Cycle path in the North Pennines National Landscape. Photo credit: Diana James/ Greentraveller This blog post aims to address what is meant by 'green travel', addressing the question that many people are asking: How can we continue to travel and go on holiday given the climate and nature emergencies? Firstly, let's look at these two issues of our age: Climate Change: The concentration of carbon dioxide that is currently in the atmosphere – currently 428 PPM (according to the latest daily co2 reading on co2.earth ) - is higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years. Since the Industrial Revolution in the mid 18th Century, carbon dioxide levels have risen by more than 30%. In addition, other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are also released through human activities and contribute to climate change. Here are a few other nuggets of information about the emergency, as reported by the BBC (for more information, see this useful article that explains Climate Change ) : · The world is about one degree Celsius warmer than before widespread industrialisation · The 20 warmest years on record all occurred in the past 22 years · If the current warming trend continues, temperatures could rise 3-5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. · Temperature rises of 2 degrees Celsius had long been regarded as the gateway to dangerous warming. More recently, scientists and policymakers have argued that limiting temperature rises to 1.5C is safer. Nature Emergency: Worldwide, 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to the intensification of agriculture and forestry, resource extraction, hunting, invasive species, urban sprawl, pollution and climate change. Yet this is not just about the disappearance of remote rainforests or polar bears at the extremities of the planet – habitat and biodiversity loss is happening on a colossal scale in the UK, to our hedgerows and forests, our garden birds and the fish in our seas. Over 15 per cent of all wildlife in the UK is threatened with extinction. So what is green travel? It's important to consider the whole life-cycle of your holiday – not just what you do in the holiday destination – as travelling to and from a holiday is often responsible for at least 70 per cent of the carbon emissions of the entire trip. Most forms of transport burn fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change, so the most effective way to be a greener traveller is to reduce those emissions caused by travelling to and from your holiday destination. The easiest way to achieve to this is to reduce how far you travel and/or and to travel in a way that burns less fossil fuels using lower carbon modes of transport; or by not travelling in a vehicle at all, choosing instead to travel on foot, by bike or under sail. Strolling in a park. Photo: wixmedia Find alternatives to flying I believe that the single most important way to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions when travelling is, where possible, to seek low emission alternatives to flying, as there is a step difference between air travel versus most other modes of mass transport in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and its associated effect on climate change. In general, travelling by train in the UK emits about 5 times less carbon dioxide than travelling by plane (emitting carbon dioxide at higher altitudes is also thought to have more of an effect on climate change than when it’s released at ground level). (Images left to right: Richard Hammond; Thalys: Bus and Electric car: WixMedia) According to the Energy Savings Trust , the carbon emissions for travelling from London to Edinburgh are that flying emits 144kg carbon dioxide per person; one driver doing the journey in a medium sized petrol car emits 120kg, while travelling by train emits 29kg. For travelling to Europe, there’s even more of a difference (as the trains emit less carbon dioxide – some are run on electricity rather than fossil fuels, though that electricity is only really green if it's come from non-fossil fuel power generation): travelling by Eurostar, for instance, emits approximately 10 times less carbon dioxide than travelling by plane (see the methodology for calculating Eurostar's carbon emissions ) . For more information about the carbon emissions associated with travelling on trains and planes, see our page on Carbon Emissions Data . If you do fly, it's worth remembering that some bigger planes burn a gallon of fossil fuel a second so it’s hard to see how they can be framed as 'green', but there is quite a large disparity between airlines, with some far more carbon-efficient than others so picking a more efficient airline is something you can do. Likewise, more fuel is burnt on take-off and landing, so try to avoid lots of polluting short-haul flights. For more information on the carbon emissions associated with flying, see Atmosfair’s Airline Index and the associated document Flight Emissions Calculator , which explains its methodology. Travelling by ferry Travelling as a foot passenger on a ferry has a low carbon emissions profile (see data from the Dept for BEIS later in this article). Many of the departure ports in the UK and in arrivals ports in Ireland, France, The Netherlands and Spain are well served by public transport, so you can take the train or coach to the ferry port, check-in and go through passport control then walk on to the ship. Similarly on arrival, you can walk off the ship and connect your onward travel with the local public transport networks. Travelling on ferries by petrol/diesel car emits higher amounts of carbon dioxide (see data below regarding the carbon emissions of foot passengers and ferry car passengers). Brittany Ferries new ship is powered by LNG (liquified natural gas). LNG is a more efficient combustion process than burning traditional fossil fuels, with around 25% fewer carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, emissions are sulphur-free and there is a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Named after the picturesque port on the Seine estuary, the 'Honfleur' will serve Brittany Ferries’ most popular route from Portsmouth to Caen. (Images left to right: Brittany Ferries; DFDS: catering, ship and room) Eurostar's routes to Europe [click to enlarge] Booking a train or ferry from the UK to Europe can be a bit bewildering at first, so I've put together a guide to flight-free travel routes from the UK to Europe , including specific information about travelling flight-free to France , Spain and Italy . Given that the only way to take the train to Europe involves taking the Eurostar train from London, I have named most of these trips ' London to ' but if you need to travel from outside London to connect with the Eurostar, I've included guides to how to travel to Europe from outside London, such as How to travel from Scotland to Europe without flying , How to travel from south west England to Europe without flying , How to travel from the North of England to Europe without Flying and How to Travel From Wales to Europe Without Flying . Once you're in your holiday destination, it's much more carbon efficient to travel by public transport than hire a petrol/diesel car or fly. As well as reducing your carbon emissions, taking the train, coach or bus within a country is like travelling like a local and enables you to appreciate places that you'd otherwise miss. When you arrive at the main railway or bus station (often they're in the centre of cities rather than requiring an onward transfer from an out of town airfield where many no-frills airlines land), instead of being bombarded with endless duty free shops, there'll be buskers and bike racks. To help you plan a holiday in the UK without a car, here are a series of car-free guides to many of the UK's protected areas, including the National Parks and the many lesser known Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (pictured below). (Images left to right: Diana Jarvis) Travelling by coach is one of the greenest forms of transport. The latest data on carbon emissions provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, reports that the emissions for coaches are 0.02732kg per passenger kilometre, whereas a medium-sized car is 0.16637kg (with an average of 1.6 passengers), while a foot passenger on a ferry is 0.01874kg (car passenger is 0.12952kg), a n ational rail passenger travelling on UK trains is 0.03694kg while for international rail it's just 0.00497kg. A short haul flight (ie those within Europe to/from the UK) is 0.15298kg (economy class) and 0.22947kg (business class), while a domestic flight in the UK is 0.2443kg, and a long haul flight (outside of Europe) to/from the UK is 0.14615 (Economy class) and a whopping 0.42385kg in business class. The figures given for airlines include the effect of radiative forcing, which is a measure of the additional environmental impact of aviation, including emissions of nitrous oxides and water vapour when emitted at high altitude. ( images: wix media ) Hiring an electric car If you really can't do without a car, then it's more carbon efficient to hire an electric car rather than a conventionally-fuelled vehicle that runs on either diesel or petrol car, which burn fossil fuels. There has been a huge uptake in the production of electric cars in recent years and many car hire companies, such as Avis, Sixt and Enterprise now hire electric cars. Do make sure you hire a car that has the appropriate mileage per battery that's relevant for you use. Also, do check the location of the charging points that you may need to use: p ublic charging networks provide a mixture of slow, fast and rapid charging points operated by either a national or regional network so do check before you travel where best to go. In the UK, see the Zap-Map public charging guide . In Europe, apps such as Plug Share or Chargemap show the location of charge points and the type of connectors they have installed as well as the charge speed and how to pay. For more information on charging electric cars in Europe, see the Automobile Association's guide to Charging around Europe in an electric vehicle . Images left to right: Hotel les Orangeries ; Orion Treehouse B&B ; Can Marti ; Cnoc Suain . Choose a green hotel There are plenty of places now that call themselves ‘green’, ‘eco’, or ‘responsible’, but how can you be sure their claims are accurate? It can often be difficult to tell the green from the greenwash, so here are a few questions that may help: Do they reduce their draw on energy? Do they minimise the amount of waste they send to landfill? Do they reduce their consumption of water? How much of the food they serve is sourced locally, within a few miles? Do they actively encourage guests to arrive on foot, by bike and by public transport? Do they actively encourage the conservation of biodiversity? Are they certified green? It may seem trivial, but reporting back about how green they are on review sites, such as TripAdvisor, or via social media, or on the hotel’s feedback forms, can provide invaluable information to help other travellers make more informed choices. We go into more detail in this in our post on How to tell if a hotel is green . All of the places that are featured in Green Traveller's Green Places to Stay go the extra mile to adhere to all of the above criteria through minimising their use of resources and maximising their impact on the local economy. And they are all reachable without flying from the UK. Local food at the eco chic Levendis Estate, Ithaca, Greece. Photo: Rhiannon Batten Support local food producers In supporting local food producers you'll not only be eating food that has a low food mileage (and therefore less associated carbon emissions as it hasn't had to be transported a long way), you'll also be supporting local economies, many of whom will have struggled during the Covid19 pandemic. When you’re eating out at restaurants, look out for those that have been vetted by the Sustainable Restaurant Association , and choose sustainable fish - the Marine Conservation Society has also produced a handy guide to sustainable seafood, with advice on avoiding endangered fish, such as bluefin tuna, see: fishonline.org . For more information about where to find local food and drink in destinations across the UK and Europe, see our section on Local Food and Drink as well as the 'Where to eat local food' in our green travel guides . For self-catering, even with the best intentions, it’s all too easy to set off on holiday and only remember last minute that you’ll need to take food and end up just whizz via the nearest supermarket en route and turn up with bags of plastic. Far better to plan ahead and order from a local online grocer that won’t use as much plastic and will support local producers. During the lockdown, many people turned to local food deliveries and there are many such services across the country, examples include: Local Food Direct in Somerset , Norfolk Veg Box , Great Cornish Foo d and Great Cornish Food . Images left to right: Kayaking in the Peloponnese (Richard Hammond) ; Walking in the Dordogne (Inntravel) ; Horse-riding in Pelion (Richard Hammond) ; Yoga at Las Chimeneas, Spain (Diana Jarvis). Choose low impact activities Most low-impact activities, such as cycling, canoeing, kayaking, and horse-riding enable you to reach places you couldn't otherwise get to by car. Many green places to stay now include provision for mind and body wellbeing activities, such as yoga. For more ideas of low impact holidays, see specific holidays featured in Green Traveller's magazine , plus there are a range of options in over 50 destinations in the UK and Europe in the Green Traveller's Guides . Less Carbon, More Fun! What is Sustainable Tourism? There are many terms describing smarter, most thoughtful and considerate ways to travel, including sustainable tourism, regenerative tourism, responsible tourism, and ethical travel. I have come up with the following definition for sustainable travel - interpretations of all these terms differ, but the key thing is that it describes ways to travel that are better for both planet and people. Sustainable tourism is about travelling in a way that is sensitive to the climate and nature emergencies while ensuring that the well-being of the places we visit gain long-term benefit from us travelling there. High speed TGV train along the coast of the South of France. Photo: RailEurope

Green Traveller's guide to the two main overnight sleeper rail services in the UK Travelling overnight on a train is a great way to travel long distances without having to stay in a hotel en route. There are two main overnight services in the UK: 1. The Caledonian Sleeper between London and Scotland 2. The Night Riviera between London and Cornwall Photo: Wix Media Caledonian Sleeper between London and Scotland The Caledonian Sleeper stops off a several Scottish railway stations and is actually the collective name for several overnight services from London Euston to Scotland – The Lowlander travels direct to Glasgow and Edinburgh (the train splits in the early hours of the morning, taking passengers to Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Central), whereas The Highlander travels further, connecting London with popular destinations like Aberdeen, Inverness, Aviemore, and Fort William. You can also board the train for both services from Watford Junction, Carlisle, Crewe and Preston. It’s a brilliant way to travel up from England to the mountainous fresh and wild of Scotland, and vice-versa. The Caledonian Sleeper is operated by Serco on behalf of Transport Scotland. It runs every night, except Saturday night . One of my favourite trips by Caledonian Sleeper is get off at Corrour station (4 stops before Fort William) and walk a mile to the wonderful off-grid Loch Ossian hostel on the northern edge of Rannoch Moor (pictured below). Another is to continue further up to Fort William and catch the connecting train to Mallaig from where you take a ferry over to the beautiful Knoydart Peninsula – a fantastic place for wild camping and walking - and home to The Old Forge pub , the most remote pub on mainland Britain. See my guide to booking sleeper tickets with TheTrainline Loch Ossian Hostel is a short walk from Corrour Station on the sleeper route. Photo: Scottish Hostelling The Night Riviera between London and Cornwall The Night Riviera service runs six days a week from London Paddington Railway Station to Penzance Railway Station at the far western tip of Cornwall: it takes just over 8 hours (8 hrs 5mins) on weekday services, and just under 9 hours (8 hrs 59mins) on Sundays. The Night Riviera calls overnight at Plymouth, Truro, and St Erth en route to its final stop at Penzance. There is a range of options on board, from standard seats to double-berth sleepers. Prices range from £25.50 to £135 depending on the type of accommodation and when you book. One of the great things about the Night Riviera service is that you can use it to connect with the ferry service from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly . It’s just a 10-minute walk from Penzance railway station to the check-in at Penzance Harbour for the Scillonian ferry departure to Hugh Town on St Mary’s; just enough time to grab yourself a pasty and set off for one of the best flight-free adventures in the country. Bryher Cliff Beach on the Isles of Scilly. Photo: Roger Broughton/Visit Isles of Scilly

Raising a glass with Mark Smith in the Eurostar lounge. His website has long been the go-to place for information about rail travel worldwide. Photo: Richard Hammond I recently caught up with train expert Mark Smith who runs The Main in Seat 61 website, and we got talking about the renaissance of rail and how the long term future is looking bright for overland travel in Europe, especially given the recent liberalisation of the European rail network and the resurgence of new services, such as the European Sleeper services from Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam and Berlin, and from Brussels to Venice via Cologne and Innsbruck. However, Mark lamented that some of the great train journeys of yesteryear were no longer available. So I asked him about his favourite routes that he wished were still running and below is what he said. It's a look back at great train journeys that no longer exist, but could it also be a glimpse of the future? The Paris-Madrid 'trainhotel' Every night from 1980 until 2013, this little articulated sleeper train left Paris around 20:00 and arrived in Madrid around 09:00.  With an easy connection by high-speed train from London, Amsterdam, Brussels or Cologne to Paris, and onward high-speed trains from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga this wonderful hotel-on-rails linked much of northern Europe with the Spanish capital and Southern Spain. I used to love having dinner with wine in the restaurant then returning to my compartment for a good night's sleep, with views of the walled city of Avila over breakfast next morning.  Today, you travel by high-speed train throughout, with an overnight stop necessary in Barcelona.  Ironically, high-speed trains are slower! The Paris-Italy sleepers Not so long ago, a fleet of sleeper trains left Paris every night, the Palatino for Rome, the Rlalto/Galilei for Venice and Florence, Stendahl for Turin and Milan and Napoli Express for Genoa, Pisa, Rome & Naples. Now there are none. Fast trains link Paris with Milan, but they take 7h and an overnight stop is now needed in Paris or Milan when travelling to central Italy. The Newcastle-Norway-Sweden ferry There used to be two excellent ferry companies competing across the North Sea to Norway, and DFDS's ferry extended to Gothenburg in Sweden.  Comfy en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, open deck, a 1-night crossing direct from the UK to Scandinavia. Two companies became one, then in 2008, none.  Incredibly, there are now no passenger ferries between the UK and anywhere in Denmark, Norway or Sweden. It's a long way round by train through Brussels, Hamburg and Copenhagen, especially if you live north of London - when it's just 1560 miles across the North Sea!  There seems to be no sign of any ferry resuming The Cologne-Copenhagen sleeper In the absence of a ferry, the Amsterdam/Cologne-Copenhagen sleeper provided a time-effective link to Scandinavia, with connections by high-speed train from London, Paris & Brussels to Cologne, and from Copenhagen to Stockholm and Gothenburg next morning. Today, the journey must be done by daytime trains, with an overnight stop in Hamburg if you're trying to get from London or Paris to Copenhagen or Stockholm. Again, fast trains are slower than a sleeper!  However, a Hamburg-Berlin sleeper has now resumed thanks to the Swedish government, so reaching Sweden is now easier. The Hellas Express, Munich-Zagreb-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens A long-gone train, this, which I used to reach Athens in 1984, 1989 and (en route to Egypt by train and ferry) 1990.  You now need to change in Zagreb, in Belgrade and in Thessaloniki, and the Belgrade-Thessaloniki section has become summer-only with no trains at all off-season. It was an epic journey across the Balkans, with seats, couchettes and a Yugoslavian sleeping-car - no restaurant or catering car, on my first trip to Greece in '84 I got most of the way on two packets of chocolate digestives. Incredibly, it was one of two daily Munich-Athens trains, with a third international train to Greece running Venice-Belgrade-Athens. Popular with interRailers and migrant workers, it now seems as much part of ancient history as sailing to India by P&O liner. But I'd love to see it back! Mark Smith's website is the go-to place for information on train travel worldwide: seat61.com Rail travel in Europe is undergoing a renaissance given the recent open access liberalisation of the network. Wix Media == This article was first published in 2020 when I chatted with Mark at the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras and has been updated on Saturday 15 February 2025 following a zoom chat I had with Mark. His initial list included lamenting the demise of the Paris-Munich/Berlin/Hamburg sleeper , which has now been restored :)

Green Traveller’s guide to getting to Morocco without setting foot on a plane – instead travelling overland by train and ferry from London St Pancras via Barcelona and Algeciras to Tangier. Marrakesh market. Photo Wix Media Summary: Train via Paris, Barcelona and Madrid to Algeciras in southern Spain then catch the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier Journey Time: about 48 hours Approximate cost (one way): Eurostar to Paris from £52 Train from Paris to Barcelona from €39 Train from Barcelona to Algeciras via Madrid from €51 Ferry from Algeciras to Tangier from €25 Tickets provided by Rail Europe, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. Ferry tickets provided by Ferry Hopper, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in southern Spain (and France) to Morocco. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? Take the Eurostar, the UK’s international high-speed rail service that runs from the magnificently renovated London St Pancras International Railway Station. On board, there’s no weight limit for your luggage, but you should be able to carry and lift your bags safely. To get to Barcelona on the same day, take an earlyish Eurostar, e.g. the 9.24am departure, arriving Paris just before 1pm, in order to catch the mid-afternoon train down to Barcelona to arrive early evening. In Paris, you change stations from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon to take the train south to Barcelona. Crossing Paris to change stations is only two stops on the Paris RER D line, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. See our guide on How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). Onward to Barcelona, Madrid and Algciras At Gare de Lyon, board a TGV high-speed train to Barcelona Sants station. The best thing about overland train travel is that you have the time and space to walk around the train, visit the buffet carriage, play cards, read the newspaper or a book, catch up on emails and text, watch a film, enjoy a meal, or just gaze out of the window and enjoy the views out of the large windows as the train whizzes across the picturesque French and Spanish countryside. You’ll arrive in to the heart of Barcelona, so no need to take a transfer from an out-of-the-way airport to the city centre; and fortunately there are many hotels very close to the railway station. Stay overnight in Barcelona – it’s a proud Mediterranean metropolis and a city of many faces. From the gracious avenues of Gracia with their chic boutiques, to the atmospheric, winding lanes of the Barri Gòtic, the city’s patchwork of neighbourhoods entices visitors with their distinct characters. The following morning take the high-speed AVE train to Madrid (it leaves about 11am and arrives at about 1.45pm) from where you take the train down to Algeciras in southern Spain (it leaves about 3pm and arrives at about 8.30pm). It’s a glorious journey that gives you an appreciation of how southern Spain becomes progressively Moorish as you whizz down across the mountains to Cordoba and onward to the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. For more overland routes to Spain, see Green Traveller's Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner Bus from Algeciras to Tarifa then Ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Stay overnight in Algeciras (there are some lovely tapas bars that open late), then in the morning walk over to the modern ferry passenger terminal where the fast ferry company FRS provides a free transit bus to its ferry terminal departure in the nearby town of Tarifa (it’s about a 30-minute drive). Here, you take the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier, a journey of about an hour. It’s an epic journey; look left from the ferry as you pass the awesome Rock of Gibraltar, and then ahead of you looms the continent of Africa. Arriving in Tangier The ferry conveniently arrives in the heart of Tangier’s old town – you’ll be met off the ferry by lots of taxi drivers but you’re only a few minute’s walk to Tangier’s railway station and the medina. For onward trains to Meknès, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, see: oncf-voyages.ma. There are plenty of places to stay in Tangier. There's an excellent description of this trip by Kevin Rushby in the Guardian, see: My epic three-day trip from London to Morocco by train and ferry

