As I moved to the United Kingdom, I’ve been getting asked lots of questions by friends and family back home about living in my new country.
One of the most frequent topics of interest is how the public transportation system works here and how it compares to services back in my homeland.
While still learning to drive here, I’ve become quite reliant on public transport in the UK to get around in the meantime. From buses and trains to tubes and taxis, there are plenty of mobility options for getting around cities and towns.
In this blog, I’ll provide an overview of the major public transportation networks across the UK, and share tips for understanding routes and fares to confidently navigate your new surroundings. Having ridden all the major transportation types, I’m happy to explain the pros, cons, and costs to help fellow expats acclimate.
Table of Contents
Buses
As in most countries, buses provide an affordable way to travel relatively short distances within UK towns and outer city areas.
As I live in a smaller city where tubes aren’t available, bus is my most commonly used public transport in the UK.
Buses here are mainly operated by private regional companies like FirstBus, Transdev and Arriva under franchise agreements. Depending on which city you live, the bus company that dominates your city may be slightly different.
I was confused at first and tried to scan the same QR code on my bus app when I transferred to another bus, but was told that the QR code was only for FirstBus and this bus was operated by Transdev.
Payment Methods
In London, payment is quite easy as you can tap your Oyster card (the card you use for the Tube) to pay for buses and there is a daily cap on how much you spend.
But if you live in other smaller cities, things can get more complicated.
If you are still new to the UK and have no idea which bus number corresponds to which company, I would highly suggest you to pay on the bus.
It is indeed quite easy, all you need to do is to tell the driver that you want a single (if you are travelling on your own) ticket to a certain destination. Then you cay pay directly with your debit card. An average journey is usually £2, but may increase in the future.
If you are living there for a longer period, I would definitely recommend you to use the company’s bus app, as they often offer the most discount!
For example, there are more ticket types available in those apps, like student tickets and daily/weekly/monthly passes.
I saved a huge sum of money when I bought 100 tickets with a 1-year expiry date on my app when I received the email notifying that the bus ticket price would increase by 30% a week later!
Many cities are also introducing the “Pay As You Go” System, which you can just tap your debit card when you get on the bus, and tap it again when you leave. It will automatically deduct money according to the distance travels and usually have a weekly cap to make sure that you don’t pay too much.
Quality
The quality varies HUGELY, even within the same company.
From my experience, though all buses have basic schedules searchable on their site, most of them never follow it in exact.
Some companies perform better as their app allow me to track in real-time to the location of the bus.
And for most, you just have to wait at the bus stop forever without knowing when it is going to come.
It is also common for buses to skip a time slot due to reasons like the bus driver fails to turn up… That means if you have to wait 15 minutes for a bus normally, it can extend to 30 minutes sometimes. That’s why I always wait for an earlier bus when I’m heading to a more important occasion.
It is similarly common for these buses to stop functioning in the middle of your trip, and I noticed that this had happened more since the introduction of electric buses. Just within last week, I had to change to a later bus due to accidental breakdown for 3 times…
However, I am happy to say that the bus drivers are generally very nice and friendly.
Planning Your Route
Buses are often perceived as complicated by people unfamiliar with the place.
However, modern technologies have made it much easier than the old times.
My usual route planning is to use Google Map to search for the best routes from the starting location to the destination. It gives you all the details of which bus routes you can possibly take, and the estimated time needed. I find it fairly reliable.
Once you are on the bus, it may be hard to identify the station that you should take off even if you know the station name.
Most buses now install a system that announces the next station name, and you can simply follow that if there is one.
However, some older buses may not have that system. As my bus app has real-time tracking, I use that on my phone instead to track my current bus and press the bell when’s the next station.
If your bus has neither, you may need to consult your bus driver. If you ask them to remind you when it’s time to take off, most drivers will usually happily shout out to you when it’s about there.
Tube
Tube is an extensive underground subway system in the UK. It is really a megacity thing and I have only used it several times as I do not live in London.
However, it is pretty user-friendly as a whole though the Tube map may seem overwhelming at first.
Basically, it is operated by Transport for London (TfL) overseen by the city’s government, and currently made up of 12 lines and 270 stations.
It is a highly flexible service that operates from 5am to nearly 1am, and the trains usually arrive every 1-5 minutes (much better than buses!).
