Any recommendations for a day trip to somewhre in Europe from a London Airport? ?

Question

Any tips for a nice little town where we could get a nice meal and do some shopping with an airport nearby, Perhaps somewhere like France, Italy, Luxembourg etc. It would be good for a no frills airline to fly there as it would be cheaper but don't worry if not. Thanks.

Answer 1

Barcelona's lovely & not too far - try Monarch or BMI Baby for flights

Answer 2

Take the Eurostar to Lilles. The station is conveniently located in the center of the city and just next to a shopping mall.

If you would prefer Brussels, it is only 25 minutes further away.

You could probably find one-day tickets at reduced price. Check with www.eurostar.com

Answer 3

Have you never actually FLOWN from a London airport to an airport in Europe?  You would know how long it takes... London to ITALY in ONE DAY for SHOPPING... geesch.

Go to Victoria Station then take the train over the France and get off at the first stop... have lunch, go shopping and go back to London VICTORIA STATION... and forget about flying.

Answer 4

you may want to go somewhere on the continent, but I've just spent the weekend in Dublin and it's got everything you want.

Answer 5

Ryanair fly to Reus from Stanstead. From there you can go to either Tarragona (a great little Roman town and a Unesco World Heritage site) or Salou (and spend some time in the sea or walking along the promenade). Either place is maybe 15-20 mins from the airport.

Answer 6

There is a problem with this.  Lets say you don't live in Central London (most people don't).  You're going to have to travel to get to Victoria, Paddington or Liverpool Street to get the express train (let's say an hour).  Then you've got about an hour to get to your airport (less if it's Heathrow).  You then have a 2 hour check in for your flight.  Your flight will be about 2 hours (allowing for delays) and then when you arrive at the other end you'll need to get to the place you are going.  Airports are very rarely in the city.  Let's allow another hour in a taxi.  Then the return journey.

This means 14 hours travelling altogether - about time for a quick lunch and back again!!!

Why not try just hopping on the train and going to Brighton for the day and having a nice lunch and doing some shopping.  Failing that, make it a weekend and include at least one night away in a hotel.  The Eurostar is expensive but at least you go straight from St Pancras to the centre of Paris or Lille which would make a nice day trip without all the hassle of getting to and from airports which adds to the time.  I think check-in for the Eurostar is about half an hour.