Can't drive. Won't fly. Won't camp. Where to go?

[IfYouCantSeeMyMirrors]

We're looking for a 2020 summer family holiday outside the UK, for a family including two teens. Camping and other uncomfortable accommodation is ruled out, as is any kind of expensive train travel (Eurostar). We need somewhere with good travel connections (to it and within it). In the past, when our budget was slightly higher, we did Amsterdam, the Belgian coast, Berlin, the Black Forest....Does anyone have any other good suggestions for what looks like being our last 'abroad' whole-family holiday?

Cruise? To Norwegian fjords maybe? If you are happy to share an inside cabin for 4 you can get a bargain for maybe £600 each if you wait until nearer the time. All food included.

How much is train travel to Marseille= how long is a piece of string. Cheap tickets booked well in advance from Paris to Marseille start at 25 euros one way per person, flexible tickets booked close to the time can be over 100 euros one way per person. You'd also need to get from the ferry terminal to Paris though.

If you're flexible about dates and book well in advance overnight coach from Paris to Marseille can be had for less than 10 euros one way per person.

Oh and Eurostar can be had for about 75 euros return per person (but you have to be really quick booking).

Yes Scilly isles has a ferry to it, I have just been stuck on the island for three extra days as it broke down though! Scilly isles is undeniably beautiful but think we will be staying on mainland Cornwall next year.....lots of lovely places there too.

OP for train travel, have a look at the Man in Seat 61 website. Loads of information and tips for good deals.

averythinline where have you stayed? We're thinking of getting the train to the Marseille area next year.

Train travel in Switzerland is expensive.

One of the ferry companies does combined train and ferry tickets from Harwich.

Here: www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail

Why the refusal to drive abroad? Driving in continental Europe is way, way easier than driving in the UK. Roads are far quieter and better maintained. Even driving through cities is less traumatic (and less aggressive) than the UK.

Having said all that we do also love rail travel in Europe, although typically we actually find it cheaper to drive as a family.

Interrailing using hostels (you could get 4 person rooms to keep costs down) would be great for teenagers. One thing to check though, have a look at where you'd really like to go, and if you'd rather spend a few days in each place (therefore having less rail journeys) it's worth looking at the individual prices rather than getting an interrailing ticket. It can work out cheaper to just book tickets online.

You’ve ruled out flying, driving and train travel. Cycling holiday in Holland by ferry?

I’m saying that slightly tongue in cheek, but I’ve done it and would happily do it again.

We did the TGV from Paris to Marseille and it was very cheap. It's about 100 euros return per person if you get it booked far enough in advance.

There's also a "no frills" option with OuiGo - similar trains, just as fast but no buffet car, wifi etc. Think that was about 20 euros each way.

we booked the direct service in Dec for august was about £300-350 for 3 - however it increases quite quickly so would get on their email list for when booking opens....If you book early you ar emore likely to get a table as well!
the journey out is great -although an early start! coming back is a bit of a pain as you have to get off at lille and go through security/customs (no idea what it'll be like next year!) - we may do connx via paris in the future to avoid that but was dearer when we looked

we usually hire a car - but there is not bad public transport in Avignon that goes quite widely or other trains to places such as arles/aix/perpignan (fab little city)
we usually stay at least a night in Avignon -its lovely and nice to get bearings after the train and soak up the sun (novotel or the grand as have pools)
we have done trip to avignon as well - have stayed at sites in st remy provence -lovely and can walk to centre of village - also in huttopia moulin near the gorge d'ardeche and also uzes...

Marseille -we used air bnb for an apartment in Le Panier (old town) loved it ..woudl be happy to recommend

What railcards are you entitled to?

I don't drive due to a serious ankle injury and I manage to get all over Europe on public transport without breaking the bank.

If Eurostar is too expensive, take a coach to Lille and then the train onwards from there. This will save you a fortune - if you book ahead you can do London-Lille by Eurolines or FlixBus for just a few quid.

Once you have crossed the channel it is possible to get cheap train fares to lots of interesting destinations in France if you book long enough in advance (tickets are usually released about 12 weeks ahead and in the school holidays midweek trains are cheaper than weekend fares). You can also look into railcards especially for party members who are under 25.

What sort of holiday do you want - active, city, beach?

Also, for destinations in the south of France it can sometimes be cheaper (though longer) to consider the Intercités services or even the night trains rather than the TGV.

If you're willing to forgo a bed, the night train from Paris to Toulouse and on to the Spanish border can be done for €18 per person. Strictly for the hardy. But you can get second class bunk from about 40-50€ pp and this saves a night in a hotel.

2 week cruise around the comes on a big cruise ship ... pick up and drop off at Southampton. Easy train links ...

The UK will cease to be part of the Interrailing scheme as from 1 Jan 2020. It is continuing on mainland Europe.

Isle of Wight? Drive to Portsmouth/Southampton or lymington. Or coach. Take ferry across and it's still the UK if you look at static caravans which are so much more comfortable now with centra heating or a lodge or a chalet at places like park resorts they will cover all your ferry fee (depending on when and even then it's a small charge) loads to see and do and the weather is pretty good since it's south coast

You could take a ferry to Spain (Bilbao), with some research you could find a train to take you to the next seaside town (Atlantic Coast) or go inland ... I think there are some national parks nearby. I think key is to get transport (ferry / train) as close as possible to your accommodation.

averythinline where do you book your train tickets? Thetrainline.com rejects my attempts to book anything more than 3 months in advance. Where do you book 8 months in advance?

the direct eurostar we booked on Eurostar itself _ I think they only do so far out for the 'summer' train to Lyon/Avignon/Marseille - although that maybe operating all year round now - havent looked....

other tickets eg avignon-perpignan/marseille booked via Loco trains
loco2.com/
*note there are 2 stations at Avignon (TGV and central) and some other towns in france and there ca n be huge dif in cost
eg Avignon - perpignon tgv approx100 euro (for the day we wanted) from central 41euro..

they are really straightforward - but they do only get x months in advance as thats when the train companies release schedules most places are 3 months but sometimes sleeper services are bookable further out...

sncf rail also have a family card that maybe worth buying if you are doing lots of train travel round france...

Sleepers from Paris -eg. venice stops MIL/Verona (easy bus to Lake Garda) as well also bookable via Loco2

Thanks averythinline - I'm actually trying to book a different trip, but one including Eurostar and part of the route through France. I'd like to train rather than fly but atm train is more expensive on "test" journeys I've put in to get a price, want to travel in February and was hoping there was some way to find cheap advance tickets. Will look at Eurostar direct and loco2.
Thanks!

Definately recommend a cruise, get an inside cabin, you only sleep and get dressed in there. You can get a train or coach to Southampton and board from there. P&O to Norway is about £600 each and you can often find deals where the 3rd and 4th passengers go for much less (we paid £1 for DS this year!). All food is included and drinks are pretty much inline with UK pub prices.

We got the train all the way from here in the Midlands to Salou in Spain. Cost was about £500-600 for four of us for the train tickets, I had some airmiles that I used that virtually paid for the Eurostar. Then it's just your accommodation on top. Have a play round with fares on Eurostar & Oui SNCF. You can get a bargain sometimes.

We really enjoyed our holiday.

@EdnaAdaSmith train tickets in France for next Feb won't be released until December. If you book immediately they are released you should find some bargains.

Ferry to Lille is a good alternative to Eurostar if the latter is too expensive. We did it recently (last minute trip and Eurostar was working out at nearly 200€ pp on a Friday afternoon). Cost well under £50 for 2 and although it's longer it's not an awful journey.