Drive or not ? 175 miles

[LadyGillingham]

I’m going up north to see a friend. My 9yr old wants to go with me. He gets along wit her 10yr old twins - so all good there. It’s a 2 night trip. I’m in Surrey. Train tickets are expensive so I booked tickets on FlixBus. £35 for the two of us, return :) Great, but I realise door to door this will be 6 hours!! I can drive in about 4hours incl breaks. By the time I get to London and board the bus, I’ll be half way there if I drive.

Shall I just drive? Or will I hate it half way through? It’s supposed to be very hot tomorrow - i cannot makeup my mind.

My friend doesn’t drive, so it’ll be handy to have to car to go on meals out etc. she gets by well without a car - buses and trams.

Have you ever been on a Flixbus? They're cheap for a reason.

We spent the most uncomfortable, freezing cold 1.5 hours on one last year. Fucking dreadful. And I'm tight as anything, I'd usually put up with quite a lot if it saved money 😂 but it really wasn't worth it!

We were spared the return journey because 90 MINUTES before departure (we were still airborne!) they emailed to say oh, sorry, we had to cancel, here's a voucher. No reason. No alternatives. Left us stranded outside an airport with no notice at 1am and we had to spend £230 on a taxi.

Definitely drive op!

175 miles isn't far, the car will give you flexibility. Spending six hours on a bus with loads of people would be my idea of hell.

Yes, that’s what I would do.

The worst part will be the M25 so you need to leave early.

I'm guessing you're heading towards Yorkshire?

But it will involve a tube trip across London. No direct train from Surrey to the north.

I would want to be in my car with the ac on, rather than on a bus! I'm team drive

Have a lovely time xx

Exactly. Also, train tickets are super expensive right now

That's nothing. We did a 12 hour road and sea trip to the Hebrides for a long weekend.

Is your bus refundable? I got a friends and family railcard it makes the train best option for us usually my son gets car sick plus on the train you can get a coffee, stretch your legs

Driving gives you the freedom to leave earlier if needed or to go to the shop etc when you’re there.

Leave at 5am (or earlier).
Stop half way for some breakfast and to stretch your legs.
You’ll miss the traffic and heat and be up there way before midday.