A travel agent has shared her secrets for visiting two European destinations in a single day without splashing the cash.

Steph Gibbs, along with her sister Sam, 34, managed to pull off an incredible trip to Nice and Monaco, all while keeping costs below £100. During their whirlwind tour, the sisters soaked up beach views, indulged in pizza and crêpes, and even had time to check out iconic spots like the Monte Carlo Casino. Steph, 29, who has the inside track on snagging the best travel deals thanks to her profession, is now revealing how to score a budget-friendly adventure.

“My older sister and I were looking to plan a day out together, as we hadn’t spent much quality time with each other,” Steph told Luxury Travel Daily.

“Because of childcare commitments, an overnight trip wasn’t an option for her so we thought, why not try a one-day trip abroad! I’m fortunate that a friend of mine works for easyJet, so I can often access discounted fares through her.

“That said, I’ve also booked day trips just by browsing Skyscanner – flights are typically priced between £30–£60, but securing a good deal usually requires being very flexible with dates.”

“For this trip, Nice came up as one of the most affordable options. We discovered that some people had managed to visit both Nice and Monaco in a single day, taking a short train ride between the two – so we decided to give it a go.

“Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the most affordable [to book on Skyscanner] based on the trips I’ve taken and booked.”

Steph took to TikTok to share her budget-friendly adventure, revealing that their flights to Nice cost a mere £39 return. Once they landed, the sisters jumped on a tram ride to the town centre costing only £1.30, followed by a quick breakfast for just £7.

Their day included a complimentary walk along the beach and an invigorating hike up Castle Hill, before indulging in pizza and chips for lunch at £15 per person. The thrifty travellers then caught a train to Monaco for an economical £8 return and enjoyed a visit to the famous casino without any entry fee.

They capped off their day with a £15 mocktail at the Café de Paris, before returning to Nice for a delightful £4 crêpe on the beach. Stephanie had planned a rough itinerary beforehand but opted to purchase bus and train tickets on the spot.

Step said: “I was up around 2am for our 6am flight, and didn’t get back home until around midnight so it was definitely a long day! There were moments, like during the train ride to Monaco, when the tiredness started to catch up with me, but the excitement of the trip kept our energy levels high.

“We made sure to stay hydrated and keep fuelled with plenty of food throughout the day, which really helped. I even made it into the office for my 9am shift the next morning!”.

Step also jetted off to Alicante with a mate, clocking in at under £100 for the entire escapade – this includes flights, transport, and all their nibbles. She’s got a tip for anyone scoping out a thrifty getaway – use Skyscanner.

She added: “Be ready for a long day and a bit of tiredness but also an adventure. I also recommend doing some light planning in advance: research a few key sights and map out a logical route so you can make the most of your time.

“Booking restaurant reservations ahead of time so it helps you stick to your budget and saves you from wasting time wandering around looking for a place to eat.”