Where to go on a flight free vacation
Far from limiting your horizons, once you start thinking about going flight free you quickly realise how many potential journeys and destinations are available to UK travelers by land. It may take longer to get to your vacation in Spain or Croatia, but rail is definitely the most enjoyable and relaxed way to get there, especially if you factor in city stopovers. Rail vacation experts suggest making your journey part of the vacation, but you could also consider making it the destination itself, with an Interrailing Grand Tour of European culture, or an epic adventure to Uzbekistan or the Arctic by train. If you have the determination to go flight free, then really the only thing holding you back is your imagination.
Our Flight free Vacations
Scotland island hopping vacation, car free
Explore three contrasting Scottish islands car-free
From
£1275 to £1375
8 days
ex flights
Scotland guided rail tour, Skye & Glencoe
Visit Scottish castles and beautiful gardens by train
From
£1875
7 days
ex flights
West Highlands guided rail tour in Scotland
Discover Scotland's Highlands & distinctive islands by train
From
£1875
7 days
ex flights
London to Cairo over land & sea tour
Travel flight free to Africa! Adventure from London to Cairo
From
£2400
16 days
ex flights
Menorca walking vacation, Spain
Idyllic golden beaches, hidden coves and deep blue bays
From
£1145 to £1564
8 days
inc UK flights
Yorkshire dales walking vacation in England
This beautiful 50 mile circular walk in the Yorkshire Dales
From
US $780
6 days
ex flights
Northumberland coast hike, England
Self Guided Walking Vacation in Northumberland Coast Path
From
£560 to £798
8 days
ex flights
Sweden kayaking short break
Solo travelers! Explore the Swedish Archipelago by kayak.
From
€880
5 days
ex flights
Austria cycling vacation, cycle the Lake District
A lovely introduction to picture-postcard Austria
From
£1525 to £1699
8 days
inc UK flights
Picos de Europa National Park & Northern Way walking vacation
From the Sea to the Mountains in Northern Spain
From
€995 to €1295
14 days
ex flights
Scotland painting vacation, the North Coast 500
Iconic roadtrip taken slowly, sketching as we go
From
£1260
14 days
ex flights
Shakespeares Way & Thames Path walking vacation
Two fantastic traditional English walks.
From
£595 to £1180
8 days
ex flights
Split to Dubrovnik Premium cruise
A classic cruise from Split to Dubrovnik on a premium vessel
From
£999 to £1399
8 days
ex flights
Algarve short break cycling vacation in Portugal
Quiet Portuguese roads and sun-kissed cycle tracks
From
£995 to £1195
5 days
inc UK flights
Cycling vacation in Cornwall, England
Cycle through inland heaths and downs, rolling hills and tumbling coastlines
From
US $1299
9 days
ex flights
Portugal hiking vacation on the Rota Vicentina Way
Self-guided hiking on the Rota Vicentina, S W Portugal
From
€960 to €1075
13 days
ex flights
Lewis and Harris Outer Hebrides cruise, Scotland
A cruise to the Outer Hebrides, the edge of the Atlantic.
From
£2200 to £2850
11 days
ex flights
Loire short break cycling vacation in France
Gentle cycling through the heart of the Loire Valley
From
£1435 to £1569
5 days
inc UK flights
Highlights of Puglia cycling vacation
Explore Italy's beautiful, sun-drenched Puglia region
From
£1879 to £1999
11 days
inc UK flights
North Devon ecolodge, England
Uniquely quirky Devon eco lodge with hot tub & great views
From
£501 to £1100
per week (sleeps 8)
Thames Path walking vacation, Cotswolds to London
Follow the Thames river from its source in the Cotswolds
From
£1442 to £2128
15 days
ex flights
Abruzzo and Molise vacation in Italy
Travel the ancient Tratturo Magno in stunning Italy
From
£2695
8 days
ex flights
France hiking and gastronomy vacation
Mediaeval villages, chateaux, Dijon, brilliant food and wine
From
£1679 to £1729
7 days
inc UK flights
Chianti self guided cycling vacation in Italy
Pedal through the archetypal Tuscan countryside
From
£1835 to £1969
11 days
inc UK flights
Walking in Outer Hebrides & the Isle of Skye
Walking adventure to the wild Hebrides, Skye, Harris and Lewis
From
£1755
7 days
ex flights
West Highland Line railway vacation in Scotland
Take the "The World's Best Rail Journey" to the Isle of Skye
From
£895 to £965
5 days
ex flights
Southern Europe rail tour, 16 days
Tour through the best of Southern Europe in 3 weeks!
From
£1959
21 days
ex flights
Luberon cycling vacation in Provence, France
Discover lavender-scented Luberon in Provence
From
£1535 to £1579
8 days
inc UK flights
Abergavenny studio accommodation, Wales
Abergavenny self catering basement studio in superb location
From
£65
per accommodation per night
Albania
1. Albania
Brimming with UNESCO-protected sites, pristine landscapes and a fascinating culture hidden for years behind the Iron Curtain, Albania is just beginning to emerge onto the tourism scene. Already appealing to adventurous travelers, Albania can be reached without flying in two or three days using high-speed daytime trains, a one-night stay in Milan, and an overnight ferry from Italy.
Arctic
2. Arctic
An epic rail journey for intrepid travelers, the Arctic can be explored year-round on two-week trips encompassing vast swathes of Russia and Scandinavia. Highlights include time in Berlin and Moscow, a two-night odyssey to Murmansk aboard the ‘Arktika’ service, and a cruise along the magnificent Hurtigruten coast. You can get home by train too, via Stockholm, Hamburg and Copenhagen.
