Germana Carillo For most people, the idea of a vacation abroad involves packing your bags and going away for at least a weekend, if not a week or more. But for some, especially travel bloggers, a single day is enough to fly to another country, explore, and be home before bedtime. And how much does it cost us?
In recent years, thanks to the growing availability of low-cost flights, a curious travel trend has taken hold: the “extreme day trip.” These whirlwind getaways go far beyond the classic “hit and run” style of tourism. More and more travelers are flying to cities like Milan, Paris, Florence, Amsterdam—and even Reykjavik—just to spend 12 hours exploring before heading home, often in time for dinner.
At the heart of this trend is a questionable belief: that the first day of a trip holds all the magic, while everything after that is just filler.
You can fly to another country, explore, and still be home before bed
That’s the view of travel blogger Monica Stott, interviewed by the BBC, who believes one day is more than enough for an international escape.
“You can fly to another country, explore it, and still be home before bed,” she told the outlet.
And she’s not alone. Online forums and social media groups devoted to 12-hour escapades are booming. But while these high-speed jaunts may seem spontaneous and fun, they come at a high environmental cost.
The carbon cost of fast travel
Air travel is one of the major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aviation accounts for roughly 2.4% of global CO₂ emissions.
That may sound small, but the climate impact is magnified by other pollutants released during flights—including nitrogen oxides and water vapor—especially at cruising altitudes. These compounds intensify global warming far beyond what carbon dioxide alone would cause.
Even more concerning is the disproportionate environmental impact of short-haul flights, which are the backbone of extreme day trips. Takeoff and landing—two fuel-guzzling phases of any flight—make up about 25% of the total fuel burn. So even a two-hour roundtrip flight can carry a heavy ecological price tag.
The clash between fast tourism and sustainability
This fast-paced style of travel is inherently unsustainable. It runs counter to the principles of responsible tourism, which emphasize slower, local journeys that minimize environmental harm and allow for richer cultural immersion.
A 12-hour dash through a city might score well on Instagram, but it does little to support local economies or foster meaningful connections. Instead, it turns travel into a form of environmental and cultural consumption—one that prioritizes quick thrills over long-term impact.
If we want travel to be a force for good, we need to rethink our habits. That means supporting tourism models that are environmentally conscious, culturally respectful, and grounded in authentic, lasting experiences.
