A teacher embarked on a quick trip to France for lunch, emphasizing it was more cost-effective than a typical day out in the UK. Claire Howard flew to Beauvais, France, for a day of leisure, dining, and sunshine, returning home before midnight. The 48-year-old managed to secure return Ryanair flights for a mere £27 a month in advance.
The morning flight from Birmingham departed around 7:30 am, with the return journey leaving at 11 pm. Claire’s husband dropped her off at the airport, and she hopped on a £1.80 bus to Beauvais, a 15-minute ride. Claire estimated that the entire trip, covering flights, buses, food, and drinks, totaled approximately £70.
Explaining her choice, Claire, based in Birmingham, mentioned her preference for exploring Beauvais over Paris due to the latter’s high costs and busyness. She spotted the £27 return flights on Skyscanner and decided to seize the opportunity for a day trip.
The English teacher began her day at the city’s weekly Saturday market, treating herself to coffee and a pain au chocolat for just £4. Following this, she relaxed with a drink in the town square, enjoying live music before taking a £10 Uber to Plan d’Eau du Canada, a popular lakeside spot.
For lunch, Claire assembled an £8 French-style picnic with a supermarket baguette, cheese, and a small wine bottle, which she savored by the water. Her itinerary included visits to Beauvais Cathedral and the adjacent Musée de l’Oise, both offering free entry.
The day concluded with a Pad Thai dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant for around £10 before heading back to the airport for her return flight. She also purchased an £8 bracelet as a keepsake.
Reflecting on her experience, Claire suggested that the trip could have been even cheaper. She highlighted her addiction to budget day trips abroad, having already visited various destinations like Bergamo, Malaga, Valetta, Poznan, and Porto this year. Claire has already booked return flights to Poland and Berlin for August at a cost of just £70.
Claire mentioned being guided by what is achievable and affordable, utilizing her days off effectively. She expressed her enjoyment in maximizing her time exploring new places for reasonable prices compared to staying home watching Netflix. Claire typically secures the best deals four to six weeks in advance and mentioned her husband’s aversion to short trips, avoiding any jealousy.