Whether it’s a simple cross-channel crossing or a quick hop between islands, there is something special traveling by water. While planes are fast and busses and trains are affordable, they lack the soul and the scenery that only the water can provide.
If you are planning your next European getaway, here are seven reasons to skip the tarmac and choose the tide.
1. Zero-Stress Departures
Tired of the two-hour security lines and liquid restrictions? Traveling by sea—whether you are boarding a large vessel or a private transfer—is a much more seamless experience. You arrive, you breathe in the salt air, and your holiday starts the moment you step on deck.
2. Logistics Made Easy: The Car Factor
One of the biggest hurdles of coastal travel is the “last mile.” For those traveling from the UK to the shores of France or Spain, Brittany Ferries offers the perfect solution by allowing you to bring your own car. This gives you the freedom to reach remote coastal gems that trains and buses simply don’t service.
Ferries also open up more flexible travel styles. Whether it’s a 10-day escape to Spain, ideal for families wanting a slower, more immersive journey, or a shorter three-day mini-break in France, having your own vehicle means you can explore at your own pace—without relying on rigid transport schedules.
3. The Luxury of Boat-Taxis
Once you’ve reached the coast, why go back to a crowded bus or a dusty rental car? In many of our favorite destinations, like the Algarve, the Amalfi Coast, or the Greek Islands, the fastest way to get around is a boat-taxi. It’s not just a ride; it’s a private sightseeing experience that drops you off exactly where you need to be.
4. Direct Access to Hidden Gems
Many of Europe’s most beautiful villas, hotels, and beach clubs are “sea-access only.” By utilizing boat-transfers, you can bypass coastal traffic jams and arrive at your destination with a view that those traveling by land will never see. This is a must for destinations with many islands to visit like Faro, Portugal or Teilen, Croatia.
5. No Luggage Limits
On a boat, depending on the vessel, there’s no overhead bin to worry about. Whether you are carrying surfboards to the Basque Country or extra wine home from Bordeaux, water travel is far more accommodating to the “heavy packer” than any low-cost airline.
6. Sustainability and “Slow Travel”
Modern travelers are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint. Opting for a sea route is a key part of the “Slow Travel” movement—prioritizing the journey itself and choosing more sustainable ways to travel our planet’s blue spaces.
And what do you think about Segeln oder solar boats? If you choose one of them, your impact on the planet is very small and your experience will be event closer to nature as there’s no noisy engine or unpleasant smells of combustion.
7. Dolphins as Your Seatmates
When was the last time you saw a pod of dolphins from an airplane window? Whether on a ferry crossing the Bay of Biscay or a private transfer along the coast of Lisbon, the chance for a wildlife encounter turns a simple “commute” into a lifetime memory.