There are lots of ways to travel overland to France from the UK without flying thanks to a variety of train , coach , car ferry and foot passenger ferry services from southern England. Our team has tried and tested many of them and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. The good news is that if you're travelling on foot, then on arrival at many of the ports and railway stations in France, there are plenty of options for onward travel by rail and bus throughout France . Furthermore, it's fast becoming feasible to take an electric car to France - the infrastructure is improving all the time with charging networks being rolled out at terminals and there's currently a huge expansion of charging facilities throughout France. Less Carbon, More Fun! Photos: Eurostar, Brittany Ferries and Wix Media By train from the UK to France It is easy to travel by train to France in a day from the UK. The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station to either Lille Europe (1 hour 22 mins) or to Gare du Nord in the French capital Paris (2 hours 16 mins). Both these stations are hubs to onward travel throughout France. In Lille, all the trains leave from the same station you arrived at from London, while in Paris, although some onward trains leave from Gare du Nord (mostly Thalys trains for Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands ), most trains for destinations in France leave from five other stations dotted throughout the capital: Gare de l'Est (which is just a few minutes walk from Gare du Nord), Gare de Lyon, Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Bercy, and Gare Saint Lazare . For instance, if you want to travel down to Nice, you have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line. If you're not used to Paris, transferring train stations may seem daunting but in practice the connections are pretty seamless –s ee our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Tickets provided by Rail Europe, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. For more information about train travel to specific places in France, see our step-by-step guides for how to travel from London to the following: How to travel by train from London to Lille How to travel by train from London to Paris How to travel by train from London to Nantes How to travel by train from London to Valence How to travel by train from London to Avignon How to travel by train from London to Marseille How to travel by train from London to Bordeaux How to travel by train from London to Bayonne How to travel by train from London to Toulouse How to travel by train from London to Nice How to travel by train (and ferry) from London to Corsica How to travel by train by Ski Train to the French Alps How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Lille or Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Lille or Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay conveniently near the Eurostar arrival station in Lille Europe (Lille) and Gare du Nord (Paris). Hotels near Lille Europe Railway Station 🚉 B&B Hotel Lille Centre Grand Palais (see below) and Le Chat Qui Dort are just a few minutes walk from Lille Europe Station (where Eurostar arrives). Rooms from about €100 per night. Green Traveller's Top Pick 💚 B&B Hotel Lille Centre Grand Palais  is a comfortable budget hotel very conveniently situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood close to the Lille-Europe station. The 127 rooms are slightly small, but size is mitigated by keen pricing and useful add-ons such as free wifi. The hotel has recently earned Clef Verte accreditation for its measures in conserving energy and water. Hotels close to Gare du Nord, Paris 🚉 Grand Hotel de Paris  and Hôtel Kabanel  are just a few minutes walk from Gare du Nord (and Gare de L'Est so also great if you're heading out east). Rooms from about €100 per night. Green Traveller's Top Pick 💚 Mob Hotel  is a particularly environmentally friendly and socially conscious hotel that's in the heart of St Ouen, just a few miles north of Gare du Nord and close to the Garibaldi metro station (line 13). The hotel is all about being socially engaged within its neighbourhood (the artistic creations of local craftspeople are everywhere), but it also has strong eco credentials, such as water jugs rather than plastic bottles, refillable toiletries and organic cosmetics in the rooms. The restaurant is fully organic with a seasonal menu that draws on produce from farming cooperatives or direct from local producers (they also make their own honey and beer). Eco-certified hotels in Paris ✔️ If you're looking for other green hotels in the French Capital, then these have all been certified by an accredited ecolabel: Hotel Gavarnie  (near the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides Museum) | Hotel Le Pavillion  (a former convent in the Saint-Dominique area) | Amélie Hotel  (2-star) | Hôtel Malar  (10 minutes from the Champs Elysees). By Coach from the UK to France The major coach operators from the UK to France are Flixbus, which runs coach trips from Manchester, Birmingham and London to multiple cities in France, and National Express, which runs a service from London to Paris (nationalexpress.com); if you’re travelling from outside London, you can travel to London to connect with the international service. National Express also runs coaches from most major cities in the UK. Luggage allowance is one medium sized suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person. As with coaches operating in the UK, there’s free Wi-Fi, charging sockets, and onboard toilets. You can also book Flixbus and National Express tickets through Omio (omio.co.uk), which also sells tickets for Eurolines, which works with 29 coach companies throughout Europe (eurolines.de). Foot Passenger Ferry Services from the UK to France The modernisation of ferry services has revolutionised the experience of travelling across the English Channel. Especially for longer overnight crossings to the continent where you can travel in style on spacious ships, enjoy fine dining in la carte restaurants, spa treatment rooms, and comfortable en suite cabins, so on arrival you feel refreshed for the onward journey. There are also plenty of facilities to keep children entertained during the crossing, including soft play areas, games rooms, live entertainment and cinema. Europe has never felt closer. There are several operators that run ferries from southern England to northern France that cater for foot passengers. The ports on both sides of the crossing are well connected by public transport, so it’s easy to travel by bus or train to the ports in the UK, as well as disembark on the other side and continue the journey overland. One of the easiest crossings on foot is to go from Newhaven to Dieppe because there's such an easy transfer from the railway station in Newhaven on to the ferry. On arrival in Dieppe, you can either walk about 25 minutes to the railway station or there's a shuttle bus that can take you there. If you prefer to travel from elsewhere on the south coast of England, there are departures from Dover, Poole, Portsmouth and Plymouth with a variety of operators. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . The main ferry services from the south of England to northern France are as follows: Dover Dover to Calais: 5 sailings per day (for foot passengers) with P&O Ferries NB. although there are also sailings from Dover to Calais with DFDS Seaways (10 sailings per day), and Irish Ferries (4 sailings per day) they do not allow foot passengers. NB. There is also a ferry from Dover to Dunkirk (12 sailings per day with DFDS Seaways) but it is not available for foot passengers. Tickets provided by Direct Ferries. NB. when you book a ticket, the vehicle page is automatically populated to show a car, to change this to foot passenger select 'edit', and then from the drop down vehicle menu select 'Foot Passenger'. Select 'save' and then 'show times'. Newhaven to Dieppe 21 crossings per week with DFDS Seaways Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo Portsmouth to Caen: 3 sailings per day with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Cherbourg: 1 per week with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to St Malo: 1 per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) . Poole to Cherbourg 1 sailing per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) : Plymouth to Roscoff 1 sailing per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) : Onward journeys by public transport from France's ferry ports When you disembark from the ferry there are plenty of local public transport services for onward travel. For step-by-step instructions for how to transfer from the ferry on to local services at all the major arrival ports in France, see our Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . By car from the UK to France Cars can be taken on all the major ferry routes described in the foot passenger section above, as well as the Dover to Calais route run by DFDS and Irish Ferries (neither take foot passengers on this route) and on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which takes just 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais (there are up to four departures an hour at peak times). Tickets for LeShuttle (Eurotunnel) provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different times through the tunnel. Driving electric cars from the UK to France You can also take an electric car on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle - there are rapid chargers for universal electric and hybrid cars, as well as dedicated Tesla chargers, at both terminals so you can recharge before you head through the tunnel on either side. Electric car hire: There has been a huge increase in the production of electric cars in recent years and many of the large car rental companies, such as Enterprise, Avis, Europcar, and SIXT now hire electric cars in France, see: Enterprise: https://www.enterprise.co.uk/en/car-hire/vehicles/fr/cars/electric.html Avis: https://www.avis.co.uk/drive-avis/fleet/prestige/uk/Electric Europcar: https://www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/car-rental/fleet/type/electric SIXT: https://www.sixt.com/magazine/fleet/electric-cars-pros-and-cons Do make sure you hire a car that has the appropriate mileage per battery that’s relevant for your use. Public charging networks provide a mixture of slow, fast and rapid charging points operated by either a national or regional network, so do check the location of the charging points as well as the charging time and payment methods. The car hire company may be able to advise on this when you hire the car – some may have arrangements with energy partners and can provide you with a charge card that you can use at a number of locations in France. Charging electric vehicles in France: Electric vehicle (EV) charging networks are expanding very quickly across France. As in the UK there are different companies providing chargers, but the market is much more fragmented on the continent – if you think it’s complicated in the UK, in France and across Europe there is a bewildering number of providers. In most cases, you need to log in using a network RFID card, a key fob or an app, some of which need to be pre-loaded with funds. Chargers that accept a contactless debit or credit card are still not widespread. Thankfully, there are aggregators who can provide an RFID card that works on several different networks, reducing the number of cards or apps you need to obtain. As in the UK, there are chargers at many motorway service areas and are also generally found where cars are likely to be parked for a while, such as supermarkets, shopping centre car parks, hotels and tourist attractions. The Automobile Association has a handy guide to recharging in Europe, including the latest information on the charging networks in France and breakdown cover for electric vehicles in Europe. The situation is changing rapidly, so it’s always worth checking the AA’s website again just before you embark on a journey in Europe. Also, keep an eye on the website zap-map.com for the latest news about electric vehicles and the expansion of charging networks throughout the continent. ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. Bon Voyage!

There are many ways to travel overland from the UK to The Netherlands without flying; by taking the ferry (either in a car or as a foot passenger), by coach or by Eurostar, or, by car through the Eurotunnel. One of the most popular routes is the shortest ferry journey, which goes from Harwich (on the east coast of England) to the Hook of Holland (on the west coast of The Netherlands) from where there is a seamless connection with rail services to Rotterdam, Amsterdam and the rest of the country. There are also longer ferry services across the North Sea from Newcastle and Hull, or if you want to go by train, the Eurostar has a direct service from London St Pancras station to Amsterdam in under 4 hours. Click on the links below to the go directly to the relevant section on this page: Ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam Eurostar from London to Amsterdam Coach from the UK to The Netherlands Car via The Channel Tunnel to The Netherlands Foot passengers: For detailed information to how to take public transport to ferry ports, see our Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . Images: Stenaline Peter Mild, DFDS room and restaurant, ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, Flixbus coach service, Eurostar to Amsterdam By ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, The Netherlands The shortest ferry route across the North Sea from the UK is from Harwich in Essex with Stena Line to The Hook of Holland (known as ‘Hoek van Holland’). From Scotland it takes from at least 6.5 hours to reach Harwich by train via London, or 14 hours by bus, the cheapest option. You can then choose to go across the North Sea either during the day or overnight. Journey time: it is a   7-8 hour crossing (day time or overnight) Here are approximate journey times not including an overnight stay for the morning ferry: Timings:  departs Harwich at 9am, arrives Hook of Holland at 17.15; overnight service departs Harwich at 23:00, arrives Hook of Holland at 08:00. Facilities:  restaurants and bars, a cinema and shops Sleeper Cabins:  on the overnight ferry you can choose from a range of cabins, from a single inside cabin with television and ensuite bathroom to cabins for two, three, four of five people, including the Comfort Class cabins with sea view and complimentary minibar. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers with bicycles pay an extra fee of £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and it costs £20 to bring your dog, which must travel in a kennel. Ferry sailing times and journey times can change so check the website for the latest times. From Newcastle to Amsterdam by Ferry DFDS runs an overnight service for foot passengers from Newcastle to Amsterdam, departing at 17.00 Journey time: 15.5 hours (overnight) Timings: Departs Newcastle 17:00, arrives Amsterdam 9.45am. If you're travelling by train, there's a transfer bus from Newcastle railway station to the International Ferry Terminal. These DFDS buses operate from Berwick Street opposite Newcastle Central Station to the ferry terminal at times to coincide with its sailings. Bus tickets must be bought in advance online or over the phone. Facilities on board the ferry: bars, restaurants, casino, cinema and kids club Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-5 people, and, unlike most ferry operators that insist dogs are kept in cars or kennels, there are cabins suitable for up to two dogs to travel alongside their owners. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a charge of £5 each way, and those without wheels can hop onto a coach on arrival at the port of Ijmuiden to travel the 25 miles into central Amsterdam. Cruise: DFDS offers a ‘mini cruise’ option, which includes breaks in Amsterdam from five hours to two nights and include coach transfers at either end. From Amsterdam it’s easy to connect by rail to cities and regions across the Netherlands, as well as onto France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and beyond. By ferry from Hull to Rotterdam South of Newcastle, P&O Ferries runs an overnight ferry between Hull and Rotterdam. Journey time: 12 hours (overnight), plus the minimum 90-minute check-in for the ferry. On arrival at Hull station by train, there’s a bus that goes to the port from the adjoining interchange station. Number 70 operates from Paragon Interchange to the ferry terminal at 5pm and takes 15 minutes, but for more flexibility, a taxi is a good bet. Timings: Hull to Rotterdam departs 20:30 and arrives Rotterdam at 8:15 (9:00 at weekends) Facilities: Restaurants, bars, cinemas, a casino and kids play area. Sleeper Cabins: options range from a standard cabin, with a toilet and shower room, to a sea view cabin or a club cabin with extra space and a television - sleeping between two and five people per cabin. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage, and you can travel with a pet and a bicycle. Pets are charged at £22 each way and must travel in a kennel. Bicycles are carried free of charge but only one is allowed per foot passenger booking, so a group travelling with multiple bikes need to make a separate booking per bike. Cruise: You can book the ferry solely as transport, but for some, it’s the holiday in itself - a mini cruise out of Hull with P&O offers two nights on a ferry to and from Rotterdam with a day trip (which can be extended to an extra night) to explore the city between sailings. Themed mini breaks take this up a notch with entertainment such as live music or darts competitions onboard. Many passengers use Rotterdam as a gateway to Brussels, Antwerp or Paris but from either point, it is straight-forward to connect by rail to other destinations in the Netherlands and Belgium as well as Germany, Luxembourg  and France. Train from the UK to The Netherlands Eurostar runs a direct services from London St Pancras to Rotterdam (3 hours 13 mins) and Amsterdam (3 hours 52 mins). Do check your ticket to find out the latest recommended time to arrive before your train departs - it can vary quite a lot, from 45 minutes (for Eurostar Premier) to up to 90 mins (for Eurostar Standard). On board Eurostar, there’s a bar-buffet carriage that sells a range of hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including champagne, as well as snacks and wholesome, hearty dishes. For those with standard premier tickets, light refreshments are served at your table, including a fresh, light, healthy meal, tea, coffee and soft drinks, and a glass of wine or beer. It’s about 30 mins from London to the Channel Tunnel, then, after about 20 minutes in the tunnel, you emerge for the quick onward journey through the beautiful countryside of northern France and Belgium, on to Rotterdam and then Amsterdam. Eurostar's direct service from London to Amsterdam is less than 4 hours. Photo: Eurostar There are a myriad reasons to visit Amsterdam: this compact capital packs a big punch when it comes to history, art, architecture, and contemporary chic. A relaxed, liberal vibe pervades and there is no shortage of cosy cafés, stylish boutiques, and appetising restaurants in which to enjoy all the city has to offer. Whether you’ve come to discover the latest in design, to visit some of the world’s great art collections, to indulge in some of the city’s less salubrious pleasures, or just to stroll and admire the traditional houses reflected in Amsterdam’s many canals – there’s something for just about everyone at any budget. For more information on Amsterdam, including hotels, restaurants and markets selling fresh local produce, museums and other attractions , see our Green Traveller's Guide to Amsterdam : Coach from the UK to The Netherlands Travelling by coach can be the cheapest way to travel across to The Netherlands.  Flixbus , which now incorporates the Eurolines and Isilines bus companies, runs services across the UK to London Victoria from where you can join its international coach service for several cities in The Netherlands, including Amsterdam , Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht . The coaches have free wifi, charging sockets, toilets, and on some journeys food and drink is sold onboard in addition to the refreshment stops. The cost varies depending on the route, time of year and so on, so check the coach operator’s website for fares. Flixbus also had a trip tracker so you can see where your coach is on its journey. Luggage:  You can take a hand luggage bag and medium-sized bag for the hold weighing no more than 20kg. Only folding bicycles are accepted. Facilities:  Coaches are air conditioned and have wi-fi and USB charging points as well as toilets and while no refreshments are sold onboard, you can pack your own food and drink for the journey and stops are made at service stations to stock up on supplies. Bikes: Bikes can be taken on the bike rack from €9 per journey. The distinctive green colour of the Flixbus coaches National Express , which runs lots of intercity coach services throughout the UK, has teamed up with BlaBlaCar to run intercity coach services (go to the National Express international website ), including to cities within The Netherlands. The same luggage restrictions apply with one piece of hand luggage and one hold luggage up to 20kg. Car from the UK via LeShuttle to The Netherlands The quickest way to cross the channel in a car is via LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) through the Channel Tunnel (it takes just 35 minutes), from where you can then drive over to the Netherlands via northern France and Belgium. Departures leave from Folkestone and arrive in to Calais in France. There are up to four departures an hour so typically you don't have long to wait before you board the shuttle. At the terminal in Folkestone, there are food outlets and duty free shopping, and even pet exercise areas. Electric car charging for LeShuttle: The terminals at LeShuttle do have charging facilities for electric cars. At Folkestone there are four 210 kw EV Box Modular Engie Ultra Rapid chargers, while at the Calais terminal there eight 210 kW ultra rapid chargers. There are also Tesla Superchargers at the terminal buildings on both sides of the Channel. NB. all electric car chargers are at the main terminal building in Folkestone, not at the Folkestone Flexiplus lounge car park. Cars entering Le Shuttle. Photo: Getlinkgroup/Le Shuttle ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of ferry, train, coach and car routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page  so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. Bon Voyage!

There are many ways to travel to Spain from the UK without flying thanks to a variety of train and ferry services from the south of England. On arrival in Spain, there are plenty of options at rail and ferry terminals for onward travel by rail and bus. Spain has one of the most comprehensive high speed networks in the world, so it's easy to travel quickly by train to the major cities. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . Photos: Eurostar and Brittany Ferries By Ferry from the UK to Northern Spain Brittany Ferries runs overnight ferry services for foot passengers (and cycle bikes) across the Bay of Biscay from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander (it also runs a service from Portsmouth to Bilbao though it is not for foot passengers). These luxurious ferries are like going on a mini-cruise, the dining is first-class, there are lots of facilities to keep the kids happy, extremely comfortable sleeping cabins. And you may see whales and dolphin on the crossing - the Bay of Biscay is one of the best places in Europe to spot these magnificent marine animals. ==== See our Guide to How to travel by public transport to the UK's ferry ports  in our section on Travelling as foot passenger from the UK to Europe ==== The stunning beaches along the coastline from Santander. Photo: Christopher Willan Route: Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander Journey Time: 20-24 hours (can vary by up to an hour due to tidal conditions) Sample timetable: Departs Portsmouth 5pm, arrives Santander the following day at 5.30pm. Departs Plymouth 3.45pm, arrive Santander the following day at 1.15pm. Frequency of Departures: Portsmouth-Santander 2 per week (journey time is 24 hours); Plymouth-Santander 1 per week (this is the fastest service - takes 20 hours) Car hire at Santander: Yes Route: Portsmouth to Bilbao ( not for foot passengers ) Journey Time: 33 hours 30 minutes ( it's a two-night crossing ) Sample timetable: Departs Portsmouth at 9.30pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Thursday for 2-night crossings arriving at 8am on Tuesday or Saturday morning. Frequency of Departures: Portsmouth-Bilbao 2 sailings each way per week (journey time is 24 hours) Car hire at Bilbao: Yes Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries (NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process): On arrival at Santander ferry terminal The ferry terminal lies just one block along Avenida Castilla to Santander's main train station - if you have too much to carry, it's just a minute in a taxi. Santander's train station is well connected to the Spanish rail network, with trains running to major centres in the region and the rest of the country. Santander is the capital of Spain's verdant Cantabria region (part of the wider 'Green Spain' region, along with the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia), with rugged mountain ranges and a beautiful stretch of coastline including the stunning Picos de Europa mountains. On arrival at Bilbao ferry terminal The port of Bilbao is 10 miles (16km) north-west of Bilbao-Abando railway station, from where there are regular train services to major centres across Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona. There is no public transport direct from/to the ferry terminal, however there is a taxi rank outside the ferry terminal, or you could walk just under 2 miles (3km) to Santurtzi metro station to take the metro to Bilbao-Abando station (Santurtzi is the last stop on Line 2 and goes direct to Bilbao city centre). For ideas of where to stay, great locally run restaurants, heritage attractions and activities, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Green Spain . Here's a video we produced about a trip Green Traveller made to Green Spain: Video produced by Green Traveller Productions By Ferry from mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands There are plenty of ferry services that travel out to the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The main hub for Mallorca and Menorca is Barcelona, though there are also ferries (in addition to Barcelona) for Ibiza and Formentera that depart from Valencia (3–4 hours by train from Barcelona), Denia (6–7 hours by train from Barcelona). The ferry port in Barcelona is about 2.5 miles (4k) from Barcelona Sants railway station, about 10-12 minutes in a taxi, but you can get there easily by metro in about 15 minutes, taking the L3 (green) line from the metro station at the station (known as 'Sants Estació') to Drassanes from where it's a couple of minutes walk to the ferry's check-in desk. Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in Spain to the Balearics. Barcelona to Mallorca and Menorca There are two ferry operators (Balearia and TransMed) that run an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Palma (Mallorca), which takes 8-9 hours, typically leaving around 10–11pm and arriving about 6am, and from Barcelona to Ciutadella  (Menorca) , which typically leaves at around 9.30pm and arrives 6.30am (though do check these timings with the operator) . Balearia also operates a daytime fast ferry (3 hrs 30 mins) from Barcelona to Alcudia in the northerwest of Mallorca, which also stops at Menorca en route; typically it leaves at 4.30pm and arrives in to Alcudia at 8pm. Barcelona, Valencia, Denia to Ibiza and Formentera There are two ferry operators (Baleria and TransMed) that run an overnight ferry from Barcelona , which takes 8-9 hours, typically leaving around 10pm and arriving about 6am (though do check the latest timings with the operator); the ferry from Valencia takes about 5 hours; and the ferry from Denia takes just 2-3 hours. It 's just 30-minutes by interisland ferry from Ibiza to Formentera (the interisland ferry also runs between Mallorca, Mallorca and Ibiza), but there are also direct ferries from the mainland to Formentera, see our guide to: How to travel overland from the UK to Formentera, Spain By ferry from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands There are two ferry routes from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, from Huelva (near Seville) operated by Baleria, and from Cadiz, operated by Armas Trasmediterránea. The ferries from Huelva run to the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (which takes about 40 hours) and stop at the Port of La Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria en route, while the ferries from Cadiz run to most of the main islands, including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife, taking 28–35 hours. Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in Spain to the Canary Islands. By train from the UK to Spain It is possible to travel by train to Spain in a day from the UK. The quickest way is to go by Eurostar to Paris and then travel on one of the direct services from Paris to the border town of Hendaye (France), which borders will Irun in the Basque Region of Green Spain – the quickest you can do that journey from Paris is 4 hours 53 minutes. For instance, you could take the Eurostar departing London St Pancras at 08.01, arrive Gare du Nord at 11.24, then transfer across Paris to Gare Montparnasse ( see our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris ) to catch the 12.33pm train to Hendaye arriving 4.47pm. From Hendaye, you can take the train across to San Sebastian in just 30 minutes. There are also multiple other connections between France and other areas in Spain, such as between cities such as Lyon and Marseille to Barcelona. From the UK, the fastest route to Barcelona is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station then change in Paris to catch the high speed train to Figueres, Girona and Barcelona. From Barcelona there are trains throughout Spain, including to Madrid and south to destinations such as Cordoba, Seville and Malaga . En route to Spain, you have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a half to get the connection, though you could get an earlier train and spent a bit more time in Paris, e.g. have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu Restaurant in Gare de Lyon). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Barcelona Sants' station. For more detailed information about the journey and arriving in Barcelona, see our guide to How to travel by train from London to Barcelona Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through (and catch the day time train the following day down to Barcelona), there are lots of lovely places to stay in Paris conveniently near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord >> | Hotels near Gare de Lyon >> For details of travel to Ibiza from Barcelona, see our step-by-step guide: Train and ferry from London to Ibiza, Spain ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. * Data for carbon emissions

