Self-Driving Adventure Across the UK
10 Days, 1800 Miles (2900 Kilometers)
Route: Collect car in Central London – Stonehenge – Bath – Cotswolds – Lake District – Fort William – Isle of Skye – Inverness – Edinburgh – York – Cambridge – Return car at Heathrow Airport
Car Model: MG ZS (SUV), perfect for 4 adults with 4 carry-on suitcases and 4 backpacks.
Cost Breakdown:
1. Booking Fee: Paid 2163 AED (equivalent to 4300 RMB) before picking up the car.
2. Pick-Up Charges: At collection, we paid a 300 GBP deposit. After returning the car at a different location, we received a refund of 250 GBP, while 50 GBP was deducted as a drop-off fee.
3. Parking Fine in Edinburgh 😂: We incurred a 100 GBP fine but managed to pay it online with a 50% discount, bringing the total cost down to 50 GBP.
4. Fuel Expenses: We refueled the car five times during the trip, ensuring it was returned with a full tank. This amounted to 225 GBP.
5. Parking Fees: Total parking expenses came to around 100 GBP, with the most expensive being a staggering 36 GBP for a single night in central Edinburgh 😭.
Total Cost: 440 + 50 + 50 + 225 + 100 = 865 GBP, averaging 216 GBP per person.
Verdict: Everyone agreed that renting a car was an absolute bargain! With an average daily cost of just 20 GBP per person, we enjoyed complete freedom over our itinerary and had the opportunity to explore countless remote yet breathtaking villages.
P.S. Four days in London followed by 10 days of self-driving resulted in an unforgettable 14-day journey under nothing but sunny skies ☀️. Here’s hoping you’ll enjoy equally fantastic weather on your own adventures! 🤍
