Teacher hops on £27 flight to France for lunch — because it's 'cheaper than a UK day out'

A British teacher has sparked interest by taking a £27 flight from Birmingham to northern France for a day of sightseeing, dining, and relaxation, claiming the trip was far more affordable than a typical day out in the UK. Claire Howard, 48, returned to the UK by midnight, having spent around £70 on the entire excursion, which included flights, transportation, meals, and a souvenir. Howard’s journey began with an early morning flight departing Birmingham at approximately 7:30 am. She arrived in Beauvais, a town in northern France, and used a £1.80 bus ride to reach the city center, which took just 15 minutes. After spending the day exploring local attractions, enjoying meals, and soaking in the atmosphere, she boarded a late-night flight back to the UK, arriving home by 11 pm. According to Howard, the idea came after checking Skyscanner for available flights. She discovered that return flights to Beauvais were priced at just £27, prompting her to plan the trip. “I’ve been to Paris a few times,” she explained, “but I didn’t want to travel into Paris from Beauvais because it’s really pricey and busy.” Instead, she opted to explore Beauvais itself, seeking a relaxed day of wandering, eating, and drinking. Her itinerary included visiting the city’s weekly Saturday market, where she bought a coffee and a pain au chocolat for £4. She later enjoyed a drink in the town square, accompanied by live music, before taking a £10 Uber to Plan d’Eau du Canada, a popular lakeside spot. For lunch, she prepared a French-style picnic with a supermarket baguette, cheese, and a small bottle of wine, which she consumed while reading and sunbathing by the lake. She also visited Beauvais Cathedral and the neighboring Musée de l’Oise, both of which were free to enter. The day concluded with a Pad Thai dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant for about £10, followed by a stop at a shop where she purchased an £8 bracelet as a keepsake. Howard noted that the total cost of the trip, including flights, transportation, food, and souvenirs, was approximately £70. Howard emphasized that such trips are feasible due to the availability of low-cost flights from Birmingham Airport. She has taken similar budget-friendly excursions to destinations such as Bergamo in Italy, Malaga in Spain, Valetta in Malta, Poznan in Poland, and Porto in Portugal. This year alone, she has already booked return flights to Poland and Berlin for £70 each. “I’m just led by what is possible and affordable,” she said. “I can’t take time off during term, but I have Tuesdays off, so I try to make the most of them.” Howard added that she finds the best deals four to six weeks in advance, allowing her to plan these spontaneous adventures. She also mentioned that her husband does not share her enthusiasm for short trips, but he is not jealous of her frequent travels. Howard described the experience of traveling abroad for a day as more thrilling than simply going out locally. “It feels like an adventure,” she said. “I don’t want to spend £50 on a cinema ticket and lunch here when I can go abroad and experience so much more for a reasonable price.” She admitted she has become “completely addicted” to budget day trips, often booking flights to new destinations nearly every month. With her schedule allowing for occasional escapes, she continues to seek out affordable ways to explore Europe, one day at a time.