There are lots of ways to travel from the North of England to Europe without flying – by ferry (either in a car or as a foot passenger), by coach or by train. The ferries head east from Newcastle and Hull across the North Sea to Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Hook of Holland from where you can head further into Europe. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . The coaches and trains both use the Channel Tunnel, so you have to factor in the time it takes to get south. If you take the train, once on the other side of the tunnel, you’re then connected to the European high-speed rail network, which can whizz you to many European capitals and beyond within hours. Our team has tried and tested many of the routes and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. Images: DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam From the North of England to Europe by Ferry Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam The most northerly ferry route from England across the North Sea is from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS, which takes foot passengers on its 17.00 overnight sailings. Journey time: 15.5 hours (overnight) Timings: Departs Newcastle 17:00, arrives Amsterdam 9.45am Facilities on board: bars, restaurants, casino, cinema and kids club Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-5 people, and, unlike most ferry operators that insist dogs are kept in cars or kennels, there are cabins suitable for up to two dogs to travel alongside their owners. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a charge of £5 each way, and those without wheels can hop onto a coach on arrival at the port of Ijmuiden to travel the 25 miles into central Amsterdam. Other info: DFDS offers a ‘mini cruise’ option, which includes breaks in Amsterdam from five hours to two nights and include coach transfers at either end. From Amsterdam it’s easy to connect by rail to cities and regions across the Netherlands, as well as onto France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and beyond. Book ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam >> Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam (The Netherlands) P&O Ferries runs overnight ferries run between Hull and Rotterdam in the Netherlands Journey time: 12 hours (overnight) Timings: Hull to Rotterdam departs 20:30 and arrives Rotterdam at 8:15 (9:00 at weekends) Facilities: Restaurants, bars, cinemas, a casino and kids play area. Sleeper Cabins: options range from a standard cabin, with a toilet and shower room, to a sea view cabin or a club cabin with extra space and a television - sleeping between two and five people per cabin. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage, and you can travel with a pet and a bicycle. Pets are charged at £22 each way and must travel in a kennel. Bicycles are carried free of charge but only one is allowed per foot passenger booking, so a group travelling with multiple bikes need to make a separate booking per bike. Some book the ferry solely as transport, while for others it’s the holiday in itself - a mini cruise out of Hull with P&O offers two nights on a ferry to and from Rotterdam with a day trip (which can be extended to an extra night) to explore the city between sailings. Themed mini breaks take this up a notch with entertainment such as live music or darts competitions onboard. Many passengers use Rotterdam as a gateway to Brussels, Antwerp or Paris but from either point, it is straight-forward to connect by rail to other destinations in the Netherlands and Belgium as well as Germany, Luxembourg  and France. Book ferry from Hull to Rotterdam >> Ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland (The Netherlands) The shortest ferry route across the North Sea from the East of England is from Harwich in Essex with Stena Line to The Hook of Holland (known as ‘Hoek van Holland’). You can choose to go either during the day or overnight. Journey time: 7-8 hours (day time or overnight) Timings: departs Harwich at 9am, arrives Hook of Holland at 17.15; overnight service departs Harwich at 23:00, arrives Hook of Holland at 08:00. Facilities: restaurants and bars, a cinema and shops. Sleeper Cabins: on the overnight ferry you can choose from a range of cabins, from a single inside cabin with television and ensuite bathroom to cabins for two, three, four of five people, including the Comfort Class cabins with sea view and complimentary minibar. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers with bicycles pay an extra fee of £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and it costs £20 to bring your dog, which must travel in a kennel. Ferry sailing times and journey times can change so check the website for the latest times. Book ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland >> From the North of England to Europe by Coach Travelling by coach is usually the cheapest way to travel to Europe from the North of England. National Express runs an intercity coach service from cities across the North of England including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Carlisle and Nottingham that go via London Victoria where you can change to its international coach services which go to many European cities, including Calais, Paris, Lille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. Here are a few sample journey times: Newcastle to Paris: from 17.5 hours Newcastle to Amsterdam: from 20.5 hours Liverpool to Paris: from 19 hours Liverpool to Amsterdam: from 20.5 hours Manchester to Paris: from 14.5 hours Manchester to Amsterdam: from 19 hours Leeds to Paris: from 14.5 hours Leeds to Amsterdam: from 18 hours Nottingham to Paris: from 13 hours Nottingham to Amsterdam: from 16 hours Luggage: You can take a hand luggage bag and medium-sized bag for the hold weighing no more than 20kg. Only folding bicycles are accepted. Facilities: coaches are air conditioned and have wi-fi and USB charging points as well as toilets and while no refreshments are sold onboard, you can pack your own food and drink for the journey and stops are made at service stations to stock up on supplies. Another European coach operator is Flixbus , which now incorporates the Eurolines and Isilines bus companies, with services out of London Victoria. It offers more destinations than National Express and beyond - such as Vienna from London in 26 hours, Frankfurt in 13.5 hours and Prague in 24 hours. You can even travel as far as Bucharest - a 44-hour journey across six countries. The same luggage restrictions apply with one piece of hand luggage and one hold luggage up to 20kg, and bikes can be taken on the bike rack from E9 per journey. Buses have free wifi, charging sockets, toilets, and on some journeys food and drink is sold onboard in addition to the refreshment stops. The cost varies depending on the route, time of year and so on, so check the coach operator’s website for fares. From the North of England to Europe by Train Rail services to Europe run out of London St Pancras International Railway Station with Eurostar. Trains from many cities in the North of England (such as Wigan, Lincoln, Stockport, Preston and Manchester) are operated by Northern Rail and conveniently terminate at Kings Cross from where it’s just a few minutes walk across King’s Boulevard to St Pancras to catch the Eurostar to Europe. Here are a few journey times (times show the total duration of the trip, including allowing for sufficient time to walk from Kings Cross to the Eurostar check-in and for the 45-minute check-in time at Eurostar, based on appropriate times of connecting trains in to and out of London): Train from Newcastle to Paris: 6.5 hours Train from Newcastle to Amsterdam: 8 hours Train from Liverpool to Paris: 5.5 hours Train from Liverpool to Amsterdam: 7.5 hours Train from Manchester to Paris: 5.5 hours Train from Manchester to Amsterdam: 7 hours Train from Leeds to Paris: 5.5 hours Train from Leeds to Amsterdam: 7.5 hours Train from Nottingham to Paris: 5 hours Train from Nottingham to Amsterdam: 6.5 hours Eurostar runs direct services to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lyon, Lille and Disneyland Paris (and during the summer a direct train to Avignon and Marseille and the winter there’s a direct Eurostar ski train service to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice). You can buy through-tickets that start outside of London and go beyond Eurostar’s destinations travelling with local operators. If you are travelling with a bike, check which routes accept bikes. The fee is around £30. Dogs are not permitted on Eurostar except guide dogs. Train tickets provided by Rail Europe: ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers.

There are lots of ways to travel from Wales to Europe without flying - by train, coach, ferry (in a car or as a foot passenger) or a combination of all three. By and large, for journeys to France by ferry, it’s quickest to travel overland from Wales to the south coast of England to catch ferries across the English Channel, unless you live close to Holyhead in North Wales - where it’s possible to take the Holyhead-Dublin ferry then take a ferry to Cherbourg, but with a journey time of at least 22 hours, it’s still often easier to head to Poole, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Newhaven or even Dover. Click on the following links to go to the relevant section on this page: By ferry By coach By train From these south coast ports, Europe is your oyster. You can catch a ferry with Brittany Ferries from Poole to Cherbourg and Plymouth to Roscoff or Santander, but the greatest choice of destinations is from Portsmouth, with services to Le Harve, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo, Bilbao and Santander. Newhaven is connected to Dieppe with DFDS, but Dover has the greatest choice of sailings to France with 50 departures a day in peak season across the Channel. For Calais you can choose P&O Ferries or sail with DFDS, which also runs a route to Dunkirk. Getting to the south coast ferry ports by public transport is cheapest by coach, with journeys from Cardiff, for example, taking between 5.5 and 7.5 hours to reach the south coast ports. The same journeys by train take 3.5 to 5.5 hours, and while Dover is the furthest away it can take under 4 hours to reach because of the high speed rail line from London. From mid and north Wales, you need to add at least two hours to these coach and rail times with many services travelling via Birmingham or London to reach the south coast ferry ports. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . If you want to get to the Netherlands from Wales without flying, the Harwich-Amsterdam ferry is an option but it’s much quicker to take the Eurostar train via London or the Dover-Calais car ferry and drive. If you’d rather go by road or rail, coaches and trains heading to the continent both use the Channel Tunnel, so you have to factor in the time it takes to travel east to London. If you take the train, once on the other side of the tunnel, you’re then connected to the European high-speed rail network, which can whizz you to many European capitals and beyond within hours. Our team has tried and tested many of the routes and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. From Wales to Europe by ferry Examples of total journey times including allowance for check-in and transfers where relevant: Cardiff for ferry to Calais: 6.5/7 hours to go by car/train and ferry Cardiff for ferry to Cherbourg: 6.5/7.5 to go by car/train and ferry (from Portsmouth) Cardiff for ferry to Santander: 22/23 hours to go by car/train and ferry (from Plymouth) Swansea for ferries from south of England: add a further 30-60 minutes to the above journey times. You can sail with Brittany Ferries during the day or overnight from Poole, Portsmouth and Plymouth with journeys taking between 3 and 11 hours depending on the route and departure time. The fastest crossings are to Cherbourg from Portsmouth and Poole. The Le Harve offers more budget ‘no-frills’ day and overnight ferries that have limited entertainment onboard and a more simple restaurant. The Caen route has the greatest choice of day or night sails. For access to northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands, there is a vast choice of services from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk with P&O Ferries and DFDS, but only the former accepts foot passengers on these routes. Portsmouth to Le Harve with Brittany Ferries Journey time: day and overnight ferries that take between 5.5 and 10 hours Timings: at least one daily departure, with up to two a day in the peak summer season. Departs Portsmouth 23:00 or 23:30, arrives Le Harve 8:00 or 08:30, with an extra seasonal departures - see website for details Facilities on board: small bar, self service restaurant, cinema, small shop and kids play area Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-4 people (6 berth on some ferries), including cabins suitable for a dog to travel alongside its owner Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Le Harve is the closest port to Paris by car. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre >> Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 6-7 hours Timings: daily departures in the peak summer season. Greatest choice of sailing times at 08:15, 14.45, 22:00 and 22:45 depending on the day and season Facilities on board: bar, restaurants, cinema, entertainment for adults and children, shops and kids play area Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-4 people and some ferries have cabins suitable for a dog to travel alongside its owner Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Caen you can connect to the high speed rail network in France via Le Mans or get to Paris by rail in two hours. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen >> Portsmouth to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 3 hours Timings: daily departures in the peak summer season. Leaves Portsmouth at 09:00, arriving in Cherbourg at 13:00, with extra departures depending on the season Facilities on board: lounge with reclining seats, shop, cafe and bar Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Cherbourg it is three hours to Paris by train but most people take a car as you can drive onto Normandy in just over an hour. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg >> Portsmouth to St Malo with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 7-11 hours Timings: sailings every day during the peak summer season. Leaves Portsmouth at 20:15, arriving in Cherbourg at 08:15, with slight changes to timings depending on the season and some day crossings from St Malo Facilities on board: cinemas, cabaret and live entertainment, restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: one of the boats on the route (Pont Aven) has a pool and leisure area. From St Malo you can drive to Brittany in 1.5 hours and the Dordogne in 6 hours. Otherwise by train you can get to Rennes in under an hour and Paris in three hours. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo >> Portsmouth to Bilbao with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 24-32 hours Timings: up to three return crossings each week. Leaves Portsmouth at 08:45, 12:00 or 22:30, depending on the day and season. Sundays sailings offer two nights onboard Facilities on board: restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping, pool, spa, cinema, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins including a cabin that accommodates a pet alongside its owners Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: opt for a Tuesday daytime crossing aboard the ‘no-frills’ ships, Baie de Seine or Connemara, for a more affordable crossing. Some crossings offer whale and dolphin spotting with the ‘ ORCA wildlife officers’. As with Santander, the Alsa coach service is best for onward journeys by public transport unless you are heading south by train towards Madrid. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao >> Portsmouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 24-32 hours Timings: two return crossings each week. Leaves Portsmouth at around 08:45 or 17:00 depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping, pool, spa, cinema, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins including a cabin that accommodates a pet alongside its owners Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: opt for a ‘no-frills’ ship for a more affordable crossing, which operates during peak season - check the Brittany Ferries website for details. Some crossings offer whale and dolphin spotting with the ‘ ORCA wildlife officers’. For journeys on from Santander, the rail network works best if you want to head south, with Madrid a four-hour journey away and Leon 3.5 hours, but for east-west journeys, it’s best to travel by car or by bus with Alsa the leading coach company in the region. Book a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander >> Poole to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 4.5 hours (9 hours for overnight return crossing) Timings: up to two return crossings per day in peak summer season. Leaves Poole at around 08:30 and arrives at 14:00, depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurant, bar, cafe, shop, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Cherbourg it is three hours to Paris by train but most people take a car as you can drive onto Normandy in just over an hour. Book a ferry from Poole to Cherbourg >> Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 18.5 hours Timings: one sailing per week departing on Sundays at 16:45, arriving in Santander at 12:15, returning Wednesdays Facilities on board: restaurants, bars, cafe, shops, pool, live entertainment, cinemas, spa, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Brittany Ferries’ mini cruise package offers two nights on board the ship, Pont Aven on the journey out and back, plus two nights in Santander. For journeys on from Santander, the rail network works best if you want to head south, with Madrid a four-hour journey away and Leon 3.5 hours, but for east-west journeys, it’s best to travel by car or by bus with Alsa the leading coach company in the region. Book a ferry from Plymouth to Santander >> Plymouth to Roscoff with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 6-8 hours Timings: up to two return crossings per day in peak summer season with day and overnight options. Leaves Plymouth at around 08:00 and/or 22:00, depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurants, bars, cafe, shops, live entertainment, cinemas, children’s play area, pool and spa (on some crossings) Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Fo ot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Roscoff is well placed for holidays in Brittany, Normandy and the Loir e Book a ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff >> Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS Journey time: 4 hours Timings: 3 daily sailings in both directions May-September (2 daily sailings at other times) Facilities on board: restaurant, bar, shop, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle free of charge. Other info: you can travel by coach from Dieppe to Paris in 2.5 hours or connect to the intercity French rail network via Rouen Book a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe >> Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries Journey time: 1.5 hours Timings: up to 2 3 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: food court, restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s club Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle free of charge but must book the bicycle in advance with one bicycle per booking so groups with multiple bicycles need to make separate bookings. Other info: there are four ticket types from Saver to Premier, which give you varying flexibility, wifi access and lounge access. Only passengers travelling with a car can bring their pet Dover to Calais with DFDS Journey time: 1.5 hours Timings: up to 30 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s play area, free wi-fi Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage and no extra cost to bring bicycles with a vehicle Other info: DFDS does not accept foot passengers on its Dover-Calais route - only those travelling with a vehicle. A ‘ Flexi ticket’ allows you to travel up to 72 hours either side of your original booking, subject to availability. Passengers can bring their pet at a cost of £15 each way. For onwards travel, Calais is on the Intercity rail network with the option to connect to towns including Boulogne, Lille, Amiens and Arras on the TER network. Book a ferry from Dover to Calais >> Dover to Dunkirk with DFDS Journey time: 2 hours Timings: up to 24 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s play area, free wi-fi Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage and no extra cost to bring bicycles with a vehicle Other info: DFDS does not accept foot passengers on its Dover-Dunkirk route - only those travelling with a vehicle. A ‘ Flexi ticket’ allows you to travel up to 72 hours either side of your original booking, subject to availability. Passengers can bring their pet at a cost of £15 each way. Dunkirk is well served by public transport - buses around the town are free and the train station is on the Intercity network with trains to Paris taking 2.5 hours Book a ferry from Dover to Dunkirk >> From Wales to Europe by coach Travelling by coach is usually the cheapest way to travel to Europe from Wales and is relatively straight forward thanks to the M4 motorway, which runs east-west from south Wales to London. For journeys starting in North Wales, coaches tend to travel via Crewe, Birmingham or Manchester. For more information on these, take a look at our guide for flight-free travel from the North of England to Europe . Here are a few sample journey times including a change in London: Coach from Cardiff to Paris: from 15.5 hours; Cardiff to Amsterdam: from 17 hours Coach from Swansea to Paris: from 17.5 hours; Swansea to Amsterdam: from 19 hours Coach from Newport to Paris: from 15 hours; Newport to Amsterdam: from 16.5 hours Most coach routes serving mid and west Wales start in Aberystwyth or connect through here via local services. From Aberystwyth coaches either run directly east through Shrewsbury to London and Birmingham, or head south via Swansea, Cardiff and Newport to London. National Express services terminate in London Victoria from where you can change to its international coach services which go to many European cities, including Calais, Paris, Lille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. Luggage: You can take a hand luggage bag and medium-sized bag for the hold weighing no more than 20kg. Only folding bicycles are accepted. Facilities: coaches are air conditioned and have wi-fi and USB charging points as well as toilets and while no refreshments are sold onboard, you can pack your own food and drink for the journey and stops are made at service stations to stock up on supplies. Another European coach operator is Flixbus, which now incorporates the Eurolines and Isilines bus companies, with services out of London Victoria. It offers more destinations than National Express and beyond - such as Vienna from London in 26 hours, Frankfurt in 13.5 hours and Prague in 24 hours. You can even travel as far as Bucharest - a 44-hour journey across six countries. The same luggage restrictions apply with one piece of hand luggage and one hold luggage up to 20kg, and bikes can be taken on the bike rack from E9 per journey. Buses have free wifi, charging sockets, toilets, and on some journeys food and drink is sold onboard in addition to the refreshment stops.  The cost varies depending on the route, time of year and so on, so check the coach operator’s website for fares. Coach tickets provided by Flixbus: From Wales to Europe by train To travel from Wales to Europe by rail, you need to go via London to connect to Eurostar’s international rail network out of London St Pancras International Railway Station. Here are a few train journey times (times show the total duration of the trip, including allowing for sufficient time to transfer from Paddington to the Eurostar check-in and for the 45-minute check-in time at Eurostar, based on appropriate times of connecting trains in to and out of London): Train from Cardiff to Paris: 6 hours; Cardiff to Amsterdam: 7.5 hours Train from Swansea to Paris: 5.5 hours; Swansea to Amsterdam: 9 hours Train from Newport to Paris: 6 hours; Newport to Amsterdam: 7 hours In north-west Wales, services start in Holyhead and onwards to Chester and Crewe to connect with rail routes in the North of England and onto London. For mid Wales, branch lines connect to Shrewsbury then onto Birmingham and finally London. On both of these routes your train would terminate in London Euston, from which it is a 15-minute walk to St Pancras. Rail services in south Wales run from Fishguard on the south-west tip of Wales through Swansea, Cardiff and Newport via Reading into London Paddington. From here it’s a 20 minute journey on the London Underground to St Pancras. Eurostar runs direct services to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lyon, Lille and Disneyland Paris (and in the winter there’s a ‘ski train’ service via Lille to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice). You can buy through-tickets that start outside of London and go beyond Eurostar’s destinations travelling with local operators. If you are travelling with a bike, check which routes accept bikes. The fee is around £30. Dogs are not permitted on Eurostar except guide dogs. Train tickets provided by Rail Europe: ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. Bon Voyage!

