A five-month adventure in Europe (without flying)
- Keira Proust
- Jan 18
- 11 min read
Backpacking through Europe felt like a complete whirlwind compared to our experience in Southeast Asia. I remained committed to doing the trip flight-free, and racked up more than 13,000 kilometres (by land and sea) over the five months.
We managed to travel across 15 countries without taking any flights! I swapped planes for eight boats, 33 trains, 55 long distance buses and a silly amount of other land transport.
So, if you've ever wondered about how feasible it would be to explore Europe without stepping on a plane, I wrote this little recap and budget breakdown just for you.
Flight-free transport adventures
I didn't know much before setting off on our 11-month-long overseas extravaganza. One thing I did know, though, was that I wanted to travel as lightly as possible. Lightly on the environment, that is. So, avoiding air travel and slowing down were priorities.
After a successful five months of flight-free travel across Southeast Asia, we were very confident about attempting the challenge in Europe.
Europe means many things to many people. To me, it's a landmass brimming with a vibrant market culture, good whole foods, opportunities for endless wine sipping, divine alpine hiking, and many easy flight-free travel options.
Below is a little snapshot of my land and sea journey through the UK, Europe and Türkiye.
We started our European extravaganza in Turin, Italy. We took a direct flight from Bangkok after five months in Southeast Asia. We landed in the middle of a heatwave, but that didn't stop us from enjoying cooking up a storm for the first time in six months! We frequented the local markets a lot.
The next two to three weeks were spent bus-hopping through Italy and France. I reunited with my host family and friends from my high school French exchange in (and around) Lyon! It was delightful. From there, I began my solo adventure across France and into the UK.
Ferry from France to the UK
After soaking up the sun, filling my belly with mouth-watering pastries and practising French, it was time to move onto greyer pastures (the UK). The most unique flight-free travel experience I had in Europe was probably this ferry ride from France to England's south coast.
I made my way to the quaint seaside town of Saint-Malo to board a Brittany Ferries ship bound for Portsmouth. Once on board, I braced myself for a bumpy eight-hour journey ahead. However, not a bump was to be felt! I was blessed with yet another smooth sailing experience.
I spent the journey on the sundeck, watching France shrink into the distance, and napping on a spare couch. It felt as though I was the only backpacker on board. Most people were taking the ferry because they were holidaying with their cars. However, I also met a musician who said it was cheaper to take their harp on the ferry instead of a plane. Many of the older travellers seemed to simply enjoy the experience of riding a ferry between France and the UK.
There were numerous bars, restaurants, kids' playgrounds, and other activity areas onboard. I also spotted plenty of cabins for people to enjoy some privacy during the eight-hour expedition. As we came closer to England, the country's famous white cliffs came into view. It was fabulous! From Portsmouth, I then caught an hour-long train to Brighton (which actually cost double the ferry ticket price!!!)
The foot passenger ferry ticket was only $25 AUD. I thought this was crazy cheap compared to the ludicrous London-Paris Eurostar costs.
Ferry to Ireland
After a couple of weeks in the UK, it was time to explore Ireland. I took a train from London to Holyhead, where you can then catch a ferry to Dublin!
I decided to break the journey up with an overnight stop in Wales. I found a cute hostel in the coastal town of Llandudno. This part of the Welsh coastline was beautiful, rugged, and raw. At this point, I had started using my Eurail pass to make train travel cheaper across the UK.
The ferry was more expensive to Dublin, costing $57. Although that was still quite affordable compared to most European transport prices. Families with cars, cyclists, and some backpackers were using this route. It took about three hours from port to port, BUT we arrived too late to catch a public bus into Dublin. Luckily, I met a French backpacker and some Canadians who were happy to split an Uber into the city.
Ferry to Scotland
After a week in Ireland, including a roadtrip in the north, it was time to head to Scotland. I opted to pay for a bus/ferry/bus package deal, which took me from the heart of Belfast to Glasgow in around five hours.
This was a much more cost-effective and time-effective method compared to what Paddy had organised! I spent about $80 for the buses and ferry, and the journey took five and a half hours. Paddy, on the other hand, hadn't seen the package option. So he took a variety of transport modes, which cost more and meant he arrived several hours later.
All the UK/Ireland/France ferries were filled with restaurants, bars, and entertainment areas. Much more deluxe than the 65-hour Java to Sumatra boat ride!
Train to Paris
I had my fill of boat journeys in the UK and Ireland, so it was time to jump back on the train bandwagon. After a final theatre foray in London, I decided to unwind in Paris. My Eurail pass ended up costing about $49 for each day of train travel. So, I saved a lot on the Eurostar! I had to pay an additional $70 for the seat reservation (madness), but that still ended up a lot cheaper than the last-minute $350-$450 seat tickets.
