of shops, restaurants, bureaux de change and other
amenities. The journey takes about 35 minutes
from platform to platform and about 1 hour from
motorway to motorway. Services run every day of
the year, and there are between two and five an
hour, depending on the time of day. There is a
reservation system and a turn-up-and-go service.
Motorists pass through customs and immigration
before they board the shuttle without further
checks on arrival. Fares vary according to length
of stay, time of day and time of year and whether
you have a reservation or not. The price applies
to the car, regardless of the number of passengers
or size of the car. The fare may be paid in cash,
by cheque or by credit card. There are savings
of up to £6 when booking online.
For further
information, contact Eurotunnel Customer Services
UK (tel: (08705) 353 535; fax: (01303) 288 786;
website: http://www.eurotunnel.com).
|
