After my failed attempts to crack Dublin, I was beginning to wonder whether Escape Under was impossible in 2026.
Flights were expensive.
Ferries ate the budget alive.
And every time I thought I’d found a bargain, baggage charges appeared from nowhere like jump scares in a horror film.
Then I changed strategy.
Instead of trying to build the trip myself, I checked package holiday websites.
That’s when I found it.
A trip to Frankfurt for £90 through On the Beach — including flights.
Had I finally cracked the Escape Under challenge?
Well… yes.
Sort of.
There was one small catch.
The accommodation was a mixed dormitory.
Now listen.
At Escape Under, we believe in honesty.
This wasn’t luxury.
There were no rooftop infinity pools.
Nobody handed me champagne wearing white gloves.
But that’s not really the point.
Because for under £100, I could still be wandering around Germany next week eating bratwurst, exploring a new city, and hearing a language that isn’t English for a couple of days.
And honestly?
That still feels exciting.
The challenge taught me something important:
if you want to travel cheaply in 2026, flexibility matters more than comfort.
The people finding the cheapest deals are usually:
• travelling midweek
• booking last minute
• using hand luggage only
• staying in hostels or dormitories
• letting the deal choose the destination
And maybe that’s part of the adventure.
Escape Under isn’t about pretending everybody can afford luxury holidays.
It’s about proving that even on a tight budget, the world still hasn’t completely closed its doors to you.
