London's Heathrow and Gatwick are the two main airports for international flights, although some do go direct to Manchester and Birmingham.

You can get a coach and/or ferry from mainland Europe, or a very swift train through the Channel Tunnel.

Ferry

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of a tunnel or want to get some fresh air in the English Channel, you can get a bus or train connection to mainland Europe with a short ferry or Seacat ride thrown in. The boat trip on the shortest routes (from Dover or Folkestone to Calais or Boulogne) takes about 90 minutes; the Seacat takes about 35 minutes. Ferries go to France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia from a number of southern and eastern British ports; to Spain from Portsmouth; and to Ireland from a handful of western English ports.

Plane

London's Heathrow and Gatwick are the two main airports for transcontinental flights, though some also zip direct to Manchester and Birmingham. All the major, and many minor, English airports are served by numerous continental European and Irish flights. Most of the world's major airlines serve London at least.

Discount no-frills airlines link Britain to many European destinations. To check their fares visit their websites (which often have extra discounts for tickets bought online) or call them direct.

Heathrow airport is accessible by bus, London Underground (Piccadilly line) and the Heathrow Express train. A cab to or from the airport is quite expensive.

The Gatwick Express train runs between Gatwick airport and Victoria station in 30 minutes. The Stansted Express train will get you to Stansted airport from Liverpool Street station in 60 minutes.

Bus

You can get to England from mainland Europe via bus and ferry, and although buses may be slower and less comfortable than trains, they are cheaper, especially if you are aged 13 to 25 or over 60, or take advantage of the frequent special offers. (Long-distance buses are usually called coaches in England.)

Train

The Channel Tunnel has made travel between England and continental Europe faster, more pleasant and less tiring, with two different services: Eurostar (or Le Shuttle) for walk-on passengers, and Eurotunnel for people with vehicles.

← Back to:  England - intro

Source: Lonely Planet