British Man's Prague Trip Costs Just £7.65 More Than His Commute
A Unique Day Trip to Prague for Just a Few Pounds More Than a Commute
Luke Simmonds, a 36-year-old IT consultant from Surrey, recently made headlines after managing to visit Prague for just £7.65 more than the cost of his usual 60-mile commute to work. This remarkable feat was achieved through a well-planned 'extreme day trip' that saw him fly to the Czech Republic’s capital on October 11th.
Simmonds secured the bargain flights 11 months in advance, paying only £8.99 each way with budget airline Wizz Air. He left at 6am and arrived in Prague at around 8:45am. After spending the day exploring the city, he boarded a return flight home at 5pm and spent a total of £52.65 for the entire trip.
Luke explained to My London, “This is only a few pounds more than what my commute to work would be. The commute to work is about £40 on the train and the Tube on top so about £45 and it's 60 miles to travel. A day out in London would have cost more.”
Despite being in the city for just a few hours, Luke managed to see some of Prague’s most iconic sights, including Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. He also enjoyed local cuisine, such as hearty stews and ‘chimney’ cakes, and took in the gothic architecture of the Old Town Square.
He remarked, “It just shows what's possible having a look and a mooch about a foreign capital in a day.” However, he admitted that there was a lot more to see in Prague and that he didn’t have enough time to fully explore the city. Nevertheless, he found the trip to be a “nice introduction” to the Czech capital.
Exploring Other Affordable Day Trips
Jetting off on cheap day trips isn’t a new venture for Luke, who does this regularly. He revealed that Prague was the best-value trip he’s been on yet. His experience is not unique, as many other holidaymakers have embarked on similar adventures.
Stacey Baugh, 34, and Claire Dukes, 41, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, recently flew to Albania for a 13-hour round trip. They chose Tirana as their destination in October and were able to secure £70.08 Ryanair return flights.
The friends left their home at 1am to catch their 5:55am flight from Stansted, landing in Tirana at 9:50am. They spent £60 per person on a private tour for the day, which included a whistle-stop tour of Lake Bovilla, Gamti mountain, Mount Dajti, and an evening city tour. They also went zip-lining over the mountains for 30 euros and had a meal at the top of Mount Dajti for less than 40 euros.
Stacey and Claire said the trip cost them £200 each, which was equivalent to a theatre trip to London. They landed back in the UK at 1am and arrived home at 5am, calling it great value for money.
The Rise of Affordable European Day Trips
These stories highlight a growing trend among savvy travelers looking for affordable ways to explore Europe. From Prague to Albania, these day trips are proving to be more cost-effective than traditional weekend getaways. With the right planning and timing, it's possible to experience the charm of a foreign city without breaking the bank.
For those interested in discovering more about these affordable adventures, there are numerous stories of Brits swapping pricey London for thrilling same-day European trips under £30. Some even find that jet-setting through Europe can be cheaper than daily expenses at home.
If you're dreaming of an affordable European city break, there are cities that offer cheap flights, sunny skies, and pints for just €3. These destinations are becoming increasingly popular among travelers looking for value and adventure.
