New research has revealed that nearly half of Gen-Z travellers worry about the environmental impact of their holidays – significantly more than older generations.
A survey conducted by YouGov and The Social Hub found that 47% of Gen-Z adults (18-27) and 42% of millennials (28-41) frequently worry about how their travels affect the environment. In contrast, fewer than a third of over-60s share the same concerns, highlighting a clear generational divide in attitudes toward sustainable travel.
This eco-conscious mindset is also influencing travel choices, with Gen Z and millennials being the most likely to avoid flying altogether in favour of more sustainable alternatives.
Data from TravelSupermarket highlights that interest in electric car hires increased by 31% between June 2024 and February 2025, reflecting growing demand for greener travel options.
Luckily, there are plenty of European city breaks within driving distance of the UK, making it easier for travellers to opt for road trips over flights – whether in a traditional, hybrid, or fully electric vehicle.
Below, Ed Sharp, Head of Car Hire at TravelSupermarket has compiled a handy guide for anyone looking to travel to Europe by car for their next holiday. Travellers can choose between quick and direct routes or more scenic, leisurely journeys that take in sights along the way.
1. France
There are two main options for driving to France – either by the Channel Tunnel or ferry. The quickest and most convenient option is the Channel Tunnel, which connects Folkestone in Kent to Calais in northern France.
If travelling via the Channel Tunnel, check-in is required at least 30 minutes before departure and no earlier than two hours before. After passing through passport control, you’ll be directed to an allocated space on the LeShuttle train. The journey takes just 35 minutes, during which you can either stay in your vehicle or stretch your legs inside the carriage.
Alternatively, you can take a ferry from various ports along the South Coast of England. The most common route is Dover to Calais, though other options are available.
Once you arrive in Calais, there are several great cities within a six-hour drive:
- Lille – Approximately 1.5 hours from Calais (115 km / 71 miles via A16 and A25)
- Paris – Approximately 3.5 hours from Calais (293 km / 182 miles via A26 and A1)
- Strasbourg – Approximately 6 hours from Calais (627 km / 390 miles via A26 and A4)
2. Belgium
Similarly, there are two main routes for driving to Belgium from the UK. The first and most convenient option is also via the Channel Tunnel to Calais, France. Once in Calais, you can easily drive towards Belgium via the A16 and E40 motorways.
Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Dover to either Calais (1.5 hours) or Dunkirk (2 hours) in France. From there, follow the A16/E40 motorway towards Belgium.
Upon arrival in Calais, there are several great cities within a six-hour drive:
- Bruges – Approximately 1.5 hours from Calais (115 km / 71 miles via A16 and E40)
- Ghent – Approximately 2 hours from Calais (151 km / 94 miles via A16 and E40)
- Brussels – Approximately 2.5 hours from Calais (200 km / 124 miles via A16 and E40)
- Antwerp – Approximately 2.5 hours from Calais (220 km / 137 miles via E40)
3. Germany
Firstly, you will need to decide the best route into France – either via Ferry or the Eurotunnel. From here, you will likely end up in Calais, where there are several options to drive to Germany, depending on where you want to visit.
- Düsseldorf – Approximately 4.5 hours from Calais (402 km / 245 miles via E40)
- Cologne – Approximately 4.5 hours from Calais (421 km / 262 miles via E40)
- Frankfurt – Approximately 6.5 hours from Calais (596 km / 370 miles via A3)
All routes will pass through Belgium, where you can stop to extend your trip and see some of the sights.
4. Netherlands
If you’re looking to drive to the Netherlands, you have a few options to get there by car. For a more relaxed and scenic option, you can take a ferry direct to the Netherlands, which departs from Hull, Harwich or Newcastle. These journeys take a lot longer and may be overnight ferries, with the journey times ranging between 7 hours and 16 hours.
- Harwich – Hook of Holland (7 hours, overnight option available).
- Newcastle – Amsterdam (IJmuiden) (16 hours – overnight ferry).
- Hull – Rotterdam (12 hours – overnight ferry).
However, you can also take the ferry or Channel Tunnel to Calais, France, which is a much quicker option. From there, you will need to travel through Belgium and then up to the Netherlands via the A16 (France), E40 (Belgium), and the A4 (Netherlands).
Upon arrival in Calais, there are several driveable city breaks within a six-hour journey:
- Rotterdam – Approximately 3 hours from Calais (270 km / 168 miles via E40 & A4)
- The Hague – Approximately 3.5 hours from Calais (290 km / 180 miles via E40 & A4)
- Amsterdam – Approximately 4.5 hours from Calais (350 km / 217 miles via E40 & A4)
5. Luxembourg
Another easily accessible country by car from the UK is Luxembourg, and the options to travel there are similar to those above. The fastest and most convenient way is to take the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais. From there, you can drive through France and Belgium via the A26 (France), E411 (Belgium), and A6 (Luxembourg). This journey takes roughly 4–5 hours (400 km / 249 miles).
However, if you want a more scenic drive, you can take the ferry from Dover to Calais (1.5 hours) or from Dover to Dunkirk (2 hours). From either of these destinations, you can drive via the A26, E411 and A6 to Luxembourg. This takes approximately 4.5-5.5 hours (420 km/ 261 miles via A25, E411 & A6).