Essex is a wonderful county in England that is famous for its rich history, beautiful countryside, and quality of life. From London to Brighton and the south coast towns, it offers visitors a spectacular backdrop to explore. Many visitors to Essex take up the opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life for a trip away. If you want to do some travelling around Essex, you will need some advice on how best to plan your journey so that your time on this beautiful island is an enjoyable experience.

Here are 10 tips that we hope will help you plan a great trip and reap all the benefits this amazing county has to offer!

Think about the climate

It’s important to consider the weather when planning your trip. Be prepared for all seasons as this will dictate what you can and cannot do, as well as how much it may cost in food and drink. Tourists will find that the UK’s weather tends to vary, but it’s still important not to forget a warm jacket and trousers, especially on colder winter days.

Have a map of your area to hand

Whilst it may seem obvious, having a map of the area you want to visit is advantageous if you wish to visit somewhere off the beaten track. A conventional map will be less beneficial than a digital version on a smartphone or tablet, which you can access without having to use.

Get an Oyster Card for London transport

If you’re planning a visit to London, each day will cost more in train fares than a week’s travel by the Oyster Card. In fact, it will be cheaper to travel as much as you want in one day with an Oyster Card than pay for single journeys. You’ll also get better value if you spend more than £7.00 in one day.

Visit the local area when staying in a hotel

If you’re visiting Essex, it’s worth spending some time in the local area. Many of the top beaches and attractions, such as Southend-on-Sea and Harwich are easily reached by train.

Plan your day to avoid rush hour traffic

There are some good train links between many towns in Essex, such as Colchester to London Liverpool Street, and Ipswich to London Fenchurch Street. However, it can still be difficult to get to London from other areas at peak times. Therefore, it is important to plan your journey around off-peak times if you wish to avoid being stuck in rush hour congestion.

Consider hiring a car

If you want to get around Essex quickly, then you should consider hiring a car. There are many small car hire companies and companies which offer minibus hire in Essex. The obvious advantage of cars is the freedom they provide and the fact that if you want to go somewhere off the beaten track, you can travel on country roads or quiet lanes. Of course, this means that driving yourself is more tiring than taking public transport or travelling with others, but it can still be worthwhile if you are visiting areas which are far apart. Some of the places worth considering include Southend-on-Sea, Colchester, Chelmsford, and Walton on the Naze.

Consider using a minibus

As well as hiring a car yourself, it can be a good idea to hire a minibus or large car with friends. This is especially useful if you wish to travel in bigger groups and make the most of travelling together. There are many companies that offer minibuses for hire in Essex and can be great fun.

Coach hire for a family trip

If you’re travelling to Essex with a large group of people, then it may be worth considering coach hire in Essex. Many companies offer a range of coaches for hire on long journeys and the experience is much more like flying on a plane than taking the train. South East Coaches is one of the best companies offering coach hire in Essex.

Book your ferry tickets

If you’re planning to visit other areas of the UK, you may want to consider booking your ferry tickets or even using the entire journey as part of your travels in Essex. There are many ferry links between ports around Essex but only an experienced traveler should attempt to travel across the water independently. Always check which services are running when before getting involved with travel plans.

Plan your food and drink

If you’re visiting Essex and plan to eat out or buy snacks, then it’s worth considering how much this will cost and what you want to spend. You should also check prices for drinks at the local pubs or bars if you’re planning to visit these. If you are in a larger group, it can be useful to set a maximum budget everyone is happy with before they go out so that they can better enjoy the experience without worrying about budgeting too much.

 

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