There are lots of ways to travel overland from South West England to Europe without flying. It is possible by rail, coach or ferry (in a car or as a foot passenger) or a combination of all three, from Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Taunton, Exeter, Bath, Bristol, and the rest of the west country. For instance, i n under six hours you could reach Paris from Bristol by train, or if you live on the south coast, you could reach Cherbourg in northern France by ferry in about the same time. Click on the following links to go to the relevant section on this page: By ferry By coach By train If you want to take your own car or plan to holiday in Brittany, Normandy or northern Spain without a car, there are numerous options from the various ferry ports along the south coast. You can catch a ferry with Brittany Ferries from Poole to Cherbourg and Plymouth to Roscoff or Santander, but the greatest choice of destinations is from Portsmouth, with services to Le Harve, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo, Bilbao and Santander. Newhaven is connected to Dieppe with DFDS, but Dover has the greatest choice of sailings to France with 50 departures a day in peak season across the Channel. For Calais you can choose P&O Ferries or sail with DFDS, which also runs a route to Dunkirk. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . If you’d rather go by road or rail, coaches and trains heading to the continent both use the Channel Tunnel, so you have to factor in the time it takes to travel east to London. If you take the train, once on the other side of the tunnel, you’re then connected to the European high-speed rail network, which can whizz you to many European capitals and beyond within hours. From South West England to Europe by Ferry You can hop across the English Channel direct from two of the West Country’s major ferry ports - Plymouth and Poole. The routes to Santander, Roscoff and Cherbourg are operated by Brittany Ferries and take between 4.5 and 18.5 hours depending on the route and departure time. The fastest crossing is the day crossing from Poole to Cherbourg, in France, while the longest distance travelled is aboard the overnight ferry from Plymouth to Santander in Spain. Examples of total journey times including allowance for check-in and transfers where relevant: Exeter to Calais: 7 hours to go by car or train and then ferry from Dover Exeter to Cherbourg: 7/10 hours to go by car/train and ferry from Poole Exeter to Santander: 22.5 hours to go by car or train and then ferry from Plymouth You have an option to take the train to the ferry port in Portsmouth, which takes around 2.5 hours from Bristol or 4 hours from Exeter, for example. Departing Portsmouth gives you a wider choice of routes with Brittany Ferries, opening up Le Harve, Caen, St Malo and Bilbao by day or overnight ferry. Newhaven is the departure point for ferries to Dieppe, but it takes longer on the train - 4 hours from Bristol and 6 hours from Exeter, taking the total journey times to 9 and 11 hours respectively to Dieppe. In this case, driving to Newhaven or going by car through the Eurotunnel to Dieppe would be significantly more time efficient. If you want to travel from the West Country to Calais without flying, it’s as quick to take the train all the way via London as it is to drive to Dover and take the ferry across - both routes take from about 6.5 hours including transfers and check-in times. Here is a summary of the ferry routes from the south coast ports that are accessible from the West Country: Poole to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 4.5 hours (9 hours for overnight return crossing) Timings: up to two return crossings per day in peak summer season. Leaves Poole at around 08:30 and arrives at 14:00, depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurant, bar, cafe, shop, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Cherbourg it is three hours to Paris by train but most people take a car as you can drive onto Normandy in just over an hour. Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 18.5 hours Timings: one sailing per week departing on Sundays at 16:45, arriving in Santander at 12:15, returning Wednesdays Facilities on board: restaurants, bars, cafe, shops, pool, live entertainment, cinemas, spa, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Brittany Ferries’ mini cruise package offers two nights on board the ship, Pont Aven on the journey out and back, plus two nights in Santander. For journeys on from Santander, the rail network works best if you want to head south, with Madrid a four-hour journey away and Leon 3.5 hours, but for east-west journeys, it’s best to travel by car or by bus with Alsa the leading coach company in the region. Plymouth to Roscoff with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 6-8 hours Timings: up to two return crossings per day in peak summer season with day and overnight options. Leaves Plymouth at around 08:00 and/or 22:00, depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurants, bars, cafe, shops, live entertainment, cinemas, children’s play area, pool and spa (on some crossings) Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Roscoff is well placed for holidays in Brittany, Normandy and the Loire Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS Journey time: 4 hours Timings: 3 daily sailings in both directions May-September (2 daily sailings at other times) Facilities on board: restaurant, bar, shop, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. F oot passengers can travel with a bicycle free of charge. Other info: you can travel by coach from Dieppe to Paris in 2.5 hours or connect to the intercity French rail network via Rouen Portsmouth to Le Harve with Brittany Ferries Journey time: day and overnight ferries take between 5.5 and 10 hours Timings: at least one daily departure, with up to two a day in the peak summer season. Departs Portsmouth 23:00 or 23:30, arrives Le Harve 8:00 or 08:30, with an extra seasonal departures - see website for details Facilities on board: small bar, self service restaurant, cinema, small shop and kids play area Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-4 people (6 berth on some ferries), including cabins suitable for a dog to travel alongside its owner Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: Le Harvre is the closest port to Paris by car. Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 6-7 hours Timings: daily departures in the peak summer season. Greatest choice of sailing times at 08:15, 14.45, 22:00 and 22:45 depending on the day and season Facilities on board: bar, restaurants, cinema, entertainment for adults and children, shops and kids play area Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-4 people and some ferries have cabins suitable for a dog to travel alongside its owner Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Caen you can connect to the high speed rail network in France via Le Mans or get to Paris by rail in two hours. Portsmouth to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 3 hours Timings: daily departures in the peak summer season. Leaves Portsmouth at 09:00, arriving in Cherbourg at 13:00, with extra departures depending on the season Facilities on board: lounge with reclining seats, shop, cafe and bar Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: from Cherbourg it is three hours to Paris by train but most people take a car as you can drive onto Normandy in just over an hour. Portsmouth to St Malo with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 7-11 hours Timings: sailings every day during the peak summer season. Leaves Portsmouth at 20:15, arriving in Cherbourg at 08:15, with slight changes to timings depending on the season and some day crossings from St Malo Facilities on board: cinemas, cabaret and live entertainment, restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: one of the boats on the route (Pont Aven) has a pool and leisure area. From St Malo you can drive to Brittany in 1.5 hours and the Dordogne in 6 hours. Otherwise by train you can get to Rennes in under an hour and Paris in three hours. Portsmouth to Bilbao with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 24-32 hours Timings: up to three return crossings each week. Leaves Portsmouth at 08:45, 12:00 or 22:30, depending on the day and season. Sundays sailings offer two nights onboard Facilities on board: restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping, pool, spa, cinema, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins including a cabin that accommodates a pet alongside its owners Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: opt for a Tuesday daytime crossing aboard the ‘no-frills’ ships, Baie de Seine or Connemara, for a more affordable crossing. Some crossings offer whale and dolphin spotting with the ‘ ORCA wildlife officers’. As with Santander, the Alsa coach service is best for onward journeys by public transport unless you are heading south by train towards Madrid. Portsmouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries Journey time: 24-32 hours Timings: two return crossings each week. Leaves Portsmouth at around 08:45 or 17:00 depending on the day and season Facilities on board: restaurants, bar, cafe, shopping, pool, spa, cinema, children’s play area Sleeper cabins: 2-4 berth cabins including a cabin that accommodates a pet alongside its owners Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a small charge each way. Other info: opt for a ‘no-frills’ ship for a more affordable crossing, which operates during peak season - check the Brittany Ferries website for details. Some crossings offer whale and dolphin spotting with the ‘ ORCA wildlife officers’. For journeys on from Santander, the rail network works best if you want to head south, with Madrid a four-hour journey away and Leon 3.5 hours, but for east-west journeys, it’s best to travel by car or by bus with Alsa the leading coach company in the region. Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries Journey time: 1.5 hours Timings: up to 2 3 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: food court, restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s club Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle free of charge but must book the bicycle in advance with one bicycle per booking so groups with multiple bicycles need to make separate bookings. Other info: there are four ticket types from Saver to Premier, which give you varying flexibility, wifi access and lounge access. Only passengers travelling with a car can bring their pet. Tickets provided by Direct Ferries. NB. when you book a ticket, the vehicle page is automatically populated to show a car, to change this to foot passenger select 'edit', and then from the drop down vehicle menu select 'Foot Passenger'. Select 'save' and then 'show times'. Dover to Calais with DFDS Journey time: 1.5 hours Timings: up to 30 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s play area, free wi-fi Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage and no extra cost to bring bicycles with a vehicle Other info: DFDS does not accept foot passengers on its Dover-Calais route - only those travelling with a vehicle. A ‘ Flexi ticket’ allows you to travel up to 72 hours either side of your original booking, subject to availability. Passengers can bring their pet at a cost of £15 each way. For onwards travel, Calais is on the Intercity rail network with the option to connect to towns including Boulogne, Lille, Amiens and Arras on the TER network. Dover to Dunkirk with DFDS Journey time: 2 hours Timings: up to 24 daily sailings in both directions, depending on the time of year Facilities on board: restaurant, cafe, bar, shop, kid’s play area, free wi-fi Luggage: there’s no limit on luggage and no extra cost to bring bicycles with a vehicle Other info: DFDS does not accept foot passengers on its Dover-Dunkirk route - only those travelling with a vehicle. A ‘ Flexi ticket’ allows you to travel up to 72 hours either side of your original booking, subject to availability. Passengers can bring their pet at a cost of £15 each way. Dunkirk is well served by public transport - buses around the town are free and the train station is on the Intercity network with trains to Paris taking 2.5 hours. From South West England to Europe by Coach Although travelling by coach is typically the most economical way to get to Europe without flying, it can be a challenge from parts of the West Country due to the distances involved - from Penzance in the far west of Cornwall to London alone is an 8.5 hour journey with National Express. However, the coach network has good coverage along the north and south coasts of the West Country and journeys that begin east of Exeter are significantly faster owing to the M5 and M4 motorway connection to London. Here are a few sample journey times including a change in London: Bristol to Paris: from 13.5 hours Bristol to Amsterdam: from 15 hours Exeter to Paris: from 14.5 hours Exeter to Amsterdam: from 17 hours Penzance to Paris: from 18 hours Penzance to Amsterdam: from 21 hours National Express services terminate in London Victoria from where you can change to its international coach services which go to many European cities, including Calais, Paris, Lille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. Luggage: You can take a hand luggage bag and medium-sized bag for the hold weighing no more than 20kg. Only folding bicycles are accepted. Facilities: coaches are air conditioned and have wi-fi and USB charging points as well as toilets and while no refreshments are sold onboard, you can pack your own food and drink for the journey and stops are made at service stations to stock up on supplies. Another European coach operator is Flixbus, which now incorporates the Eurolines and Isilines bus companies, with services out of London Victoria. It offers more destinations than National Express and beyond - such as Vienna from London in 26 hours, Frankfurt in 13.5 hours and Prague in 24 hours. You can even travel as far as Bucharest - a 44-hour journey across six countries. The same luggage restrictions apply with one piece of hand luggage and one hold luggage up to 20kg, and bikes can be taken on the bike rack from E9 per journey. Buses have free wifi, charging sockets, toilets, and on some journeys food and drink is sold onboard in addition to the refreshment stops.  The cost varies depending on the route, time of year and so on, so check the coach operator’s website for fares. From South West England to Europe by Train To travel from the West Country to Europe by rail, you need to go via London to connect to Eurostar’s international rail network out of London St Pancras International Railway Station. Here are a few journey times (times show the total duration of the trip, including allowing for sufficient time to transfer from Paddington or Waterloo to the Eurostar check-in and for the 45-minute check-in time at Eurostar, based on appropriate times of connecting trains in to and out of London): Train from Bristol to Paris: 5.5 hours Bristol to Amsterdam: 6.5 hours Train from Exeter to Paris: 6.5 hours Exeter to Amsterdam: 8 hours Train from Penzance to Paris: 10 hours Penzance to Amsterdam: 11.5 hours The journey time from Penzance to London by train is around 5.5 hours. Despite its position on the western tip of England’s rail network, it can take longer to reach London from parts of north Devon or Somerset, because they are served by branch lines with less frequent trains. Most of the London-bound rail services that start in the West Country pass through Reading and terminate in London Paddington. However, from places such as Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth in the south of Dorset, and in the case of some Exeter services, trains terminate at London Waterloo. From Paddington or Waterloo it’s about a 20 minute journey on the London Underground to St Pancras. Eurostar runs direct services to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lyon, Lille and Disneyland Paris (and during the summer a direct train to Avignon and Marseille and the winter there’s a direct ‘ski train’ service to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice). You can buy through-tickets that start outside of London and go beyond Eurostar’s destinations travelling with local operators. If you are travelling with a bike, check which routes accept bikes. The fee is around £30. Dogs are not permitted on Eurostar except guide dogs. Train tickets provided by Rail Europe: ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers.

It is possible to travel from Scotland to Europe without flying; by taking the ferry (either in a car or as a foot passenger), by coach or by train, or, more typically, a combination of these. The only passenger ferry operating between Scotland and continental Europe ceased the route between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in 2010. However, ferry services from Newcastle and Hull are accessible by train from Scotland via Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed. There’s also a cheaper option to connect to the Hull and Newcastle ferries from Scotland by coach, although this takes longer than the train. The North Sea ferries then head east to Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Hook of Holland from where you can head deeper into Europe. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the ports at Newcastle and Hull, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . Images: DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam Coach and and train services from Scotland need to use the Channel Tunnel to cross The Channel, so you have to factor in the time it takes to get south. If you take the train, once on the other side of the tunnel, you’re then connected to the European high-speed rail network, which can whizz you to many European capitals and beyond within hours. Our team has tried and tested many of the routes and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. From Scotland to Europe by Ferry By ferry via Newcastle to Amsterdam The ferry port closest to the Scottish border that connects with Europe is Newcastle, from which DFDS takes foot passengers on its 17.00 overnight sailings to Amsterdam. Journey time: 15.5 hours (overnight) Timings: Departs Newcastle 17:00, arrives Amsterdam 9.45am. The additional journey time for those travelling from Edinburgh would be around 2.5 hours - allowing around 1.5 hours for the Edinburgh-Newcastle train plus 30 minutes for the transfer bus to the International Ferry Terminal. DFDS buses operate from Berwick Street opposite Newcastle Central Station to the ferry terminal at times to coincide with its sailings. Bus tickets must be bought in advance online or over the phone. Travelling from Glasgow to the International Ferry Terminal would take from around 3.5 hours by train and bus and from Aberdeen, 5 hours. Adding at least an hour for check-in this takes the total journey times to approximately: Edinburgh to Amsterdam: 19 hours Glasgow to Amsterdam: 20 hours Aberdeen to Amsterdam: 21.5 hours Facilities on board the ferry: bars, restaurants, casino, cinema and kids club Sleeper Cabins: take from 2-5 people, and, unlike most ferry operators that insist dogs are kept in cars or kennels, there are cabins suitable for up to two dogs to travel alongside their owners. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers can travel with a bicycle for a charge of £5 each way, and those without wheels can hop onto a coach on arrival at the port of Ijmuiden to travel the 25 miles into central Amsterdam. Other info: DFDS offers a ‘mini cruise’ option, which includes breaks in Amsterdam from five hours to two nights and include coach transfers at either end. From Amsterdam it’s easy to connect by rail to cities and regions across the Netherlands, as well as onto France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and beyond. By ferry from Hull to Rotterdam (The Netherlands) Scottish travellers willing to travel further south still along the east coast can travel with P&O Ferries overnight between Hull and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Journey time: 12 hours (overnight), with an additional journey time of between 8-11 hours for those travelling from Scotland by train, including the minimum 90-minute check-in for the ferry. On arrival at Hull station by train, there’s a bus that goes to the port from the adjoining interchange station. Number 70 operates from Paragon Interchange to the ferry terminal at 5pm and takes 15 minutes, but for more flexibility, a taxi is a good bet. These are the approximate total journey times by train and ferry from Scotland to the continent including bus transfers and 90-minute check-in: Edinburgh to Rotterdam/Amsterdam: 20 hours Glasgow to Rotterdam/Amsterdam: 20 hours Aberdeen to Rotterdam/Amsterdam: 23 hours Timings: Hull to Rotterdam departs 20:30 and arrives Rotterdam at 8:15 (9:00 at weekends) Facilities: Restaurants, bars, cinemas, a casino and kids play area. Sleeper Cabins: options range from a standard cabin, with a toilet and shower room, to a sea view cabin or a club cabin with extra space and a television - sleeping between two and five people per cabin. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage, and you can travel with a pet and a bicycle. Pets are charged at £22 each way and must travel in a kennel. Bicycles are carried free of charge but only one is allowed per foot passenger booking, so a group travelling with multiple bikes need to make a separate booking per bike. You can book the ferry solely as transport, but for some, it’s the holiday in itself - a mini cruise out of Hull with P&O offers two nights on a ferry to and from Rotterdam with a day trip (which can be extended to an extra night) to explore the city between sailings. Themed mini breaks take this up a notch with entertainment such as live music or darts competitions onboard. Many passengers use Rotterdam as a gateway to Brussels, Antwerp or Paris but from either point, it is straight-forward to connect by rail to other destinations in the Netherlands and Belgium as well as Germany, Luxembourg  and France. Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports from the UK to Rotterdam. By ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland (The Netherlands) The shortest ferry route across the North Sea from the UK is from Harwich in Essex with Stena Line to The Hook of Holland (known as ‘Hoek van Holland’). From Scotland it takes from at least 6.5 hours to reach Harwich by train via London, or 14 hours by bus, the cheapest option. You can then choose to go across the North Sea either during the day or overnight. Journey time: it is a 7-8 hour crossing (day time or overnight) Here are approximate journey times not including an overnight stay for the morning ferry: Edinburgh to Hook of Holland: from 14.5 hours Glasgow to Hook of Holland: from 16 hours Aberdeen to Hook of Holland: from 18 hours The travel time from Scotland’s mainland cities to Harwich is between 6-10 hours plus the minimum 45-minute check-in. Trains stop at Harwich International Station, which is next to the ferry port. Unfortunately the Caledonian Sleeper train arrives in London too late to connect with a train to Harwich to catch the 9am ferry, as does the overnight bus from Glasgow to Harwich via Heathrow, so passengers from Scotland on the morning ferry need to consider overnight accommodation in London or close to Harwich. Although it’s a longer journey in the UK to travel down south, the total journey times via Harwich for the overnight ferry compare favourably to the ferries leaving from Hull to the Netherlands because of the shorter crossing. It ultimately depends on your final destination and preferred departure time, but it’s worth comparing both ferry options before committing. Timings: departs Harwich at 9am, arrives Hook of Holland at 17.15; overnight service departs Harwich at 23:00, arrives Hook of Holland at 08:00. Facilities: restaurants and bars, a cinema and shops. Sleeper Cabins: on the overnight ferry you can choose from a range of cabins, from a single inside cabin with television and ensuite bathroom to cabins for two, three, four of five people, including the Comfort Class cabins with sea view and complimentary minibar. Luggage: There’s no limit on luggage. Foot passengers with bicycles pay an extra fee of £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and it costs £20 to bring your dog, which must travel in a kennel. Ferry sailing times and journey times can change so check the website for the latest times. From Scotland to Europe by Coach Travelling by coach is usually the cheapest way to travel to Europe from Scotland, but also the most lengthy.  Flixbus runs an intercity coach service from cities across Scotland, which now incorporates the Eurolines and Isilines bus companies, with services out of London Victoria. It offers destinations beyond the nearest cities in northern Europe - such as Vienna from London in 26 hours, Frankfurt in 13.5 hours and Prague in 24 hours. You can even travel as far as Bucharest - a 44-hour journey across six countries. Coaches go direct from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh to London Victoria where you can change to its international coach services which go to many European cities, including Calais, Paris, Lille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. Here are a few sample journey times: Aberdeen to Paris: from 25 hours Aberdeen to Amsterdam:  from 26 hours Glasgow to Paris:  from 21 hours Glasgow to Amsterdam:  from 22 hours Edinburgh to Paris:  from 22.5 hours Edinburgh to Amsterdam:  from 22.5 hours Luggage:  You can take a hand luggage bag and medium-sized bag for the hold weighing no more than 20kg. Only folding bicycles are accepted. Facilities:  coaches are air conditioned and have free wifi, charging sockets, toilets, and on some journeys food and drink is sold onboard in addition to the refreshment stops. Alternatively, pack your own food and drink for the journey and/or make use of the stops that are made at service stations en route to stock up on supplies. National Express also runs an intercity coach service from cities across Scotland including Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh and from Inverness with Scottish Citylink services. The same luggage restrictions apply with one piece of hand luggage and one hold luggage up to 20kg. The cost varies depending on the route, time of year and so on, so check the coach operator’s website for fares. From Scotland to Europe by Train To access Europe by rail, travellers from Scotland must first travel to London before connecting to Eurostar services from London St Pancras International Railway Station. Here are a few journey times (times show the total duration of the trip, including allowing for sufficient time to walk to the Eurostar check-in from Euston or Kings Cross and for the 30/45-minute check-in time at Eurostar, based on appropriate times of connecting trains in to and out of London): Train from Edinburgh to Paris: 8 hours; Edinburgh to Amsterdam: 9.5 hours Train from Glasgow to Paris: 8.5 hours; Glasgow to Amsterdam: 10 hours Train from Aberdeen to Paris: 10.5 hours; Aberdeen to Amsterdam: 13.5 hours Trains from cities in Scotland are operated by a variety of rail companies into London - LNER runs trains from St Pancras up the east coast via Peterborough, York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, with some continuing on to Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness. Avanti West Coast operates trains on the other coast between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Birmingham and Manchester. These terminate at London Euston, which is a 10-minute walk from London St Pancras. Also terminating at Euston is the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight rail service that connects London with Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and beyond to some of the more remote Highland rail stations such as Aviemore. The sleeper arrives between 7-8am at Euston, and travellers should allow at least an hour and a half to get to St Pancras and adhere to the 30-minute Eurostar check-in (45 minutes at weekends). Eurostar runs direct services to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Lyon, Lille and Disneyland Paris (during the summer there’s a direct train to Avignon and Marseille and in the winter there’s an indirect ‘ Eurostar snow train ’ service vai Lille to Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice). You can buy through-tickets that start in Scotland and go beyond Eurostar’s destinations travelling with local operators. If you are travelling with a bike, check which routes accept bikes. The fee is around £30. Dogs are not permitted on Eurostar except guide dogs. Tickets provided by Rail Europe, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. Bon Voyage!

