No-Fly Holiday Ideas

Lisa Arbon on 10 October 2022
No-Fly Holiday Ideas

Need a No-Fly Holiday?

You think holiday, you think flying - or at least most people do! But there are actually so many different no-fly holidays you can take to different destinations to avoid flying. This is particularly helpful for those of you with a fear of flying, or even a fear of airports and large crowds. So if you’re not one for aeroplanes, no fear! Here’s some of my top no-fly holiday ideas, some of which you might not have thought of before!

1. Interrailing

Interrailing is a great alternative to flying when choosing where to go on holiday. Essentially, interrailing is where you purchase an ‘interrail pass’, that allows you to travel through most of Europe by train. The best thing about the interrail pass is how simple it is. It’s one ticket that can pretty much get you unlimited rail travel through Europe. The standard pass is available to European Citizens, but if you’re from outside Europe, you can always get the Eurail pass instead! Another great benefit of interrailing is the cost. Interrailing offers great value for money and often works out much cheaper than buying individual flights to different countries. You buy one ticket at a fair price, map out your route through Europe and off you go! Check out more on Interrailing here.

2. Cruises

Cruises are another great option for holidays, and the best part is there are SO many different cruises to choose from all over the world. They offer more freedom of choice for your destination compared to things like interrailing, which is just around Europe. Cruises are typically a roundtrip holiday, stopping at different locations along the way. Cruise ships with their huge size often have a range of different things on board such as pools, gyms, spas, restaurants, indoor skydiving, ice rinks, waterparks and live entertainment - so there’s plenty to do both onboard and on land. It’s actually very impressive how much they can hold!

3. Roadtrip

Road trips don’t have many of the benefits that water and rail travel has, however it still may be a good option if you enjoy a long (very long!) drive with your friends or family. A road trip doesn’t just have to be in the UK, as you can actually drive to countries in Europe too, and it’s worth noting you can still use your standard UK driving licence in most European countries. Whilst driving takes a whole lot more time than other modes of transport, it offers you a lot more freedom than cruises, trains and flying, because you can decide where you make stops and which route you’d like to take. There’s even a ton of different road trip routes in and out of the UK with breathtaking scenery for you to explore.

4. Sailing

Sailing could also be a great option for your no-fly holiday, particularly if you enjoy the scenic environment of the seas and oceans you’ll sail over. Like a road trip, sailing can take a lot longer than other of these no-fly holiday ideas, but again you have more freedom to make stops where you like and ultimately have more control over your journey - which is always a plus! There’s a lot more to think about when sailing, so make sure you do your research, have the right legal documentation and well… know how to sail a boat!

5. Canal boats

Canal boats (or narrow boats) are a fabulous and simple holiday idea, offering unique scenery to explore. With over 3000 miles of historic waterways, the UK canal network has been running for over 200 years, allowing you to visit historic cities, waterside villages and gorgeous countryside locations, perfect for the family week away or a quick weekend break. The best part is, canal boats are often a cheaper holiday option than flying, or many other no-fly holiday ideas for that matter.

6. Walking holidays

Walking holidays are another perfect getaway idea, particularly if you’re one for a good hike! A great benefit of walking holidays is that there are so many to choose from for different budgets, locations and seasons throughout the year. You can choose from a simple afternoon stroll to steeper more challenging terrains, all the way to walking safaris! These brilliant holidays are all over the globe with so many different sights to see and biomes to explore. Most range from around £700 to a few thousand, so figure out your budget, pick your location and get those hiking boots on! We even offer packages for accommodation and luggage transfers so you can focus on your walk.

7. Lodges and cottages

A little weekend away in a stunning lodge or cottage could be the perfect choice for you and your loved ones, if you’re a fan of coastal and countryside locations. With Hoseasons as our supplier for this type of holiday, there are a huge range of luxurious locations for you to relax in, either in a quiet, peaceful area or a family friendly holiday park. These cottages and lodges are a great option as there’s usually tons to do for the whole family, with beautiful scenery, hot tubs, family fun parks and boating. Many of them are dog friendly too, so don’t worry about leaving your furry friends at home.

8. Eurostar

The Eurostar is probably one of the most well-known options for a no-fly holiday. It’s a high-speed rail service that travels internationally, connecting the UK with France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The only downside is that the Eurostar tends to be more expensive than a lot of low cost flights, but budgeted right and taking into account all the extras of flying, it may work out cheaper. One of the most popular destinations using the Eurotunnel is the famous Disneyland Paris, which racks up around 15 million visitors a year. The Eurostar is often a great choice if this place is on your bucket list, as it goes straight from London to the centre of Paris. Ultimately, the Eurostar tends to be quicker, more convenient and if done right, cheaper than flying. If you’re looking for a Disney getaway, then get in touch! Looking to book an autumn holiday?

As an experienced Travel Counsellor with over 7 years of experience, my first-class services are the perfect way to book your trip, whether it be by plane, train or boat! If any of these no-fly holiday ideas interest you or you have any questions, email me at lisa.arbon@travelcounsellors.com or call me on 01733 490060, or you can check out my offers here.