It’s a city that is always going to be popular with tourists, but for the purposes of today, we are going to discount London from your UK getaway plans. Over the last few years, we have seen a real surge in individuals who are looking to find the local-factor when they jet away. In other words, rather than stay in the big tourist cities, they are looking to venture further afield and grab more of a sample of local life.

When it comes to the UK, this means expanding your reach beyond London. Considering the fact London is so tourist-friendly, this can be a daunting and sometimes expensive task. Through today’s post, we will provide some tips to help you get the most from your extended UK tour.

Don’t be afraid of overnight trips

First and foremost, don’t be afraid of venturing to other cities for more than a day trip. In fact, if you are keeping on top of your costs, this is one of the easiest ways to save money.

Take Portsmouth as a prime example. Hotels in this area are considerably cheaper than in London, yet Portsmouth still has plenty of great things to do year round to keep you entertained.

Be shrewd with your transport

When you do decide to visit another city, make sure you are shrewd with your method of transportation.

The UK might be small in comparison to some countries, but that doesn’t mean to say that you will be flagging a taxi for inter-city travel. On the contrary, you will instead be focussing on the train – but this can get expensive if you don’t plan accordingly.

The best tips for booking the train is to buy your tickets for exact times, a long way in advance. By doing this, you will tap into the best deals. Furthermore, avoid rush hour at all costs – as these are the times when train companies inflate their ticket prices to ridiculous levels.

The same savings rules apply with attractions

One of the great things about London is that while it has its moments with some expensive attractions, there are some that are completely free to enter. Museums fall into this category and you will be pleased to know that all museums throughout the UK are free to enter.

When it comes to private attractions, something else to consider is that a lot of attractions in the country are owned by the same major companies. Ultimately, it means that the 2-4-1 vouchers which are so easy to obtain for London attractions can work across the country.

Bonus tip: you will be out of your comfort zone

Finally, let’s end with a bonus tip. When you venture out of London, you are also stepping out of a comfort zone. In the capital, many languages are catered for, but in other parts of the UK you won’t have as much guidance. It means that it can be difficult to navigate around – and this is something that you need to consider before you jump on the train out of the Big Smoke.