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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go abroad for one day?

190 replies

Teacherbee85 · 02/07/2024 19:32

I'm reading about people who do 'extreme day trips' from the UK to abroad.

I've been looking into it and I've found flights that go to various European cities - leaving first thing in the morning and coming back late at night.

I'm so tempted to say fuck it and just book a solo trip.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/07/2024 22:31

stressedespresso · 02/07/2024 22:29

Surely most households in the UK have a tumble dryer too though? I couldn’t live without mine

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I don't have one. Two small children and no outside space and we manage just fine without.

stressedespresso · 02/07/2024 22:29

Tagyoureit · 02/07/2024 22:26

Not it's not, flights are scheduled and will still fly.

2 examples below so, these flights still fly!

And quite frankly, whilst every househild in the USA has a tumble drier, ill not worry so much about the 2 flights i take a year!

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/2023/06/29/phil-stringer-lone-passenger-tiktok/70364221007/#:~:text=Flight%20delays%20are%20usually%20the,hours%20due%20to%20severe%20weather.

www.independent.co.uk/travel/jet2-flight-glasgow-crete-plane-herself-karon-grieve-cabin-crew-glasgow-a8017461.html

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Surely most households in the UK have a tumble dryer too though? I couldn’t live without mine

stonebrambleboy · 02/07/2024 22:29

I did Manchester to Rome for one day once. 7 am flight. Went into the Vatican, wandered round the Christmas market, lunch in a lovely restaurant then coach trip round the city. Back to Manchester by 11 pm. It was great.

LittleMonks11 · 02/07/2024 22:29

Why though?

stressedespresso · 02/07/2024 22:28

Have done it once and said never again. You’re so tired from having to get such an early flight that the day is exhausting and miserable. Book a night or two away OP - it is worth it to actually be able to enjoy yourself + properly explore your surroundings!

Ohnobackagain · 02/07/2024 22:27

@Teacherbee85 are you close enough to London to do Eurostar to Amsterdam or Paris? That’s another option (I’ve done it to Paris and back in a day)

toppcatt · 02/07/2024 22:27

Tagyoureit · 02/07/2024 22:06

That flight will still be flying whether it's full or nor, so no point wasting all that fuel, might as well do it!

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It wouldn’t be if people cut down their air travel. I did it when I was young without knowing the environmental impact but I wouldn’t do it now.

StripedTomatoes · 02/07/2024 22:17

Tagyoureit · 02/07/2024 22:06

That flight will still be flying whether it's full or nor, so no point wasting all that fuel, might as well do it!

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This is such a silly argument. No, the flight wouldn't be flying if there was no demand, i.e. if people didn't do stupid shit like go abroad for a day.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 02/07/2024 22:15

Eurostar to Paris, Lille or Brussels would be easily doable in a day and more environmentally friendly.

Personally I wouldn't want to do a day trip though. I'd want to stay at least one night so I could see the city at night and wake up in the morning and enjoy a nice fresh pastry.

whatdoidonowffs · 02/07/2024 22:13

Tagyoureit · 02/07/2024 22:06

That flight will still be flying whether it's full or nor, so no point wasting all that fuel, might as well do it!

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This ☝️

Tagyoureit · 02/07/2024 22:06

thistimelastweek · 02/07/2024 19:38

Why not?

Easyjet is just like a bus.

The timings are more relevant than the mode of transport.

Shit, I just remembered the eco argument.

So , logistically why not? But maybe not for the environment.

That flight will still be flying whether it's full or nor, so no point wasting all that fuel, might as well do it!

Pigwig10 · 02/07/2024 22:04

Me and DH did it. Went to Marbella for one day/night for a birthday party. It was EPIC. But holy hell the travel home the next day was like the descent into hades 🤣🤣🤣

HcbSS · 02/07/2024 21:50

My mum did this when I was a baby. Her air hostess friends took her on the 6 am flight to Ibiza for free, back at 10pm after a day at the beach. Brilliant late birthday treat. And I had a great day with my grandparents.

Original poster
Teacherbee85 · 02/07/2024 21:49

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I think I'm gonna go for it 😀

Thinking either Amsterdam, Ibiza or Barcelona .

OP posts:
perhapsatea · 02/07/2024 20:02

Do it! It's one day in your life. If you have delays and a horrible time you'll know not to do it again! Why think negatively, it could be brilliant!

I used to do one day European site trips for work - being 'tired/exhausted' isn't the memory that sticks. Go for it!

budgiegirl · 02/07/2024 19:56

I would if flights were more reliable. Having just done two easyJet flights (not on the same day) and both being delayed by 3 hours, I probably wouldn't risk doing it for one day. That would be a total of 9 hours sitting around an airport.

I would do it for one night though. My DS flew to Amsterdam yesterday morning, had a wander around the city, went to a concert last evening, stayed in a basic but decent enough hotel, then flew back in time for a late lunch today. He had a great time.

NuffSaidSam · 02/07/2024 19:53

Jk987 · 02/07/2024 19:50

@NuffSaidSam I was making the point that it's no better or worse environmentally, especially for a one off trip.

For a one-off trip it's the same of course.

But using planes for multiple day trips is of course worse for the environment than one two week holiday. It's worth bearing in mind.

sleepercellspy · 02/07/2024 19:53

Jk987 · 02/07/2024 19:50

@NuffSaidSam I was making the point that it's no better or worse environmentally, especially for a one off trip.

It has an impact if it means people flying more and not less. We need to be reducing air travel.

SeismicSalad · 02/07/2024 19:51

Sounds awful to me, but each to their own! If on a budget, I’d rather crash in a youth hostel for a night or 2 and have time to see a bit.

Jk987 · 02/07/2024 19:50

@NuffSaidSam I was making the point that it's no better or worse environmentally, especially for a one off trip.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 02/07/2024 19:50

I follow the Facebook group extreme day trips and I’m really keen to do it but maybe one overnight stay. It’s just bagging the cheap flights! Not found any bargains from Gatwick yet!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 02/07/2024 19:49

My sister did Venice, Prague (with one of our SILs) and Monte Carlo - she had great fun.

I think her trips were done through a travel company.

Jk987 · 02/07/2024 19:48

Do it once and see how you go! Don't wait for mumsnet to approve!

NuffSaidSam · 02/07/2024 19:48

Jk987 · 02/07/2024 19:46

It's still a return flight whether you stay 12 hours or 2 weeks.

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Of course. I don't think anyone thought otherwise.