Payment
Unlike buses, I never have to worry about the payment as it has a super simple payment method known as the Oyster card. You can buy the card in the station and top up either in-person, using a top-up machine in the station or online.
The Oyster card is applicable not only to Tube in London, but also to buses, which makes it very useful in that sense.
However, the price can be very expensive depending on which zone you are travelling to, it ranges from £2.4 – £7, but there are capping on daily and weekly fares.
To be honest, I will definitely use Tube a lot more than buses even it is more expensive if I live in London as it is a lot quicker.
Quality
Unlike buses, it is unusual for a Tube to break down.
Even if it delays occasionally, considering that its frequency is usually within 1-5 minutes, it isn’t a big deal at all.
In the earlier days, I found it really hard to get WIFI signals when the train is running (which explains why Brits like to read physical books in the Tube), and the tube lights may even go black in the middle of the journey, creating a sense of horror. However, these has improved a lot.
The major issue of the Tube is its frequent strike. When I travelled to London a few months ago, I was told that several lines were closed due to strike, which resulted in insufficient drivers.
I’ve also heard stories that people had to take leaves from their work just because of the Tube strike.
It is supposed to be the most reliable type of transport, but its reliability has deteriorated over the years.
Planning Your Route
This might cause you a headache if it is the first time for you to plan a route with the Tube map.
To be honest, it looks like a chunk of blood vessels to me that runs in random directions initially.
However, this process can be simplified.
Again, using the Google Map, first search for your start station and end station. It will automatically tell you the best route to take.
Then, you don’t even need to look at the Tube map. Just head to the station and look for signposts above your heads. It will direct you to the appropriate site but may involving you taking lifts and escalators.
Walk to the correct place which shows the line you are going to use (e.g., Elizabeth Line that is heading to Paddington in this case).
Go onto the train and take off when you reach the station as mentioned in the Google Map (E.g. Whitechapel), then change station by following the signages again.
There are also often more than 1 route that you can follow to arrive to the same destination, choose the one the suits you most.
It should become easier as you get more familiar with it, and I personally find it a lot easier than taking a bus without a station announcement system because you don’t even need to know what your destination looks like.
The Tube has to be the best public transport in the UK if you like a speedy ride with reasonable price.
Trains
Are you looking to travel within the UK? Then train is the best public transport in the UK you can have.
To travel from say London to the North of England, it only takes 3 hours in total despite the long distance. This is the quickest type of transport to reach different areas of the UK within short amount of time.
Similar to buses, the national rails are operated by private rail franchises like Avanti, LNER, Greater Anglia and TransPennine Express. The service quality and ticket price differs greatly among different providers.
Payment
The payment process itself is easy as you can easily find any train ticket booking site and pay for the entire trip. However, if you are looking for price comparisons and cheaper tickets, it may become more complicated.
Some sites are naturally more expensive than the other. Sometimes, the official site e.g. LNER website may offer even cheaper prices than the so-call “discounted site” like Trainline. You have to check through all possible websites every time you make a purchase to make sure you are not paying more expensive than you should.
Also, there are many Railcards that you can purchase to save up to 1/3 if you are using trains fairly regularly. There are many types of them: 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together Railcard etc.. Look at them to see if you are eligible!
The main downside of trains is that its prices are often VERY expensive, and even so when you are travelling in the peak season, such as during Christmas or summer holidays. Typically, a 1-2hour journey fares ranges £10-£40 depending on whether it is peak or off-peak. You can also get a cheaper ticket price if you buy earlier.
Most trains still use a very traditional system to check and staple your train ticket in the middle of the journey. So don’t be surprised if you see someone hiding in the toilet forever…
Quality
I would argue that train is one of the MOST UNRELIABLE public transport in the UK.
This is mainly due to the frequent train strikes, which seems to go on forever and ever…
Disruptive Strikes
When I saw the news that the train union had reached an agreement with the government, I thought all these are going to end. However, a few months later, the train drivers announced strike again.
This repeats about every few months and I stop to believe that there will ever be an end to that.
Basically, be prepared to have your train cancelled after you book and pay for a ticket. It can be cancelled up to just several minutes before your journey (don’t ask me why I know this).
Though it is possible to ask for a compensation, your journey will inevitably be disrupted hugely.
Bad for Large Suitcase Users
Also, train is not user-friendly to large suitcase users, which is quite ironic isn’t it?
Sometimes, depending on the service provider you are using (which tend to be the cheaper ones), they overbook the train and you end up standing in the corridor for hours if you are at a later station.