It only took three hours from my accommodation in central London to reach my hostel in Montmartre, which I found very impressive. By this point in the trip, I was feeling quite burnt out. So, I spent eight days doing sweet nothing in Paris while I waited to meet up with Paddy again.
Cycling through wine country
For a more relaxing bit of slow travel, Paddy and I hopped on some bikes to explore France's beautiful wine regions. It was brilliant!
Trains and trams galore
I became quite the tram fan in Eastern Europe. I particularly loved them in Prague and Budapest. They are so cute and retro! We made our way through France, Germany, Italy and Austria on trains (thanks to Eurail) before swapping to buses and trams in the east.
Buses through the Balkans
After exploring many European cities, it was time to retreat into nature. So, we opted for a bus from Zagreb to Bosnia's countryside. From there, we kept the bus love going all the way through the Balkans. They were affordable, fairly reliable, and everywhere! Some came in the form of a dodgy minivan, others provided a coach-esque experience.
Once we arrived in Bosnia, we were outside the Schengen zone. This meant that some border crossings took longer, and that we finally got our passports stamped again! Hooray. We travelled through Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece by bus. Some drivers charged an additional 'bag' tax, but our experiences were mostly pleasant! And it was a lot more adrenaline-inducing than the tranquil train rides of Europe, which I had been craving ever since leaving Asia.
A long bus to Türkiye
It was finally time for our last country: Türkiye! We had several transport options from the Balkans to Türkiye. We opted for two long buses through Greece, with a stop in Thessaloniki. We first took an 11-hour bus from Tirana, spent two nights in Thessaloniki, and then another mammoth bus journey to Istanbul.
The border crossing into Türkiye was a dream, and the bus services became a lot more luxurious once we left Greece behind! The buses in Türkiye actually turned out to be among the most elite public transport experiences of our 11 months abroad.
Deluxe buses in Türkiye
Turkish buses are something else. Many provide an experience not too dissimilar to an international flight. Most buses we boarded had TV screens in the back of the seats, a server to bring you free snacks and drinks on a trolley, and countless sanitiser spritzes.
We spent a lot of time on buses in Türkiye. It's a huge country! Most people fly to places such as Cappadoccia or the coastline. But we were really glad to have carved out enough time to take on the country by land. The bus trips ranged from four hours to 14!
Türkiye train rides
Another great mode of transport in Türkiye was the trains! We took a train from Izmir to Selçuk, and another from Ankara to Istanbul. They were cheap, clean, and very fast.
High-speed train lines quickly link Istanbul with cities such as Konya, Ankara, and Izmir. One journey I have high on my list for my next Turkish adventure is the 26-hour Ankara to Kars train! It looks like a real adventure, filled with stunning scenery.
Happiest memories of Europe
As anyone would, I have a silly amount of happy memories from the 11 months I spent abroad. So, I've compiled a little list of some of the ones from Europe that bring the biggest smile to my face.
The markets! The markets!
Nothing brings me joy like a good, fresh food market. And Europe delivers on this front like nowhere else. I consumed a dangerous amount of fresh fruit, olives, and cheese here.
Reunions in France
I got to hug and hang out with my beautiful French friends again! I spent about five nights catching up with friends and my host family in Lyon and Loire-sur-Rhône. It wasn't nearly long enough, but was such a joy! We drank a ridiculous amount of wine, played petanque, and shared plenty of good meals.
A night in Glastonbury
I caught up with a wonderful family (who inspired my flight-free travels) near Glastonbury! I had interviewed Shannon, Theo and their daughter, Rosa, after they attempted to travel from the UK to Australia without flying in 2023. I stayed in touch with Shannon and even used her blog to inform our flight-free attempts through Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
I was lucky enough to stay with them for a night. They live in a stunning off-grid home near Glastonbury. We ate nutritious food, explored the woodland-covered lanes, and shared travel stories! I also spotted a hedgehog in their garden! A rare sight in the ecologically destroyed country that is the UK.
Crisp coastal walks
Many beautiful, crisp walks were had around the coastlines of the UK and Ireland. My favourite was the Howth coastal walk near Dublin, and the Seven Sisters cliffs an hour from Brighton in the UK.
Northern Ireland road trip
Paddy and I reconnected a couple of times in the UK and Ireland. One of the best things we did was hire a car and explore Northern Ireland's coastline.
We took a car from Belfast, made our way to the Giant's Causeway, and then onto Derry. It was fab.
Theatre nerds
I also watched a lot of theatre in the UK. I saw stage productions of The Book of Mormon, Devil Wears Prada, Narnia, and Stranger Things. Plus, I witnessed the magic that is Ncuti Gatwa performing live on stage!
Soaking up Paris
Spending eight days in Paris was a dream. I ate many pastries, made some wonderful friends, saw Chappell Roan perform live, and soaked up plenty of golden hours.
