Welcome to the world of flight-free travel, where the journey is just as dreamy as your destination. Europe’s absolutely packed with must-visit spots, from classic city breaks to gems you never knew existed – and you’ll see a whole lot more in one go on a train than from a plane window. You’ll get to tick off the places at the top of your list, as well as a few extra stops while you’re in the area (it would be rude not to, right?)
We’ve partnered up with Byway – AKA the experts on flight-free adventures – to make all your train-travel dreams come true. If you’re used to the airport experience, you’ll probably have a few questions about how it all works. So, whether you’re flight-free curious or you’re about to embark on your first trip by train, we’ve pulled together what to expect on a flight-free holiday to help you get started…
How long does flight-free travel take?
Well, how long have you got? It can take as much time as you like – it’s your trip. If you need inspo, you can pick from a curated list of trips across the UK, Europe and North Africa, ranging from two nights to a whole month. Or, create your own flight-free break from scratch using the trip builder.
If you’ve got a long weekend to work with, you’ll be surprised how much you can squeeze in. Stay local with three nights on the Dorset Coast, spend two nights in Marseille, or get to know Girona and Barcelona on a four-night trip. Make it a week and you could get as far as Berlin, Copenhagen, and the Italian Riviera. If time (and annual leave) is no object, Europe’s your oyster. Embark on an epic adventure, from a three-week journey to Finland or crossing the continent to Morocco.And the best part is, it’s all customisable. If you like the look of a curated trip but want to adjust a few details, you absolutely can. Add or decrease the number of nights you spend in one stop or find a different hotel – you’ll be able to see what other options are available when you book.
Do I need to check in?
The beauty of flight free is that you skip the airport faff – just allow enough time to get to the train station or ferry port and find your ride. Catching the Eurostar is the only time you’ll need to check in and arrive at the station between 60-90 minutes before your departure time to pass through border control. The only other thing to bear in mind is that some of the longer train services in Spain will require you to pass your bags through security before you get on – but it’s pretty quick, and there are no restrictions on water or liquids like when you’re flying.
How will I get around?
Byway’s flight-free trips are self-guided, so you’ll be given a curated itinerary that’s super simple to follow and includes details about your transport, stops and accommodation, plus local recs and activity suggestions.
You’ll travel mainly by train, but depending on where you go, maybe a ferry or bus, too. You’ll see a breakdown of your route on your itinerary, including the duration of each leg and where you’ll need to change.
Some of the trains you’ll take will look different to the ones you get from your local station, and you’ll likely have a mix across your journey. For the longer-distance legs between places, you’ll catch a high-speed train, which have few stops between points. If your next stop is in the same area, you’ll take a regional train, which call at more stations along the way – great for hopping on and off. In popular destinations, you might be taking a tourist route, which is more for sightseeing than getting from A to B. These ones are all about the window-watching.
On some trips, you’ll take a sleeper train – AKA a night train. These are pretty cool, as you’ll leave one place in the evening, usually after dinner, then travel through the night and wake up somewhere new in the morning. Depending on what country you’re in, you get different types – some have a private compartment with a mattress and bedding, some have padded bunks or ‘couchettes’ with a sheet and a pillow, and others have normal seats that might recline (like sleeping on a plane).
When you reach your stops, it’s your time to explore! You’ll either have a few hours to look around and have a meal, or you’ll spend a night or more in a hotel. Your itinerary will also have recommendations and local tips to make the most of your time there. Just remember to make it to the station or port on time for the next step of the journey.
What do I need to pack?
This might seem obvious… but don’t forget your passport. It’s easy to do, especially as you won’t be going to an airport. You won’t need to get it out much apart from at stations that have border control, so keep it somewhere safe until it’s time to head home.
Another top tip is to travel light. You’ll have to carry your bags between every stop, so only take what you need. And if your trip has stops in multiple countries, remember to bring layers as the weather will probably be different between where you got on and when you next get off. It’s a good shout to take a backpack or a duffel bag that’s easy to carry and get into – lugging a huge suitcase around won’t be much fun. It’ll also be much easier to store overhead or on the racks at the end of the carriage, which can get pretty full on busy trains.
A phone charger is also high on the list of packing priorities, as you’ll be relying on your phone for access to your itinerary and tickets, plus any disruption alerts or if you need to use Byway’s 24/7 WhatsApp support service – and for snapping pics en route, ofc. Most trains will have plugs you can use on the go, but you’ll need to bring an EU adapter as there might not be a USB or lightning-bolt port. A portable charging bank is a good idea, too, just in case there aren’t any plugs near your seat.
For longer legs of your journey, you’ll want water and snacks. A reusable water bottle is handy to have – lots of cities have free drinking water fountains, or you can drink the tap water in most places in Europe. Many trains will have a trolley service or café on board, but it’s cheaper to grab bits from a supermarket at a stop before you set off again.
If part of your route uses local transport that can’t be pre-booked and paid for in advance, you’ll need some cash in local currency on you in case you can’t pay by card. You’ll be made aware if this applies to your trip before you go, so you’ll be prepared.
Then, you’ll just need to pack whatever else you’d take on any trip – train or plane. Do what you would do before going anywhere, like looking up travel info for where you’re going, take out travel insurance, and learn translations for important words like station names and beer.
What happens after I book?
So, you’re ready to enter your flight-free era… Once you’ve locked in your pick, a confirmation from Byway will land in your inbox in the next 24 hours. You’ll be able to see all your booking info on there, like details about passengers, payment and booking conditions, plus what to expect in the run up to your trip. You’ll get a journey summary a week later, which will include a bit more about your travel timings and overnight stays.
Paid in full? Keep scrolling. If you’ve got an outstanding balance, you’ll make your final payment 60 days before you go. The countdown is so on… Then, you can sit tight until you’re two weeks out, which is when Byway will send you your full journey guide. This will contain all the deets of your trip – how to check in, your tickets, etc… If any tickets are missing, they’ll come through the day before you depart. Your WhatsApp support chat will be set up then, too.
Just an FYI – if you had a spontaneous moment and booked less than 28 days before your trip, your timeline will move more quickly.
Find out more about our flight-free partner, Byway, or start planning your adventure on our flight-free page.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Daisy Colley
Last updated: 26/09/2024
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