As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Nouvelle-Aquitaine , here's our guide to how to travel flight-free to this beautiful region in France. There are lots of ways to travel overland to Nouvelle-Aquitaine from the UK whether you want to travel by train, coach, car, or ferry from southern England. Thanks to the introduction of L'Océane high-speed rail link, it's just 2 hours by train to Bordeaux from Paris, so you can easily get there in a day from London via Eurostar. Other cities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine are also well connected to Paris by train and coach. If you're travelling on foot, then on arrival at many of the ports and railway stations in Paris, there are plenty of options for onward travel by rail and bus to Nouvelle Aquitaine. It's also about four hours drive from the ferry ports of Northern France. For those who want to drive in an electric car, there are charging points at Eurotunnel, and for your onward journey in France, the good news is that there's currently a huge expansion of charging facilities underway throughout the country. Less Carbon, More Fun! Photos left to right: Train: Eurostar, Ferry: Brittany Ferries; Surfing: Federation Francaise de Surf/JUSTES @CRTNA; Family boating in Marais Poitevin, known as 'Green Venice': Mathieu Anglada @CRTNA By train from the UK to Nouvelle-Aquitaine It is easy to travel by train to Nouvelle-Aquitaine in a day from the UK. The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Gare du Nord in the French capital Paris (2 hours 16 mins) and then cross Paris to take the high speed train from either Gare Montparnasse or Gare Austerlitz, depending on whereabouts you want to go to in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Head to Montparnasse for high-speed TGV trains to Poitiers (1 hour 18 mins), Angoulême (1 hour 43 mins), Niort (1 hour 45 mins), Bordeaux (2 hours), La Rochelle (2 hours 26 mins), and Bayonne (3 hours 53 mins), and Pau (4 hours 9 mins), as well as for Ouigo services to Agen (3 hours 12 mins), and to Austerlitz for the slower regional TER intercity trains to cities such as Limoges (3 hours 26 mins) and Brive (4 hours 36 mins). It's also possible to travel by train from Lille to Nouvelle-Aquitaine in 4 hours 30 mins - handy if you prefer not to cross Paris; in Lille you change on to a train in the same station as the one you arrive in to on Eurostar from London. If you're not used to take the metro in Paris, transferring train stations may seem daunting but the connections are pretty seamless – s ee How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Train tickets provided by Rail Europe: Photos, Left: Eurostar at St Pancras, London: Richard Hammond. Centre: Eurostar travelling through southern England en route to the Channel Tunnel. Right: Eurostar's route map. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay conveniently near the Eurostar arrival station in Gare du Nord (after you arrive on Eurostar) or near Gare Montparnasse (for your departure to Bordeaux) or Gare Austerlitz (for your departure to other cities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine). Hotels close to Gare du Nord 🚉 Grand Hotel de Paris  and Hôtel Kabanel  are just a few minutes walk from Gare du Nord (and Gare de L'Est so also great if you're heading out east). Rooms from about €100 per night. Green Traveller's Top Pick 💚 Mob Hotel  is a particularly environmentally friendly and socially conscious hotel that's in the heart of St Ouen, just a few miles north of Gare du Nord and close to the Garibaldi metro station (line 13). The hotel is all about being socially engaged within its neighbourhood (the artistic creations of local craftspeople are everywhere), but it also has strong eco credentials, such as water jugs rather than plastic bottles, refillable toiletries and organic cosmetics in the rooms. The restaurant is fully organic with a seasonal menu that draws on produce from farming cooperatives or direct from local producers (they also make their own honey and beer). Eco-certified hotels in Paris ✔️ If you're looking for other green hotels in the French Capital, then these have all been certified by an accredited ecolabel: Hotel Gavarnie  (near the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides Museum) | Hotel Le Pavillion  (a former convent in the Saint-Dominique area) | Amélie Hotel  (2-star) | Hôtel Malar  (10 minutes from the Champs Elysees). By Coach from the UK to Nouvelle-Aquitaine The major coach operators from the UK to France are Flixbus  and BlaBlaCarBus , which run services from London Victoria Coach Station to Paris Gare de Bercy Seine via one of the Dover-Calais ferry services. Flixbus and National Express runs coaches from most major cities in the UK to London for you to transfer to the international service to France. Coach travel is often the cheapest (and greenest) way to travel long distance. Photo: Flixbus By Ferry from the UK to Nouvelle-Aquitaine The modernisation of ferry services has revolutionised the experience of travelling across the English Channel. Especially for longer overnight crossings to the continent where you can travel in style on spacious ships, enjoy fine dining in la carte restaurants, spa treatment rooms, and comfortable en suite cabins, so on arrival you feel refreshed for the onward journey. There are also plenty of facilities to keep children entertained during the crossing, including soft play areas, games rooms, live entertainment and cinema. Europe has never felt closer. Photos: left to right: Interiors show on board a DFDS Seaways ferry; exterior: Brittany Ferries There are several operators that run ferries from southern England to northern France that cater for foot passengers. The ports on both sides of the crossing are well connected by public transport, so it’s easy to travel by bus or train to the ports in the UK, as well as disembark on the other side and continue the journey overland. One of the easiest crossings on foot is to go from Newhaven to Dieppe because there's such an easy transfer from the railway station in Newhaven on to the ferry. On arrival in Dieppe, you can either walk about 25 minutes to the railway station or there's a shuttle bus that can take you there. If you prefer to travel from elsewhere on the south coast of England, there are departures from Dover, Poole, Portsmouth and Plymouth with a variety of operators. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . The main ferry services from the south of England to northern France are as follows: Dover Dover to Calais: 5 sailings per day (for foot passengers) with P&O Ferries NB. although there are also sailings from Dover to Calais with DFDS Seaways (10 sailings per day), and Irish Ferries (4 sailings per day) they do not allow foot passengers. NB. There is also a ferry from Dover to Dunkirk (12 sailings per day with DFDS Seaways) but it is not available for foot passengers. Tickets provided by P&O Ferries. NB. when you book a ticket, the vehicle page is automatically populated to show a car, to change this to foot passenger select 'edit', and then from the drop down vehicle menu select 'Foot Passenger'. Select 'save' and then 'show times'. Newhaven to Dieppe 21 crossings per week with DFDS Seaways Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo Portsmouth to Caen: 3 sailings per day with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Cherbourg: 1 per week with Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to St Malo: 1 per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) : Poole to Cherbourg 1 sailing per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) : Plymouth to Roscoff 1 sailing per day with Brittany Ferries Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries ( NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process) : All aboard a foot passenger ferry. Photo: Richard Hammond Onward journeys by public transport from France's ferry ports When you disembark from the ferry there are plenty of local public transport services for onward travel. For step-by-step instructions for how to transfer from the ferry on to local services at all the major arrival ports in France, see our Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . By car from the UK to France Cars can be taken on all the major ferry routes described in the foot passenger section above, as well as the Dover to Calais route run by DFDS and Irish Ferries (neither take foot passengers on this route). Driving electric cars from the UK to France You can also take an electric car on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle - there are rapid chargers for universal electric and hybrid cars, as well as dedicated Tesla chargers, at both terminals so you can recharge before you head through the tunnel on either side. Electric car hire: There has been a huge increase in the production of electric cars in recent years and many of the large car rental companies, such as Enterprise, Avis, Europcar, and SIXT now hire electric cars in France, see: Enterprise: https://www.enterprise.co.uk/en/car-hire/vehicles/fr/cars/electric.html Avis: https://www.avis.co.uk/drive-avis/fleet/prestige/uk/Electric Europcar: https://www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/car-rental/fleet/type/electric SIXT: https://www.sixt.com/magazine/fleet/electric-cars-pros-and-cons Do make sure you hire a car that has the appropriate mileage per battery that’s relevant for your use. Public charging networks provide a mixture of slow, fast and rapid charging points operated by either a national or regional network, so do check the location of the charging points as well as the charging time and payment methods. The car hire company may be able to advise on this when you hire the car – some may have arrangements with energy partners and can provide you with a charge card that you can use at a number of locations in France. Charging electric vehicles in France Electric vehicle (EV) charging networks are expanding very quickly across France. As in the UK there are different companies providing chargers, but the market is much more fragmented on the continent – if you think it’s complicated in the UK, in France and across Europe there is a bewildering number of providers. In most cases, you need to log in using a network RFID card, a key fob or an app, some of which need to be pre-loaded with funds. Chargers that accept a contactless debit or credit card are still not widespread. Thankfully, there are aggregators who can provide an RFID card that works on several different networks, reducing the number of cards or apps you need to obtain. As in the UK, there are chargers at many motorway service areas and are also generally found where cars are likely to be parked for a while, such as supermarkets, shopping centre car parks, hotels and tourist attractions. The Automobile Association has a handy guide to recharging in Europe, including the latest information on the charging networks in France and breakdown cover for electric vehicles in Europe. The situation is changing rapidly, so it’s always worth checking the AA’s website again just before you embark on a journey in Europe. Also, keep an eye on the website zap-map.com for the latest news about electric vehicles and the expansion of charging networks throughout the continent. The infrastructure for charging electric cars is developing all the time in France. Photo: Wixmedia ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey to Nouvelle-Aquitaine and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers. Bon Voyage! For characterful places to stay, where to find delicious seasonal food, places of interest and outdoor adventure activities, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Nouvelle Aquitaine

Green Traveller's Guide to travelling overland by train and ferry from the UK to the island of Formentera, Spain. Formentera doesn't have an airport, so in fact the only way to reach it is by boat. There are direct ferries to Formentera from Barcelona and Denia , or you can take a ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia to Ibiza from where you catch the 30-minute inter-island ferry to Formentera . Journey Time from London: approx 24-36 hours Sample timetable: Depart London St Pancras early morning, arrive Barcelona in late afternoon, catch overnight ferry to arrive the following morning in Formentera Changes: 2 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon, then Barcelona Sants railway station to Port de Barcelona Carbon emissions: 62.4 kg for train and ferry (flight would be 242.1kg)* Train tickets provided by Rail Europe, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in Spain across to Ibiza and Formentera. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? Thanks to the new high speed line in Spain, it is possible to travel from London down to Barcelona in a day by train. You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a half to get the connection, though you could get an earlier train and spent a bit more time in Paris, e.g. have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu Restaurant in Gare de Lyon). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Barcelona Sants' station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). Option 1: Direct Ferry from Barcelona to Formentera Benvingut a Barcelona! Bienvenido a Barcelona! Barcelona-Sants station is to the south-west of Barcelona's city centre, which is on lines 3 and 5 of the metro, as well as suburban train routes. There are plenty of hotels close to Barcelona Sants station, see below. NB There are two other train stations in Barcelona: Barcelona- Estació de França , on the edge of the old town, to the east of the centre, which is on line four of the metro, and is a terminus for some suburban train lines; and Barcelona-Passeig de Gràcia , just north of the centre, on the main Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, which is on lines two, three, and four of the metro, plus suburban rail lines. Bus services are available from all three train termini. Transfer from Barcelona Sants to Port de Barcelona It's about 2.5 miles (4k) from Barcelona Sants railway station to the port, about 10-12 minutes in a taxi but you can get there easily by metro in about 15 minutes, taking the L3 (green) line from the metro station at the station (known as 'Sants Estació') to Drassanes from where it's a couple of minutes walk to the ferry's check-in desk. More on getting around Barcelona The easiest mode of transport for visitors in Barcelona is the metro , which consists of eight colour coded lines – take a look at the Barcelona metro network map . The metro is supplemented by three suburban rail lines, part of the wider Catalan rail network (FGC), they are of limited use to visitors unless you are making trips outside of the city; the city also boasts two modern tram lines. In addition, there is of course a network of buses covering both the city and metropolitan area of Barcelona – like the metro, they are run by TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona), you can access a map and bus route timetables on the TMB website (information in English). A range of different fares and passes for the public transport network is available; the TMB information offers full Barcelona transport ticket and fare information. Additionally, Hola BCN travel cards give unlimited travel for periods of between one and five days across Barcelona; and the Barcelona card offers unlimited travel plus free entry and discounts at many major attractions in the city. If you prefer to stay out in the open air, you could travel around Barcelona by bike – the city has a network of segregated cycle lanes, and the official tourism website recommends bike rental providers . As with many major European cities, Barcelona has a bike sharing scheme, where you can pick up a bike at a docking station near the start of your journey and return it to another station at your destination. A bit more about Barcelona Barcelona is the largest city and capital of Catalonia. The Catalans are a proud people. Proud of their language, history, cuisine, wine, their natural and cultural heritage. It’s no surprise: there’s so much to be proud of in this extraordinarily diverse land. That love of the region translates not just into a warm welcome for visitors, encouraged to explore the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the cities, mountains and coasts. It’s also reflected in a respect for the environment: Catalonia has been designated the first whole-region Unesco Biosphere Destination, reflecting its dedication to sustainable tourism, along with sites including Barcelona, Sitges and the Terres de l’Ebre. From the Pyrenees in the north to bird-bustling wetlands in the south, dramatic gorges and vine-striped highlands and sandy shores, the range of activities, culture and cuisine is astonishing. For information about where to travel in Catalonia, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Catalonia . Departing from Barcelona to Formentera The direct ferry service from Barcelona to Formentera is an overnight service (it takes about 11.5 hours), departing late evening (usually about 22:00) and arriving in to Formentera at a very civilised time the following morning, about 09.30. There are cabins on board so you can have a decent night's sleep, and there's no weight limit on baggage. Option 2: Direct Ferry from Denia to Formentera Denia is about 290 miles (460 km) south of Barcelona (it's between Valencia and Alicante and takes 6–7 hours by train from Barcelona), but can be a good option if you prefer a shorter ferry journey to Formentera - the crossing is just 2-3 hours. Option 3: Ferry via Ibiza from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia There are ferry services from the Spanish mainland – from Barcelona, Valencia and Denia – to Ibiza from where you can then take the 30-minute inter-island ferry across to Formentera. The ferry from Barcelona is an overnight service and takes 8-9 hours. The ferry from Valencia is about 5 hours (Valencia is about 220 miles (350km) south of Barcelona and takes 3-4 hours by train). The ferry from Denia is just 2-3 hours (Denia is 6–7 hours by train from Barcelona). Inter-island ferry between Ibiza and Formentera The crossing from Ibiza to Formentera takes just 30 minutes on the inter-island Aquabus ferry. It departs once every 30 minutes throughout the day, with the first leaving at 7am and the last at 8.30pm. For the return journey, the first ferry is also at 7:00 and the last departure is at 10pm so you can make the most of our final day on the island. The ferry departs from the Port of Ibiza in Ibiza Town (where the ferries from Barcelona, Denia and Valencia arrive, so it's an easy transfer to the inter-island ferry) and arrives in Formentera at La Savina. For more information about the ferry, including the schedule, see aquabusferryboats.com Balearia runs ferries from the Spanish mainland to Ibiza and Formentera. Photo: Direct Ferries For more overland routes to Spain, see Green Traveller's Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner * Data for carbon emissions

There are several ways to travel to Italy from the UK without flying thanks to Eurostar's service from London connecting with a variety of high-speed train services from either Paris or Lille to northern Italy. The good news is that you can reach cities such as Turin and Milan as well as lakes Como and Garda in the north of Italy within a day from London. The following morning you can then whizz down by train to further destinations in Italy , including Rome, Florence and Naples, to the Amalfi Coast, and across by ferry to the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. There is also a slower route to Italy by ferry from Harwich in the East of England to Rotterdam in The Netherlands and then onward by train to Italy, or alternatively, if you live in the North of England or Scotland, you could take the ferry from Newcastle or Hull to The Netherlands an then onward by train to Italy. For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe . I have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on my experience. On arrival in Italy, there are plenty of options at rail terminals for onward travel by rail and bus. It's a lovely journey by train to Italy. Photos: Eurostar and Wix Media By train from the UK to Italy Route 1: Via Paris It is possible to travel by train to Italy in a day from the UK. The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station then change in Paris to catch one of the many high speed TGV trains to Turin and Milan in northern Italy. For instance, you could catch the 10.22am Eurostar and reach Turin at 9.18pm and Milan at 10.07pm. You could also take any Eurostar to Paris and stay overnight in the French capital and then catch one of the high-speed TGV trains to Italy the following day. See our detailed guides for sample departure and arrival times and transfers in Paris: Train from London to Milan (the arrival station is 'Milan Porta Garibaldi') Train from London to Turin ('Torino Porta Susa') Train tickets provided by Rail Europe: Tickets provided by Rail Europe, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . In Paris, you have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a half to get the connection, though you could get an earlier train and spent a bit more time in Paris, e.g. have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu Restaurant in Gare de Lyon). At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to Torino Porta Susa station, which continues to Milan Porta Garibaldi . See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey en route (either on the outward journey and/or on the way back) and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris, there are lots of lovely places to stay in Paris conveniently near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels close to Gare du Nord 🚉 Grand Hotel de Paris  and Hôtel Kabanel  are just a few minutes walk from Gare du Nord (and Gare de L'Est so also great if you're heading out east). Rooms from about €100 per night. Green Traveller's Top Pick 💚 Mob Hotel  is a particularly environmentally friendly and socially conscious hotel that's in the heart of St Ouen, just a few miles north of Gare du Nord and close to the Garibaldi metro station (line 13). The hotel is all about being socially engaged within its neighbourhood (the artistic creations of local craftspeople are everywhere), but it also has strong eco credentials, such as water jugs rather than plastic bottles, refillable toiletries and organic cosmetics in the rooms. The restaurant is fully organic with a seasonal menu that draws on produce from farming cooperatives or direct from local producers (they also make their own honey and beer). Eco-certified hotels in Paris ✔️ If you're looking for other green hotels in the French Capital, then these have all been certified by an accredited ecolabel: Hotel Gavarnie  (near the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides Museum) | Hotel Le Pavillion  (a former convent in the Saint-Dominique area) | Amélie Hotel  (2-star) | Hôtel Malar  (10 minutes from the Champs Elysees). Return journey back from Italy to the UK via Paris As with the outward journey via Paris, you can travel back from Italy to the UK in a day by train via Paris. For instance, you could take the 6.00am train from Milan or the 7.39am from Turin to Gare de Lyon, transfer across Paris to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar and arrive back in London at 4.37pm. Route 2: Via Lille If you prefer not to cross Paris to change trains, then the option of simply changing trains in Lille could be for you. It requires a simply same-station change of train in Lille down to Lyon where you stay overnight (there are plenty of hotels very close to the station in Lyon - see below), and then in the morning you can take a ' Frecciarossa' high-speed train to Turin and Milan. These Frecciarossa trains are run by Trenitalia (the Italian railway operator). Lyon is a great place to stop over en route to Italy Onwards by train through Italy from Turin and Milan There are onward trains from Turin and Milan to destinations throughout Italy. It's just a short onward journey to both Lake Como (Como San Giovanni) and Lake Garda (there are two stations on Lake Garda (it's a big lake!): Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda). In fact, both lakes can reached in the same day from London – just take the onward train from Turin or Milan –Lake Como is just 50 minutes from Milan and Lake Garda is about an hour and half from Milan. See our guides to how to travel to the following destinations, with sample schedules and transfers, all the way from London: Train from London to Rome Train from London to Florence Train from London to Naples Return journey back from Italy to the UK via Lyon and Lille As with the outward journey via Lille and Lyon, you can travel back from Italy to the UK by train via Lyon and Lille (you can actually do the return journey in one day). For instance, you could take the 6.25am train from Milan or the 7.11am from Turin to arrive in at Lyon at 11.08 then take the 11.35am train to Lille arriving at 3.48pm to catch the 4.48pm Eurostar and arrive back in London at 5pm – or if that's a bit tight (remember you'll have the 45-60min check in time for Eurostar), you could catch the 7.35pm Eurostar arriving in to London at 7.57pm. By ferry and train from the UK to Italy There are three options to go by ferry: i. From Harwich in the East of England to The Netherlands and then onward by train to Italy. The ferry service is Stenaline's integrated Rail & Sail initiative, which combines a rail ticket to Harwich with the cost of the overnight ferry over to Hoek van Holland (Rotterdam). The joy of this trip is that as well as the excellent on board facilities on the ferry (including restaurants and cabins) it's just a short walk from Harwich railway station on to the ferry, and also on arrival off the ferry at Hoek van Holland to the departing train. On arrival at Hoek van Holland you can take the train to Amsterdam and then onwards to Munich (arriving in the early evening) and then catch any number of trains to Italy, including an overnight sleeper train to Venice (from where you can take trains to Florence, Rome and Naples). ii. From Hull to The Netherlands and then onward by train to Italy. P&O operates an overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Hoek van Holland (Rotterdam) from where you can take the train via Amsterdam and the sleeper from Munich to Venice (see above). Tickets provided by P&O ferries: iii. From Newcastle to The Netherlands and then onward by train to Italy. DFDS Seaways run an overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden (Amsterdam) from where you can take the train to Munich and then the sleeper to Venice (see above). Tickets provided by DFDS Seaways: The slow route to Europe, by overnight ferry from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle to The Netherlands ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan a journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers.

Teresa Machan explores the little-visited island of El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands, swimming in sea pools and joining a boat tour to learn more about the island's rich underwater marine life. She also discovers to her surprise that while much of the interior is strewn with crumpled lava, pockets of the island are green and forested The Punta Orchilla lighthouse at the southwestern tip of El Hierro, which was once marked 'prime' or zero meridian in the Old World until the official meridian moved to Greenwich, UK. Photo: Richard Hammond I didn’t take too kindly to my guide Paolo’s suggestion that we go and look at a windfarm. My first day on El Hierro had been filled with unusual and extraordinary sights and, well, I stare at 116 wind turbines every day in the English Channel. Did I really need to see five more? Paolo’s confused expression said it all, but he agreed to move our visit and round off the day with a dip at La Maceta – a trio of lava-hooped sea pools (charcos) scoured by the North Atlantic Ocean. El Hierro has six beaches – one of them sandy – but the sea is mostly accessed via boardwalks, rails and ladders that drop down into clear, black-green water. Teresa at La Maceta sea pool at sunset. Photo: Richard Hammond You don’t need to stay in fancy hotel to enjoy sublime infinity-edge views. I tiptoed around the lava rim just as the setting sun began gilding the surface of the ocean and found a viewing perch on a natural sea ledge. Wallowing in the warm wave-washed water (around 22 C in mid-October), I waited until the afterglow had tinted the pools peach and pink. Hailing from northern Italy, Paolo Baudino came to El Hiero for a long weekend with his wife, Enrica. Having set up the guiding company Atlántida, the pair is still here almost 25 years later, living the dream under one of the island’s 10,000 volcanoes. Not a bad advert for a European island many have never heard of. The youngest and most westerly of the Spanish archipelago, El Hierro was declared a Geopark in 2014 by UNESCO and a World Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Scarred by cones and craters, while swathes of the island are ruggedly sparse, their fire-hewn birth story told in folds of crumpled lava, elsewhere are intriguing pockets of deep and verdant forest. It peaks at 1,501 metres and roads that hairpin through several microclimates can take you from prickly-pear orchard to pungent pine forest in the blink of an eye. From loamy laurisilva to black-sand calderas and cow-dotted pastures that are reminiscent of the Yorkshire Dales, the island is full of surprises. Scarred by cones and craters, while swathes of the island are ruggedly sparse, their fire-hewn birth story told in folds of crumpled lava, elsewhere are intriguing pockets of deep and verdant forest. The absence of direct flights, big hotels and sandy beaches keeps El Hierro well under the under the radar. Of the 30,000 to 40,000 visitors it receives annually, most are from Spain. From Mirador El Pena, a north-westerly clifftop viewpoint chiselled out by César Manrique, Paolo pointed out neighbouring La Gomera, La Palma and, on Tenerife, Mt Teide – the Canaries’ emblematic peak. A solitary ferry bound for Tenerife rippled the Atlantic’s silky surface and, not for the first time during my short visit I felt the sensation of being adrift in a place far from Europe. Just five generators on El Hierro produce double what the island’s inhabitants – around 10,000 people – require for their day-to day needs. Photo: Richard Hammond The island’s quest for self-sufficiency and its sustainability achievements stem in part from its location. Anyone who wants to see what a blueprint for self-sufficiency in renewable energy really looks like should visit El Hierro, where electricity based on clean, renewable energy sources saves thousands of tons of diesel fuel each year (over 6,000 tons in 2024). In October 2025, a Climate Action Plan for El Hierro was launched with support from the UK-based charity The Travel Foundation. It was conceived as a pilot for developing similar projects on other Canary islands. “El Hierro’s strong sustainability track record made it the most suitable and feasible place to begin,” said Isabel Florido Martel, environmental sustainability technician at Turismo de Islas Canarias. The roadmap will include improvements in sustainable mobility, preventive measures to protect sensitive areas and the introduction of incentives for renewable energy, water efficiency and better waste management in tourism businesses. When we eventually visited the wind farm, I understood see why Paulo was so keen for us to see it; remarkably, there are just five generators that produce double what the island’s inhabitants – around 10,000 people – need to be self-sufficient in electricity. Excess energy is used to pump water between two reservoirs at different altitudes. “This means that on days that we don't have wind we have energy produced by water,” said Paolo. “Either you consume it or it's lost.” According to Jesus Perez Quintero, environmental councillor at the municipal council, the island is looking to photovoltaics and robotics to reach its long-term goal of achieving 100% renewable energy year-round. Walking trails traditionally used for pastoral work and transhumance fan out across the island, traversing more kilometres of paths than road. Once every four years the nearly 29 km-long Camino de la Virgen (Path of the Virgin) is used for the day-long processional descent of the Virgen de Los Reyes in which the island’s patron saint is carried from her white-walled, bell-tower-topped hermitage, in Dehesa, to the Church of Santa Maria de la Concepcion, in the island’s diminutive capital, Valverde. A sub-species of the El Hierro giant lizard, one of a 112 endemic species, can be seen (behind glass) at the Guinea Ecomuseum’s Recovery Centre. Photo: Richard Hammond History and cultural heritage can be explored at a handful of museums including the open-air Guinea Ecomuseum, where visitors can see how the Bimbaches – pre-Hispanic settlers who colonised the island over 2,000 years ago, lived. A sub-species of the El Hierro giant lizard, one of a 112 endemic species, can be seen (behind glass) at the museum’s Recovery Centre. The Bimbaches left their mark in a series of spiral, alphabetic and geometric rock engravings that are preserved at El Julan Cultural Park. Petroglyphs aside, it is worth visiting just to see this vast and empty lava slope that was graffitied by the early settlers sliding away into the sparkling sea. Teresa and guide Paolo Baudino at an interpretation sign within the forested section of the Llanía Trail. Photo: Richard Hammond Early one morning we left sunshine behind on the north-east coast and drove into centre of the island to join a short, forested section of the Llanía Trail, which crams several of the island’s geographical features into a two-hour hike. As we plunged into the lichen and moss-draped fayal-brezal, a wooded area of wax-myrtle or “fire” trees and Canarian heather, moisture clung to my hair and face. Created by the Tradewinds, the mists that roll around this elevated habitat preserve some of the Canarian archipelago’s last remaining laurel forest. The three of us on the walk took it in turns to wrap our arms around the voluptuous girth of a Canary Island Pine, leaning into its mottled, fire-adapted trunk. Not long after leaving the trail we were zigzagging down hairpin bends towards the juniper forest of El Sabinar. These curious, wind-warped trees, some more than 20 feet high, are the island’s unofficial emblem. Trunks hinged in an inverted V, their spiny crowns sweeping the ground, these specimens are the tree version of Downward Dog pose. One of the island's iconic wind-warped juniper trees, Photo: Richard Hammond Although the island is the largest producer of pineapples in Spain (with bananas not far behind) food production is generally small-scale. The island employs regenerative farming techniques and holds the highest proportion of land – 3,995 hectares – and registered under organic production systems within the Canary Islands. El Hierro produces Designation of Origin wines, delicious goat, cow and sheep’s cheeses and has swapped nets for line fishing. “We fish in the traditional way, at dawn, with rods, hooks and live bait,” says David Pavón, president of the cooperative, Pescarestinga. Not long after leaving the trail we were zigzagging down hairpin bends towards the juniper forest of El Sabinar. These curious, wind-warped trees, some more than 20 feet high, are the island’s unofficial emblem. The village of La Restinga, on the island’s southwestern tip, is a busy fishing harbour and a springboard to several dive sites in the Mar de Las Calmas (calm sea). Divers can hover over lava tongues, black coral, caves, craters and arches. Visibility here is excellent, and the waters here are home to marine life including manta rays and one of the world’s most important communities of beaked whales. The area has been a protected marine fishing reserve since the mid-90s and in 2024, the government proposed a bill which, if successful, would create Spain’s first marine national park. Extending several miles offshore, the Mar de las Calmas National Park would support species including sperm whales and whale sharks and set a precedent for marine conservation in Spain. In the hope of spotting bottlenose dolphins, I joined a boat trip from La Restinga. From the water, the island’s rugged beauty came into sharp focus. Near-perfect cones rose like chocolate hills while caves and sea pools puddled in the island’s blackened, broiled skirt. Instead of dolphins, we were joined by scores of flapping-tailed flying fish, their pectoral fins gliding on the wind. It was a first for most on the boat and dolphins were soon forgotten. That evening, we dined at La Refugio, one of a handful of fish restaurants in La Restinga. As we tucked into a pile of shrimp and slurped limpets drenched in garlic, vinegar and parsley from their shells, our neighbours, a bunch of Welsh divers, pored over their underwater photo haul of seahorses, giant groupers, Moray eels, rays and nudibranchs. Limpets, shrimps and catch-of-the-day at. Restinga. Photo: Richard Hammond I ended my time on El Hierro with another sunset, off Spain’s most westerly tip. Orchilla lighthouse marked the edge of the known world for over two hundred years. A monument nearby marks the Prime Meridian that was, before it moved to Greenwich in 1884. Even now, as we picked our way across a field of cavity-pocked pahoehoe lava toward the lighthouse, I found my bearings tested. Paolo asked where I thought a bird would make land if it continued west. I would never have guessed Orlando. I sat on the smoothest bit of lava I could find and stretched my feet out towards the ocean, bathed in the silvery beam of the sun’s descent. For the last time – on this visit at least – I savoured the sense of solitude and the feeling of being deliciously and somehow secretly, off grid. Teresa savours the solitude on the final evening of her trip to El Hierro. Photo: Richard Hammond == Disclosure: Teresa Machan was a guest of El Hierro Tourism and the Spanish Tourist Office in London. She had full editorial control of this feature, which has been written in her own words based on her experience of visiting El Hierro in the autumn of 2025. All opinions are the authors’ own. How to travel to the Canary Islands without flying There are two ferry routes from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, from Huelva (near Seville) operated by Baleria, and from Cadiz, operated by Armas Trasmediterránea. For how to travel to these ports from the UK without flying, see our guide to how to travel overland to Spain . The ferries from Huelva run to the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (which takes about 40 hours) and stop at the Port of La Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria en route, while the ferries from Cadiz run to most of the main islands, including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife, taking 28–35 hours. Ferries travel several times a week from Tenerife to El Hierro and take about two hours. The ferries are operated by Armas Trasmediterranea .

