Ditching flights for ‘slow travel’ can save tourists thousands on holiday costs

The travel booking company Omio has suggested that budget-conscious tourists can save hundreds on their summer holiday by booking a ferry, rather than a flight.

As the cost-of-living crisis causes many tourists to look for ways to spend less on their next trip, some are embracing ‘slow travel’, using forms of transport other than planes to get to their destination.

A spokesperson for Omio noted that taking the trip to a holiday destination at a slower pace can help tourists save a considerable amount of money.

They explained: “With more people already opting for rail travel, road trips, or walking holidays, it’s no surprise that searches for slow travel are on the rise. With summer just around the corner, what better time to start mapping a slow travel route for this summer?

“With the cost of living crisis, it’s important for travelling and holidays not to break the bank. That’s why Omio, an online travel comparison and booking website, has analysed a slow travel route using ferries across Europe this summer and compared it to flight prices to reveal a cheaper alternative.”

Showing how much tourists can save on flight costs, Omio created a lavish tour around France and Spain, taking in some of the most popular destinations in each country, including Calais, Barcelona, and Ibiza.

Whilst one variant of this trip took tourists to each location via flights, the other used a mix of ferries, trains, and coaches to get to each destination.

Naturally, the ‘slow travel’ choice took substantially longer to cover, meaning travellers would get less time to spend in each city. However, avoiding flights cut the cost of the trip by nearly £150, with tourists spending just £620 on travel for their time away.

Moreover, whilst tourists will be spending more time on the move, being constantly on the ground means they have a better chance to admire the surroundings.

Whilst the European trip that involves flights will take passengers to eight destinations throughout the UK, France, and Spain, the ‘slow travel’ route involves another city and will take travellers through a variety of smaller, picturesque towns and villages.

Holidaymakers will also be able to spend the money they have saved on additional souvenirs, or a few meals out in a restaurant.

Nevertheless, not all elements of the journey were cheaper using slower forms of transportation.

The study found that flying from London to Paris would cost tourists as little as £62, whereas taking the ferry from Dover to Calais would be nearly £30 more.

In addition, with tourists having to make more connections and transfers to get to their destinations, delays or cancellations could cause bigger issues during the trip.