The world's fifth smallest country
We went to San Marino, a tiny country inside Italy's borders. It was totally bizarre and fascinating. We got to spend a night in the ancient city, atop a rocky mountain overlooking the Italian countryside.
Hikes through Austria’s Alps
Bush walks always make me happy. But in the European Alps, it was truly something else. A highlight was heading up high into the alps behind Innsbruck. Every single direction was filled with postcard-perfect views.
Party time in Bratislava
I had a bloody blast in Slovakia's capital, Bratislava. I spent four nights partying with fellow travellers, swimming in local lakes, and exploring the remnants of the country's communist past. It was only an hour from Vienna, and so much cheaper. It's truly a party lover's dream spot.
Exploring beautiful Bosnia
Every time I think of Bosnia, I smile. This country truly has some of the best nature in Europe. We went in autumn and were treated to spectacular, vibrant forests. It also has an incredibly devastating recent history, which I think everyone should learn about.
Another hiking extravaganza
The BEST hiking experience I've ever had was in Albania. What a truly joyous experience. The people, the mountains, the rivers, the wine. Gosh, it was so good. I could go on and on about this place, and I have, so feel free to read all about it here.
Istanbul’s vibrant streets
Türkiye stole my heart. It was enigmatic, magical, vibrant, chaotic, and fulfilling. The people were always happy to help. They loved their tea, games, shopping, and most of all, their country.
The streets were filled with many beautiful lanterns, rugs, and other homewares. I could have bought enough stuff to fill a shipping container, but I had restraint. Still, we were very glad to have left Türkiye until last, so we could bring some little pieces back with us.
Standing among gods
Mount Nemrut was our final adventure of the year. And what an adventure it was! We endured several long bus rides and a very dodgy Turkishman, but it was totally worth it. Standing among ancient statues of gods on a remote mountain was a genuine highlight of the year. We also got to watch a spectacular sunset and simply felt thrilled to have accomplished the journey without flying.
Costs for five months in Europe
Essentially, I spent $23,046 (AUD) over five months. This includes everything... flights to Italy and back home, daily transport, sims, clothes, insurance and other costs.
Travel cost breakdown
Daily costs
My daily costs for the 23 weeks in Europe totalled $20,289. This meant I was spending around $882 per week on average. This includes all of our transport, food, accommodation, alcohol and activities. The cheapest country overall was Türkiye, while the UK and Ireland were the most expensive.
Accomodation
Costs for accommodation obviously varied a lot. We were able to stay with some friends in France for free, but mostly spent our time in hostels. The most I spent on a night's accommodation was $110 in Innsbruck. The hostels were fully booked, so we had to pay for a private apartment. I was able to find hostels for as cheap as $35 in central London. The cheapest accommodation was in the Balkans, particularly Bosnia, where you could pick up a private room for about $27 a night each.
Insurance and flights
I spent $283 on comprehensive travel insurance for five months in Europe. Flights to Milan from Bangkok cost $650. We spent 10 days in Malaysia before flying home to Australia. Flights to Kuala Lumpur from Istanbul were $463, and from KL to Sydney cost $343 each.
Food and alcohol
Another very varied price range. You could spend between $20-$40 for a basic dinner out in Western Europe.
We used a great app called TooGoodToGo for cheap meals in the UK and France. They also operate in Australia, and allow you to pick up cheap surprise bags of food that otherwise would be thrown out at the end of the day. It was always delicious and cheap!
Alcohol was fairly affordable in Western Europe compared to Australia. We could pick up a bottle of Disarrano for $20, instead of the hefty $60 price tag in Aus. It was much cheaper in the Balkans, but not very affordable in Türkiye, being a Muslim nation.
Extras
I spent $174 on e-sims for the five months across Europe. My Eurail pass was $735. This allowed me to travel for 15 days across two months, averaging about $49 for each day of train travel. I also had to buy some clothes as the weather became colder, and before going home. I spent $240 in total on clothing.
Western Europe
The West was obviously the most expensive part of Europe. I spent about $922 a week on average, around $132 a day.
Eastern Europe
The East was a much more affordable European adventure. I spent about $858 a week, and $122 a day.
Türkiye
This country was the cheapest in Europe. We could get dinner for as little as $9, and public transport was cheap too. Some local buses cost a couple of dollars, and longer journeys would set you back about $40. I spent $774 a week, about $110 each day.
For the entire 11 months abroad, I spent just over $33,000 AUD. This was almost half what I had budgeted for! I would absolutely quit my job and do another travel extravaganza like this in a heartbeat. There are always ways to reduce costs, but I didn't feel as though I had to miss anything due to budget restraints.
Tackling the challenge of a flight-free itinerary was incredible. I'm already planning the next one! Thanks for coming along. Until next time!
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