The Green Traveller Digest Welcome to my latest round up of news, features and comments on green travel. This newsletter is written by me, Richard Hammond, the founder of Green Traveller. If you'd like to receive the newsletter by email, please subscribe here . This newsletter is part of a series of publications produced by Green Traveller Media. Our production website is at greentraveller.com  and our consumer-facing website is at greentraveller.co.uk . Our free e-magazine The   Green Traveller  (autumn 2025 above, published today!) ties in with related features across all our channels that aim to shine a light on lower carbon travel as well as positive impact adventures further afield. Green Travel News Eurostar orders double-decker trains Eurostar has announced it is investing in up to 50 new double-decker trains built by Alstom Group. Eurostar confirmed an order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, marking a significant step in Eurostar’s growth journey to 30 million annual passengers. The new fleet, named 'Eurostar Celestia' will be a bespoke design created from Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform. The 200-metre trains will be interoperable across all five countries served today plus new destinations of Geneva and Frankfurt. The first trains are due to join the fleet in January 2031, with commercial services launching in May 2031. Once delivered, the new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s current fleet of 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains. Artists's impression of Eurostar Celestia train arriving in to London St Pancras. Colours and livery not final. ©ALSTOM SA ©SPEEDINNOV SAS 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Avelia Horizon. Eurostar press office. By train in a day to Europe Tailor-made holiday specialist, Fred.Holidays has published a train travel guide to help its customers understand where they can travel by train in day in the UK and across to Europe as part of a drive to promote its rail holidays, which include budget rail breaks, grand rail tours, and luxury rail holidays throughout the continent. Sally Barlow, Rail Product Manager, Fred.Holidays, says: “Our product managers have many years of experience and we have created a range of carefully-curated rail holidays designed to suit all tastes. With legs stretched out, enjoy an on-board snack and a tipple, or just watch the world go by - travelling by train really is the way to get to the heart of any destination with the least amount of hassle, lower carbon footprint and most importantly, avoiding those airport and baggage reclaim queues!” Map of where you can reach by train in a day from the UK. Supplied by Fred.Holidays Walk the roof of England A new multi-day walking route has launched in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The ‘Roof of England’ Walk is a journey around the North Pennines, with its name reflecting its lofty location in the uplands of Northern England where walkers can tackle some of the country’s highest footpaths and enjoying views of open moorlands, big skies, and horizons. The route makes its way through County Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland, the three counties of the North Pennines National Landscape, as well as a section in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to enable a visit to Nine Standards Rigg. Heilbronn named European Green Capital 2027 The German city of Heilbronn has been named as European Green Capital 2027. According to a statement from the European Commission, the award was given to Heilbronn because of its “successful intersectoral collaboration of noise, climate and air pollution into its ‘Landscape Plan 2030’ and the city’s ‘Mobility Concept’. Citizen engagement is central, with participatory platforms, awareness campaigns, and protection for quiet areas”. The jury also recognised the city’s ambitious targets for 2035. The city will be granted a financial prize of €600,000. Heilbronn succeeds 2026 titleholder Guimarães, Portugal and 2025 titleholder Vilnius, Lithuania. Exodus Adventure goes 'Wild at Heart' Small-group adventure tour operator, Exodus Adventure Travels, has launched a major fundraising campaign to support its conservation mission of ‘supporting communities to protect key species globally’. Following the introduction of two new projects – saving endangered primates in Vietnam and supporting jaguar conservation in Costa Rica – ‘Wild at Heart’ has been launched by the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation. The fundraiser will support initiatives across all of Exodus’ key destinations, including existing projects aimed at maintaining tiger habitats in India, protecting elephants in Kenya and educating communities on bear preservation in Italy. Kasia Morgan, Head of Sustainability, Exodus Adventure Travels said: “Connecting adventurous travellers with incredible destinations is what we do, always with a view on how our adventures can benefit local species, environments and communities. Our ‘Wild at Heart’ campaign is the next chapter in this commitment to support thriving nature and thriving people. We are excited to invite Exodus customers to join us in supporting this campaign, and helping protect the places they explore, and the species that make these destinations memorable.” “We’ve made it as easy as possible for people to contribute to the project of their choice, and 100% of donations will go towards the work on the ground. As little as £5 could fund a set of camera batteries to monitor the reintroduction of a jaguar prey species in Costa Rica, while £12 is enough to equip a local Rewilding Ranger in Vietnam with essential patrol gear.” Protecting the Maya Forest The governments of Guatemala, Mexico and Belize have signed an agreement to create a ‘Biocultural Corridor of the Great Mayan Forest’, linking 27 protected areas in Guatemala, 11 in Belize and 12 in Mexico, including renowned sites such as Mirador-Río Azul National Park, Aguas Turbias Protected Natural Area and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The reserve will cover 5.7 million hectares of mixed ecosystems, lowland, mid and highland tropical rainforests, and Petenes mangroves, home to around 7,000 species, including 200 at-risk and 50 priority species. Iconic wildlife includes jaguars, tapirs, spider monkeys and quetzals. Beyond biodiversity, the corridor honours the living cultures of indigenous Mayan and Afro-descendant communities, who are recognised as guardians of the forest. The three nations will share expertise and resources to manage threats like illegal logging, deforestation and wildfires, while promoting sustainable use of forest resources for local communities. The Maya Forest is also home to archaeological treasures such as Naranjo in Guatemala, Calakmul and Balamkú in Mexico, Yaxhá, Nakum, and La Milpa in Belize. More information about Guatemala: www.visitguatemala.gt Tikal national park, Guatemala. Photo: The Guatemala Tourism Institute (INGUAT) In case you missed it... Intrepid makes radical changes to its Climate Action Plan Earlier this month there was a significant announcement from Intrepid Travel regarding changes to its Climate Action Plan that will likely reverberate across the industry. In particular, it is introducing "a new lifecycle target that takes full accountability of our total emissions, including customer flights to and from our trips". Intrepid is making three changes: Retiring its carbon offset programme and Climate Active certification to focus on decarbonisation investment, launching a Climate Impact Fund, redirecting $2 million each year from offsets into "practical, immediate emissions reductions". Shifting to a lifecycle-based carbon intensity reduction target "Under global accounting carbon protocols, tour operators are not obliged to account for customers’ own flights to their tour joining point. However, we know that these flights contribute more than 75% of lifecycle emissions to our trips and we therefore feel these flights are very much a part of lifecycle emissions of our business and travellers. "That’s why we are now bringing them into carbon accounting methodology. We believe we need to acknowledge our true environmental footprint by adopting a model that reflects reality." It is stepping away from Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). "Our new 2030 target is an 8% reduction in carbon intensity, measured on a lifecycle basis... We’ll also continue to have a specific 21% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (offices, trips, accommodation) by 2030, from a 2024 base year." In a statement, Intrepid said: "While this means we’re stepping away from carbon offsetting, as well as the Science Based Targets initiative, this new approach recognises the urgency of the crisis and is designed to accelerate the work we need to do to decarbonise our business." Gwyn Topham, The Guardian's transport correspondent, has covered the story in today's Guardian: Tour operator Intrepid drops carbon offsets and emissions targets There's also a joint open letter by Intrepid's Co-founder & Chair and CEO . It's a Journey sustainable travel podcast We've now completed series 1 of It’s a Journey , the sustainable travel podcast I'm co-hosting with my former colleague and sustainable travel expert Holly Tuppen. The series is for those who work in the travel and tourism industry, and dives into the future of sustainable travel through candid conversations with leading voices across the industry as well as guests from other sectors. Born out of a frustration with a lack of platforms to share B2B solutions-focused and actionable storytelling around sustainability topics, each episode of It’s a Journey tackles the uncomfortable, complex, and often overlooked questions facing the travel industry as it strives to have a better impact on people and places. The five episodes are: Episode 1 - Don’t mention the S word Should you shout about your sustainability actions? Episode 2 - Costing Nature Does doing the right thing by people and nature make commercial sense? Episode 3: The Future of Rail Can train travel be a practical, affordable, low-emissions alternative to air travel? Episode 4: Partnerships for Good Are public-private partnerships the best way to accelerate change in the tourism industry? Episode 5: Community Tourism What does good community tourism look like and can we measure its benefits? Have a listen wherever you like to get your podcasts (Spotify, Apple etc), or use the link via the website itsajourney.fm Please do subscribe so you can find out when the next episodes drop. Huge thanks to the brilliant team at Lemongrass which is sponsoring the podcast. Lemongrass is a B Corp PR and content agency for travel brands whose clients are tour operators, destinations and hotels. News from Green Traveller Green Traveller in Gran Canaria We've published two features articles and a video about Gran Canaria, which aims to shine a light on experiences in the less-visited northern part of this popular island. The guide includes two articles by journalist Teresa Machan. The first looks Conservation, food and local culture , the second reviews Wildlife watching and hiking . The Green Traveller e-magazine - published today! The autumn 2025 issue of our magazine features: Hiking the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way, Herefordshire, by Richard Hammond Best of Britain - eco stays Foot passenger ferry travel to Europe Postcard from Innsbruck Island-hoping across the Ionian Islands, by Jill Sayles The rural side of life in Gran Canaria, by Teresa Machan Get the Picture - responsible photography in Soweto, South Africa, by Diana Jarvis Community-based conservation travel in Saint Lucia, by Josephine Price ...and much more!

Eurostar has announced it is investing in up to 50 new double-decker trains built by Alstom Group – the first ever to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network. Eurostar confirmed an order for 30 trains, with an option for a further 20, marking a significant step in Eurostar’s growth journey to 30 million annual passengers. Introducing “Eurostar Celestia” - new double-decker, sustainable trains. Image provided by Eurostar press. Eurostar Celestia train arriving in London St Pancras. CGI picture. Colours and livery not final. ©ALSTOM SA ©SPEEDINNOV SAS 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Avelia Horizon™. The new fleet, named 'Eurostar Celestia' will be a bespoke design created from Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform. The 200-metre trains will be interoperable across all five countries served today plus new destinations of Geneva and Frankfurt. Seat capacity will increase by 20% on each new train, subject to final design specifications. It is expected that each 200-metre set will have around 540 seats. If running in 400m formation (as through the channel tunnel today), there would be around 1,080 seats per service. The first trains are due to join the fleet in January 2031, with commercial services launching in May 2031. Once delivered, the new trains will operate alongside Eurostar’s current fleet of 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains – a 30% uplift overall versus today. Eurostar plans to maintain the entire fleet at the Temple Mills depot in London, which would be developed to accommodate the new trains at a cost of around €80m. The new fleet will create around 350 more highly skilled jobs at the depot, continuing its heritage as a centre of excellence for international high-speed rail. Today, over half of all Eurostar jobs are already UK-based, with 450 of those based at Temple Mills. Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO, Eurostar said: “Placing this milestone order marks the concrete realisation of Eurostar’s ambitious growth strategy - to reach 30 million passengers by investing in a brand-new fleet. We’re particularly proud to bring double-decker trains to the UK for the very first time. “Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia, which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new surprises to be revealed. This is a golden age for international sustainable travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.” Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, said: "By choosing Avelia Horizon to renew its fleet, Eurostar is confirming its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This new-generation train, designed to meet the demands of international very high-speed traffic, embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility." See the map of Eurostar's current routes:

Teresa Machan learns about island conservation and the joys and challenges of rural life on a food and wine tasting odyssey across a less visited part of Gran Canaria It’s milking time at the Cortijo de Pavon cheese factory and all hands are on udders. With a 400-strong herd of Canary Island sheep there’s no time to waste. The Mendoza family has nailed this process. Milk hits the aluminium buckets like hail on a tin roof and before long a full lechera (urn) is being hoisted onto a trolley and wheeled at pace to the production area. “Raw milk adds properties to the cheese but the milk’s temperature must be maintained,” explains my guide, Rafa Molina Rafa Molina whose company EtnoExperience Canarias, specialises in ethnographic hiking routes. Hands also help to maintain the temperature of the cheese. I followed two of the farmers into a small, stone building where the unpasteurised milk is poured into an oblong vat and salted and paddled before the coagulation process is initiated with a sprinkling of rennet. The curd is sliced into ‘grains' and the whey filtered into buckets. The cheese is then wrapped into muslin parcels, kneaded to expunge more liquid and pressed into circular moulds. The entire hands-on process takes around 40 minutes. The stages of cheese making at Cortijo de Pavon cheese factory. Photos: Richard Hammond It isn’t only farming skills that have straddled four generations of this family. An ancient pastoral tradition known as transhumance binds them to the land. Towards the end of June the two female sheep farmers I’ve been observing, Belén (26) and Laura (21), will pack up a few belongings and pick up the trail of the nomadic shepherds, walking between mountain refuges for up to 12 hours a day. The lush pastures of the mountain north enrich the milk of the sheep and are ideal for fattening up the herd. Meeting female shepherds in their 20s was the first of many surprises during a recent visit to Gran Canaria. The popular winter-sun destination is well known for its beaches, sand dunes and resort hotels. Point the handlebars inland, however, and you’ll find hiking trails that thread through laurel forest, world-class archaeological sites, natural parks sheltering endemic flora and birds and village restaurants where tables groan with farm-to-fork produce. As well as supporting a sustainable, circular food system, transhumant shepherds are helping protect the land from the increasing threat of forest fires. According to the environmental conservation organisation Gran Canaria Mosaico almost half of the island’s surface area sits within a high fire-risk zone. Wineries, cheese factories and small farms are the island’s greatest allies, because ‘every cultivated field, orchard and meadow acts as a productive firebreak.’ Watch the video of Teresa's trip to Gran Canaria: Filmed and edited by Richard Hammond. A Green Traveller production. Wherever I ate the words ‘zero kilometres’ (Km.0) usually cropped up. Canarians are fortunate to have a climate that facilitates a field-to-table approach to dining but a deep-rooted passion for the terroir is a key ingredient in the food on the plate. As well as its artisanal goat, sheep and flower cheeses the island has potato, coffee and banana plantations and vines that march across volcanic slopes. Almonds, of which there are more than 50 varieties, warrant an annual blossom festival, held in the village of Tejeda in February. Travelling around I tasted jams made from sun-ripened tomatoes, figs and prickly pears, honey, prized navel oranges, papaya and pork from the indigenous black pig. Incredibly, 43 per cent of land in Gran Canaria falls within the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve, an area that encompasses several villages, including Tejeda and Artenara, in the centre of the island. This year Artenara found its place on Spain’s list of Pueblos Mágicos – ‘living towns’ singled out for – among other criteria – practices that preserve the environment, heritage and culture for future generations. For a small island, it is quite an achievement. In the town’s San Matias plaza, I pulled up a chair at Arte-Gaia Bio Tasca (the loose translation is “organic tavern”) and set about eating the land. The day’s lunch menu featured watercress soup with corn, chickpea, saffron and Canarian pork rib, roasted aubergine smothered in palm syrup and cheeses from the Biosphere Reserve. The papas arrugadas – small, flavoursome potatoes cooked and served in their wrinkly jackets on a puddle of spicy mojo sauce, deserved special attention. “The potatoes are from the ravine and the mojo is an old lady’s recipe,” said owner Juana Teresa. The “ravine” she mentioned is in the fertile Tejeda crater. A few minutes from the restaurant is a viewpoint offering yawning views across this monolith-strewn bowl. Farm to table dining at Arte-Gaia Bio Tasca, Artenara. photos: Richard Hammond In pretty Tejeda, an edge-of-the-caldera village full of traditional, white-washed houses, marzipan lovers go to die. Here, I discovered bienmesabe, an almond-based sauce to be dribbled over ice cream (or eaten straight from the spoon) and, at the other extreme, saquitos de morcilla te van (which translates as ‘little pockets of blood sausage’). “You will love them,” said the waiter at Cueva de la Tea, as I popped a filo pastry parcel of black pudding mixed with pine nuts into my mouth. And he was right. It isn’t just potatoes and almond trees that thrive in the Biosphere Reserve. The last two decades has seen a huge resurgence in traditional wine-making – with unique varietals and scores of bodegas across the island. The absence of phylloxera allows vines to be cultivated using ungrafted rootstocks, allowing varieties to harvest the soil's minerals. As our car wound through the volcanic valley I wondered how much higher we could go before running out of road. Eventually we came to a halt at Bodegas Bentayga. Set on the slopes of Caldera de Tejeda, the winery was founded by Don Juan Rodriguez, who in the early 1990s converted an old dairy farm into a winemaking facility. Most of the current vines were planted in 1994, at altitudes ranging from 1,050 to 1,318 meters, making this the highest-altitude winery in the Canaries. Juan Armas’s legacy continues under the direction of his daughter, Sandra. Part of the winery is excavated from stone and a cool cave that extends from the winetasting room houses red wines maturing in American, Hungarian and French oak barrels. During the 90-minute tasting I sampled a clean, flinty and rounded white, Agala Altitud 1318 and a red, Altitud 1295, that was somehow light but packed with plummy depth. Outside, among the butterflies and vines, I drank in the land, both literally and metaphorically. Directly in front of the bodega is Gran Canaria’s emblematic Roque Nublo, and beyond, Roque Bentayga. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen and felt their presence, but this front-row view of the monoliths is unmatched. Teresa tasting wine at Bodegas Bentayga overlooking Gran Canaria’s emblematic Roque Nublo, and beyond, Roque Bentayga. Squint and you can see Tenerife's Mount Teidi (far right). Photo: Richard Hammond Back at Cortijo de Pavon, Belen invited Rafa and I to taste the cheese. Not the white, fresh (younger than 20 days) rounds lined up on rows of shelves like single-layer wedding cakes, but the semi-aged cheeses on sale in the farm’s small shop. Before we leave the production room, I ask the girls about shepherding. What about a social life, partners and Tik Tok? Belen says she is completely committed to the business she is taking over from her parents. She loves the “quiet” of the production process and the cathartic, hands-on nature of the work. Laura gave up a job in the town of Galda to work at Cortijo de Pavon. She wanted to pursue a different way of life. She loves her work, she says, and feels part of the family. As we sat in the sunshine, eating our cheese, Rafa hit the nail on the head. “It's not just about making cheese,” he said. “It’s about nature, landscape, culture and prevention. “Tourism is well balanced here. Our identity is visible.” == Disclosure: Teresa Machan was a guest of Gran Canaria Tourism. She had full editorial control of this feature, which has been written in her own words based on her experience of visiting Gran Canaria in the summer of 2025. All opinions are the authors’ own. How to travel to the Canary Islands without flying There are two ferry routes from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, from Huelva (near Seville) operated by Baleria, and from Cadiz, operated by Armas Trasmediterránea. For how to travel to these ports from the UK without flying, see our guide to how to travel overland to Spain . The ferries from Huelva run to the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (which takes about 40 hours) and stop at the Port of La Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria en route, while the ferries from Cadiz run to most of the main islands, including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife, taking 28–35 hours. Book ferry tickets to the Canary Islands Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in Spain to the Canary Islands.

