Cat1969 wrote:... Bus is cheaper but goes mainly on freeways...
Motorways in Britain I will have you know!Definitely recommend Brighton or for other places with good nightlife that are cheaper than London, try some of the Northern cities like Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool or Sheffield. Though I think the drinking culture in this country might shock you somewhat, we drink far more than many Americans, even college students!
Around London and the South East the public transport is excellent, far better than most American cities (other than perhaps New York) so you really don't need a car to explore. Definitely get weekly travelcards though for in and around London, they will save you lots of money and the ones specially for tourists usually come with loads of vouchers for many attractions. There is plenty of stuff to see and do in London that costs nothing though, and entry to many museums is free, though donations are the norm.
That being said I think it's nice to hire a car to get out into the countryside too. The South Downs, The New Forest, The Cotswolds, The Kent coast (Deal, Walmer, Sandwich (yes that's where the food name comes from) are all beautiful places I love to visit. Just practice your roundabouts, driving on the correct ( ) side of the road and remember that you can't turn on a red signal! Also most cars in the UK are manual (stick shift) especially at the cheaper end of the rental market), so make sure you can drive one.
9 years