Easy methods to Get to Europe With out Flying (+10 Finest Locations to Go)

Whether or not you need to journey in an environmentally-friendly means, hate the thought of queueing on the airport, or are simply plain petrified of planes, there’s loads of methods to get to and round Europe with out flying — right here’s how.

There are many the explanation why figuring out tips on how to get to Europe with out flying may be useful. Choosing other ways of travelling may also help to scale back our carbon footprint, in addition to avoiding the chaos of airports. However probably the greatest issues for me about travelling overseas with out flying is you could normally benefit from the journey extra. By embracing gradual journey, you’ll be able to have scenic street journeys and practice journeys, stopping alongside the best way to see belongings you’d have in any other case missed.

Happily, travelling to Europe with out flying is fairly straightforward from the UK. There are many completely different routes, in addition to a number of completely different entry factors, making it straightforward to reach by ferry, practice, automotive or bus. The checklist beneath highlights all of the alternative ways you will get to Europe with out having to fly.

Easy methods to get to Europe by practice

One of many best (and one in every of my favorite methods) is to succeed in Europe by practice. That is normally the Eurostar, which connects the UK to completely different cities through the Channel Tunnel. It’s a quick and environment friendly method to get there and in only a few hours, you’ll end up within the coronary heart of Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam.

You can too begin off with the Eurostar after which get one other connecting practice to different main cities, reminiscent of Bruges (Brussels), Cologne (Germany) and Good (France).

Easy methods to get to Europe by boat

One other in style means of travelling to Europe is by ferry. A number of ferry providers function between the UK and numerous European nations and cities. You’ll be able to take a ferry from ports like Dover, Portsmouth, or Hull to succeed in locations reminiscent of Calais (France), Zeebrugge (Belgium), Rotterdam (Netherlands), or Dublin (Eire).

Alternatively, you may additionally go for a cruise vacation, which usually allows you to see completely different cities and nations on one vacation. A lot of cruises depart from UK ports like Southampton or Liverpool, heading to quite a few European locations reminiscent of Scandinavia, the Baltic States, the Mediterranean, and past.

Easy methods to get to Europe by bus or coach

Typically essentially the most budget-friendly choices, travelling to Europe by bus or coach can prevent fairly a bit of cash. It normally takes longer than different modes of transportation although, so that is one thing to remember.

Nonetheless, it’s an effective way of attending to Europe with out flying and nonetheless having the ability to sit again and chill out on the journey. A number of coach firms function providers to varied European cities, whereas Flixbus and Nationwide Categorical are among the hottest and low-cost bus choices. For those who select Flixbus, it’s also possible to map out onward journeys utilizing their providers too as they hook up with over 2500+ European locations.

Easy methods to get to Europe with out flying, by automotive

The vast majority of automotive crossing from the UK to Europe are carried out by crossing through the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. It runs beneath the English Channel and may switch you from Folkestone (UK) to Calais (France) in simply 35 minutes. It’s not all the time low-cost although, so price reserving prematurely or looking for any offers. I’ve additionally acquired some nice tips about street journeys overseas to assist make the journey smoother.

1. Paris, France 

Journey time (a method) from London – 2 hours 16 minutes 

Lowest value return ticket – £120 

The unique Eurostar route; you could find your self within the French capital in little greater than two hours from London. It’s one of many best routes to get into the guts of Europe, the place you’ll discover iconic landmarks, artwork museums, parks and delightful quaint streets.

Regardless of the proximity to London, Paris couldn’t really feel additional away. Perhaps it’s as a result of it’s so well-known, however while you’re in Paris you’ll actually know you’re someplace completely different.

2. Antwerp, Belgium 

Journey time (a method) from London – 3 hours 24 minutes 

Lowest value return ticket – £252 

As one of many largest port cities in Europe, Antwerp is traditionally recognized for diamond buying and selling. It’s a big metropolis, with a number of issues to do from buying to consuming out, and visiting museums and galleries. Even simply wandering round Antwerp, you’ll see a number of spectacular structure – notably in Grote Market, which is alleged to be the prettiest city sq. in Europe!

Town is well accessible from London by Eurostar, with only one change in Brussels. When you get there, I’d suggest renting a motorbike to get across the metropolis. Antwerp is sort of a inexperienced metropolis and biking routes are a part of that.

3. Bruges, Belgium 

Journey time (a method) from London – 3 hours 29minutes

Lowest value return ticket – £211 

Bruges is a really lovely medieval metropolis, with cobbled streets, canals and extra castles than every other metropolis on this planet. It’s like stepping right into a fairytale, so simply grabbing a beer in one of many squares or wandering round will really feel sufficient of a vacation. However if you’d like issues to see and do, you may head to Groeninge Museum, Belfry of Bruges or Minnewaterpark.

You may journey to Bruges through quite a few alternative ways when travelling from the UK. Some of the simple is thru getting the Eurostar from London to Brussels, after which a neighborhood practice to Bruges. Alternatively, you may drive to Folkestone and use the Eurotunnel to cross to Calais. Bruges is a few 90-minute drive from Calais, so not too far when you’ve crossed. Another choice is to get the ferry after which a practice or drive for those who’ve travelled together with your automotive.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Journey time (a method) from London – 4 hours 10 minutes

Lowest value return ticket – £115 

Amsterdam is likely one of the hottest locations for Brits – a lot in order that they needed to subject a warning to ‘messy’ Brits holidaying there. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless an amazing metropolis with so many historic and cultural sights. It’s one other nice metropolis for biking round, the place it’s one of the vital iconic cities to seize a motorbike and experience across the vibrant streets with flowers in your bike’s basket. In reality, it’s generally generally known as the biking capital of Europe, with over 800,000 bikes in Amsterdam alone!