Teresa Machan marvels at the diversity of wildlife and rich cultural heritage of the 'miniature continent' of Gran Canaria on an ecotourist trip across a less visited part of the island It’s not often you get to walk through a prehistoric forest before lunch but, there we were, my guide Guillermo and I, in one of Gran Canaria’s last remaining pockets of laurel forest. Our walk in Los Tilos de Maya in the northwest of Gran Canaria was accompanied by the trill of pipits, chiffchaffs and robins. Teresa and Guillermo admire the age-old laurel forest in Los Tilos de Maya in the northwest of Gran Canaria. Photo: Richard Hammond Peach-tinted aeonium rosettes caked the walls of the forest ravine and from a tangle of green, grew wild sweet peas and nasturtiums. Full of enthusiasm Guillermo, an ecotourism nature guide and owner at Gran Canaria Sightseeing , showed me the spiny fingers of the cardon cactus, the rare Cresta de gallo de Moya (Isoplexis chalcantha’) – “exclusive to this ravine and endemic only to this forest” – the glossy ‘blistered’ leaves of another endemic which shares a symbiotic relationship with spiders, and the cochineal beetle which is hosted by the fleshy ears of the prickly pear and used for its red dye. The trees around us date to the Tertiary period, approximately 66 million to 2.6 million years ago. We see a laurel pigeon in flight and then, under the laurel canopy, Guillermo spotted the dusky blue and pale apricot hues of a male Canary Islands chaffinch on a branch. It flitted from the tree to the forest floor where a chestnut-breasted Gran Canaria robin hopped in to join it. “There you have it. A photo bomb and two endemics in one frame.” Some of the variety of flora and fauna we saw in Los Tilos de Maya. Photo: Richard Hammond Gran Canaria is not called the “miniature continent” for nothing. Precious forests, volcanic landscapes, epic sand dune and pine-covered mountain peaks might come as a surprise to those who are more familiar with popular beach-holiday haunts in the south. The Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve encompasses almost half of the island (100,00 hectares) and among its bounteous collection of flora and fauna is one of Europe’s rarest songbirds, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch (see video below - we got to see and hear the beautiful Blue Chaffinch!). Watch the video of Teresa's trip to Gran Canaria: Filmed and edited by Richard Hammond. A Green Traveller production . A network of scenic walking paths ranges from easy strolls like ours in Tilos de Maya, which took less than two hours, to miles of footpaths that take hikers to ravines, forested peaks, calderas and majestic monoliths. A recently established 100km hiking route (GR139) that covers the rugged southwestern part of the island loops numerous peaks. The shortest of five sections, at 4.5 hours, takes in the pine forest of Tirajana and the longest, which crosses part of the volcanic crater, Caldera de Tejeda, takes around 7.5 hours. In the north of the island walking and cycling routes fan out from the small towns of Tejeda, Agaete, Artenara, Teror and Galdar. As well as being a great location for low impact adventures, this part of Gran Canaria is also a great place for those wanting to learn about the island's cultural heritage. Located on the island’s northeastern tip Galdar, is a must-visit for those interested in the history of Gran Canaria. The vibe here feels authentic and unhurried. Children played in the squares, locals took time to chat and on weekday mornings retired couples were tucking into plates of churros. Tejeda, one of several towns in the north of Gran Canaria blessed with stunning views. Photo: Richard Hammond Pre-Hispaninc ‘Agaldar’ was the island’s first capital and one of two kingdoms into which Gran Canaria was divided before the Castilian conquest in the late 15th century. At the distinctive Hotel Algadar, overlooking the tree-lined Plaza Grande, room names and decorative motifs nod to the island’s aboriginal ancestors, the Amazigh, thought to have descended from the North African Berber tribes. Around the corner from the hotel is the Church of Santiago de los Caballeros. Its Holy Door is the final stop for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago in Gran Canaria, which begins at the dunes of Maspalomas. Galdar’s church, Museum of Sacred Art and handsome neo-classical buildings are reason enough to visit, but it was a mishap on a banana plantation that gives the town its star attraction. While digging at a root in the mid-1800s an agricultural worker put a hole in the roof of a cave, revealing an aboriginal Canarian settlement of more than 50 dwellings dating to the 6th century. The Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park is now the largest archaeological site in the Canarian archipelago. A walkway skirts the site, which is still under excavation, but of particular interest is the Cueva Pinctada (painted cave) where geometric patterns were painted using three pigments. Caves and mountains around the island were used as troglodyte dwellings, grain storage, burial and ritual purposes and for astronomical observations. Gran Canaria is the only island on which pre-Hispanic dwelling complexes were built into caves – which can be seen at Acusa Seca and in the town of Artenara. Two of the most intriguing sites are at Risco Caido and Cenobio de Valeron. The honeycomb-like cave structure El Cenobio de Valeron is high on a mountain slope where a short, steep ascent up manmade steps reveals more than 200 interconnected grain silos that were hollowed from the rock face. Marks where doors were fitted can still be seen. Teresa and Guillermo at the honeycomb-like caves pf El Cenobio de Valeron. Photo Richard Hammond The cave network of Risco Caido is thought to have been used as an astronomical marker. Twice a year, at the summer and winter solstice, sunlight or moonlight enters a gap in the roof of one its 21 caves, illuminating a series of rock art engravings. The culture and rituals of the Amazigh are explored in detail at an interpretation centre at Roque Bentayga. Along with Roque Nublo, this hallowed monolith forms part of the UNESCO-designated Risco Caido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria cultural landscape. The walk to a lookout point takes about 40 minutes. Stopping many times to take in the spectacular panoramas I followed Guillermo along narrow, rocky footpaths until we emerged at a plateau on the rock’s eastern face where there is an ‘almogarén’, or sacred worship place. That evening, assisted by a pair of professional, stargazing eyes, I would embark on some astrological observations of my own, at the Parador Cruz de la Tejeda. After lunch and a stroll around the pretty village of Tejeda we zig-zagged skywards, coming to a stop above the crag-filled caldera. On a clear day views from the parador’s rooms and infinity pool stretch all the way to the distant peak of Mt Teide, on neighbouring Tenerife, and in the morning and evening a sea of cloud rolls between the peaks like a horizontal waterfall. You could be forgiven for never leaving the parador, but trails lead directly from the parador to Roque Nublo and the Caldera de Bandama nature reserve, and there are cycling trips through forests of Canary pine in the Nublo Rural Park. Pool with a view: Teresa taking a dip at Parador Cruz de la Tejeda. Photo: Richard Hammond Far from pollution, at 1,500 metres above sea level, the air is crisp and clear. At night, with the aid of a professional telescope, the parador’s terrace holds a mirror to the night skies. Late that evening, after watching the sun dip behind Teide, I made my way up to the terrace where StarLight instructor Frank Rodriguez, from AstroEduca, guided us through the galaxies, nebulae, clusters and double stars hiding in the star-speckled dark sky. “We have more than 290 clear nights at altitudes above 1,600 metres”, he told us. “Gran Canaria is a good view point for the southern cross, for example, a constellation impossible to see from continental Europe.” My visit to Gran Canaria ended as it had begun, birdwatching in a forest. Llanos de la Paz is one of two nesting areas for the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, a bird Guillermo was keen to add to our sightings. We padded through the forest on a carpet of pine, spotting a plain swift, an African blue tit, a Berthelot’s pipit and a trio of ravens. Teresa looking for the rare Blue Chaffinch in Llanos de la Paz. Photo: Richard Hammond With a canny knack for hearing birdsong hundreds of metres away, Guillermo then identified the cry of woodpecker chicks. The chirping led us to a tree, where a pair of great spotted woodpeckers were engaged in a chick-feeding relay. We sat for a while, enjoying their colourful plumage and the relentless cacophony emanating from the trunk. On the way back Guillermo hears the song of the blue chaffinch. We change direction and within minutes we find one, and then another, high up in a pine tree. “Of an estimated 450 birds there are only 70 in this particular forest,” says Guillermo. And here are two of them – a bird that can be seen nowhere else in the world. This mid-Atlantic isle is full of pleasant surprises. == Disclosure: Teresa Machan was a guest of Gran Canaria Tourism. She had full editorial control of this feature, which has been written in her own words based on her experience of visiting Gran Canaria in the summer of 2025. All opinions are the authors’ own. How to travel to the Canary Islands without flying There are two ferry routes from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, from Huelva (near Seville) operated by Baleria, and from Cadiz, operated by Armas Trasmediterránea. For how to travel to these ports from the UK without flying, see our guide to how to travel overland to Spain . The ferries from Huelva run to the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (which takes about 40 hours) and stop at the Port of La Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria en route, while the ferries from Cadiz run to most of the main islands, including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife, taking 28–35 hours. Book ferry tickets to the Canary Islands Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in Spain to the Canary Islands.

If you're not used to Paris, transferring train stations may seem daunting but in practice the connections are fairly seamless - some involve a simple change of platform within the station, while those that are require a change of station are well connected by the city's metro system (which is very similar to the London underground) or fast overground rail network RER - 'Regional Express Network'. In this guide, we've tried to show how easy it is, plus we've included a few tips on places to have lunch and a few nearby hotels, should you wish to stopover before the onward connection. There's also information for the return journey - and don't forget - when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory check-in time in addition to the transfer time. For connections from London, see the Map of Eurostar's Routes The connections between the major railway stations are fairly seamless. Photo: Wix Media Please note: The transfer times given here are the minimum amount of time we recommend you should allow between the scheduled arrival of your Eurostar in Paris and the scheduled departure time of your connecting train from Paris. Photo: Wix Media Eurostar Connections in Paris The Eurostar train arrives from London St Pancras at Gare du Nord, which is in the 10th arrondissement (district) of Paris near the Canal St. Martin and the historic Place de la République, which has many bars, restaurants and cafés. Gare du Nord has many connections to Northern France and onwards by Thalys trains to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Click here for a map of the Paris Metro . Tip for Eurostar:  You can buy a Navigo Easy card (the new, prepaid Paris travel card to use instead of the old individual paper Paris Metro tickets) to use on the Paris metro at the bar buffet on board Eurostar – it will save you time on arrival at Gare du Nord where the queues at the staffed counters can be long. Click on the links below to read the guides: Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse Gare du Nord to Gare de Bercy Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est For travelling to: Basel, Strasbourg, Reims, Zurich, the ICE train to Frankfurt and the City Night Line sleeper train 'Perseus' to Berlin and the City Night Line sleeper train 'Cassiopeia' to Stuttgart and Munich. On foot: exit Gare du Nord, turn left then at the main intersection turn right (slightly downhill) along Rue du Fauberg Saint-Denis for about 400m then left along Rue de Chabrol to Gare de l'Est. It's about a 10-minute walk, but if you've got alot of luggage, allow for longer. We recommend you allow at least 25 minutes for the transfer. It's worth getting to Gare de L'Est in good time as there's a lovely cafe/restaurant just inside the station that serves decent coffee. By metro: it's just one stop on the metro line - from the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M4 to Gare de l'Est (which is signposted 'direction Porte d'Orléans'). The Return Journey: Turn right at the end of the platform, walk along the concourse and exit Gare de l'Est via the side entrance. Turn right, climb the long set of stairs and turn left onto Rue de Dunkerque. Gare du Nord will be straight ahead. Alternatively, follow the signs for Metro Line M4 (which is signposted 'direction Porte de Clignancourt). Transfer time: Allow 25 minutes. Don't forget the 90 minute check-in for Eurostar. Where to stay near Gare du Nord/Gare de l'Est: Here's a selectino of hotels close to Gare de Nord . Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon For onward travel to Grenoble, Nice, Lyon, Chambery, Avignon, Marseille, Perpignan, Geneva, Lausanne, the high-speed TGV train to Barcelona and the high speed Artesia TGV to Turin and Milan. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for  RER line D  (which will be signposted 'direction' 'Melun', 'Malesherbes' or 'Corbeil Essonnes').  It's just 2 stops from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon and takes a little over 10 minutes (plus there's a short 5 minute walk to the connecting TGV departure platforms), but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. The magnificent Train Bleu Restaurant at Gare de Lyon. Photo: Richard Hammond The Return Journey (Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord): Follow the signs for RER line D (which will be signposted 'direction Orry la Ville' - usually platforms 2 & 4). Take the line two stops direct to Gare du Nord.Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to eat near to Gare de Lyon: The magnificent interior of the Le Train Bleu in the heart of Gare de Lyon station. Surely it's the best station restaurant in Europe. Where to stay near to Gare de Lyon: Here's a selection of hotels close to Gare de Lyon . Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz For travelling to: Cahors, Rodez, Montauban, St Gervais, Chamonix, Carcassonne, on the Elipsos train hotel 'Francisco de Goya' to Madrid and the Elipsos trainhotel 'Joan Miro' to Barcelona. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M5 to Gare d'Austerlitz (which is signposted 'direction Place d'Italie'). It's 9 stops from Gare du Nord to Gare d'Austerlitz and takes 20-30 minutes, but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. The Return Journey (Gare d’Austerlitz to Gare du Nord): Follow the signs for Metro line M5 to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Bobigny Pablo Picasso). At this station, the Metro Line M5 is overground, opposite the main station entrance. The metro will cross the Seine before heading underground for the rest of the journey.Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near to Gare d'Austerlitz:  Here's a selection of hotels close to Gare d'Austerlitz . Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse: For travelling to Agen, Biarritz, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Nantes, Pau, Toulouse. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M4 to Montparnasse Bienvenue (which is signposted 'direction Porte d'Orléans'). It's 14 stops from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse and takes 25-35 minutes, but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer time. The Return Journey (Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord): Take the Metro line M4 to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Porte de Clignancourt'). Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near to Gare Montparnasse: Here's a selection of hotels close to Gare Montparnasse . Signage for the walk between Gare de Lyon and Gare de Bercy. Photo: Richard Hammond Gare du Nord to Gare de Bercy For travelling to Auxerre, Aurillac, Avalon, Clermont Ferrand, Sens, and the Artesia sleeper train, 'Palatino' to  Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples or the Artesia sleeper train 'Stendhal' to Milan or Venice. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for RER Line D (which will be signposted 'direction' 'Melun', 'Malesherbes' or 'Corbeil Essonnes'). Take RER Line D two stops to Gare de Lyon. Take Metro line 14 a single stop from Gare de Leon to Bercy (which will be signposted ‘M14 direction Olympiades’)> Alternatively, you can walk from Gare de Lyon. Exit the station and walk onto the forecourt, turn left into the rue de Bercy, running alongside the station. Gare de Bercy is 700-800m away. The Return Journey (Gare de Bercy to Gare du Nord): exit the station and walk onto the forecourt, down the steps and across the road straight ahead of you. The Metro station will be just around the corner. Take Metro line 14 one stop to Gare de Lyon. From here, take RER line D two stops to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Orry la Ville'). Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near Gare de Bercy: Here's a selection of hotels near Gare de Bercy Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare: For travelling to Vernon, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Lisieux. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow signs for RER Line E (which will be signposted ‘Haussmann Saint Lazare’) It’s one stop from Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare. The Return Journey: Follow signs for RER line E (which will be signposted 'direction Tournan & Chelles Gournay'). Take the line 1 stop to Magenta, which is connected to Gare du Nord. Transfer time: Allow 25 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near Gare Saint Lazare: Here's a selection of hotels near Gare Saint Lazare . Brussels In Brussels Midi (‘Zuid’) station, Eurostar coaches 11 to 16 provide the quickest route to access the platforms for onward journeys. From the Quick Connections exit, turn left out of the double doors and look for your connecting train on the departure boards. High speed trains to various destinations (including Amsterdam and Cologne), normally depart from platforms 3-6, though do check the departure boards to be sure. For ‘Any Belgian Station’ including Bruges and Ghent, remember to look out for the terminating station on the departure boards. For Bruges, this tends to be either Ostend of Knokke/Blankenberge. For Ghent it can be Ostend, Knokke/Blankenberge or De Panne. Lille For connections to destinations in France, go upstairs from the platform to the main station where the departure board gives the train times and platform number for your onward journey. Trains are normally displayed on the departure board about 15 minutes before departure.

The Green Traveller Digest Welcome to my latest round up of news, features and comments on green travel. This newsletter is written by me, Richard Hammond, the founder of Green Traveller. If you'd like to receive the newsletter by email, please subscribe here . Editorial: I'm thrilled to launch a new podcast — It’s a Journey: a sustainable travel podcast that I'm co-hosting with my former colleague and sustainable travel expert Holly Tuppen. The series is for those who work in the travel and tourism industry, and dives into the future of sustainable travel through candid conversations with leading voices across the industry as well as guests from other sectors. Born out of a frustration with a lack of platforms to share B2B solutions-focused and actionable storytelling around sustainability topics, each episode of It’s a Journey tackles the uncomfortable, complex, and often overlooked questions facing the travel industry as it strives to have a better impact on people and places. Our first episode is about communicating sustainability: Don’t mention the S word – Should you shout about your sustainability actions? Featuring guests Denise Hicks , Climate Lead for C Space and Xavier Font , Professor of Sustainability Marketing at the University of Surrey , it tackles the nuanced and constantly evolving world of sustainability comms. Have a listen wherever you like to get your podcasts (Spotify, Apple etc), or use the link via the website itsajourney.fm Please do subscribe so you can find out when the next episodes drop. Huge thanks to the brilliant team at Lemongrass which is sponsoring the podcast. Lemongrass is a B Corp PR and content agency for travel brands whose clients are tour operators, destinations and hotels. Green Travel News Flight-Free Travel Surges New search trend data shows that interest in train holidays is up 72% year-on-year, "with a clear upward trajectory for 2025". According to Global Work & Travel , the demand for flight-free European escapes is being driven "by a perfect storm of eco-awareness, TikTok-fuelled sleeper train hype, and a renewed love for slow travel". “There’s been a major shift in how young people especially want to travel,” says Jessie Chambers, travel expert at Global Work & Travel. “Trains are no longer just a means to an end – they’re part of the adventure. From the views to the stopovers, it’s a more mindful way to move through Europe.” Interest in train holidays is up 72% year on year according to new search trend data. Photo: Wix Media SailLink launches passenger sail route across The Channel A new cross-channel operator is hoping to capitalise on the growing trend for low carbon travel. SailLink is a fast catamaran sailing vessel "specifically for foot passengers, cycle tourists and small groups looking for a unique travelling experience with sustainable credentials." The catamaran is 17m (56ft) long by 9m (30ft) wide and takes about four and a half hours (depending on the weather) to cross between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer. The catamarans can take up to 12 passengers and 12 bikes at a time. Passport checks are made at the departure pontoon. The journey costs from €88 per adult per crossing. SailLink's cross-channel journey takes about 4.5 hours depending on the weather. Photo : SailLink Sweden's Göta Canal Trail Awarded Cycle Route of the Year 2025 Sweden's Scenic Göta Canal Cycle Route has been awarded Cycle Route of the Year 2025 at Fiets- en Wandelbeurs, the annual cycling and hiking fair in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The route is divided into seven stages so cyclists can plan shorter trips and complete the entire route at their own pace. A significant portion of the trail runs along a car-free towpath, offering a peaceful and safe cycling experience through breathtaking landscapes, past tranquil lakes, historic locks, and charming canal-side towns such as Töreboda, Karlsborg, and Motala. Cyclists wait beside a lock on the Göta Canal. Photo: Åsa Dahlgren/Westsweden.com New hiking routes in Ibiza and Galicia, Spain Seven new trails have been added to Galicia’s Senderos Azules network. Located in the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra, the new trails include a mix of circular coastal routes with views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as scenic paths near some of the region’s most iconic rivers, "offering hikers a chance to explore one of Spain’s lesser-known natural treasures". Ibiza also has seven new hiking routes , opening up more of the island’s diverse landscapes and heritage to visitors. All seven hiking routes will be classified as Pequeños Recorridos (small tours), ranging between 10 and 50 km in length. Designed to showcase the untamed beauty of Ibiza's countryside, each route aims to offers "a unique hiking experience, from ancient paths to panoramic coastal vistas". Hikes include the Ruta de Cala Xarraca, a 14.2km route that first leads through through woods and mountains, before passing through the ‘Font des Avencs’ where historically each summer they would perform typical dances. Another new route is the Ruta des Camí Vell de Portinatx, a circular route passing through valleys and small mountains via old walkways to the town of Portinatx. FlixBus Launches New Service and Destinations For Edinburgh and Glasgow Coach provider FlixBus is next week launching a new multi-stop bus service to Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow. New stops, including Princes Street, Haymarket Station, Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Drum Brae, Ratho Station and Newhouse, will be available for passengers on the FlixBus network. From 7 July, departing every 30 – 35 minutes throughout the day, the route will connect key locations including Livingston, Harthill, and Edinburgh's West End, offering passengers more convenient travel options. Tickets on the route start at £3.49, while travel is completely free on the FlixBus Scotland network for Young Scots under 22, over 60s with a bus pass and anyone with a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) when simply hopping on a service. Tickets booked online include a £1 booking fee. Andreas Schorling, Senior Managing Director of FlixBus UK, said: “The launch of this route marks the next phase of our growth journey in Scotland, providing a service tailored to the needs of local people, offering a fantastic customer experience through our constant focus on passengers. “Adding these destinations will bring convenient, frequent FlixBus journeys to those living outside of city centres, perfect for everyone from commuters to university students and day trips.” Flixbus's new partnership with First Bus will expand routes in northern cities. Photo: Flixbus In case you missed it... Renfe introduces Spain Rail Pass Renfe has introduced its Spain Rail Pass, offering a tailored experience to visitors looking to optimise their time and budget. The Spain Rail Pass is personal and non-transferable, requiring proof of identity with a passport and will be valid for six months from the date of purchase. It will allow travel within one month after the first booking. The pass will provide access to all High-Speed services including the use of commuter trains with a choice of seating options between Standard and Comfort. A Standard Seat pass is priced from €215 for four journeys to €450 for 10 journeys while a Comfort Seat pass is priced from €295 to €615 for four and 10 journeys, respectively. Children aged between 4-13 years benefit from reduced fares starting at €145 for four journeys, while children under four travel free if they do not occupy a seat. The Spain Rail Pass is available at train stations and www.renfe.com ===== News from Green Traveller Featured Destination This month we are featuring five unique family-run businesses in West Sweden that have grouped together to create holidays with low carbon footprints. Billed as 'Climate Smart Holidays', they generate their own electricity and keep their energy use down to a minimum, offer pick-ups from local train stations, provide high-quality, local-sourced food, and help you make the most of the great outdoors. All with a low impact on the planet – carbon emissions for each stay have been calculated by the West Sweden Tourist Board using the digital platform travelandclimate.org. Read all about these remarkable business in our guide to Climate Smart Holidays and see our guide to How to travel overland to West Sweden Photo: Copenhagen Wilderness/Westsweden.com Green Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia We've published a Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia , which aims to shine a light on tourism throughout the island that has a positive impact on nature, conservation and local economic empowerment. The guide includes two articles by journalist Josephine Price. The first looks closely at Saint Lucia’s green heart : its plants, people, practices and produce. The second reviews community tourism in action - showcasing initiatives that are revitalising and future-proofing Saint Lucia’s tourism offering. This work is led by the Community Tourism Agency, which has a remit to support and champion local entrepreneurs in adventure experiences, tours, cuisine and accommodation. Videos of Green Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia The guide includes a main video about community conservation travel in Saint Lucia as well as video interviews with local guides talking about their perspectives and the visitor experiences on offer. These include Arthur Anthony, owner of Lushan Country Life tours who transformed his family’s land into a thriving eco-heritage tourism attraction. Visitors can learn about the history of how Saint Lucians lived, hear stories of his own upbringing and even try their hand at peeling a coconut. ====== This newsletter is part of a series of publications produced by Green Traveller Media . Our media production website is greentraveller.com and our consumer-facing website is greentraveller.co.uk . Our free online magazine The Green Traveller ties in with related features across all our channels that aim to shine a light on low carbon travel ('less carbon, more fun!') as well as positive impact adventures further afield.

