We live in rural Somerset. Buses are infrequent, trains non existent, taxis seem particularly expensive, and the hills too steep for a family to cycle up. Apart from that, it is beautiful, the countryside is green and wonderful, the woods enchanting, the rivers clean, the lanes winedy, the cows and calves amusing and the farmers friendly. But getting to a holiday destination can be tricky, and takes rather a lot of planning especially if not taking a car.

Would you consider NOT taking a car on holiday? If so, how?

We do not own a car and manage fine.

Some holidays we hire a car, for example when camping in Guernsey, but mostly we use trains and buses. Examples of places where this is easy:

Austria - where you got a free bus pass on registering with the appartment owner
Verona - use buses
Venice - use water buses
French alps - use trains
Switzerland - local rail pass, so used trains
North wales - bus and train railrover (which included the Festiniog railway)
Lake district - use buses

etc

The crucial thing to do is to plan your holiday around public transport, so stay somewhere where this is possible. Do your research on the net first and find places which are local transport hubs. Or accept you may have to do some walking, which is of course good for you!

If you must stay in a remote villa only accessible by plane and car, then you have to accept your carbon foorprint will be poor.

Adam

I'd like to not use a car but I just can't see how we would manage. It's just so much more convenient with the kids to dump all our stuff in the car.

It would be impossible for us to take our camping holidays in our camping trailer without a vehicle. We found that as the kids get older they are much fussier about the level of luxury they are willing to put up with! Having a sink, cooker and shower wherever we go certainly helps.

Surely running a car (packed full with the whole family) on unleaded fuel is better than taking regular flights. ALthough, did I hear something about Virgin pioneering more 'friendly' fuel?

Kids as they get older can help carry things or take a small trolley. Travel light and hire a tent ready set up, or take small tents and the kit.

We have never owned a car and manage fine. I'm always amazed how much unnecessary stuff cars get filled up with.

Old hikers advice: Put everything ready to pack and then put away half of it as you won't need it all.

You can do it!

Adam