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Despite its myriad attractions, England is a fairly compact country with decent roads and a wide rail network, so getting around isn't difficult, no matter the season.

The first big decision when visiting England is whether to travel by private car or use the extensive public transportation system. Having your own car means you can make the best use of time and reach remote places, but rental, fuel costs, tolls and charges can be expensive, and there are always traffic delays to contend with. Public transportation, which includes a somewhat reliable system of trains and coaches (buses), is often the better choice for getting around in the UK. Aside from London, England’s city centers are very walkable too.

From the cheapest travel passes to the best forms of transportation to get you where you're headed, here's our guide to getting around England.

Choose the train for fast long-distance travel

For long-distance travel around England, trains are generally faster and more comfortable than buses, but they're also much more expensive. The English like to moan about their trains, but around 85% run on time (and the 15% that see delays mostly impact commuters), and major stations are well-equipped, with helpful staff, a range of food outlets and decent amenities.

The main headache for train enthusiasts these days is the cost. If you leave booking your ticket to the last minute, fares can be extortionately high, so it's always worth booking as far in advance as you can – tickets tend to come available 12 weeks in advance of travel. Also note: sometimes buying two single tickets can be cheaper than buying a return!

About 20 different private companies operate train services in England, while operates tracks and stations. The range of different train operators can be confusing at first glance, but information and ticket-buying services are mainly centralized.

If you have to change trains, or use two or more train operators, you can still buy one ticket, valid for the whole journey. The main railcards (discount passes) available are accepted by all train operators – and can offer .

Your first stop for planning journeys should be , the country's nationwide timetable and fare information service. The website advertises special offers and has real-time links to station departure boards and downloadable maps of the rail network.

You can also buy tickets from the rail companies directly, or through other ticket retailers, who often have easy-to-navigate websites and apps; options include and . The ticket-splitting service is also a great way to save money on fares, particularly on one-way journeys.

Coaches are the cheaper long-distance option

Long-distance buses are known as "coaches" in the UK, and services run between most major towns and cities. If you're on a tight budget, coaches are nearly always the cheapest way to get around England, although they're also slower – sometimes by a considerable margin.

If you book early or travel at off-peak periods – ideally both – coach tickets can be very cheap, although if you're going to the airport, then it can pay to take a faster train (or taxi) for the peace of mind that you'll make it in time for your flight. The two major coach companies are and .

Tip for taking a coach: Many towns have separate stations for local buses and long-distance coaches; make sure you go to the right one!

Cycling can get you around in the city and countryside

Hiring a bike – for an afternoon, a day, or a week or longer – is a great way to really explore a small region or see England’s great outdoors. Some cities have bike-share schemes (as well as e-scooters), while others have longer-term bike-rental shops. England also has a growing network of that may inspire you to explore more of the country by bicycle.

Bikes are often available for hire in national parks or forestry sites, particularly at locations used for leisure activities, such as in Northumberland and in the Lake District. In some areas, disused railway lines are now bike routes, most notably routes in the Peak District in Derbyshire and the in Somerset.

England is still a notoriously car-centric country, however, and most cities are not very cyclist-friendly. Only a handful of cities have an adequate system of dedicated bike lanes, so it’s best to enjoy cycling in more rural locations, particularly during the summer.

Hire a car if you’re going to remote locations

Traveling by car or motorcycle around England means you have more independence and flexibility, and you can reach more remote parts of the country. Downsides for drivers include regular traffic jams (even on motorways), the high price of fuel, the cost of insurance, congestion charges and parking fees in cities and popular tourist towns.

Compared with many countries (especially the USA), car hire is expensive in England, and fuel costs can be eye-watering. The smallest cars start from about £130 per week, while entry-level motorcycles cost from £215 per week.

If you have time, using a mix of train, bus, taxi, walking and occasionally hiring a bike, you can get almost anywhere in England without having to drive.

Tip for renting a car: There are several major car-hire providers, but you may get a cheaper deal using a smaller company local to your starting point, or go through a car rental comparison site. Rental companies at airports can be good for deals, and they're easy to access via public transport, even if you're not flying into a city.

You can also travel in England by boat

The only major ferry routes within England are from Portsmouth or Southampton to the Isle of Wight, and from Penzance to the .

If time isn't an issue, you could travel around an area of England by canal boat. Most narrowboat hire companies are concentrated around the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union Canal near Rugby. Some now offer long-term rentals, allowing slow travel fans to move between major cities via England's vast canal network.

Domestic air travel rarely adds up

England doesn’t have a big network of domestic flights due to its small size, but there are some long cross-country routes that are awkward, costly and time-consuming if you travel by train (eg the trip from Exeter or Southampton to Newcastle).

However, you'll still pay at least £100 for one of these flights, and the time saved becomes less beneficial once transit times and the journey to and from the airport are factored in. Britain's domestic airline companies include , , and , but considering the short distances and high carbon cost, many choose not to fly domestically.

Public transport is best for exploring a city

English cities usually have good public transit systems – provided by a combination of buses, trains and sometimes trams – although these services can be run by a confusing number of separate companies. There's usually good information at each stop or station, including route maps and ticketing information, and staff in tourist offices are always happy to help.

Public transport services run year-round in cities and towns except on Christmas Day (and sometimes also Boxing Day). Sundays usually see fewer services.

is a handy app for planning the quickest journey between points, especially if you're combining transport options.

Local buses run between towns and cities

Buses also run between towns in rural areas, although timetables are mainly designed to serve schools and businesses, so there are fewer services in the middle of the day and at weekends. Services can stop running during summer school holidays, or buses may link local villages to a market town only one day each week. It pays to do your research before traveling around rural England relying solely on bus transport.

In tourist areas (especially national parks) there are usually more frequent shuttle services from Easter to September. It's always worth double-checking at a tourist office before planning your day's activities around a bus that may not actually be running.

There are different ways to book a taxi in England

There are two kinds of taxis in England – licensed cabs with meters that can be hailed in the street or now booked with the Gett app, and "minicabs," which are usually cheaper privately held vehicles but these can only be booked by phone. In London (and some other large cities), official taxi services are provided by the famous black cabs, which charge by distance and time. Ridesharing apps such as are also available in cities and most major towns in England.

In rural areas, licensed taxis usually need to be booked by phone; look up the numbers for local taxi companies online as you plan your journey, or ask at a local pub or your accommodation for recommendations. You'll often find taxis waiting for passengers outside country train stations, or there will be a cab office nearby.

Tip for taking a taxi: The website is a database that pairs up minicab providers with train stations, helping you "bridge the gap" between the station and your final destination.