Adelina Popa booked the ‘extreme’ day trip from Bristol to Copenhagen five months in advance and didn’t plan anything until she arrived in the Danish capital
A woman jetted off from the UK to Copenhagen for a whirlwind 11-hour Danish pastry tasting adventure, all for a mere £42.
Adelina Popa, 28, snagged her bargain flight from Bristol Airport to Copenhagen Airport by booking five months ahead of her July 15 departure which saw her depart at 8.40am and head back home at 11.30pm. The savvy traveller didn’t fancy making any concrete plans until she touched down in Denmark’s charming capital.
Upon arrival, Adelina treated herself to an array of scrumptious pastries, took in the sights at the National Museum, and clocked up an impressive 30k steps exploring a bustling market, all while keeping her spending below £70 for the entire adventure. Having previously embarked on day trips to Alicante, Dublin, and Monaco, Adelina reckons these quick getaways are “far less expensive than taking the train to London.”
Bristol-based customer service rep Adelina said: “I loved going to Copenhagen on my own – it was really safe and cheaper than a trip to London. I like to be spontaneous, so I didn’t really plan ahead.
“I had all different types of food, and walked over 30,000 steps. I’d say it was less than £100 for the entire day.”
In the summer of 2023, Adelina began her series of solo European day trips. Her travel roster includes not just Copenhagen but also Malaga, Monaco, Dublin, and Edinburgh, each costing under £100.
Adelina explained her passion for these quick trips, saying: “I got into extreme day trips just when they were becoming really popular. If I’m in a situation where I can take time off work, it’s a good thing to do to break the routine and, if you’re not sure you’re going to like a country, you can get a feel for it.
“It’s just such a good alternative, financially. It’s much cheaper to go to the beach for a day in Spain than to catch a train to London.”
Adelina spotted return plane tickets to Copenhagen on sale for £42, in February 2024. She chose to book the flight without planning anything, wanting to see what the weather would be like. On July 15, her plane left Bristol Airport at 8.40am – and took three hours to get there.
She said: “I got to Copenhagen just before midday. I took the train straight from the airport, which took me right into the city. It was about a 15-minute journey, and cost the equivalent of £3.50.”
Adelina spent most of her time in the Nyhavn area of Copenhagen. She visited the food market – and bought Danish pastries to eat, as well as their “famous hotdogs.”
Her step-count for the day reached 30,000 – after walking alongside the canal, taking a boat tour of the city and visiting the National Museum of Denmark. She said: “I spent £20 on lunch and my Danish pastries cost £3.
“I felt so safe in Copenhagen – which can be hard for a female solo traveller. My advice is to research your transport links as soon as you can. I was really glad I could get from the airport to the centre in 15 minutes.”
While waiting for her train, Adelina noticed a separate train going in the direction of Malmo, Sweden. She made a spontaneous decision to book a seat for £37, planning to travel later this year. By saving on accommodation, she managed to return to Bristol by 11.30pm the same day.
Here’s a breakdown of Adelina’s costs:
- Return flight to Copenhagen: £42
- Food: £23
- Train from airport: £3.50
- Grand Total: £68.50
