Extreme Day Trips
Extreme Day Trips (EDT’s): How Far Can You Really Go in a Day?
When I was a kid, we did ‘day trips’ for our holidays – based from home, we’d set off and go somewhere for the day. When most people hear ‘day trip’, they usually think of something pretty tame—like a drive to the coast, a stroll through a National Trust property, or a picnic in the countryside. That’s exactly what I remember doing.
Lovely? Sure. Memorable? Maybe not!
These days, we know everything must be bigger, better, blinged up, more dramatic and social media worthy, so the humble ‘day trip’ has had a ‘glow-up’.
Enter the Extreme Day Trip (EDT)—a full-blown, passport-ready, miles-melting mission that proves you don’t need a week off to have a serious adventure. This isn’t for the faint hearted, and it isn’t about taking it easy—it’s about getting up and out, taking off, pushing your travel boundaries, and seeing just how far you can go (and come back!) in a single day.
What Is an EDT, Really?
It’s not about skydiving, rock climbing, or high-risk antics. Instead, it’s about how much ground you can cover and how much you can see in 24 hours, without booking a hotel. This is where living near an airport or major train station makes life a lot easier when embarking on EDT’s. Booking a pre-departure hotel is an option, although many people would say this is cheating, as you’ve booked a hotel and your trip is likely extending over 24hrs. Pragmatically and logistically, getting to an airport in time for the first flight often just isn’t possible for some people, so finishing work and heading to a hotel is often the plan
Why Do It?
Because you’ve used all your annual leave and need a travel fix.
Because travel doesn’t always have to mean weeks away or huge budgets.
Because let’s be honest telling people you flew to Portugal for one afternoon is pretty cool.
And because ‘why not?’ is often the best reason there is.
Top Tips for Planning Your Extreme Day Trip (EDT)
1. Start Early. REALLY Early.
To do this with success you need to maximise daylight—and destination time. Ideally, you’re going to want to be on the earliest flight/train you can get.
2. Choose High-Impact Destinations
Pick places that feel wildly different from home. You’re trying to create a memory that feels like a real trip, not just a long commute. I’ve popped some ideas below but generally if it sounds a bit bonkers, it’s probably perfect.
3. Be Carry-On Smart
No checked bags, no delays. Just bring a daypack with the essentials: passport, charger, snacks, a clean t-shirt, some deodorant (you’ll thank yourself), and a backup battery. Travel light, move fast.
4. Plan Like a Travel Hacker
Plan like a pro:
Work out which airports or stations are do-able for you. If you can logistically get to them, check flights from multiple UK airports—regional ones often have cheaper and earlier options.
Try to be en-route by 6 AM.
Stick to destinations a max of 2 hours away to make the most of your day.
Be realistic with your itinerary - For larger destinations pick one area and stick to it – don’t spread yourself too thin.
Don’t expect it to be bargain basement prices – to optimise timings you might not be able to pick and choose the cheapest ticket prices for everything. Airport parking for a day can be expensive but driving can often be the only way to get to and from airports for times needed.
Set an alarm to ensure you don’t miss your return journey. It's easy to get carried away and lose track of time.
Be sure you know how you will get home once you arrive back in the UK. It’s likely to be very late or even early hours of the morning, be sure you know what transport options you have.
5. Make It About the Journey
The best part of an extreme travel day trip is the movement itself. From airports to trains to streetcars in a new city—it’s the journey that makes the magic. You’re chasing experience, not ticking boxes. Stay curious, enjoy the people watching and really take time to soak up the atmosphere around you.
6. Pick any travel companions wisely
You need to be clear on what you want to do and be ready to move at pace- make sure anyone joining you on the trip is on the same page and has the same approach as you. A stressy travel companion could ruin your day. Let’s be honest EDT’s are the perfect choices for solo travel.
7. Don’t get upset if it all goes a bit Pete Tong
If you get super stressed with travelling or freak out when things go a bit pear-shaped and EDT probably isn’t for you. Flights get delayed, buses don’t always turn up on time, siestas mean things aren’t open all day and that random Saints Day sometimes means the museum you wanted to visit isn’t open – don’t let things like this derail your day. Adapt and overcome.
Final Thoughts About EDT’s: Redefine the Way You Travel
Extreme day trips are about rewriting what a ‘day trip’ looks like. You don’t need a suitcase, a big budget, or a week off. All you need is some planning, the ability to improvise, a bit of nerve, and the willingness to get up before the sun and get home in the early hours to chase something a little out of the ordinary.
Let’s face it – ‘I went to another country yesterday’ is a far better dinner story than ‘I cleaned out the garage.’
My top EDT tip – make the most of Hop on Hop of bus Tours!! You’ll see all the sights in one easy option.
Extreme Travel Day Trip Ideas
🚆 Breakfast in London, Lunch in Paris, Back for Bed
Take the early morning Eurostar, hit the Marais for a wine-soaked lunch, stroll the Seine, and be home by 21:00.
🛫 Fly to Oslo for Fjords and Cinnamon Buns
Ryanair or Norwegian from Manchester or Stansted can land you in Norway early enough to explore the waterfront, hit a sauna, and be back by bedtime.
🍺 Dublin Pub Crawl – There and Back Again
First flight out, Guinness tour by midday, fish and chips in Temple Bar (be prepared for whopping costs) and a sleepy return flight home.
🥮Amsterdam for stroopwafels
With a Flight Time of approx. 1hr 10min, you can visit the Canals, peruse the Van Gogh Museum, eat fresh stroopwafels, and have a quick cycle through Vondelpark, and head home all in just 6-8 hours.
🧇Brussels for waffles
From Gatwick or Luton in an 1hr - Try waffles, chocolate, and frites, visit the Atomium or Grand Place and buy take-home beer at Delirium Café before heading back to the airport for home.
⛷️Hit the slopes in Geneva
Leaving Gatwick or Heathrow be in Geneva in 1hr 40min. Walk by Lake Geneva, eat fondue, ride a cable car into the Alps. In the winter take a morning flight, ski rental at the slopes, and fly home after a few runs.
🌶️Barcelona for Tapas
Flight Time of 2hrs from London, eat Tapas near La Rambla, visit Sagrada Familia, dip your toes in the Med. Focus on one area, like the Gothic Quarter to make the most of you day.
