Flight-free travel has been steadily growing for the last couple of years. More and more people are talking about it, and Byway bookings have been increasing rapidly each year. It’s a noticeable shift in the industry that’s starting to snowball. We wondered, do wider statistics back this up?

To find out, we partnered with OnePoll to ask holidaymakers about their travel plans. Sure enough, the results show a growing interest in flight-free holidays and a desire to travel more sustainably.

Dive into the findings below:

A preference for flight-free travel is growing

Two in five (42.5%) of UK holidaymakers would rather take a train, ferry or coach than fly.
The preference is particularly strong among 18 to 24-year-olds, 35 to 40-year-olds, and those aged 65 and over.

Travellers want to reduce their carbon footprint

42% of UK holidaymakers want to find alternatives to flying in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
This rises to 65% for Londoners and is highest among Gen Z travellers (60.5%) and 25 to 34-year-olds (54%).

Intent is converting into real action

Nearly half of UK travellers are already opting for flight-free or plan to this year.
Gen Z are the most likely to be making the switch to flight-free travel in 2023 - 28% of 18 to 24-year-olds say they’ve taken a train, ferry or coach this year for the first time, or plan to do so before December.
25 to 34-year-olds are twice as likely as the average traveller to be trying flight-free travel for the first time this year.

Most who try it, love it

We asked everyone who had already tested out flight-free to share their thoughts on the experience - the most popular response was that they would absolutely do it again
Most said they liked the experience of travelling overland so they could see more of the countries they visited.
30% appreciated avoiding airport queues and commuting.
19% valued the environmental benefits.