**Welsh Traveller’s Day Trip to Benidorm Cheaper Than London Rail Fare**
In a surprising twist on budget-friendly travel, a Welsh influencer has detailed how a spontaneous day trip to Benidorm proved more cost-effective than catching a train to London – underscoring the soaring costs of domestic rail journeys in the United Kingdom.
Carole Rees, a 45-year-old social media content creator from Rhondda, decided to swap the usual city break for a whirlwind Spanish getaway, illustrating with receipts just how affordable such an adventure can be. “An extreme day trip is just that – you set off, spend one day in a new place, and come back to your own bed that night,” she explained, championing the growing trend of ultra-short international excursions.
While booking a return train ticket from Cardiff to London can leave travellers with a bill reaching £170, Carole’s flight to Alicante set her back just £35. She then hopped onto a 45-minute shuttle to Benidorm, found a full board deal at a local hotel, and managed the entire escapade—including drinks and transport—for £200. This sum, she pointed out, is notably less than a typical night out in the capital.
Carole caught a 6am flight from Bristol Airport, maximising her time in Spain. “You can do it for even less if you just do the day, but I wanted the full experience. The sunshine alone was worth it,” she reflected. Stepping off the shuttle in Benidorm, she checked in at the Port Benidorm Hotel & Spa, where her £76 full-board reservation included meals and access to the rooftop bar, offering panoramic views of the seafront.
Describing her whirlwind itinerary, Carole recounted a leisurely wander through Benidorm’s streets, shopping along Llevant Beach, and enjoying the balmy Mediterranean weather. The evening was topped off by a visit to the vibrant Benidorm strip, famed for its bustling nightlife and temptingly priced cocktails, some costing less than £3 each thanks to enticing happy hour offers.
Despite the packed schedule, Carole insisted there was no frantic rushing. She managed a night out, relaxed with a glass of wine overlooking the bay, and still made it to bed by 10pm. “It was perfectly paced – I even squeezed in some sightseeing in Benidorm’s Old Town before my flight home the next afternoon,” she said.
Breaking down her expenses for curious followers, Carole revealed: £30 for return transport from Cardiff to Bristol Airport, £35 for her Ryanair flight, £20 for airport transfers in Spain, £76 for the hotel, and around £40 on drinks and small extras.
The phenomenon of the “extreme day trip” is gaining traction, bolstered by the stark contrast between cheap flights and the UK’s notoriously expensive train fares. Travel agent Karen Marin Reyes of La Vida in Cardiff noted a marked increase in customers swapping British city breaks for European sun: “We often see families pay less for return flights from Bristol to Spain than for train tickets to London. Once you add in meals and activities, overseas trips can work out far better value.”
Not everyone is viewing this trend through rose-tinted glasses, however. Maximillian Schwerdtfeger of the environmental group EcoExperts pointed out the carbon footprint, stating: “Aviation currently comprises 2.5% of global emissions. Sustainable, affordable alternatives to both flying and rail are urgently needed.”
Still, with millions feeling the pinch and yearning for new horizons, Carole’s adventure throws a spotlight on the peculiar economics of British domestic travel. Her advice: “If you’re thinking about an extreme day trip, go for it! It’s exhilarating and can be surprisingly kind to your wallet.”
With such stories on the rise, it seems that for many UK travellers, the lure of sun-kissed shores is no longer just a dream – it might simply be the cheaper option.