Have you ever thought about flying abroad for just a day? It might sound outrageous, but this is the new trend taking the UK by storm, as desperate travelers are finding it cheaper and more efficient to hop on a plane rather than sit in traffic back home.

As soaring public transport fares and crumbling roads in the UK frustrate many, a growing number of people are opting for what they call 'extreme day trips' – flying to foreign cities and back all within a single day! Justine Tipling, a pioneer in this travel trend, first embarked on one of these whirlwind escapades in December 2024, and she hasn’t looked back since, visiting cities like Copenhagen, Malmö, and Krakow in the process.

"I thought, I live in Bristol... why am I not doing this?" she remarked, reflecting on her newfound passion for short but thrilling getaways. With over 96,000 members in a Facebook group dedicated to extreme day trips from Bristol Airport, Justine found inspiration among fellow travelers, leading her to explore exciting destinations without breaking the bank.

Ms. Tipling's frustrations with UK travel costs were a driving force behind her choices. “You can pay £150 for a ticket and you don't even get a seat on the train,” she pointed out, lamenting the high prices yet low satisfaction often found in domestic travel. In comparison, she prefers the efficiency of a quick flight. After all, why endure a grueling five-hour drive stuck in traffic on the M5 when you could be sipping a drink in an airport lounge before jetting off for an unforgettable day in a new city?

Chris Williams, another enthusiast of this extreme travel trend, echoed Justine’s sentiments. After taking his daughter on a day trip to Majorca, he defended his choice against skeptics who labeled it as chaotic. "If I drive to Cornwall from here, that’s like three-and-a-half hours, so I might as well just jump on a plane," he explained, noting that flights from Bristol often come out cheaper than other options. To him, this approach to travel is not just a convenience, but also a unique adventure that offers exciting experiences within a limited time frame.

However, this trend doesn’t come without its share of controversy. Environmental charities are sounding the alarm over the carbon footprint of flying, which is one of the most carbon-intensive methods of transportation. According to data, flying contributes to 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of the UK's emissions, a statistic that weighs heavily on the minds of eco-conscious travelers. But for Justine and Chris, the planes are going to fly regardless of whether it’s for a day trip or a longer vacation.

“Frequent day trips by air are a surefire way of rapidly using up our remaining carbon budget,” cautioned a spokesperson from the Aviation Environment Federation. In an age where climate change is a pressing issue, it's a stark reminder of the choices we make in our quest for adventure.

Despite the criticism, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. As Justine and Chris continue to book their quick getaways, the question remains: How long before we have to weigh the thrill of exploration against our environmental responsibilities?