A UK woman has proven that an international adventure doesn't require a fortune or even using a day of annual leave, after she successfully executed a whirlwind day trip to Berlin for just over £100.
Natasha Blanthorn, a 26-year-old college marketing manager from Macclesfield, Cheshire, fulfilled her dream of visiting the German capital in an extreme budget-friendly mission, managing to return home in time for a 10pm bedtime.
The Early Start and Budget Breakdown
Natasha's ambitious day began with a 3:30am alarm after only four hours of sleep. She drove from her home in Macclesfield to Manchester Airport, where she had pre-booked a parking space on a private driveway for just £11.60 for the day.
Her journey was made possible by a savvy find on Skyscanner. She snapped up a return flight when the price dropped from around £80 to an incredible £38. Travelling with only hand luggage containing essentials like a portable charger and snacks, she boarded the 6:20am flight on November 8, landing in Berlin just before 9am.
A Whirlwind Tour of History
Upon arrival, Natasha purchased an £8.30 return train ticket to Alexanderplatz and began her exploration at the Topography of Terror, a free exhibit detailing the history of the SS during the Third Reich.
After a quick lunch at McDonald's to save time, she embarked on a pre-booked three-hour walking tour costing £14.17. This tour was the centrepiece of her day, providing guided stops at major historical sites including Hitler's Bunker (the Führerbunker), Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gate.
She remarked, "The walking tour was best - Berlin is so rich in history. I would never in a million years have had time to research all the facts about the different sites on my own, but I got everything on the tour."
The Journey Home and Lasting Impressions
By 4pm, after racking up an impressive 25,000 steps, Natasha was on the train back to the airport. She boarded her return flight at 8:20pm and was back on UK soil, ready for bed by 10pm.
Her total expenditure came to £102.07, a sum that included flights, parking, transport, the tour, and all her food for the day. For perspective, a train ticket from London to Glasgow on a similar date costs £130.80 – significantly more than Natasha's entire international day out.
While she admits the intense schedule is "not for the faint-hearted," Natasha loved every second. "When I got back, I felt like I was high, just from the adrenaline of it all," she said. "It was a busy day, but you forget all the tiredness and just remember the memories."
Inspired by the success and reasonable cost, she is already planning a return trip to Berlin to visit the East Side Gallery and explore the city's famous street art.
