Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

208  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Visitors to the South Coast of England have a Channel Tunnel. Travelling within southern
choice of options for travelling to the region. England is also easy. There is an extensive
A wide selection of air carriers link the south of network of roads linking all parts of the South
England to the rest of Europe, North and South Coast, and hiring a car is a convenient way
America, Australasia and Asia. Coach travel is of exploring. The railway network is efficient
a cheap, if rather slow and uncomfortable, and far-reaching, especially from London.
form of transport from Europe, while travelling Coaches also cover most of the area and
by train has been transformed thanks to the are the cheapest, but slowest, option.
Arriving by Air
There are a number of airports
in southern England. The largest
is Heathrow, west of London.
Served by leading airlines and
with direct flights to and from
most major cities, it is one of
the world’s busiest international
airports and a principal European
hub. Gatwick in the south is
the other international airport
in the region. Heathrow has five
terminals and Gatwick has two,
so before you fly, check the
terminal you need to get to. Passengers standing in a queue waiting to board a National Express airport coach
London City is in the heart of the
capital and Stansted and Luton The no-frills budget airlines the Gatwick Express to London
are located north of the city, with easyJet and Ryanair fly to Victoria or local services, which
good transport to the centre. England from Europe, Morocco are cheaper and can be almost
Bristol and Southampton are and Israel, and offer exceptionally as fast. There’s also the reliable,
smaller regional airports with cheap flights, especially if you fast Stansted Express to
regular flights from Europe. book well in advance. Check Liverpool Street.
Most of England’s largest their restrictions though. National Express (see p211)
airports have excellent facilities. coaches provide good direct
Security is strict, so it may take Transport from connections from major airports
time to get through passport to many British destinations, and
control and customs. It is the Airport run a regular service between
impor tant never to leave your London’s international airports Heathrow and Gatwick.
luggage unattended. are well-connected and transport
British Airways flies from most to and from them is efficient. The
of the world’s biggest cities. most convenient form of door- Arriving by Ferry
Other British international airlines to-door travel is a taxi, but it is Ferries can be convenient and
include Virgin Atlantic, with also the most expensive. Traffic economical for those travelling
routes from the USA and the Far congestion can slow down taxis, by car or on foot. Services
East, and Flybe, which flies from buses and coaches (although the operate from several ports on
Western Europe. American airlines latter two are much cheaper), but the European mainland and
offering scheduled services to designated lanes mean they are have good link-ups with inter-
Britain include Delta, United not held up for long in London. national coach companies. Car
Airlines and American Airlines. Visitors arriving at Heathrow and passenger ferry services link
From Canada, the main carrier can also take the Underground six South Coast ports to those
is Air Canada. From Australasia, (see p212) or the Heathrow in Northern France and Spain.
the national carriers Qantas and Express fast train to Paddington Fares vary according to season
Air New Zealand vie with several Station. Those arriving and route, but early booking
Eastern rivals, including Emirates. at Gatwick can take means big savings.
Dover is the busiest port, with
frequent services from France:
DFDS Seaways run ferries from
Dunkerque and Boulogne and
P&O Ferries offer services from
Calais. There are also ferry services
Virgin Atlantic Airbus 320 at Heathrow Airport, London from Spain: Brittany Ferries travel

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