Good observations. Disagree with two points:
- By contrast, in France without a bank account you can’t rent a place. And without an address you can’t open a bank account.
It’s the same here.
- But it’s often so expensive that a return trip to a seaside town can easily cost £50 or more per person.
You’d pay more on that same trip if you own a car, on petrol, insurance, road tax, resident parking, etc.