Am I being unreasonable to think extreme day trips are excessive?

SonnyHoney · 2026-07-12T20:20:05+00:00

For instance, London Luton to Venice. How can anyone enjoy leaving their house at 2 a.m. to fly out ridiculously early, spend a few hours somewhere walking around exhausted, and then fly back the same day? It feels like people are just trying to collect places these days, rather than visiting somewhere because it's somewhere they've aways wanted to go.

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 14/07/2026 18:47

Cappuccino5 · 13/07/2026 22:34

To all preaching re: using Eurostar - I’d absolutely love to but the prices are extortionate. Flying is significantly cheaper in most cases.

It depends when you go and how far in advance you book. I have bought several day returns to Brussels for work at £70.

RevengeOfTheDirtyLaundry · 14/07/2026 18:29

I don't personally see the appeal other than perhaps as a novelty, but if others think it worthwhile, good for them.

TwoPintsOfCherryadeAndAPacketOfQuavers · 14/07/2026 18:01

We’ve done two and we love them. We fly long and short haul alot so sometimes it’s nice to have a day out somewhere. Yes, it’s tiring but it’s so fun and we’ve been to Dublin and Geneva so far.

tfu · 14/07/2026 18:00

Ive done a few best was LCY to Milan Libate for a spa afternoon then Il Duomo and then Aperol before some delightful pasta. In Milan by ten thirty then home in bed by 11pm.

Shewas · 14/07/2026 17:57

Pedallleur · 14/07/2026 17:52

Not if you factor in airport wait times

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Yes, but if you're flying to Paris with a small day bag, you don't need to be there anywhere near as early as the published arrival times, and you'll get out quickly at the other end too.

Charmdefensive · 14/07/2026 17:56

I think it's a silly concept and I would much rather just for one night in a hotel and enjoy myself.

Pedallleur · 14/07/2026 17:52

LeaKwD · 13/07/2026 22:38

Flying is cheap and fast. 1 hour London to Paris

Not if you factor in airport wait times

Anewusernametoday · 14/07/2026 04:55

I’ve done a couple and they were fab.

Lapland up at 4am home by 1am. Slept on the plane. So exciting and some of my favourite memories for the kids. Couldn’t afford to stay the night.

European city: early flight and on the beach by 11am. Nice lunch Ice cream walk around the town, dinner and home.

maxslice · 14/07/2026 01:41

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 22:44

It absolutely is.

If all commercial air travel was stopped tomorrow morning it would do nothing.

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My meteorology professor would agree. He said, even if we do everything right, starting today, we’re still doomed,

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 22:44

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/07/2026 18:13

Nobody is worrying themselves silly and it's not inconsequential.

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It absolutely is.

If all commercial air travel was stopped tomorrow morning it would do nothing.

LeaKwD · 13/07/2026 22:38

Flying is cheap and fast. 1 hour London to Paris

Cappuccino5 · 13/07/2026 22:34

To all preaching re: using Eurostar - I’d absolutely love to but the prices are extortionate. Flying is significantly cheaper in most cases.

Bjorkdidit · 13/07/2026 18:18

Fine. Lets ground all air traffic. Will that be all air traffic or just that if people are only taking short trips in Europe, which make up a tiny fraction of global air traffic, which only makes up a very small percentage of CO2 emissions so won't make a blind bit of difference to the climate crisis?

Lots of people out of work, far less access to goods and services and lots of people's lives have suddenly become a lot smaller, but a few people will feel a bit more smug, so that's OK.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/07/2026 18:13

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 18:01

Exactly like that. Worrying themselves silly over such inconsequential things.

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Nobody is worrying themselves silly and it's not inconsequential.

AgnesMcDoo · 13/07/2026 18:06

Rondayvu · 13/07/2026 17:41

I would have to get a flight to get to the eurostar 😂

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Yes me too.

easier to just fly direct to final destination ✈️

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 18:01

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/07/2026 18:00

Live their lives like what? With some sort of thought and consideration for their carbon footprint and their environmental impact? Of course some people do, not sure why you think they wouldn't. It's not a straight choice between 10 return flights a year, and traveling by horse and cart and never going more than 5 miles from home. You can reduce your environmental impact and still have fun.

I don't have children or own a car, and I'm vegetarian and eat a reasonable number of vegan meals each week. I do go on holiday abroad, and if it's atall feasible to do it by train I do. I do travel by plane sometimes, by have reduced how often - to maybe one every two or three years rather than 2 or 3 times a year. I'm not by any means perfect, and I'm not saying anyone else has to be either, but multiple extreme day trips by plane a year just seems environmentally irresponsible.

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Exactly like that. Worrying themselves silly over such inconsequential things.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/07/2026 18:00

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:31

Do people genuinely live their lives like this?

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Live their lives like what? With some sort of thought and consideration for their carbon footprint and their environmental impact? Of course some people do, not sure why you think they wouldn't. It's not a straight choice between 10 return flights a year, and traveling by horse and cart and never going more than 5 miles from home. You can reduce your environmental impact and still have fun.

I don't have children or own a car, and I'm vegetarian and eat a reasonable number of vegan meals each week. I do go on holiday abroad, and if it's atall feasible to do it by train I do. I do travel by plane sometimes, by have reduced how often - to maybe one every two or three years rather than 2 or 3 times a year. I'm not by any means perfect, and I'm not saying anyone else has to be either, but multiple extreme day trips by plane a year just seems environmentally irresponsible.

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:42

Rondayvu · 13/07/2026 17:41

I would have to get a flight to get to the eurostar 😂

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😂😂😂😂 I do my commute on electric buses that proudly boast about 0 carbon emissions. Does that cancel out my flights?

Rondayvu · 13/07/2026 17:41

AgnesMcDoo · 13/07/2026 17:38

We don’t all live close enough to the south east for Eurostar to be an option

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I would have to get a flight to get to the eurostar 😂

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:39

LeaKwD · 13/07/2026 17:36

I'm happy she was forced to take a flight back when she was deported. She must have hated it

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Very funny indeed! She lectures us all from her ivory tower

AgnesMcDoo · 13/07/2026 17:38

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/07/2026 13:49

IMO it's not a problem if you're doing it on eurostar

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We don’t all live close enough to the south east for Eurostar to be an option

LeaKwD · 13/07/2026 17:36

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:35

I love that for you! I’m taking six whole flights this year. Greta Thunberg strike me down!

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I'm happy she was forced to take a flight back when she was deported. She must have hated it

HRTQueen · 13/07/2026 17:36

my friend has done a few and loved it

for myself I know I would not enjoy it as I would find it exhausting, if the thing to do 20 years ago I am sure I would have loved it

Livpool · 13/07/2026 17:35

I agree - I wouldn’t remember what I had done! Even just one night away would be easier and more relaxing.

heydorotheayoullgo · 13/07/2026 17:35

LeaKwD · 13/07/2026 17:33

We just flew to Italy a few days ago. We loved it.

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I love that for you! I’m taking six whole flights this year. Greta Thunberg strike me down!