What countries can I go to without flying?

The countries you can visit without flying largely depend on your starting location. From the UK, you can reach France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland without flying. Once you're in Europe, for instance, you can travel to a number of countries by train, bus, or car.

Where can you travel from the UK without flying?

You can travel to several countries from the UK without flying. You can take a train through the Channel Tunnel to reach France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. You can also take a ferry to France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and several other countries. Additionally, you can drive or take a bus to these locations.

Can you get from the UK to France without flying?

It's pretty easy to get from the UK to France without flying. The Eurostar train service connects London with several cities in France, including Paris, Lille, and Lyon, via the Channel Tunnel. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from several UK ports to France. You can also drive through the Channel Tunnel using the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service

What is the cheapest way to travel without flying?

The cheapest way to travel without flying often depends on your destination and the distance you're travelling. Generally, bus travel tends to be the most economical option for shorter distances. For longer distances, train travel can be cost-effective, especially if you book in advance or travel overnight. Car travel can also be economical, especially if you're travelling in a group, but you'll need to consider fuel costs and tolls.

What is the fastest way to travel without flying?

The fastest way to travel without flying is typically by train, especially for longer distances. High-speed trains can travel at speeds comparable to or even faster than driving, without the need to navigate traffic or stop for fuel. For shorter distances, driving might be faster, depending on traffic conditions.

How to Get to Europe Without Flying (+10 Best Places to Go)

Whether you want to travel in an environmentally-friendly way, hate the idea of queueing at the airport, or are just plain scared of planes, there’s plenty of ways to get to and around Europe without flying — here’s how.

you can use a car to get to europe to travel without flying

There are lots of reasons why knowing how to get to Europe without flying can be beneficial. Opting for alternative ways of travelling can help to reduce our carbon footprint, as well as avoiding the chaos of airports. But one of the best things for me about travelling abroad without flying is that you can usually enjoy the journey more. By embracing slow travel, you can have scenic road trips and train journeys, stopping along the way to see things you’d have otherwise missed.

Fortunately, travelling to Europe without flying is pretty easy from the UK. There are lots of different routes, as well as lots of different entry points, making it easy to arrive by ferry, train, car or bus. The list below highlights all the different ways you can get to Europe without having to fly.

How to get to Europe by train

One of the easiest (and one of my favourite ways) is to reach Europe by train. This is usually the Eurostar, which connects the UK to different cities via the Channel Tunnel. It’s a fast and efficient way to get there and in just a few hours, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam.

You can also start off with the Eurostar and then get another connecting train to other major cities, such as Bruges (Brussels), Cologne (Germany) and Nice (France).

How to get to Europe by boat

Another popular way of travelling to Europe is by ferry. Several ferry services operate between the UK and various European countries and cities. You can take a ferry from ports like Dover, Portsmouth, or Hull to reach destinations such as Calais (France), Zeebrugge (Belgium), Rotterdam (Netherlands), or Dublin (Ireland).

Alternatively, you could also opt for a European cruise holiday, which typically lets you see different cities and countries on one holiday. Lots of cruises depart from UK ports like Southampton or Liverpool, heading to numerous European destinations such as Scandinavia, the Baltic States, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

How to get to Europe by bus or coach

Often the most budget-friendly options, travelling to Europe by bus or coach can save you quite a bit of money. It usually takes longer than other modes of transportation though, so this is something to bear in mind.

Nevertheless, it’s a great way of getting to Europe without flying and still being able to sit back and relax on the journey. Several coach companies operate services to various European cities, while Flixbus and National Express are some of the most popular and cheap bus options. If you choose Flixbus, you can also map out onward journeys using their services too as they connect to over 2500+ European destinations.

national express coach journeys can take you across the UK and to Europe

How to get to Europe without flying, by car

The majority of car crossing from the UK to Europe are done by crossing via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. It runs beneath the English Channel and can transfer you from Folkestone (UK) to Calais (France) in just 35 minutes. It’s not always cheap though, so worth booking in advance or searching for any deals. I’ve also got some great tips on road trips abroad to help make the journey smoother.

Easy-to-reach European destinations you can get to without flying

From visiting famous landmarks to wandering around historic towns or lazing on beaches, here are some of the best cities in Europe that are accessible without getting on a plane.

How to get to Europe by train

How to get to Europe by boat

How to get to Europe by bus or coach

How to get to Europe without flying, by car

Easy-to-reach European destinations you can get to without flying

1. Paris, France