If you’re feeling like being thrifty while travelling this summer, you might find that booking a trip abroad could be more cost-effective.
It’s safe to say that we’re all feeling the cozzie livs (cost of living crisis) a bit – but few of us want to miss out on a summer of fun. Are we right?
Well, one savvy spender has found the ultimate life hack, having flown to Milan, Italy for the small sum of £28 – making it cheaper than a trip to London.
Sharon Sumner has done God’s work and shown us that we shouldn’t let the extortionate national rail prices stop us from a fun day out.
The 49-year-old, from Carnfield, Bedfordshire, took the trip abroad as part of a bucket list before she turns 50 next month.
Travelling alongside her boyfriend, Dan Puddifoot, 36, the commercial specialist paid just £28 for a return flight to the fashion capital of Italy, flying with Ryanair.
According to the commercial specialist, a single train ticket to London usually costs her between £35 and £50, with the journey taking one and a half hours.
Granted Sharon had to drive the same amount of time to reach London Stansted airport, but the thrifty traveller hopped on an 8.35am flight to Milan and saved elsewhere.
The couple arrived in Italy at 11.25am, before boarding a train to the city centre, which cost them less than 10 Euros.
Once in Milan itself, they visited the cathedral and stopped for a sandwich and drink at an Italian restaurant. After exploring some more, they then boarded the same train back to the airport and flew back home to London at 10.40pm.
Sharon said: ‘It’s cheaper than getting to London and that’s how I sold it to my boyfriend.
‘I go into London a lot and it costs between £35 and £50 for a ticket.
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‘I’ve always wanted to go to Milan. I’ve heard it’s possible to do it in one day. We did everything we wanted to do.’
Not only was it cost-effective, but the trip was also fuss-free, with Sharon noting that ‘Milan is really easy to get around, there’s a train from the airport to the centre that was less than ten euros.’
Spending the day doing similar to the activities available in London, Sharon added: ‘It was a beautiful day. The weather was stunning. We climbed the Duomo di Milano and had lunch at The Dome restaurant.
‘I had a fancy pink lemonade with marshmallows in it. We just explored. We did 20,000 steps.’
She’s not the only thrifty traveller either. Earlier this year, 30-year-old Dagmara Kedzierska also flew to Milan for the day for just £50 – so clearly it’s a great place for a budget-friendly getaway.
Sharon plans to pursue her life hack more this year, with future day trips to Europe planned – plus, she is jetting off to Denmark later in the year for just £49.14.
She said: ‘The flight is £98.28 for two people. It’s about the experience of you doing it. You feel like you’ve had a holiday in one day.’
Taking a day trip to a European city was on Sharon’s list of 50 things she wants to do before she turns 50 next month.
Sharon said: ‘I’m trying to do 50 things before I turn 50. I’ve been ticking things off for about a year and a half, I’ve got seven things left.
‘I’m climbing Snowdon and I’ve been to a classical concert in Vienna.’
What started off as ticking off a list of 50 things to do before turning 50 has now become a thrifty travel opportunity. Will you be tempted to try the same?
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