Town is very easy to get to, and there are a selection of various methods to succeed in Amsterdam with out flying. You may go from London through the Eurostar, which takes simply over 4 hours. Or, you may take a ferry from Newcastle, which is cheaper (underneath £50) however barely longer at 16 hours 45 minutes.

5. Cologne, Germany 

Journey time (a method) from London – 4 hours quarter-hour 

Lowest return ticket -£233 

Situated in Western Germany, you’ll be able to attain Cologne by practice from London in simply over 4 hours. Simply reached from London by practice with a journey time of a bit over 4 hours, Cologne, in western Germany is legendary for its lovely artworks, structure, cathedrals and – after all – beer halls serving Cologne’s well-known Kölsch beer.  It has over 30 museums to go to and 12 Romanesque church buildings, in addition to Altstadt, The Previous City, which has a number of previous streets and outlets to browse.

There’s a direct practice from London to Cologne, which is probably the only selection of tips on how to get to Europe with out flying. Nevertheless, you may additionally go through France for those who’re taking a look at different modes.

6. Lyon, France 

Journey time (a method) from London – 4 hours 56 minutes 

Lowest value return ticket – £145 

Lyon was based by the Romans within the 1st century B.C. and has a historical past relationship again over 2,000 years. Town’s Roman heritage continues to be seen right this moment within the historic ruins on the hill of Fourvière and the preserved Roman theatre, which hosts the Nuits de Fourvière, a summer time performing arts pageant.

It’s additionally an amazing metropolis for meals. Lyon is dwelling to many high-quality eating places and bistros, generally known as “bouchons,” serving native specialities reminiscent of quenelles, salade lyonnaise, and a wide range of sausages. Town can be recognized for its native wines, together with the well-known Beaujolais.

A practice from London with one change in Paris means you may be within the French metropolis in just below 5 hours, making the south of France extra accessible than ever. 

7. Dublin, Eire

Journey time (a method) from London – 6 hours half-hour (Prepare to Holyhead, Wales after which ferry to Dublin) 

Lowest value return ticket – £143 

Flights to Dublin from the UK are fairly low-cost, particularly because of a selected low-cost airline that has its headquarters there. Nevertheless, it’s additionally easy sufficient to get to Dublin with out flying. You will get a practice from London to Holyhead, Wales after which a brief ferry from there.

Dublin is a good possibility for stay music followers, with Temple Bar (see above) internet hosting stay folks music and DJs all year long. Town can be well-known for its pubs and breweries and Guinness particularly. The Guinness Storehouse is one in every of Dublin’s hottest vacationer sights, the place you study concerning the drink and naturally strive some. However past music and ingesting, there’s tons to see within the Irish capital together with Dublin Fort, the Ebook of Kells housed at Trinity Faculty Dublin and Dublin Writers Museum.

8. Santander, Spain

Journey time (a method) from Plymouth – 21 hours quarter-hour

Lowest value return ticket – £130

There are numerous ferry firms that provide direct journey to Spain from the UK. Brittany Ferries supply their service from each Plymouth and Portsmouth, which takes just below a day complete journey time for a method. The value numerous quite a bit because it relies upon whether or not you’re taking a automotive or your pets and what time of yr you’re planning to sail.

When you attain Santander, you’ll be met with seashores, tapas and spectacular structure. A number of the finest issues to do there embrace visiting the Magdalena Palace, enjoyable on the Playa del Sardinero, and feasting within the metropolis’s seafood delicacies. Like most of Spain, Santander has a whole lot of fish dishes, in addition to nice desserts to strive.

9. Lille, France

Journey time (a method) from London – 1 hours 22 minutes, OR through Eurotunnel from Dover – Calais route

Lowest value one-way practice ticket – £53

Lots of people mechanically head to Paris in the event that they’re excited about tips on how to get to Europe with out flying. Nevertheless, Lille is definitely nearer and presents a whole lot of nice issues to see. It has a captivating previous city, which has pedestrianised streets and nice eating places, bars, museums and galleries. It’s additionally a very good metropolis to stroll round, so for those who’ve chosen the practice over automotive possibility, you’ll be able to nonetheless get round fairly simply.

By far the quickest and best method to get to Lille for those who’re travelling from London is by the Eurostar. Nevertheless, it’s additionally fairly straightforward to get there for those who’re driving too. Lille is situated simply over an hour’s drive from Calais which is the arrival metropolis.

10. Bilbao, Spain

Journey time (a method) from Portsmouth – 33 hours half-hour

Lowest value return ticket – £199

That is most likely one of many longer journeys, however it’s additionally properly price it. Departing from Portsmouth, ferry firms can take you to Bilbao within the Basque Nation. Famend for the enduring Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the town has a number of locations to go to. It’s extra industrial than it’s laid-back seaside vibes, however it’s surrounded by a number of pure magnificence. Bilbao’s full of life environment, scrumptious pintxos (Basque tapas), and the scenic Nervión River chopping via the guts of the town make it one of many in style locations in Spain.

Travelling to Europe with out flying

As soon as you know the way to get to Europe with out flying, you’ll most likely do it extra usually. It doesn’t all the time work out cheaper, however you get to see attention-grabbing factors alongside the best way. It additionally means you don’t have to fret about conserving your liquids underneath 100ml, ensuring your electrical objects are strategically positioned to indicate at safety, and getting up at loopy hours to attend round on the airport. Plus, you’ll be doing the earth a favour by minimising air journey.