A primary consideration when planning a weekend city break to London is the method of transport you are going to take. Being such an important city in terms of both tourism and business London is a major hub for all forms of travel so by road, rail or air there are a massive range of options to choose from. However if you live in the UK and are just looking to escape on a short London break for a couple of days then traveling to London by rail is undoubtedly the smart option - taking your journey by train will ensure a hassle free city break for three reasons - speed, convenience and cost.
Traveling from anywhere in the UK to London is in almost all cases the fastest way to travel. With direct express services starting as far north as Edinburgh and continuing down the spine of Britain it is difficult to envisage a journey that will take more than four or five hours from even the most far flung areas of the country. If you live in or near any major city with a train station then you can expect that travel time to be cut down significantly. Unlike flying which will see you arriving on the outskirts or driving, which gets slower and slower the closer you get to the city, all major train services will deliver you right to the heart of London so you can get on and start enjoying your short break.
As well as saving you time this can also prove a lot more convenient - as long as you are traveling fairly lightly then London breaks by rail will see you arriving in the city centre and if you book your hotel accordingly then it will be only a couple of minutes walk to your accommodation. Fortunately there is a great choice of hotels in London around just about every major train station in the city. Traveling to London by train also means you don't have to worry about where to park your car during your weekend break. You'll be most likely spending your time in the middle of London - the most congested and expensive place to park in the country so by removing your car from the equation by taking the train you'll save yourself a whole lot of stress and hassle.
The British rail network has something of a reputation as being expensive and lacking in reliability. There is truth to this, especially if you are traveling during commuting rush hours or on busy weekends. However with a bit of pre-planning it is really easy to get a good price on tickets. Traveling at off peak times (such as weekday afternoons) and booking your train tickets well in advance will ensure that your weekend breaks in London by rail will go smoothly without breaking the bank.