In the era of budget airlines and dirt-cheap package tours, getting out and seeing the world has never been easier. However, a growing number of serious travelers are eschewing air travel altogether in order to go the long way around. Part of this is driven by environmental concerns, given that jets are a major polluter, but that’s not the whole story.
Some people are discovering a renewed affinity for the journey, rather than just the destination. Rather than shuttling between different identikit airports and spending half your trip breathing the same recycled air as everyone else on a gas-guzzling jumbo jet, follow these tips if you want to see the world without flying.
1. Stay at Home
This one may seem like a surprising place to start, but there’s no escaping the fact that the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way to see the world is to do so without ever leaving your house. Services like Google Maps can let you see every corner of the world, travel series such as Planet Earth take you to the most remote places there are, and games let you explore the world for yourself.
If you want to see the world via a video game, you can play open-world ones such as Assassin’s Creed or Grand Theft Auto, or you can try online games. For example, the live casino games at Magical Vegas allow you to play poker, roulette, and baccarat in real Las Vegas-style with a real dealer, just like you would in a real Sin City casino. Livestreaming technology means that you can experience the world from the comfort of your living room.
2. Transnational Rail
Now for those who are determined to actually get out there. One of your best options for a journey in which you actually see the world instead of flying over it is rail. It may take some effort to organize but with routes such as the Caledonian Sleeper which takes you from the Scottish Highlands to London, or the Trans-Siberian Express which takes you from Moscow to Vladivostock, you’re always guaranteed a truly magical experience. This is also by far and away the most efficient form of transportation.
3. Cargo Ship Voyage
But to take the Transiberian railway, you’ve first got to get to Russia. How to do that? Well, for something truly unique, you could live out a stowaway fantasy by booking yourself a space on a real-life freight vessel. Although they can be a little tricky to find, online platforms like Cargo Ship Voyages exist to match adventurous seafarers up with the cargo route they want. For the price of your ticket, you get to live like a crew member, sleeping in dorms and eating onboard the ship canteen. It’s several times more environmentally friendly than a cruise ship, whilst also being one of the most unique, rugged, and unforgettable forms of travel you can embark on. It doesn’t get more adventurous than this.
In 2019, these are the best ways to see the world if you’re wanting to avoid traveling by plane. Each of them has its merits, so give all three a try at some point in your life.
