Blogger says flying via Berlin was cheaper than Sheffield to Essex train

A teenage blogger claims he saved £7.72 on his train journey from Sheffield to Essex – by taking a plane via Berlin.

Jordon Cox, 18, who blogs as the Coupon Kid for MoneySavingExpert.com, wrote on the website that he travelled an extra 1,017 miles last week and saved £7.72 by getting back to Essex from Sheffield via Berlin.

He wrote: “I know that flying is not very environmentally friendly and I won’t do this every time I travel, however this was the cheapest way for me to get home and I got to enjoy a ‘free’ mini holiday to a city I’ve always wanted to visit.”

Cox said he booked a cheap train fare to Sheffield but found a return ticket was £47.

He found that flying from East Midlands airport to Berlin, spending seven hours exploring the city and then flying to London Stansted and getting a bus home was cheaper than a single train journey in England.

He also discovered he could buy a return train ticket to Berlin city centre, enjoy a free tour of a government building and eat lunch there and still save money.

He wrote: “OK, this isn’t for everyone as it can take a whole day to get to your final destination, but if you’re not in a rush, your focus is saving money and you fancy a little walk around a European city, it’s worth a look.”

He reminded anyone considering his methods to factor in travel to and from airports to ensure an overall saving – and remember their passport.