Last updated: 22 October 2026

More and more people are choosing holidays without flying. Some want to cut their carbon footprint, some dislike airports, and many simply enjoy making the journey part of the trip. The good news is that from the UK you can reach most of Europe by train or ferry, and other continents by sea.

Holidays without flying in Europe

1. Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam by Eurostar. City breaks start in central London and end in a city centre two to four hours later.

2. The French Riviera by train. Eurostar to Paris, then a high-speed TGV to Nice, Cannes or Marseille. Sunshine in a day.

3. Northern Spain by ferry. Overnight ferries from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander and Bilbao let you take your car to Cantabria, the Basque Country, Asturias and beyond.

4. Brittany and Normandy. Short ferry crossings from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff are perfect for family holidays.

5. Ireland. Ferries from Holyhead, Pembroke, Fishguard, Liverpool and Cairnryan, or rail and sail tickets.

6. The Netherlands by ferry. Overnight sailings from Harwich, Hull and Newcastle, which suit cyclists too.

7. The Alps by sleeper train. Ski holidays without flying are easy via Paris and onward trains to the French or Swiss Alps.

8. Italy by train. London to Milan in a day via Paris, then onward to Venice, Florence or Rome.

9. The Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly. Ferries from Poole, Portsmouth and Penzance.

Going further without flying

10. A cruise from Southampton. Round-trip cruises sail to Norway, the Mediterranean, the Canaries and the Caribbean. There is no flight at either end.

11. New York by sea. Cross the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 in seven nights, or on a container ship in around 9–14 days. See our boat from the UK to the USA guide.

12. Iceland without flying. Ferries and cargo-ship routes connect northern Europe with Iceland. Read our Iceland without flying guide.

13. Canada by cargo ship. Container ships sail to Halifax and Montreal. See our cargo ship to Canada guide.

14. Australia by sea. The ultimate no-fly journey takes about five to six weeks on a container ship. See our ship from England to Australia guide.

15. Overland to Asia. Experienced travellers combine trains across Europe and Turkey with ferries and cargo ships to reach Asia.

Comparing no-fly options

Tips for flight-free travel

• Book trains early. Advance Eurostar and international rail fares are much cheaper.
• Use ferry cabins on overnight routes so you arrive rested.
• Pack lighter for trains, but take advantage of unlimited car luggage on ferries.
• For long sea voyages, read our freighter packing list.
• Be flexible. Cargo ship dates can move by a few days.

Frequently asked questions