Croatia
3. Croatia
The easiest way to reach Dubrovnik or Split by train is with a one-night stopover in Zagreb. Without rushing, it would take around two full days from London. But once you’re in Croatia you can let the crew of your small ship cruise take over while you relax on deck with your feet up and a drink in hand.
France
4. France
An easy jaunt over to Paris on the Eurostar is for many of us our first experience of a European rail vacation. But just a little extra effort, and one or two more trains, gets you much further: to chic Biarritz, to idyllic walking vacations in Nouvelles-Aquitaine, to memorable family adventures in the Alps or canoeing in the Dordogne.
Georgia
5. Georgia
One of Europe’s least-known destinations, Georgia is a lovely country to visit by train. Getting there takes you through Transylvania and Romania’s hauntingly beautiful Carpathian Mountains, as well as a memorable jaunt on the Eastern Express through remote parts of eastern Turkey. The final leg to Batumi is by private car, as there’s no train service between Turkey and Georgia.
Portugal
6. Portugal
Whether you want to go walking in Sintra National Park or the Algarve, cycle the Atlantic Coast or dive headlong into Lisbon’s fado culture, there are several ways to reach Portugal by train. Among the best would be taking the Eurostar to Paris, then a high-speed TGV to the Spanish border. There, you can connect with an overnight sleeper to Lisbon.
Spain
7. Spain
If you were in a hurry, you could get to Barcelona by train in one day. But why rush when you could spend a night in Paris along the way? The rail journey to the Catalan capital through France is wonderfully attractive, and once there you can head further on to Valencia, Andalucia and the Balearic Islands if you wish.
Sweden
8. Sweden
The concept of ‘train bragging’ originated in Sweden and we like it. You can get to Stockholm in two days by rail via Hamburg, from where you can try sea kayaking off the Baltic coast, continue south to cycle around the lovely Sörmland province, or track wolves and beavers in Bergslagen Forest.
Our top Flight free Vacation
West Highlands guided rail tour in Scotland
Discover Scotland's Highlands & distinctive islands by train
From
£1875
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 20 Jun, 18 Jul, 20 Sep
2022: 26 Jun, 24 Jul, 18 Sep
2021: 20 Jun, 18 Jul, 20 Sep
2022: 26 Jun, 24 Jul, 18 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Flight free or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Sample itineraries
UK to Valencia by rail
London > Paris > Barcelona > Valencia
Depending on train times, from London you could potentially reach Barcelona via Paris in around 12 hours non-stop, although you might want to break up the journey with a night in the French capital. Then from Barcelona you’re just three hours by train from Valencia, or eight hours by ferry from Menorca.
Depending on train times, from London you could potentially reach Barcelona via Paris in around 12 hours non-stop, although you might want to break up the journey with a night in the French capital. Then from Barcelona you’re just three hours by train from Valencia, or eight hours by ferry from Menorca.
UK to Saint Anna Archipelago by rail
London > Brussels > Cologne > Hamburg > Copenhagen > Stockholm > Norrköping
It takes around two full days to get from London to Stockholm by train at a relaxed pace, with an overnight in Hamburg. From Stockholm it’s less than two hours to the lovely Sörmland province by train, bus or car, and 90 minutes by train to Norrköping, departure point for sea kayaking vacations in the Saint Anna Archipelago.
It takes around two full days to get from London to Stockholm by train at a relaxed pace, with an overnight in Hamburg. From Stockholm it’s less than two hours to the lovely Sörmland province by train, bus or car, and 90 minutes by train to Norrköping, departure point for sea kayaking vacations in the Saint Anna Archipelago.
London to Dubrovnik overland
London > Paris > Munich > Zagreb > Split > Dubrovnik
Getting to Croatia by rail is both uncomplicated and fun. It would take you about 22 hours to reach Zagreb via a sleeper train from Munich. From Zagreb it’s a further six hours to Split, from where you can take a bus or fast catamaran to Dubrovnik, as there is no rail connection between the two cities. After that, you can unwind with small ship cruising around Croatia’s idyllic Dalmatian coast and islands, perhaps combining sailing with walking or kayaking.
Getting to Croatia by rail is both uncomplicated and fun. It would take you about 22 hours to reach Zagreb via a sleeper train from Munich. From Zagreb it’s a further six hours to Split, from where you can take a bus or fast catamaran to Dubrovnik, as there is no rail connection between the two cities. After that, you can unwind with small ship cruising around Croatia’s idyllic Dalmatian coast and islands, perhaps combining sailing with walking or kayaking.
More about Flight free
Flight free vacations are about curbing emissions, not ambitions. Let’s make travel exciting again.
Flight free vacations to Spain are easy, with rail connections from the UK through Paris, or by sea to Northern Spain.
Our flight free vacations to Portugal can get you from the UK to Lisbon in 24 hours by train.
Flight free vacations to Sweden offer plenty of options for stopovers in Europe along the way.
Flight free rail vacations allow you to get your cultural fix by visiting several European cities in a short space of time.
With long-haul flight free vacations, it’s always about the journey rather than the destination.
We’ve put together some tips and advice for flight free vacations from our specialist tour operators.
We explore some of the key issues around responsible travel on flight free vacations.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Kevin Schmid] [Albania: Drini Teta]
[Arctic: Michael Parulava]
[Croatia: Matthias Mullie]
[France: Peter Schulz]
[Georgia: Denis Arslanbekov]
[Portugal: Red Mirror]
[Spain: Jean-Baptiste D.]
[Sweden: Ines d'Anselme]
[Paris: JOHN TOWNER]
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