The right resources will make or break your vacation. Imagine visiting Bali in the summer without swimwear or Sweden during Christmas without winter jackets. Imagine visiting the Philippines without bug repellent. In all of these cases, you’ll have a much harder time properly enjoying yourself while visiting.
London is no different. To really enjoy your time in the massive and bustling city, you’ll want the right resources at hand. One of those is your list of options for getting around: what’s your best option? Is it Transport for London or Fairview Vehicle Hire who has a wide range of vehicles available to hire? Which option has the most benefits? That really depends on your specific vacation, and we’re here to help make it a bit clearer.
Where Are You Going?
This might be the biggest consideration. Does your trip mainly encompass the centre of London, or are you exploring surrounding areas too? If it’s the latter, you’ll definitely want to hire a car. Public transport is quite reliable, but it covers a fixed area, and for some destinations, it’s simply more affordable and convenient to have your own vehicle. If you love idyllic rural roads, this is an excellent option; there’s a reason the English countryside is famous, after all. It’s gorgeous! If you aren’t considering exploring just outside London, think about it!
What are You Spending?
Your budget will also be a major factor in which choice is better. For a longer trip, one that’s a couple of weeks or more, you’ll likely prefer to hire a car. The longer your trip is, the more your public transit ticket costs will build up. Instead of saving money, you might spend more than it would have cost to rent a vehicle. That’s especially true if your itinerary has you frequently switching between trams, cabs, trains, busses, and the Underground.
If you plan to spend a good while in London, it’s best to rent.
How Busy?
Some travellers like to explore at a steady pace, enjoying the city one bite at a time. Others have a big list of places to cross off, and they won’t be satisfied with missing any of them. If you’re the second kind of traveller, you’ll want to rent a car. Much of exploring London involves waiting for public transport. When you have extensive plans, you don’t want to spend a good chunk of your time at a dirty bus stop or in the crowded Underground.
With a car, you can quickly go from one location to the next, no waiting required. The traffic will be rough no matter the time of day, but you’ll make it to your destinations with much more time to spare.
How Noisy?
If you prefer peace and quiet while on vacation or while on the move, London’s public transit simply won’t do for you. This city doesn’t sleep, and the public transport is busy no matter what time of day it is. You won’t find a time where you can relax away from people while using public transit. For some, that’s a huge problem; some travellers are extremely stressed by huge crowds, and that’s what you’ll always see. If you feel that way about crowds, you’ll want a car instead. With a rental car, you don’t have to worry about the noise or the rush of crowded stations.
So what next? Now you have some points to consider and determine which option is best based on your budget, preferences and needs.