If you like: mountains and lakes
1. Lake Como
The northern Italian lakes are stunning, and an easy train ride, reachable in a single day from the UK. Connect in Paris for a direct fast train to Milan, then onward travel to stations around Lake Como.
Or take the more scenic route via Switzerland, connecting in Paris and Zurich. The train ride itself is worth it for the stunning views over the lakes, and will enhance your holiday!
From September 2026 there’s even an option to take a sleeper train.
Find more information about travelling to Lake Como without flying.
2. Lake District
The mountains and lakes of the Lake District are among the most beautiful in the world. This treasured national park has it all, from mountain biking and extreme sports, to museums and art galleries, and bougie food destinations. Take a boat trip, ride the passes, or climb England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike.
Trains take you to Penrith for the north lakes, or right to the heart of the action in Windermere. YHA accommodation means there are plenty of options for a budget holiday.
Find out more and plan your holiday.
If you like: cycling
3. Utrecht
The Netherlands is famous for its cycling culture, so for something a little less hectic than the capital city Amsterdam, try Utrecht. This university city has everything you would want for a cycling getaway with canals, beautiful architecture and bike lanes everywhere.
Explore the city or head out to the surrounding countryside, maybe along the well-paved towpath of the Amsterdam-Rhine canal.
If you want to take your own bike, a combination of ferries and trains should get you there. Three ferry routes connect the UK to the Netherlands: from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle, you arrive in Hoek van Holland, Europort (Rotterdam) or IJmuiden (Amsterdam) respectively. From there you can pick up a local train with bike-friendly carriages.
Or make it more of an adventure and ride there: it’s 85km through the Dutch countryside from Hoek van Holland or Europort, or 68km from IJmuiden, which takes you through Amsterdam on the way.
Or if you prefer to hire a bike when you’re there, you can travel speedily on the direct Eurostar to Rotterdam or Amsterdam, then pick up a local train to Utrecht. Find low Eurostar fares here.
4. UK coast to coast
There are plenty of mid-distance cycle routes to choose from in the UK, but perhaps the most iconic is a coast-to-coast route, where you dip your rear wheel in the Irish sea at one end and your front wheel in the North sea at the other, and experience the best the UK has to offer in the middle.
There’s the Way of the Roses, 171 miles from Morecambe to Bridlington; Hadrian’s Cycleway, 170 miles from Ravenglass to South Shields; the Transpennine Trail, 215 miles from Southport to Hornsea; and the classic Sea to Sea (C2C), 137 miles from Whitehaven/Workington to Newcastle/Sunderland, among many other variations.
These could provide a challenging 2-day ride, or a more relaxed 3- or 4- day adventure. The routes are well signposted, and you can find maps and more information on the website of the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust.
If you like: beaches
5. San Sebastian
The northern Spanish beaches are a fantastic holiday destination: plenty of sand, great weather, and not as overwhelmingly crowded as those in and around Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast.
The seafood-lovers paradise of San Sebastian/Donostia is an easy journey from the UK, with two main options: by train or coach down through France, or by ferry across the Bay of Biscay.
Travelling by train is the quickest option, with direct trains from Paris bringing you to Hendaye on the France/Spanish border in less than 5 hours, from where you can take a 37-minute metro on to San Sebastian. It’s possible in a (long!) single day from the UK.
The alternative ferry route takes two nights and a day from Portsmouth on the south coast of the UK and arrives into Bilbao in northern Spain. From there you can take a 1hr 30min bus along the coast to San Sebastian.
Find all the options for travelling to San Sebastian without flying here.
6. Camber SandsÂ
As the name suggests, this is a beautifully sandy beach on the East Sussex coast, with miles of unique sand dunes and a wide, flat beach.
It’s very popular in the summer but beat the traffic by taking the train to the historic town of Rye, and cycling the 3.5 miles along a traffic-free bridlepath to the coast. Rye is worth a visit in itself, with a beautiful harbour, excellent food and a castle.
If you like: food
7. Paris
There are few places better than Paris for food. There are any number of boulangeries, charcuteries, cafes and restaurants to choose from, many of which greet you as soon as you step off the train.
Two special recommendations for markets: Rue Cler Market Street in the 7th Arrondissement, with mouth-watering displays and divine aromas. And Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris, located in the heart of the 3rd Arrondissement.
Paris couldn’t be easier to access from the UK, with a super-fast Eurostar connection, or coach if you’re on a budget. Eurostar prices start at £39, or try a Flixbus.
8. Bristol
Bristol has a vibrant food scene and is especially good for vegans. You’ll find independent cafes and restaurants all over the city, from the slightly more up-market area of Clifton to the lively and varied Gloucester Road.
There are unsurprisingly several options for dining on the water, given Bristol’s status as a port city, and one of the best food markets in the UK at St Nicholas Markets – overflowing at lunch times, with street food options from all over the globe. Beware: closed on Sundays!
If you like: city breaks
9. Prague
The Czech capital is a favourite for stag dos and birthday weekends, but there’s no need to fly there. There are several options including daytime trains via Cologne and Berlin, or the European Sleeper direct from Brussels.
The sleeper is the most time-effective option, departing at 1922 and arriving in Prague at 11.30 after a stunning journey down the breathtaking Elbe valley. But even travelling during the day, it’s possible to reach the city from the UK in a single day
Take your pick from the 8 options outlined by the Man in Seat 61 (or choose your own, different, option!)
10. Edinburgh
The Scottish capital is always a winning destination, wherever you live. With historic architecture (Edinburgh castle) standing side-by-side with nature walks (Arthur’s seat), views across the Firth of Forth, bustling docks, great shopping and museums, and of course the famous festival, Edinburgh tops our list hands down.
It’s very easy to get to from all over the UK, with direct trains from Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, as well as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton.
