How to have an epic adventure with flight free travel

More and more, eco conscious individuals are looking for alternatives to flying that reduce their carbon footprint. There’s also the matter of finding a means of travel that is financially viable as the cost of flights continue to increase. More so, it’s about wanting to embrace the journey, and not simply fast forward straight to your destination.

Flying might be faster, but where’s the romance, the adventure, the excitement? Our three writers share the joy of celebrating the journey as much as the destination, by rail, road and ferry.

And, don’t forget, your Boundless membership is the key to great savings, including organising your next trip. Visit the Travel Hub, where you can find savings on travel insurance, car rentals, ferries, and hotels.

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

As well as getting access to exclusive events, Boundless members enjoy unlimited free or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, plus year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

Journey from port to port and travel by ferry

Credit: Julius Jansson via Unsplash

Paul Miles lives on a narrowboat in England. Since he stopped flying in 2008, he’s travelled by train and ferry, and gives us a magical insight of his ferry journey.

“For over 10 years I’ve chosen not to fly, preferring train and ferry. Ferries are a particularly enjoyable – and romantic – alternative to planes, especially on an overnight journey with a cabin.

“Many are almost as comfortable as cruise ships, with sea views, en-suite shower rooms or even balconies. For me, the journey itself is the main attraction. I never tire of watching the hull ploughing through waves, spray casting small rainbows, land appearing on the horizon, cliffs and mountains illuminated by the rising sun.

“Then there’s the wildlife. From England to Spain, across the Bay of Biscay, you can stand on deck and watch spouting whales and leaping dolphins. This area is bountiful in marine life due to nutrient-rich currents welling up from depths of over 2km. Some of the most rare cetaceans – True’s beaked whales – have been spotted by passengers of Brittany Ferries.

“Other ferries, particularly those in Scandinavia, have morphed into cruise ships. In 1893, Hurtigruten started as a steamer service delivering mail, fish and passengers along the fjord-folded coast of Norway. Those workaday ferries have become comfortable ships cruising some of the world’s most impressive coastal scenery, with saunas and swimming pools on board.

“Other companies in Scandinavia, such as Fjord Line and DFDS, have routes connecting Denmark and Norway. They offer a taste of Scandinavia’s famed and fashionable cuisine that uses top-quality ingredients.

“On the ferry between Oslo and Copenhagen you can enjoy a 10-course tasting menu in Restaurant Nord while admiring the changing scenery. After dinner you could watch a cabaret show, enjoy a game of bingo or stand on deck as constellations prick a dark night sky, untainted by light pollution. You might even get lucky and see the Northern Lights.

“Whether it’s a journey of a few minutes across a Swiss lake, a few hours between islands in Scotland or Greece, or a night or two between countries (or even continents), ferry travel really is the way to go.”

Boundless offer: You can save up to 30% on Brittany Ferries Holidays with an extra 5% off for Boundless members. DFDS ferry crossings from Dover to France and Newcastle to Amsterdam are also available with 10% and 20% savings respectively to Boundless members. Or go further afield with Barrhead Travel Cruises, with up to 10% off for Boundless members.

Holiday on the road by travelling with your own wheels

Credit: Kevin Schmid via Unsplash

Martin Dorey is all for the slow road if his best-selling book series Take the Slow Road is anything to go by. Sticking to four wheels, he travels across the UK and Europe in his camper van. In every respect, the van is a loyal member of the family.

“Travelling by camper van is always a joy. You set the pace and the itinerary, finding places to stop with apps like Park4Night. Starting the day with a wonderful view feels like a different kind of freedom. The app also helps us find places to park in city centres, fill up with fresh water and empty the onboard loo, making the practicalities easier.

“I prefer, if possible, to travel slowly by staying at sites for more than one night or by driving less. Slowing down enables us to see more, immerse ourselves more and avoid tedious slogs on the motorway. Of course, if necessary, we can and do drive long distances to get somewhere special – Scotland, for example, which we do in two days from Cornwall, stopping overnight at Tebay Services for around £20.

“A couple of weeks pootling around the south of France is always a possibility with a van. The journey – with windows down, sun on our faces and the whiff of adventure in the air – is fun. But ultimately it’s the destination that matters: find somewhere good, eat, sleep and then get out there.

“Our van might well lead a double, or even a triple life – one day it’s a mobile beach hut and kitchen, the next it’s a loch-side sleeping pod or a bothy on wheels – but it remains, always, our sanctuary.”

Boundless offer: Don’t have your own vehicle? With a Boundless membership, you can save on hiring a car through the likes of Holiday Autos, or for a more substantial home on wheels alternative, save 10% on motorhome hire from Swift Go.

Build a new community on the go by travelling by train

Credit: Christian Lue via Unsplash

Author and journalist Monisha Rajesh has written numerous books about travelling by train, and relishes in the community you find on board as you trundle through astonishing landscapes.

“On board, my adventure began as I climbed up the steps. From the moment I found my berth, stashed my bags and took out a book, the destination was all around me, a familiar thrill as the train inched away from the platform. Unlike on planes, my fellow passengers were akin to family, a ready-made rolling community who worked together to make the ride as pleasurable as possible, sharing food and swapping stories.

“There’s a sense that we’re in it together, practising a learned train etiquette that you move your belongings to make space, step outside the compartment as others make up their berths, and dim phone lights when it’s time to turn in.

“From the UK we’re close and connected to the continent, where train travel is having a resurgence. The invaluable seat61.com is a comprehensive website for routes, timings and prices, revealing a world of possibilities.

“There are myriad weekend breaks and week-long journeys to embark upon after the initial Eurostar to Paris, Lille, Amsterdam or Brussels. Vienna is a short ride away, with the Nightjet from Paris departing three times a week. Berlin is a single journey on European Sleeper’s Good Night Train from Brussels. Or perhaps you’ll visit Nice on the Intercité de Nuit from Paris, one of the most glorious journeys that draws passengers along the sparkling coastline as you wake.”

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.