Most visitors arrive in Britain at either Heathrow or Gatwick airports in London, which have excellent connections by bus and train with the capital. Luton, Stansted and London City airports also receive a fair amount of traffic but are much further out. There are also shuttles to nearby towns from these, while train services from Luton and Stanstead head north. Trains from Gatwick go south to Brighton. Trains and National Express coaches run to other cities in Britain from these airports.

The extensive train network links London's airports to most UK destinations. Services are frequent and on time, generally, but can be expensive, therefore if you plan on doing a lot of travel around the island try using the National Express coaches. The network is huge and the prices more attractive than rail travel.

You can also get to and from the continent via the Channel Tunnel which has been in service for a number of years. Paris to London via the Eurostar passenger train service is a quick journey. There is also a motorbike, car and bus train service from Folkestone to Calais on Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle service, or you could stick with the popular car ferries.

Ferries are still popular from Dover to Calais and Boulogne, while ferries from Harwich are destined for Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia. Usually there are at least two sailings a day, conveniently connecting with rail services. The continent can also be reached from Newcastle and Scotland.

Ferry sevices around the UK include the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, the Scilly Isles, Isle of Man, the Hebrides, the Isle of Skye, Skomer, and other offshore islands, while Ireland can be reached from Holyhead and Fishguard in Wales and Stranraer in Scotland. From Liverpool it is possible to get sailings to the Isle of Man.