Imagine you are holding a large suitcase, or even two, not ideal right?
Questionable Passenger Behaviours
The behaviours of other passengers can be questionable at times too. It is very common for people to sit on others’ seats, despite the fact that seat numbers are usually pre-allocated.
I had once been allocated to sit over a four-seat table with two other friends, but an unknown stranger squeezed into our table. It became evident that her seat was not there as we asked her politely, but she was unwilling to move seats despite there were empty seats everywhere.
Eventually, to regain some space, two of us decided to move to other unallocated empty seats…
And apparently, this is not an one-off event as many of my friends experienced the embarrassing situation when their seats were pre-occupied by someone else as they got onto the train.
Coach
As you can probably tell that I very much dislike train due to its unreliability and poor user-experience, I have a perfect alternative to substitute it whenever I have loads of time to travel across the country – and that is by using coach like the National Express.
Coach is basically a bigger bus with more comfy seats that travel a long way across different cities.
Payment
Its payment system is super simple, basically go to its official site, search for your start point and end destination, and buy the ticket right away. Unlike trains with many discounted websites, there is no better option than to buy its tickets on its very own site.
A major benefit of National Express is that its ticket prices are SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER than a train ticket that goes to the same place, even when you are booking it close in time. The price difference is so huge that when I go to London by train, it is usually £40, but if I take the coach instead, it can be as low as £10.
Quality
Of course, I recommend coach service over train because it is basically the opposite of it.
Despite being inherently slower (it is just a bus after all!), it has a super high reliability and almost never fails to turn up.
You can store your suitcases safely in the chamber below without having to worry about it during your journey.
The seats are comfy and I usually sleep through the journey.
I highly recommend taking a coach if you are not short of time, as it is the best public transport in the UK when you are moving across cities.
Taxis and Ride-shares
For quick personalised transport, taxis and ride-shares like Uber fill the void. I usually take them when I am in a hurry, going to a new but remote place, or carrying a lot of things.
Unlike what I was used to, it is impossible to wave your hand on the street and expect a taxi to stop for you. If you want to take a taxi or Uber, you have to make an order in your app or call the service to book for one.
Payment
I personally prefer Uber more than taxi because I can clearly see how much I am going to pay for that specific time when I make the order, therefore it is easier to budget my money.
Taxis, on the other hand only tell you the price when you reach your destination, and taxi drivers may urge you to pay them tips…
As expected, it is quite expensive to take on a personal ride, it’s generally £2.6-£3 per mile in and around cities, and pricing can surge during peak hours.
Quality
Unlike trains, Taxis and Ubers’ expensive prices matches with their high qualities, and are undoubtedly the best public transport in the UK.
The drivers I’ve met so far have been very nice and friendly to me. When I have large suitcases, they are even willing to carry it to the boot for me.
It is usually a super quick journey, and at least 3-4 times quicker than a bus that goes to the same destination.
While pricier than trains and buses, rideshares provide comfort and convenience in many scenarios.
Takeaways for Public Transport in the UK
| Suitable for | Pros | Cons | |
| Bus | Travel within a city | – Relatively cheap – Friendly drivers – Wide variety of payment methods – Have access to most locations in the city | – Bus schedules are unreliable – Long waiting time – Quite slow – Hard to know when to take-off initially |
| Tube | Travel within a city | – Short waiting time – Have access to most locations in the city – Quick journey – Easy payment | – Slightly expensive – Limited to megacities only – Unpredictable strikes – Hard to use the map initially |
| Train | Travel across the country | – Quick journey | – Very expensive – Require thorough price comparison before purchase – Highly unreliable – Not friendly to large suitcase users |
| Coach | Travel across the country | – Cheap – No price comparison needed – Reliable – User-friendly to suitcase users | – Slow journey |
| Taxis/Ubers | Travel within a city | – Quick journey – Easy booking – Comfortable | – Expensive |
While understanding all public transport in the UK will take some adjustment, transportation here is modern and accessible across the country.
If you decide that public transportation in the UK is not for you, you can also learn to drive while observing the driving rules.
I hope this guide has provided a helpful introduction to utilising the extensive public transport in the UK as a newcomer. With so many well-connected routes and pricing pass choices, you can ease your transition by getting out and exploring this beautiful country via bus, tube, tram, rail, and more. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
