Claire Howard, a 48-year-old English teacher from Birmingham, has been taking monthly budget day trips to European cities after discovering cheap return flights from Birmingham Airport. Her most recent trip to Beauvais, France, for lunch cost just £70, which she claims is less than a typical day out in the UK.
Cheap flights and low-cost travel
Claire booked return Ryanair flights for £27 a month in advance. The early morning flight departed Birmingham at 7.30am, and the return leg left Beauvais at 11pm. Her husband drove her to the airport, and she took a £1.80 bus into Beauvais, a 15-minute journey. The entire trip, including flights, buses, food, and drink, came to roughly £70.
A relaxing day in Beauvais
Claire said, "I just wanted to see what was actually in Beauvais itself for a relaxing day of wandering, eating and drinking. I just saw on Skyscanner that return flights were only £27 so I went for it." She started her day at the weekly Saturday market, enjoying coffee and a pain au chocolat for £4. She then relaxed in the town square with a drink while listening to live music before taking a £10 Uber to Plan d'Eau du Canada, a lakeside destination. Lunch was an £8 French picnic with supermarket baguette, cheese, and a small bottle of wine while reading and sunbathing. She also visited Beauvais Cathedral and the Musée de l'Oise, both free admission. The day ended with a £10 Pad Thai dinner at a local Thai restaurant before returning to the airport. She bought an £8 bracelet as a souvenir.
Comparison with UK day out costs
Claire noted, "I don't want to pay £50 to go to the cinema and lunch here in a shopping centre when I can go and experience so much more abroad for a very reasonable price." She added that the trip could be done even cheaper, but she chose to enjoy herself. She didn't stay overnight as the flight times allowed a full day.
Monthly European adventures
Claire has developed a passion for budget day trips and flies to a different city almost every month. This year, she has visited Bergamo (Italy), Malaga (Spain), Valetta (Malta), Poznan (Poland), and Porto (Portugal). She has already booked return flights to Poland and Berlin in August for just £70. She said, "I'm just led by what is possible and affordable. I can't take time off at all in term time but I have Tuesdays off so I do like to make use of them. I just love the way you can do and see so much in the same time that you might waste a day at home just watching Netflix and doomscrolling." She usually finds the best prices four to six weeks in advance. Her husband doesn't like short trips, so he is not jealous.
