If you're hoping to avoid the hassle of airports this year, are conscious about your carbon footprint, or if you're simply looking for a different way to see the world, you might want to consider a no-fly holiday.
Flight-free trips are a fantastic option if you've always wondered what it's like to visit Europe by rail, road or sea.
They're also a great way to reduce your environmental impact as sustainability becomes more and more important to us.
In 2024, ABTA surveyed 2,000 people and over half of them said they made choices with environmental implications in mind when booking a trip, with 18% saying they chose a destination closer to the UK with sustainability in mind.
And while your journey may take a little longer, travelling by boat or train means you can take in the scenery at a more relaxed pace, so the journey becomes a more memorable part of your trip.
The good news is that there's a variety of fabulous no-fly holidays available for those who want to keep their feet on the ground, and we’ve rounded up some of the best of them below.
If you fancy taking a shorter journey and staying in the UK, there are plenty of options to choose from. How about a break in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, with their tranquil lochs, dramatic mountains and pristine beaches? Or maybe you'd like to sail around some of Scotland's most atmospheric islands on a luxury cruise?
But there's no need to limit yourself to UK destinations for a flight-free trip. If you’re itching to go further afield, you could travel by train to the Swiss Alps and experience picturesque Lake Thun and the bright red Glacier Express, or visit the stunning Norwegian fjords on an adventurous cruise.
These just a few of the exciting holidays available by rail, coach and cruise this year. So, if you've always wondered what it's like to visit Europe without the hassle of flying, you're in for a treat.
Here’s our selection of the very best flight-free holidays to take this year.
Ride the magical Glacier Express in Switzerland
The Swiss Alps are a truly breathtaking destination, and thanks to the country's efficient railways and the high-speed route from Paris to Basel, they're easily reachable by train from the UK without having to set foot in an airport.
On Good Housekeeping's Alpine no-fly holiday, you'll hop on the Eurostar in London and travel by train to Basel before transferring to elegant Interlaken. Staying in Hotel Crystal in Interlaken, you’ll be perfectly placed to discover the beauty of the Bernese Oberland on this five-day mountain adventure.
A ride on the iconic Glacier Express will be a highlight of the holiday. This train, dubbed the ‘slowest express train in the world’ is the perfect way to see the Alps, as it glides slowly and smoothly through snow-dusted forests. You’ll board in Chur and ride through the mountains to Brig, travelling across the Oberalp Pass. Sit back, relax and enjoy a three-course lunch served at your seat and take in the views through panoramic windows.
Explore the shores of Italy's heavenly northern lakes
The glacial lakes of northern Italy are a wonderful no-fly destination if you like exquisite mountain scenery, delightful historic villages, and imposing neoclassical villas filled with art and antiques. They're easy to reach by train from the UK, by taking the Eurostar to Paris and connecting trains from Paris to Stresa, a larger resort town on Lake Maggiore
This is exactly what you'll do on Good Housekeeping's no-fly tour of the Italian lakes. You'll be based on the shores of Lake Orta, in the four-star Hotel Giardinetto. You'll also get to explore the neighbouring lakes on day trips and even head over the border into Switzerland to see the traditional towns of Locarno and Lugano.
A highlight of the holiday will be a trip to Lake Como, where you can explore the elegant Villa Carlotta, filled with art and with its own botanical gardens filled with statues offering views over the lake to Bellagio.
See the best of the Cornish coast on a luxury rail journey
When we take a no-fly holiday, the journey becomes part of the overall experience, whether it's taking in views from the deck of a cruise ship, or travelling in style on board a luxury train. There's perhaps no better example of this than a holiday on board England's first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Britannic Explorer.
Good Housekeeping is offering a truly indulgent getaway on board the Britannic Explorer. You'll spend three nights in one of the train's sumptuously designed sleeper carriages, before visiting Penzance, St Ives and Lostwithiel. Once in Cornwall, there are lots of activities to choose from, like a guided tour of the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornish wine tasting, coastal hikes and a private boat tour.
On the way back to London Victoria, you'll also make a stop in Bruton, Somerset, where you'll visit the renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery. While on board, you'll be treated to daily table d'hôte meals, including breakfasts, brunches, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners.
Discover the nature and wildlife of the Isles of Scilly
A wonderful UK destination for a no-fly holiday where you’ll feel like you’re in Europe is the idyllic Isles of Scilly. While you’ll still be in Britain, people often say that this beautiful archipelago feels far from home, with its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and tropical gardens.
