We’ve partnered with Byway – a B Corp Certified specialist tour operator – to give our travelers the option to reach their adventures flight-free where possible.

Byway’s mission is to showcase the benefits of choosing flight-free in an effort to move the world towards choosing sustainable travel. Their aim is to make it easy for travelers to reach their destinations in a way that’s just as enjoyable as the destination. The adventure doesn’t just start when you get there!  

If you’re traveling with Macs to Europe, your journey might include two, three, or even more flight connections. But, once you reach Europe, you could choose to let Byway to take the reins. Book one of their tours to get to your Macs Adventure destination without those connecting flights. They create flight-free travel itineraries with overnight stops, so you can make the journey part of the vacation!

Why choose flight-free? 

Though an international flight is likely required to cross the Atlantic, flight-free options are available to connect from European hub airports like London or Paris to get to your final destination. Cut out that connecting flight to make your trip more planet-friendly (plus skip the airport madness) and see more of Europe and beyond overland. 

Travel Europe by Train 

Most places in Europe are accessible by train. All aboard for the chance to cross several countries while exquisite scenery rolls by. With front row seats to rolling Scottish hills, chequered French countryside, or snow-tipped peaks in Austria, trains are a great way to see more and give you a true European experience.  

Trains are not only convenient, cost-effective, and comfortable, but they are also one of the most sustainable forms of transport. For example, to travel from London to Florence by train, it would produce just 3kg of carbon – which is the equivalent of eating 1 cheeseburger. If you took the same journey by air, that would produce approx. 228kg. That’s enough energy to power the lights of the Eiffel Tower for 3 days! 

Travel by Boat or Ferry 

It’s not often you get to see views from this perspective. And while most destinations can be reached by train, there are some that require a stint across the waters to get there. Traveling by boat immerses you in refreshing salty sea air with the calming, rhythmic sound of the waves. Float over the Irish Sea to the Emerald Isle or hop on a ferry to the Channel Islands. It’s a peaceful way to start and end your adventure. 

Example Flight-Free Journeys from London

We've included some great examples of how you could travel from London to your Macs Adventure to help you imagine the experience, but Byway are happy to customize trips from your origin town or city by train, boat or ferry to the start point of most Macs itineraries: 

Camino Portuguese Coastal Way 

Walk the Camino Portugese Coastal Way with Macs to experience a meaningful journey through rural Portugal. With Byway, you can get to your Macs Adventure with overnight stays in San Sebastian and Vigo, traveling from England to Porto on this rail adventure. Byway can offer a superb return journey from Santiago with an additional night to return to those foodie spots you missed on your first visit to San Sebastian! 

Walk the Great Glen Way 

Journey to your Highland adventure, Macs' Great Glen Way, on a rail trip from London with a night in the bustling city of Glasgow included. 

Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna 

Experience Europe the slow travel way, with an overnight in Munich on this Byway trip. When you reach Passau you'll continue the adventure by bike all the way to Vienna on Macs' Danube Cycle Path trip. Your return ByWay rail trip could include a night in Zurich. So many fascinating European cities in one vacation! 

Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc 

This incredible hike is one of the most popular self-guided Alpine adventures Macs Adventure offers. Get to Geneva from London with an overnight stop in Annecy to explore its historic charm, and return the same way.