Popularized on TikTok, the "extreme day trip" is a budget-friendly way to take a vacation without paying for a hotel.

Why it matters: Vacations are more expensive than ever. Flights, hotels and meals can easily turn even a short trip into a four-figure expense.

• Extreme day trips promise a workaround: Fly somewhere in the morning, explore all day, and return home that night to sleep in your own bed.

Driving the news: Axios Dallas social host Greg Castillo decided to try an extreme trip with an added challenge: spend no more than $100, including airfare.

• He booked a $46 same-day round-trip flight from Dallas to Denver on Frontier Airlines, leaving at 6am and returning at 9pm.
• There was just $54 for everything else: meals, transportation, activities and whatever unexpected expenses came up.

Reality check: The airfare was booked before fuel prices started to skyrocket.

• A comparable flight on a weekday in April is $107.

The big picture: Extreme day trips can be a surprisingly fun way to see a new city on a tight budget — if you're willing to sacrifice sleep and pack a lot into a single day.

• They're also a reminder that the cheapest trips often require the most planning.
• Everything has to go right. One delayed flight or missed train and you could suddenly be paying for a last-minute hotel.

By the numbers: With such a tight budget, every dollar mattered and every minute counted.

• DFW Airport parking cost $18.
• The train from the airport to downtown Denver was another $10.

The intrigue: Airport lounge access was key to the trip's success.

• The Capital One Lounge offered free breakfast, snacks, dinner, drinks and even a quick shower to help power through the long day.

The bottom line: All in, the trip cost $91.41 — $46 for the flight, $18 for parking, $10 for the train, $4 for coffee and $13.41 for lunch.

👋 Hi! Greg here.

I landed in Denver just before 9am, giving me roughly 10 hours in the city.

What happened: The train ride from the airport was smooth, getting me downtown in just under 40 minutes.

• My first stop was Union Station, where I grabbed a $4 coffee at Pigtrain Coffee Co. before taking in the sights on foot, including Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.
• At 11am, I met up with Axios Denver reporter Esteban Hernandez at Tequila + Tacos. I ordered a Sonoran-style bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with borracho beans and a really fresh slaw. It was delicious — and surprisingly filling — for $13.41.

Zoom in: Having a city insider was helpful. Esteban gave me a quick tour of downtown, pointing out a few murals and local spots before I caught the train back to the airport around 2pm.

Threat level: A strong storm was passing through Dallas the night I landed. The end of the flight got pretty bumpy. After landing, passengers couldn't get off the plane for about an hour.

• After finally deplaning, I took a bus to the express parking lot, got in my car and drove home slowly through the rain.
• By the time I walked through my front door, it was 11:30pm. I had been awake for more than 20 hours, and I could feel it.

The bottom line: I'm not sure I'd do it again. I spent so much time optimizing the day and stressing about staying within my budget that I never really relaxed. By the time I got home, I was completely wiped — and I got sick the next day.

• That said, it was still nice to meet up with my colleague and catch a glimpse of the mountains, even if it was only from afar.

🐸 TCU's men's basketball team opened NCAA tournament play yesterday with a 66-64 win over Ohio State. The Horned Frogs play top-seeded Duke in the second round tomorrow. (AP)

❌ Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will no longer observe César Chávez Day after at least two women said the late labor rights leader sexually assaulted them when they were minors. (WFAA)

💰 FEMA announced it will award $51.6 million to the city of Dallas for World Cup security preparations. (NBC5)

🪕 Two musicians who contributed to the Oscar-winning score for "Sinners" will perform at the Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival tomorrow. (KERA)

Seek comfort foods and cocktails at a longtime Oak Cliff classic.

Vibe check: Eno's has been a cornerstone in Bishop Arts for nearly two decades. The wood-paneled restaurant serves thin crust pizzas, sandwiches, craft beer and cocktails.

• The space manages to be both family friendly and the perfect spot for an afterwork drink.

What to eat: We have a long-lasting love affair with the heirloom spinach pizza — a white pie with ricotta, mushrooms and, of course, spinach.

• For hungry days, we recommend starting with the Italian bean dip.

What to order: The Bishop — Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, benedictine and absinthe.

Where: Eno's Pizza Tavern, 407 N. Bishop Ave.

• There are also Coppell and Forney locations.

Cost: $14

Six-word review: Herbal, slightly sweet pizza complement.

📭 Know a drink we should try? Hit reply and tell us.