On Good Housekeeping's nature-themed tour, you’ll take a ferry from Penzance, Cornwall and arrive on the tranquil isle of St Mary's. From here you’ll enjoy excursions to several of the islands' beauty spots and attractions. These include the fascinating Tresco Abbey Garden, described as 'Kew without the glass', which is home to over 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries.
You’ll also enjoy a wildlife cruise where you have the chance to spot grey seal pups, dolphins and a huge variety of birds, and hear from Julian Branscombe, head of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Travel to the Lake District on a luxury train and visit Beatrix Potter's home
Another unforgettable journey on the Belmond Britannic Explorer awaits with this trip to the Lake District, England's largest national park. Your route to the Lake District will take you from London Victoria through the heart of the English countryside, winding through the beautiful landscapes of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire.
While on board, savour delicious meals crafted by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan and sip a cocktail or two from the botanical-inspired bar before retreating to your suite for a restful night's sleep.
In the Lake District, you'll visit Lingholm Estate, a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion which was once the summer escape of Beatrix Potter. You'll get an exclusive look at the house's private quarters, and have time to explore the grounds with activities like hiking, open water swimming or meeting the delightful local alpacas.
Cruise the Norwegian fjords and learn about Viking history
Taking a flight-free holiday doesn't mean missing out on outdoor adventures. People travel from all over the world to explore the exceptional landscapes of Norway, and we're close enough here in the UK to sail directly to this wild and wonderful part of Europe.
On Good Housekeeping's six-day cruise of the fjords you'll depart directly from Rosyth, Scotland, setting sail across the North Sea to arrive in Norway. While here, you'll sail through magical fjordland scenery in Haugesund and Hardangerfjord and learn about Viking history as you go.
You'll have two full days at sea as you travel to and from Norway, giving you the perfect chance to unwind and savour the journey. There's plenty to enjoy on your ship, Balmoral, including six beautiful restaurants, seven bars and lounges, two pools and lovely wide decks for taking in the views.
Explore Scotland on a Highlands adventure with Carol Kirkwood
The Scottish Highlands are a top UK holiday destination that prove you don't need to travel far for exquisite beaches, dramatic landscapes and spectacular wildlife. This wild region of Scotland is known for its peaceful lochs and towering mountains, dotted with historic castles telling the thrilling tales of Scotland's clans and kings.
You can explore this wonderful part of the UK on a heritage railway, with a ride on the historic Jacobite Steam Train. Join Good Housekeeping on an exclusive four-day holiday and you’ll ride this famous train over the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct and past rugged scenery, craggy coastlines and inland lochs.
Joining you on this special holiday will be Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who’ll give an exclusive talk and join you for your day exploring by rail.
Discover Monet’s inspiring gardens in Normandy
An excellent no-fly destination for art-lovers is Giverny in Normandy, where you can visit the gardens that inspired so much of Claude Monet's work. Here you’ll see the master impressionist’s world-famous house and gardens at Giverny, which are full of poppies, lupins, delphiniums, peonies, brightly coloured arched bridges and weeping willows.
On Good Housekeeping’s exclusive four-day tour you'll travel to Paris by Eurostar, before visiting Giverny to explore the marvellous gardens in the company of gardening expert Paula McWaters, who'll give an engaging talk and Q&A before your visit. This holiday also includes a visit to the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, where you'll see Monet's breathtaking series of murals, Les Nymphéas, inspired by the gardens at Giverny.
Discover the Dordogne's medieval villages and explore captivating Carcassonne
If you want to venture to other parts of France on a no-fly holiday, there are plenty of options available thanks to the country’s efficient railways. Take the Eurostar to Paris and you’ll be able to catch connecting trains down to regions like the Dordogne and Occitanie.
The Dordogne is a wonderful destination for any history-loving travellers, with medieval villages, elegant palace gardens and historic walled cities. On Good Housekeeping's eight-day tour, you'll visit a series of enchanting walled towns and hilltop settlements, learning about the fascinating history of the region. A highlight will be seeing the fascinating stone-age cave paintings of Lascaux.
You'll also pay a visit to nearby Carcassonne, one of France's most remarkable walled cities. Walking around the medieval citadel looks is like taking a step back in time, with its cone-topped turrets and serrated cream-coloured battlements.
Discover more flight-free holidays with Good Housekeeping, including UK getaways and European escapes.
