Planning a car-free family summer holiday
Many families assume a summer holiday needs a car, but a car-free trip is perfectly workable if you plan the journey in the right order. Start with the destination, then work backwards. A holiday park in England or Wales is usually easiest to reach by train, while a flight-based trip depends on how quickly you can get from the airport to your accommodation. Check the distance between the station or airport and your stay before you book anything else.
Children change the calculations. Pushchairs, car seats, luggage and nap times all affect how long you can comfortably spend on a train or in a transfer vehicle. Look at journey length, the number of changes and whether the transport provider can supply child seats. Think about the grown-up time you need as well. A park with on-site shops and play areas can feel like a proper holiday when you are not dependent on a taxi every afternoon.
How to choose the right combination
Begin with three criteria: destination, budget and the children's needs. A holiday park suits families who want a slower pace, a fixed base and a predictable cost. A cruise suits families who like the idea of moving between places without repacking, though cabins can feel small with several children. A flight-based trip gives the widest choice of destinations, but it adds airport time, baggage handling and transfers at both ends. Compare the full cost of each option, including transfers, meals and any extra baggage, rather than the headline fare or nightly rate.
The main trade-off is flexibility against simplicity. A holiday park is simple to organise, but you may depend on the site's own facilities and local buses for days out. Public transport and private transfers give you more freedom, but every change of vehicle is a point where a child can get tired or a bag can go astray. Ask whether a transfer includes child seats, how many passengers and bags fit, and whether a shared vehicle could mean a longer wait. Check the rail timetable for the weekend you intend to travel, as summer engineering works and bank holiday services often change routes.
Plan the last transfer of the trip as carefully as the first, because a car-free holiday is only as easy as its shortest connection.
From the editors
Common mistakes include booking accommodation before checking how it is reached, forgetting that some airport transfers only collect from fixed points, and underestimating how much luggage a family needs for a week. Many families also overlook the return leg, which can be busier than the outward journey. Build in a spare hour at each connection, keep essentials in a single small bag, and confirm all child seat requirements in writing before you travel.
What you actually need
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Airport transfer with child seats
A private or shared transfer booked in advance, with suitable child seats fitted for the journey from the airport to your accommodation. Confirm the seat type matches your children's ages and weights before you book.
Search termsairport transfer child seat · family airport transfer · booster seat transfer
Our recommendationsuntransfers.comChild seat transfersHoliday park caravan or lodge stay
A holiday park stay that offers on-site facilities, so the family can use shops, play areas and pools without needing a car. Check whether the park is reachable by public transport and whether it has a shuttle option.
Search termsUK holiday park family · lodge holiday stay · caravan break family
Our recommendationawayresorts.co.ukBest for car-free staysFamily cruise cabin package
A cruise package with a family cabin layout, useful for families who want accommodation, meals and onward travel in one booking. Look at cabin sizes, child policies and the port transfer options before you commit.
Search termsfamily cruise UK · cruise cabin family · cruise holiday package
Our recommendationworldofcruising.co.ukGreat for sea breaksFlight with seat reservation
A return flight with reserved seats so the family can sit together, plus baggage allowances that fit pushchairs and car seats if you need them. Check the airport transfer times as well as the flight time.
Search termsfamily flight seats · flight seat reservation · family baggage flight
Our recommendationeasyjet.comDirect flightsFlexible rail ticket for the journey
A train ticket that connects your home station to the airport or holiday park, with a railcard if your family qualifies. Allow extra time for changes when you are travelling with luggage and young children.
Search termsfamily train tickets · railcard family · rail tickets airport
Our recommendationthetrainline.comRail to the airport
Where to start
Begin by listing your home station, your preferred airport or holiday area, and the dates you can travel. Then compare accommodation first. Away Resorts at awayresorts.co.uk is a good place to look at UK holiday park stays where you can arrive by train and stay put for the week. If you need to get from an airport to a stay, Suntransfers at suntransfers.com lets you check private and shared transfer options, including child seats. For flights, use Skyscanner at skyscanner.co.in to compare prices and dates before you pick the airline. Once you have your transport in place, make a rough timetable for each day of travel and check it against the children's bedtimes and nap times.
Before you order
- Check the nearest station or airport to your accommodation and the distance between them.
- Confirm whether child seats are available and suitable for each child's age and weight.
- Count the bags and pushchairs you need, and check the transfer or flight allowance.
- Check rail or bus timetables for your travel dates, including weekend and bank holiday changes.
- Allow at least an hour at each connection when travelling with young children.
- Keep booking references, transfer contact details and accommodation addresses in one place.
- Compare the total cost of each option, including transfers and extra baggage.
- Read the cancellation and amendment terms before you pay for accommodation or transport.
The stores at a glance
awayresorts.co.uk
Best for car-free staysAway Resorts offers UK holiday park stays with caravans, lodges and holiday homes, so you can reach the site by train or coach and keep the whole week on foot or by park transport.
Recommended for Holiday park caravan or lodge stay
suntransfers.com
Child seat transfersSuntransfers lets you book private or shared airport transfers with child seats, which removes the need for a hire car at the destination.
Recommended for Airport transfer with child seats
worldofcruising.co.uk
Great for sea breaksWorld of Cruising offers cruise holiday information and packages, useful if you want a holiday where you travel from port to port without a car.
Recommended for Family cruise cabin package
easyjet.com
Direct flightseasyJet sells flights, seat reservations and baggage options, which helps families with young children plan seating and luggage for the outbound and return journeys.
Recommended for Flight with seat reservation
skyscanner.co.in
Compare flight pricesSkyscanner lets you compare flight prices across airlines and agents, so you can pick travel dates and airports that suit your transfer plan.
thetrainline.com
Rail to the airportTrainline sells train tickets and railcards, which helps you reach the departure airport or station without a car at the start of the journey.
Recommended for Flexible rail ticket for the journey
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Frequently asked questions
Is a holiday park reachable without a car?
Many UK holiday parks are reached by train followed by a short taxi or bus trip. Check the nearest station and the bus routes before you book, and ask the park whether it has a shuttle or shop delivery.
Can I get child seats for an airport transfer?
Some transfer providers can supply child seats, but availability and seat types vary. Confirm the child's age and weight when you book, and check the seat requirements for your chosen vehicle.
Is a cruise more expensive than a holiday park?
It depends on the cabin, the length of the trip and whether meals and transfers are included. Compare the full cost of each option, not just the headline price.
Should I book flights and transfers separately?
Booking separately gives you more choice, but it also means you carry the risk if a flight is delayed. Allow enough time between a flight landing and your transfer collection, and keep the booking references handy.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
