The Rise of 'Extreme Day Trips': When a Day Away Means Flying 1,200 Miles

A new travel trend is emerging that defies conventional notions of day trips, as adventurous souls are revolutionizing travel through Extreme Day Trips (EDT). Instead of short drives or train rides to nearby destinations, these intrepid travelers are taking to the skies for whirlwind same-day adventures to far-flung locations, treating airports like train stations and turning distant cities into accessible day-trip destinations.

Take Kevin Droniak, who recently flew from New York to Miami for a beach day, carrying nothing more than a backpack. "You probably don't know this, but Miami is a day trip from New York City," Droniak declared in a video documenting his journey. His itinerary: a 7 a.m. departure from JFK, landing in Miami by 10 a.m., followed by a return flight at 7:50 p.m., arriving back in New York by 11 p.m.

According to the Thrillist, this adventurous approach to travel, which first caught fire in the United Kingdom, has sparked a movement that treats airports more like train stations and far-off cities like nearby neighborhoods. The phenomenon has grown into a full-fledged community, complete with its own digital ecosystem – dedicated apps, websites, and even a comprehensive guidebook published earlier this year: "Extreme Day Trips: A practical guide to help get the most of a day trip abroad or overnight stay in Europe."

The trend has spawned its own ecosystem, complete with a dedicated Facebook page, website, and app offering guidance on finding cheap fares and optimizing EDT itineraries. Earlier this year, enthusiasts even published a book titled "Extreme Day Trips: A practical guide to help get the most of a day trip abroad or overnight stay in Europe."

In the UK, where the movement first gained momentum, travelers have pushed the boundaries of what constitutes a day trip. While some British day-trippers have ventured as far as New York, most opt for European destinations, sharing their adventures on TikTok. The appeal is particularly strong in Britain, where flights can sometimes be cheaper than train tickets. One traveler reported booking a round-trip to Rome for just 30 pounds, while others have found Ryanair flights for as little as one penny.

The trend is catching on in the United States, despite the generally higher cost of domestic flights. Social media posts reveal Americans taking ambitious day trips, including a Portland resident who made separate day trips to both Austin and Dallas using four-hour red-eye flights, and another who flew from Richmond to New York specifically for a bagel festival.

However, the environmental impact of these brief journeys hasn't gone unnoticed. Short-haul flights are among the worst forms of transport for emissions. Some EDT practitioners attempt to address this concern by offsetting their carbon footprint. As one traveler told Euronews, he donates to native tree planting initiatives every time he flies, though others justify their trips by arguing that the flights would operate regardless of their participation.

For those interested in attempting their own extreme day trip, travel experts recommend flexibility with destinations, thorough research of planned activities, and mastering the art of sleeping on planes. While this style of travel might not appeal to advocates of the slow travel movement, it offers a unique solution for those seeking adventure within the constraints of limited vacation time.