Research shows that 61% of parents say travelling with kids is stressful, with the cost, planning, and logistics of getting the whole family away often adding to the pressure. As flight prices rise, many families are looking for more affordable and hassle-free ways to enjoy a summer escape.
With this in mind, The Co-operative Bank analysed more than 35 European destinations accessible from the UK by car, train, and ferry. It compared each across accommodation costs, food and drink costs, things to do, temperatures, and safety scores, highlighting options that offer good value for families seeking to avoid flying this summer.
The full top 10 ranking
| Rank | Destination | Country | Accommodation (5 nights, July) | Meal for two | Beer | Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seville | Spain | £428 | £47.78 | £2.15 | £1.51 |
| 2 | Vigo | Spain | £550 | £43.00 | £2.58 | £1.58 |
| 3 | Porto | Portugal | £425 | £43.00 | £2.58 | £1.98 |
| 4 | Lisbon | Portugal | £539 | £47.30 | £2.58 | £2.24 |
| 5 | Santander | Spain | £871 | £43.00 | £2.58 | £1.89 |
| 6 | Prague | Czech Republic | £454 | £42.73 | £2.31 | £2.87 |
| 7 | Bilbao | Spain | £739 | £51.60 | £2.58 | £1.88 |
| 8 | Budapest | Hungary | £389 | £49.06 | £2.94 | £2.68 |
| 9 | San Sebastián (Donostia) | Spain | £1,369 | £43.00 | £2.58 | £1.72 |
| 10 | Colmar | France | £601 | £55.90 | £4.30 | £2.09 |
Seville tops the ranking as the most affordable flight-free destination from the UK. Easily reached by train or ferry, it combines relatively low accommodation costs with the cheapest drinks of all the cities analysed, making it a standout choice for a budget-friendly summer break.
Prague ranks as the best overall no-fly destination from the UK, topping the rankings for cost, things to do, and safety.
Kat Robinson, Head of Family and Everyday Banking, highlighted the importance of managing spending abroad to avoid unnecessary fees and make holiday budgets go further.
The study comes as families face ongoing pressure from rising travel and living costs, with many parents finding that the combination of travel expenses and logistical challenges makes summer getaways particularly demanding. By focusing on destinations accessible by car, train, or ferry, the research identifies options that can ease both financial and organisational strain.
Spain and Portugal feature prominently in the top rankings, offering warm temperatures and family-friendly attractions alongside competitive pricing. Cities such as Seville and Porto combine cultural experiences and coastal appeal with accessible transport links from the UK, while Budapest offers the lowest accommodation cost in the ranking, at £389 for five nights.
The Co-operative Bank notes that its debit cards carry no currency conversion fees for current account customers, a feature it says can further help travellers control costs on international trips.
As demand for sustainable and cost-effective travel grows, no-fly options are gaining attention among UK families seeking memorable summer breaks across Europe.