Would you drive 25 minutes for a birthday party?

[SparePartz]

DD would like to do a certain activity, but it's 25 minutes (via motorway) or 40 minutes driving. Or 60 minutes by foot/public transport.

Would you take your child to a 12th birthday party so far away?

Would you be happy to give the fare (£15) as a gift if your child came with us on public transport?

How is this even a question?!

Absolutely! 25 mins is pretty standard where we live. I hope your party goes great!

That' s nothing on a motorway.

18 miles.

If you were doing 60mph you could do 30 miles in 30 minutes.

Are you not used to driving that sort of distance?

@User35246242

parking at some of these places can be awful at busy times so you car pool and then you’re only taking 3/4 cars instead of like, 12. It means fewer parents stuck in the bloody cages of these places waiting around. Means fewer parents having to waste the petrol and miles, when we are all trying to be better about that stuff. And it just makes bloody sense.

Kindly, if you think an 18 mile drive on a motorway is a big deal, should you be driving?

Do you need to do some extra lessons on motorway driving?

Have you checked for a group ticket by train? It would be normal to car pool but only if host was also driving,

The OP has stated they are not driving. I’ve very recently passed my test so for me 25 mins still seems a fair way- however, I would still do it.

Perhaps they are not a driver at all and are just trying to be considerate in asking what the general opinion is.

OP has already stated they are not driving.

She ought to have made her first post clear.

The fact she's not a driver is way down her posts.

The subject line isn't really describing the issue.

It wouldn’t be an issue for me at all, we are around 30mins from most activities here and happy to drive. Dd had an invite once to one at a bounce park around an hour away away, I’ll admit if it hadn’t been a good friend we might have skipped that one!

Of course. Why on earth not. Paint balling, go carting etc, jump giants, are all easily 40+ minutes away from us.

So is the actual question @SparePartz

"I've been asked to pay £15 for another parent to drive my child to a party 18 miles away and is this a fair cost?"

I thought it was perfectly obvious from reading the OP who the OP was in this scenario and they were not driving but judging from replies I seem to be in the minority.

25 minutes sounds fine to me especially if it's for a specific activity.

Yes

So OP lives rurally, and doesn't drive. So that maybe explains the expensive public transport cost.
Most guests will be driven I imagine.

I live in a city. 25 minutes is also totally normal to get anywhere.

Yes, I would travel 25 minutes in a car for a party.

I would. Even in London there are specialist places that I would travel that distance for a birthday party, such as a trampoline park.

Another rural dweller here. It's 25 minutes drive, at least, to do most things!

I have done for a couple childs parties as they were specialised - ski slope etc but this was primary and knew all the kids and parents set up

However when son hit high school he wanted a party a but further away but I didn't know what situation was like for families so I organised transport. We took 3 cars that could hold 6 people including driver.

1 hr for a party the norm round here.

I'd expect the party host to say see you at x venue at x time - look forward to celebrating.

There is no need to mention costs to travel to the party. Lots will buddy up - not your responsibility how they get to the party.

If you think driving for 50 mins is too far, and terrified of motorways you shouldn’t be on the roads.

Completely normal.my kids school is further away. Generally it's the responsibility of the parent to get their kid to the venue and they accept knowing how far it is. Don't think you can ask for the bus fare that would be odd.

Travelling to the venue as a bus passenger and the host would stress me though...do u have to bring cake etc / bringing gifts back on bus / what if bus doesn't show up and all the guests are there but you are not..you would need to plan alternative transport at least to the venue and return by bus ?

Who said they think that??

OP is not driving so asked if it was too far for a party, not to drive in general specifically for a party.
They also have 2 routes for driving - no one said anything about being afraid of motorways.

For a 12yo, that’s fine. I’d send mine with you on the train to avoid using up my weekend driving her around and waiting for her.

I would have been annoyed at primary level where we all lived 5 minutes walk from school and within 20 minutes walk of various swimming, soft play, bowling options, and even closer to the village hall style places. It seemed silly to drag us all down the motorway for a slightly fancier option of something available locally, plus there was a big faff with car seats for lift sharing at that age.