Okay. This may not be feasible at all, but here goes. I'm a writer and just found out that one of my publishers will be at a convention in Nottingham at the same time I'll be in the UK. I'd really like to go to the convention and sign some books...

BUT. I will be flying into Stansted that morning from Pisa, then flying out of Heathrow the next morning. I looked on the East-Midlands train site, and it seems too expensive for my meager budget (my wife will be with me so everything's double).

I also looked into renting a car, but I'm a little nervous about driving in the UK.

Here are my questions, then. How far of a drive would that be (Stansted- Nottingham, then Nottingham to London). And second: does anyone know of any alternative method of traveling this way?

May be a pipe dream, but since everyone on this board's both knowledgable and helpful, I thought I'd give it a go...

Google maps gives 120 miles from Stansted and 133 miles back to Heathrow from the University of Nottingham. They both take about 2 hours 20 minutes.

The route back is easier as 100 miles is on the M1 and there will be good signposts to the Heathrow Airport.

On the assumption that you are flying via Ryanair, it might be worth checking to see if they will allow you to change your arrival airport from Stansted to East Midlands airport. I know they make a charge for changes but they are possible. I just don't know how much.

If you flew to E Midlands airport there would be an airport bus into Nottingham at a fairly reasonable cost. Then you could either travel by train or coach to London (National Express might even have a direct bus from Nottingham to Heathrow).

Brad,

Regarding the possibility of renting a car: I recently drove for the first time in the UK, after 30+ years of driving on the other side of the road in the US. I did not drive in London, but did drive in city traffic in Edinburgh, and all around the Scottish countryside on everything from big motorways to little one-lane roads where you have to pull over to let the other cars go by in the opposite direction. It is not exactly death-defying, but it takes intense concentration and is not a very relaxing way to travel! We really had no choice because the places we wanted to go in Scotland were not accessible by bus or train (at least not within our schedule). Overall, it was well worth it, and I would do it again, but if public transportation is available and of comparable cost, I would recommend using it instead!

Tim

Brad - having driven in these areas (and being a native driver!), I would not recommend them! Additionally, you mention London - is your destination within the congestion charge area (centre city area)? If so, that will bump up your hire costs.

I tend to use trains but have become adept at buying cheap tickets. If you give me your arrival dates (or if you wish, the day of the week), I will have a go. However, cheap (advance) tickets are often valid only for specific trains, and if your flight is delayed, this might not be feasible.

At least it is now possible for visitors to the UK to use their own credit cards (and not require a UK address). AS usual, it is good practice to phone your credit card company before purchase and warn them - I had a TrenItalia credit card transaction blocked by mine, since they suspected fraud!

A cheaper method of travel is by National Express bus:
National Express coaches

However, they are slower than trains and dependent upon congestion-free motorways to maintain their schedule.

I would opt for the train. Stansted-Peterborough-Nottingham is quite a pleasant journey, while Nottingham-London is fast and impressive. Make it part of your UK holiday experience!

Peter

Thanks for the help. And thanks for the offer, Peter! Turns out that it would be impossible for me to make it before my publisher left, anyway. So nix on this. But thanks again for all the help.