Tourism is back on the menu. After a few hard years, we are once again traveling at free will. As it has always been the case, London and the UK have remained a favorite destination among travelers. You need to visit Great Britain at least once during your lifetime if you can. That’s the rule. Add it to your bucket list. But, you need to have a plan on how to handle the capital of England and the biggest city on the island.
There are many places in London you need to see. You can try to explore it on foot, but that could prove to be a hard task. One of the best options you have at your disposal is car rental. This brings up one question when you’re in London. To rent or not to rent? Yes, it is always a good situation to paraphrase Shakespeare, but on a serious note, you need to consider renting a car when in London. To help you in making a good decision in this domain we are going to talk a little bit about the pros and cons of car rental in London. Check out what we have to see.
Source: kayak.co.uk
Contents
A New Experience
Traveling is all about having new experiences. Renting a car and driving it in the UK certainly fits into that group. The main reason why you should rent a car in London, especially if you’re traveling from abroad, is that you’ll be driving on the opposite side of the road. Yes, this can be a tricky task, but it is an experience like no other. At first, you’ll feel confused, but soon enough, you’ll find your groove. Once you’re back home you will be able to brag to your friends that you’re now adept in driving on both sides of the road. All you need to do is to find a proper car rental in London and you’re all set to go.
Visit More Places
We should tell you one thing – London is massive. It is one of the biggest and most crowded cities in the world. A true metropolis. If you’re thinking of seeing all the landmarks and landscapes it has to offer in one go and on foot, you’re being naive. London has so much to offer. If you do not have an opportunity to visit frequently you need to take advantage of the few short times you’ll be there. To get from one place to another and to see the most of the perks that this city has to offer you’re better off renting a car. You’ll save yourself time, get new experiences, and get to enjoy many things and places that London has to offer. Rent a car, don’t try to take on this giant of a city on your feet. You’ll be tired, and unable to enjoy it to its fullest.
Source: medium.com
Freedom of Movement
This is what you want from every adventure. If you rely on your feet or public transportation you will be limited. You will get tired. You will have to stop at every station and move around in crowds that are going to the same places. This all can be tiresome. It is better to rent a car. It will give you more freedom to see places you like and move from one another in a matter of minutes. This is the freedom we are talking about. You do not want to be limited in your movement by the timeline of buses and metro in London. Yes, public transportation has its advantages but we’ll pick rentals every day of the week.
Luggage Issues
You will not be carrying all of your luggage with you at all times, but will you be carrying enough? If you move through London on foot or via public transportation the amount of things you can carry with you is limited. When you rent a car, things change drastically. Even if you choose a smaller car that is easier to navigate within the city, you will still have a cargo area and back seats. This will allow you to take with you everything that you need for a day. Even if you stumble outside of the city you’ll be able to stay in another hotel with the sheer luxury of having your things with you. With renting a car, luggage issues become non-existent.
Source: pymnts.com
Time is Money
This is an old saying. When you travel, it is expected that you will spend a lot. But, you can save in the process. It is possible to lower your costs. The biggest amount of money you will save is by lowering the time you need from place to place. Saving time is essential when you’re visiting a massive town such as London. Going from place to place, from one place to another castle in a matter of minutes instead of hours will prove to be a great saving technique. Once your time in London is over you will be glad you’ve rented a car. It will allow you to experience more of this great city in less time. You’ll feel like you haven’t missed anything.
Are There Any Downsides?
There is no perfection in this world. Maybe in some areas, there is, but travel and tourism is not one of them. So, while we trust in car rental as close to the ideal option when you’re visiting London, people tend to disagree. We take everyone’s opinion into account. The naysayers usually focus on the left side of the road as the main issue. It is easy to adapt to this small difference after only a few hours of driving. Furthermore, one of the downsides certainly is parking. There are locations in England that are hard to find parking places. Also, the gas prices fluctuate so, for some, that might pose an issue. Last but not least, you should know that London is covered with traffic cameras all over the place. There isn’t a blind spot, especially in high-traffic areas that are most popular among tourists. So, it is possible to get a ticket if you’re not careful, or familiar with British traffic law. Despite all the downsides, we are still standing strong on the hill that when in London you should rely on renting a car. It is a smart decision.
