Extreme day trips are becoming increasingly popular, allowing travellers to visit a new country in under 24 hours without the hassle and cost of overnight stays.
Whether you’re testing out a destination before a longer trip, want to travel with minimal time off work, or are just looking for an exciting adventure on a budget, extreme day trips are a fantastic way to see more of the world for less!
An extreme day trip typically involves flying out early in the morning, spending the day exploring a new destination, and flying back late at night- ensuring you’re tucked up in your own bed the same night.
Some travellers stretch this to an overnight stay, but anything under 24 hours door-to-door fits the definition.
The rising cost of accommodation and travel has made extreme day trips an appealing way to explore new places without breaking the bank.
They’re also perfect for those who want a quick trip, a special experience for a birthday or celebration, or a way to test out a city before committing to a longer holiday.
Many European cities are accessible from the UK in just a couple of hours, making them perfect for extreme day trips. Some of the best options include:
Dublin or Belfast– Frequent flights and short distances from the airport to the city, with no language barrier, make these ideal first-time extreme day trip destinations.
Paris, France – Fly into Charles de Gaulle or Orly for easy access to the city. Avoid Beauvais (BVA) as it’s further out.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – A quick 1-hour flight and an easy train ride into the city.
Brussels, Belgium – If you land at Zaventem (BRU), you’ll be in the city in 20 minutes. Avoid Charleroi (CRL) as it’s further out.
Geneva, Switzerland – Stunning scenery, chocolate, and a compact city centre make it ideal for a short visit.
Great destinations include (but are certainly not limited to):
Dublin – Just over an hour’s flight, with plenty of return options.
Paris – Frequent flights mean a full day in the city is possible. We have done two extreme day trips to Disneyland Paris. You can find our first one here
Amsterdam – Less than a 90-minute flight, plus quick transport links.
Alicante- a very popular one that appears quite frequently for less than £50 return
Marrakech- a bit harder to do, due to the flight duration and time spent getting through customs in Morocco, but possible.
Iceland- One of the hardest to find, but one of the best destinations. We have managed to do a trip here and combine it with a spa day at the Sky Lagoon. You can read about this here
Milan- One of the easiest to do, given that there are multiple flights per day and three airports in Milan. This can be combined with a trip to the incredible Lake Como.
Pisa- with Pisa city centre being under 15 minutes from the airport and Pisa, itself being quite small to explore, a day trip here is very easy.
Rovaniemi, Lapland- Usually only possible from Stansted, but take your EDT to the next level with a snowmobiling trip, husky or reindeer ride and a visit to Santa. You may even get to experience the northern lights on the flight home! Get our complete guide to Santa Claus Village here
Geneva- Again, one of the most popular to take. Combine this one with an onward transfer to Annecy or Chamonix or stay in Switzerland and stroll along the Lac Leman in Montreux. Read about our trip to Chamonix & Mont Blanc here
Rome- Sometimes hard to find flights far enough apart to allow you enough time in the city, but they do come up. Allow 1 hour either side for the transfer from either of Rome's airports. We have been to Rome with our kids twice, and although not a day trip, we have plenty of tips here
Bucharest- an extremely popular one with Extreme Day Trippers wanting to experience a spa day
The UK airports with the most Extreme Day Trip options are Manchester, London Luton & London Stansted although, there should be at least 1-2 options from most regional airports.
Looking for a fun adventure with the kids? Consider:
Disneyland Paris - Fly in early, spend the day at the park, and fly home at night.
Dublin Zoo - Easy to reach from the airport and a fun family day out.
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens - One of the world’s oldest theme parks.
Bucharest- Enjoy a spa day in Romania!
Want a romantic escape? Try:
Venice - Wander the canals and enjoy a long lunch.
Paris - Perfect for a quick city break with a short flight from the UK
Bruges - A fairy tale town with amazing chocolate shops.
The best way to find deals is:
Use Skyscanner – it's a fantastic tool for finding the cheapest flight combinations.
Search “Everywhere” and enter in the date you wish to travel, entering the same date for the return. Skyscanner will then give you destinations in price order. Filter to direct flights only. See the example below
Be flexible- we are literally open to any destination when we begin our search.
Pay close attention to the arrival and departure times. Allow time to exit the airport and take a transfer to the city centre. Also, allow around 3 hours before your return flight, to make your way back to the airport and go through security. The best flights will have an arrival time before lunch, with a departure in the late evening (9pm onwards), to allow you maximum time at your destination.
Look 5-6 weeks in advance for the best prices.
Check multiple airlines - Sometimes booking outbound and return separately saves money, but be aware of potential risks if one leg is changed.
Avoid airports far from the city centre – Paris (BVA), Brussels (CRL), and Oslo (TORP) often have cheap flights but require much longer transfers.
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You can often find flights from just £28 return. Other costs to factor in:
Airport transfers – Plan ahead to avoid expensive last-minute options. Public transport tends to be much cheaper than a taxi or private transfers. Many airports in Europe, have trains or buses directly from arrivals to the city centre.
Food – A Boots meal deal (£5) is a great budget-friendly option and a firm favourite of any extreme day tripper! Get one at departures and this will at least cover your lunch.
Airport Parking- this can be expensive, and often end up more than the actual flight. To avoid this, try and get someone to drop and pick you up, or use public transport to get to the airport.
Travel Insurance- if you have an annual policy, make sure it covers trips <24 hours. Use compare the market to find suitable insurance for 1 day from around £5pp.
Packing light is key! My personal packing list for an extreme day trip includes:
I never carry cash! I always use my Monzo card abroad. However, if you do need cash, withdraw a small amount at your destination rather than exchanging before you go.
Looking ahead, extreme day trips are only set to grow in popularity as more people seek affordable ways to travel. Airlines continue to offer ultra-low fares, making it easier than ever to plan last-minute adventures.
Extreme day trips are an exciting, budget-friendly way to travel. With a bit of planning, you can see new cities, experience new cultures, and be back in your own bed that night. Ready for your next adventure? Let us know your dream extreme day trip in the comments!
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