Forget long weekends — the hottest travel trend is all about jetting off in the morning, squeezing in a full day of adventure, and flying home that night. From Scotland’s airports, you can join the ‘extreme day trip’ movement and collect a new stamp on your boarding pass before bedtime.

So the summer ‘school’ holidays are over. Perhaps you’re already eyeing up half term but don’t have the budget (or stamina) for a big family bonanza. Or maybe you’re free from the constrictions of the school calendar and fancy a little — very little — adventure. Extreme day tripping might just be the answer: escapism in its purest, quickest form.

Social media is buzzing with stories of travellers swapping office desks for Parisian croissants, Copenhagen canals or even an Icelandic geothermal soak — all without an overnight stay. It’s spontaneous, budget-friendly, and a little bit mad — which is exactly why it’s irresistible.

Hood’s Top 10 Extreme Day Trips from Scotland

Chill with café au lait in Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

1. Paris, France

The classic extreme day trip. With flights around 1 hour 50 minutes, Paris is close enough for a morning café crème in Montmartre, a midday dash through the Louvre, and an evening glass of wine in Saint-Germain before heading back. The trick? Keep it simple: pick one neighbourhood and immerse yourself. Our favourites? Le Marais (4th arrondissement) and Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement).

Flights vary from Scottish airports. From 27 October 2025, easyJet launches a new direct service from Aberdeen to Paris Charles de Gaulle, operating twice weekly — making it even easier for North East travellers to squeeze Paris into a single day.

Take a moment to discover vintage treasures from boutique gems like Bakkekilde

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital is made for quick trips. Compact, stylish, and welcoming, it’s easy to rent a bike, soak up the sights of Nyhavn, wander through the city’s shops perusing Danish decor, scandi style and vintage musts, and tuck into smørrebrød by the water. Don’t miss Tivoli Gardens if you want a dash of fairytale magic before catching your evening flight.

Direct flights are available from Edinburgh via easyJet, Norwegian Air and Ryanair. Direct Aberdeen flights can be booked with Scandinavian Airlines.

3. Milan Bergamo, Italy (Edinburgh/Glasgow)

Perfect for fashion lovers. Land in Bergamo, hop the shuttle to Milan, and spend the day under the shadow of the Duomo. Wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, enjoy an Aperol spritz in the late afternoon sun, and you’ll feel like you’ve had a true Italian escape — all in under 12 hours.

Take a flight to Milan with easyJet from Edinburgh.

4. Barcelona, Spain

For those chasing sunshine, tapas and sea air, Barcelona is irresistible. Flights take around 2 hours 30, and with smart planning you can enjoy Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, graze through the Boqueria market, and finish with sangria on Barceloneta beach before flying home.

Fly to Barcelona via British Airways, Vueling Airlines, Iberia and Ryanair. Flights from Glasgow with Ryanair and easyJet.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

For the most adventurous of day-trippers, Reykjavik is a bucket-list option. Morning flights mean you can be soaking in the Blue Lagoon, exploring Hallgrimskirkja, and even catching a glimpse of volcanic landscapes all in a single day. It’s a longer flight (around 3 hours), but the experience is like no other.

Fly to Iceland with easyJet from Edinburgh and on Iceland Air from Glasgow .

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands

A day in Amsterdam feels almost too easy. Compact and connected, you can wander the canals, visit the Van Gogh Museum, stroll through the Vondelpark and tuck into stroopwafels at an outdoor café. With flights under 1 hour 40 minutes, it’s a relaxed but rewarding extreme day trip.

Fly to Amsterdam from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with KLM. EasyJet and Ryanair also offer flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

7. Dublin, Ireland

Sometimes the best day trips are close to home. In just an hour’s flight, you can be pulling a pint of Guinness at the Storehouse, shopping Grafton Street, or wandering the cobbles of Temple Bar. It’s also one of the easiest trips to organise, with multiple daily returns.

Dublin is within easy reach from Scottish airports with flights from Ryanair, Aer Lingus and British Airways.

8. Belfast, Northern Ireland (Edinburgh/Glasgow/Aberdeen)

Another close-to-home gem. Belfast is compact, full of character, and easily explored in a day. Dive into the Titanic Experience, explore the buzzing Cathedral Quarter, or take a black cab tour for a hit of history and culture before dinner back in Scotland.

Another easy to get to getaway, Belfast flights go from various Scottish airports with easyJet, Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

Extreme Day Trip Tips

Pack ultra-light: cabin bag only.
Plan your transfers: know how you’ll get into the city fast.
Be realistic: pick two or three things to do, not ten.
Embrace the spontaneity: it’s about the thrill, not the checklist.

The Hood Take

Extreme day tripping isn’t for everyone. The tight timelines, airport dashes and inevitable fatigue can leave you wondering if you’ve truly experienced a place. There are also environmental questions around short-haul flying for leisure. But in a world where time, money, and freedom don’t always align, there’s something joyful about the idea of Paris for lunch, Milan for a spritz, or Reykjavik for a geothermal dip — all without a suitcase. Perhaps that’s the magic: it’s not about doing it every weekend, but about having the option. A reminder that sometimes, adventure can be just a boarding pass away.

Discover the 8 Best Extreme Day Trips from Scottish Airports