Woman Takes 2,000-Mile Journey to Manchester Via Spain to Save on Travel Costs
A woman from Cornwall has gone to extraordinary lengths to save money on travel by flying more than 2,000 miles to Manchester via Spain to collect her new car, after finding it was cheaper than taking the train.
Kristina Coulson, from Lansallos near Fowey, purchased a new car in Crewe, Cheshire, after her previous vehicle was written off in a crash last December. Faced with the high cost of a train journey—up to £203 per person—she decided to explore alternative options.
After a search for cheaper travel options, Coulson and her husband discovered that flights from Newquay to Málaga, followed by a connecting flight from Málaga to Manchester, would cost them just £108 in total. The couple, who were traveling together, found that this route was significantly more affordable than taking the train.
Despite the additional travel time, Coulson said the detour was well worth it. "The drive back was not something I could have managed on my own because of my back issues after the accident," she explained. "Taking a flight to Málaga was a much more affordable solution."
Inspired by a Facebook group dedicated to extreme day trips, Coulson booked a flight from Newquay to Málaga for just £19 per person and then another for £35 each to Manchester. After arriving back in the UK by midnight, the couple stayed at a nearby Holiday Express hotel for the night before completing their journey.
Coulson noted that the total cost of the trip, including flights and accommodation, was still cheaper than taking a direct train to Crewe.
The Department for Transport, while unable to comment on Coulson’s specific case, acknowledged the complexities of the UK’s rail fare system and committed to overhauling the railway network to simplify ticketing and pricing for passengers.