Saint Lucia is blessed with some truly exceptional places to stay. Resorts like Anse Chastanet and Ladera are internationally renowned thanks to their epic setting by the island's World Heritage Piton mountains, but there are many other characterful, places like the long-established East Winds that have set the standard for low impact accommodation in the Caribbean. Here's our pick of places to stay across the island all of which have either been eco-checked by a certification scheme or contributed positively to conservation in Saint Lucia. One of two stunning soft-sand beaches at Anse Chastanet, with the mighty Piton mountains in the distance. Photo: Richard Hammond Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia :  Green = Places to stay   Blue = Food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities Anse Chastanet Resort An exclusive luxury eco-resort nestled in the heart of the island’s breathtaking natural beauty in the south west, with stunning views of the Piton mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Set within a private estate of 600 lush tropical acres, Anse Chastanet borders two soft-sand beaches with access to coral reefs just offshore, so it's a great base for snorkelling and scuba diving. Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat sits on the thriving cocoa farm owned and run by the famous chocolatier. It’s an open-air, adults-only, boutique resort overlooking Saint Lucia’s iconic Piton mountains. Located near Soufriere in the southwest of the island, the hotel is within the Rabot Estate, with 25 private luxury lodges, a restaurant and bar, infinity pool and spa. Cocoa farming is a successful and growing industry on the island thanks to Hotel Chocolat which supports over 50 farmers with its gentle farming initiatives. Fond Doux Eco Resort Saint Lucian-owned, managed and staffed, Fond Doux is within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Soufriere on a historic 19th-century working cocoa estate. Framed by 135 acres of rainforest, cocoa fields and tropical gardens, its houses originally stood around the island and have been lovingly restored and rebuilt by artisans who specialise in old building techniques. East Winds The second oldest hotel in Saint Lucia, East Winds is a small all-inclusive resort in the north, just south of Rodney Bay, that's a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. With 30 cottages and suites in a beautiful botanical garden adjacent to the beach, it is also home to the island’s first ‘living banana museum’. The garden produces fruit from up to 10 different varieties – in yellow, red and green. The museum was planted as part of East Winds’ efforts to help preserve varieties of bananas that are becoming rare either because they are difficult to grow or are difficult to transport and so only have a small local market. Watch our short interview with East Winds' naturalist Sylvanus Lewis: Voices of Saint Lucia: Sylvanus Lewis, Naturalist, East Winds: Stonefield Villa Resort Stay in one of 17 French colonial style villas each with its own private pool and striking views of the Pitons and Caribbean Sea. Stonefield has been identified as a place rich in history by the St. Lucia Historical Society as the owners of the resort discovered ancient rock carvings by Carib Indians on the property that directly face the Petit Piton Mountain. The calming and serene energy here is one of the first things that visitors notice. The Mango Tree Restaurant has a farm-to-table menu using fresh local ingredients such as organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables grown on the property. Weekly events and live music are also on the menu. Bay Gardens Resorts These are four distinct locally-owned all-inclusive properties in the heart of Rodney Bay Village in the north of the island, close to local markets, bars and restaurants so you're never far from the action. The resorts often host Creole-themed events, including cooking classes and live entertainment. Balenbouche Estate For the past seven decades, the former plantation at Balenbouche in the south has been owned and managed by the Lawaetz family. Over the years, the family gradually converted the property into a low-impact guesthouse, organic farm and retreat centre. They are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Balenbouche Estate, which remains an important national landmark, open to the public and involved in many environmental and social initiatives. Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa (pictured above) Established 20 years ago, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is on 85 acres in the south east, just five minutes from the island's main international airport, and is home to two resorts; adults-only Harmony & family-friendly Splash. Designed to please all ages (it's home to the island’s largest waterpark), this casually Caribbean, all-inclusive resort is popular year round. From March to November the beaches are nesting grounds for three species of endangered sea turtles. During the nesting season, sea turtle watching at Coconut Bay includes beach walks, nest identification and protection as well as the thrill of seeing hatchlings begin their epic journey of survival. Photo: Coconut Bay Beach Resort Press Cap Maison Resort & Spa This family-owned boutique resort feels private and secluded despite its proximity to some of the liveliest parts of the island. It has also recently been selected as a Relais & Chateau hotel with an array of foodie-favourite dining experiences overseen by its award-winning executive chef, Craig Jones. Ladera Built by hand, on a UNESCO world heritage site, this resort was a pioneer in the open wall (or three-wall) concept with exceptional views of the Pitons, made possible due to the prevailing trade winds that blow in from the opposite eastern side of the resort. The 37 luxury rooms and suites are built into a ridge among overflowing tropical foliage and flowers on Saint Lucia’s southern end, near Soufrière. Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences Set in 65 acres of lush hillside on Saint Lucia’s northwestern coast, the resort offers diving excursions in partnership with The Perry Institute for Marine Science and Eastern Caribbean Diving. 10% of the bookings for every SCUBA diving course goes to the Institute to support their research into the ecosystem and restoration. The Perry Institute has curated a carefully tailored environmental diving package (exclusively for the Windjammer Landing) which encourages young divers to take an interest in marine conservation and the importance of coral restoration and rejuvenation. Sandals Resorts We don't tend to feature large all-inclusive resorts on Green Traveller, preferring instead to focus on small, characterful accommodation, but Sandals is different. Pioneers of the all-inclusive holiday experience in the Caribbean, family-owned Sandals Resorts has three beachfront resorts in Saint Lucia that include the Caribbean's first Overwater Villas. For an insight into the work it does to championing the region see its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation . For ideas on where to eat, sights of interest and outdoor activities across the island, see our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia .

Saint Lucia has a wealth of soft-sandy golden beaches but if you'd the time and energy, there are lots of wonderful activities to help you discover more of this beautiful island, from sailing and scuba-diving to bamboo rafting, zip-lining, and aerial trams that provide wonderful canopy views of the lush interior. Here's our pick of outdoor adventure activities across the island. Zip-lining over the rainforest canopy. Photo: SLTA Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia :   Green = Places to stay   Blue = Food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities Helen’s Daughters’ Agri-tourism Helen’s Daughters is a non-profit organisation with a mission to amplify the role of agriculture and women (in the industry) in Saint Lucia and the region. Farm tours are part of the programme to raise funds and proving hugely popular. Visit a working farm and meet a local ‘FarmHER’. Hear their life stories and learn about the flora and fauna, plant some seedlings, make jam and relax by the river. Jus’ Sail is the creation of husband and wife team James and Pepsi Crockett, It offers unique, laid back sailing experiences such as day charters or sunset cruises and special moments such as proposals and memorials aboard the lovingly restored Carriacou Sloop ~ Good Expectation. The boat is crewed by the warm and welcoming duo of Captain and First Mate who were trained by the team at Jus’ Sail. Part of the company’s focus is on supporting the maritime culture through its award-winning training programmes during off-season summer months. Photo: Nigel Camp/Green Traveller Bamboo river rafting Enjoy a relaxing float along the Roseau river on a bamboo raft. Travel sedately along the almost two-mile expanse with your guide and along the way, learn about the rich history of the community on the west side of the island. The tour pauses to sample local fruits along the banks of the river. Voices of Saint Lucia: Stephan Charlie, Bamboo rafting guide Zip Lining Saint Lucia has three courses across the island. At Morne Coubaril in the south west, you can whizz through the trees with the stunning backdrop of the Pitons. Over on the east coast in Dennery is the Treetop Adventure Park. Rainforest Adventures in the north is also the home of the aerial tram (below). Rainforest Aerial Tram At around 2000 feet above sea level, the community of Chassin lies at the base of La Sorcière Mountain, which is home to Rainforest Adventures, Saint Lucia’s premiere eco-adventure park. Here, you can glide slowly up on a tram ride that takes visitors up and above the tree canopy. Experienced guides point out plants and trees and identify the calls and the plumage of the birdlife in the rainforest. The descent affords a bird’s eye view of the forest and a spectacular panoramic vista of the north of the island. Lushan Country Life On seven acres of land owned by a local family, this popular heritage experience takes you to visit an authentic Amerindian Hut, enjoy bird watching, sample fruits and local cuisine, visit the herb and flower gardens and take a leisurely walk through the forest. This is the tour to learn about the culture of Saint Lucia. Voices of Saint Lucia: Arthur Anthony, Lushan Country Life Three Peaks Challenge Bringing together all three climbs, the Saint Lucia Three Peaks Challenge invites visitors to climb each one during their stay on the island. Local experts and guides from The 758 Adventurers provide an escorted series of the three hikes which can be booked across the duration of your visit. The Challenge includes Gros Piton, Mount Gimie, the tallest peak of the three and Petit Piton is the more technical and difficult endeavour requiring ropes to climb certain sections and it is recommended that this is the first peak to be climbed. Scuba Diving Diving in Saint Lucia offers a world class experience with the island ideally situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. With 22 dive locations featuring ship wreckages, corals, underwater trenches and valleys and even to the base of the Pitons, there is something for all levels of diving experience. The dive operators are all fully certified by international organisations with ASHI, PADI and NAUI ratings. Choose from scuba, snorkelling, SNUBA and Sea-trek. Choiseul Arts & Crafts Centre Visit this collective of Saint Lucian artisans to see them at work and buy a gift or souvenir from a wide selection of items include baskets, art, pottery and furniture. Meet the skilled crafts men and women from the creative community of Choiseul. Voices of Saint Lucia: Velda George, Craftswoman Small Six Safari The ‘Big Five’ African safari challenge has been turned on its head in Saint Lucia with a nature adventure experience affectionately called the ‘Small Six’. The tour is led by Saint Lucian birding expert and conservationist Adams Toussaint and his team including Matthew ‘Willow’ Francois. Adams originally identified the list of these small indigenous creatures that can be spotted as you explore the island. The Saint Lucian parrot is one of the ”Small Six’ and is notoriously difficult to spot. Father Nature’s Chasing Waterfalls This tour offers thrilling off-the-beaten track outdoor experiences. Explore the island whilst snorkelling, chasing waterfalls, mountain climbing and more. Experienced guides lead small groups ensuring attention and safety. Kayak on the Bay This rustic tour is nestled on the water’s edge on the east coast of the Island in the community of Praslin. Join guided kayaking across the calm Praslin inlet and visit a seamoss farm to find out how this super food is grown and harvested. There’s also an opportunity to kayak to Praslin island, home to the rare Saint Lucian Whiptail lizard. Voices of Saint Lucia: Meveline Colmet Daage, Kayak on the Bay Eudovic Art Studio Joseph Eudovic was the island’s first successful wood sculptor. He opened his Art Studio more than 45 years ago and it is still situated at Goodlands, Castries welcoming over a million visitors. An internationally successful sculptor, he uses local woods for his abstract carvings, and since no two roots are the same, every single sculpture is unique and different. At his studio on Morne Fortune, you can see his magnificent pieces on display. Horseriding Sandy Hoofs runs beach rides along the north eastern coast on hillside trails and through forgotten valleys within access to several secluded beaches. Take in the country view of grazing cows and local fishermen along the coastline. Enjoy a canter along the beach and if sea conditions allow, ride your horse in the cool sea. Project Chocolat , Rabot Estate This is an immersive initiative from Hotel Chocolat, set across six acres of the Rabot Estate. The working cocoa farm provides a hands-on experience for chocolate lovers through its Tree to Bar experience where you’ll tour the farm and learn how cacao gets from a seedling to the end-product, delicious chocolate. On the shorter experience, the Bean to Bar, you skip straight to making your own chocolate bar while gaining delicious insider knowledge. Voices of Saint Lucia: Emma Peacock, Hotel Chocolat For more ideas on where to stay, where to find local food and drink, and sights of interest , see our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia .

The World Heritage Piton mountains are the mother of all attractions on Saint Lucia, but there are many other natural and cultural attractions on this fascinating, beautiful Caribbean island, from bathing mineral pools and waterfalls in the lush rainforest of the interior to community-based farming, art and craft initiatives that provide a diversity of income for local women. The Pitons are Saint Lucia’s most famous landmark; two volcanic mountains on the southwestern coast of the island. Each Piton has its own name: Gros Piton (at 2,530 ft high) and Petit Piton (at 2,438 ft high). Enjoy a guided hike on Gros Piton, Petit Piton too but it’s more of a challenging climb. Or simply admire them from the water or the many viewing points along the west coast. Photo: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia :  Green = Places to stay   Blue = Food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities Des Cartiers Rainforest Explore the island’s lush rainforest from the east cost. Go on a guided trek to spot the rare Saint Lucia Parrot (Jacquot). Visitors will also discover the island’s birdlife along this four kilometre trail. Billed as the Caribbean’s only ‘drive-in volcano’, Sulphur Springs is home to naturally mineral rich mud pools perfect for balneotherapy healing through the practice of bathing in therapeutic waters. Locals and visitors come to dip in the hot waters and apply the sulphur mud to their skin. The mud is said to detoxify the body and helps heal sunburns, eczema, sore joints and more. It’s the ultimate natural spa treatment. Local legend insists that this experience will make you look and feel younger! Photo: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Moule-a-Chique Lighthouse The Moule-a-Chique Lighthouse was built in 1912 and is said to be the world’s second highest lighthouse. It sits 740 feet above sea level and is located on the southernmost tip of Saint Lucia. Known for its breathtaking views of the island, it’s frequently visited by tourists and locals on a hike or with a picnic. The views are particularly stunning at sunset. This lighthouse also served as guidance for sailors during World War I and provided assistance in communication during the Grenada revolution. Emerald Farm is Anse Chastanet’s organic farm in the Soufriere hills, 20 minutes from the resort. A visit to Emerald Farm can be combined with a tour to the Sulphur Springs and Botanical Gardens which all together will take about 3-4 hours. Since 2007, Emerald Estate has been growing organic produce – from vegetables, micro greens, salads to fruits, spices, nuts and herbs- for the resort kitchens, There are over 1000 cocoa trees providing the cocoa beans used in the resort’s own chocolate production. Photo: Richard Hammond Sapphire Falls and Jungle Spa This guided adventure takes you through lush landscapes to the stunning Sapphire Falls, where you can unwind in naturally heated mineral pools. Perfect for nature lovers, this is a quieter alternative to the nearby Sulphur Springs. Relax in a jungle garden surrounded by palm trees and native plants, under a thatched roof Bamboo for shade. Tet Paul Nature Trai l is a family-owned trail that has been described as providing the best panoramic view of the southern part of the island including the Pitons. It’s an easy climb to the viewing point and along the way you are guided through an organic farm. There’s also a picnic area to enjoy lunch. Photo: Richard Hammond Pigeon Island National Landmark Saint Lucia’s national park combines history and nature. It was a separate isle until 1972, when the government built a causeway between it and the main island for easy access. It’s also where the infamous pirate, Jambe de Bois, created a camp to ambush Spanish trade ships. Visitors can also climb around the ruins of Fort Rodney, which was built by the English to fight the French. It’s also a top spot for snorkelling. Soufrière is one of the most recognisable towns in Saint Lucia. The town’s name comes from the sulphurous aromas created by the volcanoes. Explore the town square while shopping for a few souvenirs along the way. It’s also the gateway to some of the natural wonders of the islands such as the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Visitors use Soufrière as a base to hike to Toraille waterfall to cool off in the natural rainforest. Photo: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority La Tille Falls The waterfalls on the east side of Saint Lucia in Micoud are quiet and peaceful. A 20ft waterfall cascades into a pool where visitors can swim. To get to the falls and pool, you walk through a beautiful organic fruit, herbal and flower garden tended by the friendly owner. It’s the perfect picnic spot for a tranquil afternoon. For ideas on where to stay, where to find local food, and outdoor adventure activities, see our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia .

Saint Lucia packs a punch when it comes to food. From roadside grills serving freshly caught seafood to five star restaurants with international reputations, the emphasis at the many food outlets throughout the island is on local, seasonal, flavoursome dishes. Fresh, local seasonal food in Saint Lucia. Photo : Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia :  Green = Places to stay   Blue = Food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities Gros Islet Fish Fry Every Friday, this regular get together in one of the island’s picturesque fishing villages sees local vendors set up their grills serving freshly caught seafood. Enjoy the sizzling sounds and smells of street food as you sip a rum and listen to music. The fish fry is followed by a street party later in the evening so it gets lively! I-TAL experience at BodyHoliday This is a unique farm-to-fork dining experience inspired by Jamaica’s Rastafari movement. Set amidst a lush jungle environment, this vegetarian dining option focuses on nutrient-dense, organic meals that promote energy and well-being. The experience also includes a tour of BodyHoliday’s 2-acre organic farm, emphasising sustainable practices and ecological awareness. The I-TAL restaurant with its organic garden is tucked behind Coubaril Valley, sitting amongst the trees on top of a beautiful hillside. Anse Chastanet Vegan restaurant The resort (see Places to Stay in Saint Lucia ) introduced an entirely vegan concept menu as part of the daily culinary offerings. Anse Chastanet offers guests a choice of four menus most nights. All menus feature vegetarian and vegan choices but the Emerald’s restaurant caters exclusively to vegans with a modern tapas style menu. Voices of Saint Lucia: Elijah Jules, Executive Sous Chef, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Marjorie’s Visit the new site of Marjorie's, a local restaurant on Cas-en-Bas beach in the north. The original Marjorie's, just a stone's throw from the new venue is a Saint Lucian institution and was a favourite of singer Amy Winehouse during her extended stay on the island. This completely transformed version was in partnership with Cabot Saint Lucia. Enjoy local fayre whilst watching the horseriders and kitesurfers. Castries Market This lively and colourful market has been running since the 1890s and sells a range of fresh fruit and vegetables along with crafts, gifts, clothes and local spices. Head to the back of the market to find a line of food kiosks where you can try freshly prepared local dishes made with market produce. Castries Central Market has been running since the 1890s. Photo: Richard Hammond Chateau Mygo , Marigot Bay This friendly restaurant on the west coast is a third generation west Indian eaterie open for breakfast lunch and dinner. Enjoy dishes with a local touch with a great view of Marigot Bay and the marina. The restaurant also has regular live music. Duke’s Place – Gros Islet This local eaterie on the waterfront in Gros Islet is a popular spot serving up fresh seafood on the grill. It gets busy early on Friday nights before the regular street party. Naked Fisherman , Cap Maison Nestled in a natural cove just below Cap Maison, is The Naked Fisherman Beach Bar & Grill, a relaxed beach front restaurant. Due to its popularity it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, if tables are not readily available you can take a casual seat at the bar. Orlando’s Orlando was head chef at one of the island’s leading resort restaurants before setting up his own intimate dining experience in the south west in Soufriere. This award-winning restaurant has secured a reputation internationally bringing Saint Lucian cuisine to the fore, thanks to its delicious menu of locally inspired dishes that make the most of seasonal produce. Orlando's has an international reputation for its Saint Lucian cuisine. Photo: Richard Hammond Dasheene , Soufriere Dasheene is housed at Ladera Resort (see Places to stay in Saint Lucia ), offering spectacular views of the Pitons. Executive Chef Nigel Mitchel and his award-winning culinary team have created exciting menus of innovative farm-to-table dishes of fresh takes on classic Saint Lucian dishes like Old Fashioned Pepper Pot and Shrimp Dasheene. The Coal Pot Situated on the Vigie Marina waterfront in an open-air setting, enjoy local fish such as snapper and dorado served with a choice of West Indian sauces along with rice and peas, steamed veggies, and salad. The restaurant gets its name from the traditional Caribbean cooking method used across the islands for generations. Also check out the sister restaurant the Pink Plantation House. The Reef Beach Café Head down to the south east coast to find this eaterie in Vieux Fort, serving a simple menu of Creole and international dishes. The Reef Kite and Surf is located right next to The Reef Beach Cafe, and there are tables inside as well as outside under the gum and sea grape trees on the beach. Kabawe Krawl If you’re interested in exploring Saint Lucia whilst sipping a Piton beer or sampling a rum punch then you’ll love the Kabawé Krawl. It’s Creole for pub crawl or bar crawl and is a trail of bars around the island that give you a real flavour of the different communities. It’s an opportunity to meet the locals, swap stories and enjoy Saint Lucian hospitality. You can book a guided tour around the bars with one of our local tour companies, alternatively, if you’re out and about, look for the Kabawé Krawl sign at a participating venue. Participating bars are all on Google maps. For ideas on where to stay, sights of interest and outdoor activities across the island, see our Conservation Traveller's Guide to Saint Lucia .