Why Coach Holidays Are Better Than Flying

When it comes to planning a holiday, how you get there can make all the difference. While flying might seem like the fastest option, it’s rarely the most enjoyable. Between airport queues, baggage restrictions, and the stress of transfers, it can sometimes feel like more hassle than it’s worth. And it’s not always quicker!

Coach holidays with Caledonian Travel offer a relaxed, scenic, and hassle-free way to travel, where the journey is all part of the adventure. No check-in stress, no hidden costs, no worries about the weight of your bag…just a comfortable seat and the road ahead. We think coach travel beats flying, every time.

Scenic Views That Make the Journey Part of the Experience

One of the biggest perks of travelling by coach is the chance to take in an ever-changing view along the way. Unlike a plane journey, where your only entertainment is a tiny screen or a cloud-covered window, coach travel allows you to see more of the world as you go. Those beautiful hills of the Lake District, the dramatic Scottish coastline, or winding through the most picturesque European villages, there’s always something to look at and admire.

With that elevated seat position, you get a better view than you would in a car. And, without the concentration levels you need when you’re behind the wheel, you can sit back and savour it properly.

Caledonian Travel takes you through charming towns, historic cities, and breath-taking countryside. None of which you’d see from 30,000 feet in the air! And don’t forget the fresh air and the leg stretching when you have a quick stop along the way.

No Airport Queues, No Baggage Worries—Just Hassle-Free Travel

Think about your last trip to the airport: the long queues at check-in, the slow-moving security line, the endless waiting at the gate. Then there’s the flight itself—crowded seats, expensive snacks, and the possible delays. And when you finally land? You’re often miles from your actual destination, battling passport control and baggage reclaim before dealing with another transfer.

With a coach holiday, there’s none of that. You simply turn up at your local departure point, hop on board, and settle into your pre-booked seat (at no charge, of course!) There’s no need to arrive hours in advance, no tedious security checks, and no frantic rush to make your flight. Your luggage is stored safely underneath, with no restrictions on liquids or weight worries.

Best of all, it arrives at your destination with you. No standing around at a carousel or risking lost bags. It’s travel the way it should be: smooth, easy, and stress-free.

A Greener, More Sustainable Way to Travel

Just as important as comfort and convenience is the impact that travelling on a coach break has on the environment. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint while still enjoying amazing holidays, coach travel is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to get around. While flying is one of the biggest contributors to CO₂ emissions, coaches are a much greener alternative, offering significantly lower emissions per person on board.

For example, a short-haul flight within the UK or Europe can produce up to ten times the carbon emissions of the same journey by coach. Plus, because one coach can carry the same number of people as multiple cars, it reduces congestion and pollution on the roads. So, heading on a European escape, a city break, or a coastal getaway, you can travel knowing you’re making a more sustainable choice.

Straight to Your Destination—No Transfers Needed

Something that’s often overlooked is that flying often means landing miles away from your actual holiday spot. This means you’re navigating taxis, trains, or pricey airport transfers just to reach your hotel. With a coach holiday, that hassle disappears. You’re taken straight to where you need to be which means you’re not dragging your suitcase across a city or scrambling to book transport.

It makes a huge difference, especially after a long journey. Instead of arriving exhausted and facing another hour (or more) of travel, you step off the coach and straight into holiday mode. And on the way back? The coach picks you up from the same convenient location, getting you home with no extra fuss.

Comfort, Space, and No Hidden Costs

Let’s be honest—airline seats aren’t exactly known for their comfort! You’re squeezed into tight rows with minimal legroom, fighting for the armrest and hoping the person in front doesn’t recline. On a Caledonian Travel coach, you have a spacious, comfortable seat with plenty of legroom, large windows, and an overall more relaxing experience.

And the best part? There’s no hidden extras. While airlines love to add on costs for baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals, coach holidays are straightforward. With Caledonian Travel, your transport and accommodation are included in one clear price—no unexpected fees, no additional hassle.

Social Joy

Coach holidays can also bring people together in a way that flying doesn't. Whether you're travelling with friends, family, or a group of like-minded holidaymakers, there’s a sense of community on board where you’ll share experiences, swap recommendations, and make new friends before your holiday has begun.

This unique social side to the journey makes time fly by. As you chat with new friends, your driver will keep piping up with an interesting fact about the area you’re passing through, or make a quick quip to keep spirits up!

(And as great as pilots are, they never entertain do they!)

At the end of the day, a holiday should be about unwinding, not dealing with queues, delays, and cramped seats. Coach holidays take away the stress, giving you a smooth, enjoyable journey where you can relax and get into holiday mode from the moment you step on board.

Instead of rushing through an airport, start your holiday in comfort. Watch the scenery roll by and look forward to what’s ahead. Whether you’re off to the coast, a buzzing European city, or a top music event, travelling by coach means more freedom, and a journey that’s as enjoyable as the destination itself.

Next time you’re planning a holiday, why not take the greener and more scenic route? With Caledonian Travel, getting there is all part of the adventure. We might not do Magaluf, but we do do Torquay...

Did You Know:

Newcastle to Majorca – 8 to 10+ hours logistics, waiting, queuing, relying on signs, more queuing, more waiting, watching cloud after cloud after cloud… your relaxing break doesn’t really start until you arrive.

Newcastle to Torquay – 6 hours of simple travel, varying scenery at all times, the odd leg-stretch break, more social, a guide and a helping hand at the wheel. Your holiday starts the second you step on the coach.

Oh - and the difference in CO2 emissions? approximately 30,000kg of CO2 flying from Newcastle to Majorca in a Boeing 767, as opposed to around just 832 kg of CO2 when a full coach travels from Newcastle to Torquay.

An estimated breakdown of flying from Newcastle to Majorca...

1. Travel to Newcastle Airport – 40–60 minutes
By car/taxi: Around 30–40 minutes from Newcastle city centre.
By Metro: Around 25 minutes from Newcastle Central Station, plus time to get to the station.
Additional buffer for unexpected delays: 10–15 minutes.

2. Check-in and security at Newcastle Airport – 2–2.5 hours
Check-in for a flight to Palma de Mallorca typically closes 40–60 minutes before departure. Recommended arrival is usually 2 hours before for standard check-in and security, and can be slightly longer in peak season.

3. Boarding – 30 minutes
Boarding usually begins 30–40 minutes before departure. You need time to get to the gate and queue!

4. Flight time: Newcastle to Palma de Mallorca – 2 hours 45 minutes
Direct flights from Newcastle to Palma de Mallorca typically take 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on conditions.

5. Arrival at Palma Airport: Taxiing, disembarking, and passport control – 30–45 minutes
Time spent taxiing to the gate is around 5–10 minutes. Then the seatbelt signs go off, and it takes time to get off the aircraft. Then you're walking to passport control: 15–25 minutes. Queueing at passport control might be 10–20 minutes, and again can be longer in summer.

6. Baggage claim – 30–45 minutes
If you have checked luggage, expect 20–30 minutes of waiting for your bags to come round, before you wrestle it off that conveyor belt.

7. Finding and boarding your transfer – 30–45 minutes
If using a shared coach transfer, you may need to wait for others. That said, if using a private transfer or taxi, it might be just a 10 minute wait and walk.

8. Transfer from Palma Airport to your hotel – 30–45 minutes
By shared coach: 45–60 minutes (depending on the number of stops). By taxi/private transfer we're talking 25–30 minutes.

So, when you look at it from an environmental, views and logistics point of view - what might seem a long time on a coach to get to your holiday destination is often more positive than going on holiday abroad.  Why not check out the coach holiday destinations you can go to with Caledonian Travel...