Holidays Without the Airport: No-Fly Ways to Get Away as a Family

For lots of families, the airport is the least enjoyable part of any holiday. Early alarms, security queues, liquids in tiny plastic bags and overpriced sandwiches and drinks can leave everyone frazzled before the trip has even started. It’s no wonder more families are looking at holidays that skip the departure lounge altogether.

The good news is that there are plenty of options, and many of them are easier than you might think. The Eurostar, overnight ferries, sleeper trains and cruises from UK ports all make it possible to go somewhere brilliant without boarding a plane. Cruises don’t all leave from Southampton, either. There’s a growing number of cruises from Scotland heading to Norway, Iceland and the Scottish islands, and for many families getting to the port is simply a train journey.

Here are some of the best no-fly holiday ideas for families, plus a few tips to make the journey part of the fun.

Hop on the Eurostar

For families in the Midlands and the North, the train to London St Pancras is usually quick and straightforward, and the Eurostar leaves from the very same station. Paris is only a couple of hours away and Brussels is even quicker, so it’s possible to have breakfast at home and lunch in a French café. There are no liquids rules, no taking shoes off at security, and everyone can get up and stretch their legs whenever they like.

It’s a great option for families with teenagers, who often want cities, shops and culture rather than a week by the pool. A few days in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam feels like a proper adventure without being exhausting, and watching the countryside change from a window seat is a nice bonus.

Take the car on the ferry

Taking the car on a ferry is ideal for families who like to pack properly. There’s no baggage allowance to worry about, so the wellies, the beach toys and the enormous bag of snacks can all come along. It’s also one of the easiest ways to travel abroad with a dog, as some ferries offer pet-friendly cabins and the family pet doesn’t have to miss out.

The overnight crossing from Hull to Rotterdam is well placed for anyone in the North or the East Midlands, and there’s something exciting about going to sleep in England and waking up in the Netherlands. From there, the whole of Europe is open for a road trip, whether that’s Belgium and Germany or a long drive down to the south of France.

Set sail

Cruises have long had a reputation as something for older couples, but they make a lot of sense for families. Everyone unpacks once, meals are sorted and there’s something for all ages. Kids can head to the pool or the kids’ club, while the grown-ups sit on deck with a cup of tea (or something stronger) and watch the sea go by.

Sailing from a UK port means no flights at either end, and the northern routes are especially spectacular. Norway’s fjords, with their mountains and waterfalls, look almost unreal from the deck of a ship. Orkney is home to a Stone Age village that’s older than the pyramids, and Iceland offers geysers, black sand beaches and, with a bit of luck, the northern lights. The train journey north is scenic in its own right, and spending a couple of days in the city before sailing turns it into a proper two-part holiday.

Or stay closer to home

Not every holiday needs a passport, and the UK has plenty to offer without any flying at all. The Night Riviera sleeper train runs from London to Cornwall overnight, so passengers go to bed in the city and wake up near the sea. The Lake District, Northumberland and the Yorkshire coast are all easy to reach by car or train too, and there’s no last-minute panic about expired passports.

Tips for travelling without flying

Build the journey into the holiday: Travelling by train or ferry is slower, but that’s part of the appeal. Books, card games, a flask of tea and a picnic can turn the journey into one of the highlights.

Book early for school holidays: Just like flights, train and ferry prices climb over the summer, so it’s worth booking as soon as the dates are confirmed.

Pack light for train travel: With no baggage limit, it’s tempting to overpack, but everything has to be carried on and off, sometimes up a lot of stairs.

Pack for all weathers: This is especially true for anyone heading north. Waterproofs are essential, whatever the forecast says.

Check what’s included: Whether it’s a ferry cabin or a cruise, it’s worth knowing exactly what’s included and what’s extra, so the drinks bill at the end doesn’t come as a shock.

Is it worth skipping the airport?

For many families, it absolutely is. Starting a holiday on a train or a boat feels far more relaxing than starting it in a security queue, and the adventure begins the moment everyone leaves the house. It might take a little longer to reach the destination, but time spent with a cup of tea and a view beats time spent stuck in a departure lounge.

With so many ways to travel by rail and sea, a no-fly family holiday could be the easiest trip yet.

This is a collaborative post.