Responsible flight free vacations
That being said, many of us do still feel a responsibility to consider our own footprint. And while we might happily eat a vegetarian or vegan meal now and again, and probably won’t complain too strongly about the thermostat being turned down a few notches, how willing are we to fly less on vacation?
Responsible tourism isn’t only concerned with how people behave when they’re away, or how travel companies work to minimise the impact of their business on local communities and environment. It’s also about considering how we get to our destination and whether the cheapest, quickest way is actually the best way. And let’s be honest: for most of us, flying isn’t so much fun anymore. Going by rail might take longer, but it’s much more relaxing, as well as more scenic.
The seismic growth of budget flights over the last few decades has done a sterling job of convincing people that it’s impractical to go on vacation beyond France from the UK and Ireland except by air. But the reality is that not only is it more enjoyable to go over land instead, not only is it often easy and cost-effective, but it still means you have a fantastic range of destinations and types of vacation open to you. Flight free vacations are about curbing emissions, not ambitions. Let’s make travel exciting again.
Our Flight free Vacations
West Highlands guided rail tour in Scotland
Discover Scotland's Highlands & distinctive islands by train
Scotland guided rail tour, Skye & Glencoe
Visit Scottish castles and beautiful gardens by train
Scotland island hopping vacation, car free
Explore three contrasting Scottish islands car-free
London to Cairo over land & sea tour
Travel flight free to Africa! Adventure from London to Cairo
Pembrokeshire activity weekend in Wales
Adventure weekend in Britain’s only coastal National Park
Croatian Islands yacht cruise
Sail the Croatian islands on a beautiful luxury motor yacht
Scotland cruise vacation, private charter
Private Charter a mini cruise ship in the Scottish Hebrides
Northwest Highlands wilderness hiking vacation, Scotland
Explore the wild & beautiful regions of Assynt & Coigach
Walking vacation in Italy, in the Footsteps of St Francis
Wonderfully scenic walking and historic hilltop towns
Dubrovnik to Split luxury 5 day cruise
Dubrovnik to Split 5 day highlights cruise
Tour of Britain by train
Explore England and Scotland's cities & landscapes by train.
Lands End To John O'Groats biking trip
Britain's classic cycling challenge
Sweden kayaking short break
Solo travelers! Explore the Swedish Archipelago by kayak.
Thames Path walking vacation, Cotswolds to London
Follow the Thames river from its source in the Cotswolds
Alentejo hiking vaction, Portugal
Self-guided walking vacation through the Sagres Peninsula
Women only kayaking vacation in Sweden
All ladies kayaking journey full of know-how and inspiration
North West Scotland cruise
Scottish Cruise to the North West Coast Mainland Wilderness
Orkney & Shetland self drive vacation, Scotland
Self-drive island-hopping through the Northern Isles
Scotland West Coast cruise, Skye and the Small Isles
Scottish Vacation to Skye and the Small Isles | Cruise
Camino de santiago hiking vacation for families with teenagers
Digital Detox for Teenagers!
Wildlife sailing vacation in Scotland
Extraordinary wildlife above and below the waves
Hebrides short break cruise, Scotland
Scottish small cruise with a Taste of the Hebrides
Vacation cottage in Snowdonia, Wales
Cottage on Lake Padarn with wonderful views of Snowdonia
Loire short break cycling vacation in France
Gentle cycling through the heart of the Loire Valley
Southern Croatia cruise in comfort
Cruise Croatia's beautiful islands on a small cruise ship
Loire self guided cycling vacation
An interest-packed, gentle cycling vacation.
Devon eco lodge accommodation, England
Quirky eco lodges, 1 with Hot Tub, on a Devon nature reserve
Flight free England to Iceland vacation
Amazing opportunity to travel flight free to Iceland
Flight shame or train brag?
In 2019, around 2.5 percent of global human carbon emissions came from commercial flights. But most of that was from leisure flights that are inessential. With new forms of renewable energy rapidly replacing fossil fuels and a growing take-up of electric vehicles on the roads, that percentage is going to rise. But only 11 percent of the world’s population took a flight in 2018, and just one percent of people cause half of all aviation emissions. It would only take a relatively small number of people to start rethinking the way they travel for a big difference to be made.While we understand the reasoning behind the Swedish concept of flygskam, or flight shame, we prefer a different term: tågskryt or train bragging. You took the family to the Mediterranean by train this year for a change? Kudos.
Time, cost and the complex fragmentation of European train networks, combined with the proliferation of budget airlines, have made it seem as if there is little point in trying to get abroad by rail. That’s not something anyone should be shamed for; it’s entirely natural. However, we need to get back to a point where speed and price are not seen as the most important elements when it comes to travel.
We also need to end the belief that it’s somehow a ‘right’ to be able to fly wherever, and whenever, we choose. The effects of climate change will inevitably hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest. Many, ironically, in destinations we love to vacation in, such as the Maldives.
What can you do?
There needs to be more realism about aviation emissions from everyone involved: travel companies, destinations, businesses, governments and travelers themselves. But it’s also important to be keenly aware that we can still see the world and have brilliant vacations without flying so much. Our flight free vacations guide aims to show you what’s possible with a bit of determination, a bit of knowledge, and a bit more time.
So abandon thoughts of flight shame, and think instead about train bragging. Celebrate every achievement, even if it’s just taking the Eurostar to Paris. Be inspired, not intimidated, by the potential of overland travel. And let’s return to the adventure, the fun, the romance of going the long way round.
The arguments against flight free
The boom in cheap flights since the mid-1990s diminished enthusiasm for long distance travel over land in Europe. It’s too complex to book a multi-country journey by rail. It takes too long. It’s too expensive. However overland travel is only too slow, expensive and complex when placed against the cheap flights that are a relatively new phenomenon, and that we know are incredibly damaging to the environment.So let’s look at the most common arguments against going over land, one by one. Firstly, the price. In the UK, traveling by train can be ludicrously expensive, but in many parts of Europe, and around the world, rail travel is nowhere near as costly. And while we might pay a bit more going by rail or boat into Europe, what are we actually paying for? More comfort and more views. No luggage restrictions. Less queuing and less stress.
As for time, the savings are not always as big as you might think. Let’s start with an obvious one: it takes just over an hour to fly from London to Paris, the Eurostar takes about an hour longer. But if you go by air, you have to factor in check-in, security, embarkation and disembarkation, passport control and getting from the airport to your accommodation. But if you go by rail you just wander through security onto the platform at the right time, take your seat, and then you’re whisked from city center to city center with a lot more leg room. The same goes for flying between many European cities. When you factor in airport transfers, queues and all the other potential causes of delays when flying, you’re often not saving anywhere near as much time as you think. And you’re certainly not having as relaxing an experience as you would by rail.
As for complexity, it might at first glance appear difficult to drive through several European countries, or to book multiple legs of a rail journey – perhaps even including ferry. But take another look. We know stacks of responsible companies that will be more than happy to lend you a hand. They’ll tell you precisely how to reach your vacation by road or by rail, and they may even be able to make the bookings for you. Our guide to booking international trains is also packed with helpful information.