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Would you go away on a pricy 3 night break with friends?

42 replies

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 22:37

I've been invited to go away just after the new year with old friends. It is a trip to los Angeles, so £1k 10hoyr plus flights, £500 hotel, spending money. I want to go with my girlfriends but feel bad leaving the family and spending that much (though it would really be noticed). Also, it's a long way for a short trip. YOLO or you'd be crazy to go...?

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irregularegular · Yesterday 18:35

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 23:17

No staying in LA, nearby in nice bit

Do some of the group live there or near there? That seems like the only possible justification. If it's a way to see them it might be worth it, but not if the whole group is travelling from the UK to LA for 3 nights. That makes no sense.

irregularegular · Yesterday 18:32

So what's the total cost? I didn't really understand your post? And what would you do there that would make it worthwhile? LA really isn't that interesting. Plan a trip to a European city and persuade them to go there next time.

irregularegular · Yesterday 18:31

LA for 3 nights does not sound like a good idea. I'd only do that if necessary for work, or if someone really close to me was very ill, or maybe getting married. Not just for a holiday. Far too much time/money/environmental impact/jet lag for a short holiday. I might do an extravagant trip to a european city if I had the money and it sounded like fun. But not that. New York at a stretch, if the flight times/prices were good. I've dont that before. But not LA.

HappyViewer · Yesterday 18:29

I’ve done some crazy short trips but I’d decline this one due to the time difference.

OrneryWorld · Yesterday 18:26

I've been to LA. The jet lag meant I woke very early but not as bad as I expected. I just watched a movie before breakfast 😁

For me, there wasn't much difference in the jet lag between LA and the east coast.

Flipperthepriest · Yesterday 18:24

I just wouldn't fancy going all that way for 3 days and nights. It's less the expense than the faff.

OrneryWorld · Yesterday 18:19

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 22:52

It's 3 nights and 3 days if that makes any difference...

I'd do it.
I did it.

This was the east coast though. The bloke at immigration thought I was nuts to go all that way for 3 nights 😂

OP if you want to go, then go. Yes it's long way but you know that up front. Find a flight that lands at a time that works best for you. Make the most of the 8 hours you'll gain on arrival.

mindutopia · Yesterday 17:29

No, I wouldn’t spend that much on a holiday for just me (that was probably more than our weeklong family holiday last year!) and def not to LA. I used to live in California and LA wouldn’t be top of my list for a holiday destination if I was going long haul. I also personally don’t holiday with friends. Been there, done that. I’m over everyone’s picky eating and getting drunk and crying to me til 3am and one of them accidentally booking us a hotel 300 miles from where we actually were travelling. Nope, don’t do it anymore.

anunlikelyunicorn · Yesterday 17:14

Only if I could stay in the Cecil hotel!

gullgal · Yesterday 16:29

I would go but stay for longer!

Skybluecoat · Yesterday 16:24

I would but I’m able to sleep at the drop of a hat in any situation.

hellospring26 · Yesterday 16:02

Fuck that. LA is way too far. There’ll be no enjoyment.

jay55 · Yesterday 15:56

I couldn’t fly all that way for so little time. The flight is the biggest cost so I’d probably enjoy the time with friends then stay on longer.

New York is less of an issue with jet lag.

AutumnOakTree · Yesterday 15:53

It sounds like can’t really afford it, as it’s likely to be two grand all in, which is huge for a short trip away. Don’t feel pressurised into doing it, peer pressure and all that. You could have a nice family holiday for that money!

Bumcake · Yesterday 15:40

No,I’d want five days minimum for that distance.

I don’t know what family you’re leaving behind, but I’d never worry about leaving mine for three nights so that element is not a concern.

fruitbrewhaha · 19/10/2026 23:31

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 23:10

New York is only 2-3hours shorter flight. But yes maybe it's too far 🤔 💭

Edited

Yes but the time difference is 5 hours vs 8 hours in California so much harder re jet lag

Cardhey · 19/10/2026 23:27

So you’d arrive say Saturday lunchtime/afternoon, have two clear days then need to be back at airport Tuesday lunchtime/afternoon. Stupid planning. Too short. Could have done longer for little more.

Freshrain · 19/10/2026 23:26

Would I go to LA for 3 days / nights ? - no, not even if it were free

Would I go on holiday with friends, and be happy to leave dc with dh ? - Yes, no problem

Would I spend £2Kish on a holiday ? That's going to depend on your finances. Now ? I might if it were something I really wanted to do. Although it would have to be a 'whole holiday' not a mini break. At the time when I had small dc, then it wouldn't have even come up because we didn't have that sort of money at that point. None of us know what % of 'spare money' in a year £2K is for you, and whether it means you will then have to say no to other things that would be nice.

Houseyhope · 19/10/2026 23:26

I was long haul cabin crew. Our west coast trips were 2 nights/ 2 days. You could get quite a lot done in them. But the difference in your case is I didn’t spend a lot of money to do that..

ValleyofHumiliation · 19/10/2026 23:22

I’ve done lots of trips/long weekends with my girlfriends but what you’re describing sounds really tiring because of the long journey and jet lag. For that reason I wouldn’t attempt it.

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 23:17

No staying in LA, nearby in nice bit

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Itsthewoluff · 19/10/2026 23:14

LA isn’t that great anyway. There are better places to go, but no I wouldn’t fly anywhere long haul for only three nights. It wouldn’t be worth the effort or expense.

Now somewhere closer…

seahorsessky · 19/10/2026 23:13

I'd only spend that kind of money on a family holiday personally. But everyone has different circumstances, for some their friends are their family, and some people are richer, so I wouldn't say people should call it completely unreasonable, depending on the individual.

jackstini · 19/10/2026 23:12

I used to do that 3-4 times a year for work

Even business class it was an absolute killer. You would just about get through the jet lag in time to come home and suffer it again

Why have they chosen LA for such a short length of time?! Unless it’s for a specific event it’s crazy

Would I go for a 3 night break with friends - absolutely
Would I spend half of it travelling and feeling like shite - hell no

howtoparent · 19/10/2026 23:12

WinterSunglasses · 19/10/2026 22:45

True on the length of the break. Can they be talked into somewhere nearer to make the most of the time?

theyve Already booked so no

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