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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Upset about a surprise trip to Paris?

177 replies

FoxOfWallStreet · 21/01/2015 20:15

So my partner has surprised me with a trip to Paris for my birthday.

I was absolutely thrilled.

But I then found out that we will be going there by coach. It's not the fact that its a coach, it's the fact that it will take us 12 hours to get there.

I haven't said anything or moaned to him as obviously its a lovely surprise non the less but aibu to be dreading it slightly?

OP posts:
LadyLuck10 · 21/01/2015 20:16

Yanbu, 12 hours for a place that can be done in a fraction of that time is ridiculous.

BiancaDelRio · 21/01/2015 20:16

YANBU.

That would irritate me as well.

A weekend is so short that spending 24 on a coach would massively diminish the enjoyment for me.

Why did he not just book flights?? Confused

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/01/2015 20:18

When DH and I were young sort of and pre-DD we went to Paris on the coach. It was a lovely weekend.

Enjoy it.

Original poster
FoxOfWallStreet · 21/01/2015 20:18

I haven't asked him but I'm assuming it must have been much cheaper.

OP posts:
Theboodythatrocked · 21/01/2015 20:20

See your point.

I wouldn't say anything though as he would most probably be hurt and it's a lovely gesture. You may well enjoy the journey.

egnahc · 21/01/2015 20:20

If you are going from e region then probably not much longer and much less stressful than air. Coach takes you to centre- air doesn't. Train is probably best to Paris from London. Coach you get a ferry which is great.

AlleyCat11 · 21/01/2015 20:20

God, I remember getting the ferry & coach to London 20 years ago... Before cheap flights were invented. Does he have a fear of flying?

TheHorseHasBolted · 21/01/2015 20:22

YANBU to be disappointed but please give it a try. I've been to Germany on a coach, we had a brilliant time. The travel was not unbearable and it meant we had a whole lot more money left to spend on treating ourselves when we actually got there.

carabos · 21/01/2015 20:24

We did a big coach trip last summer. It was surprisingly relaxing.

cosmicglittergirl · 21/01/2015 20:24

YANBU. The Eurostar is so easy. My blood would run cold at the thought of that journey home.

scotchmincepie · 21/01/2015 20:25

Enjoy the journey. I did it a couple of times and it's ok. Take a toothbrush, iPad and earphones. It's part of the trip !

CatsClaus · 21/01/2015 20:26

make the best of it... pack some nice picnicky stuff, get some mini bottles of wine or juice, lovely sweeties, nice magazines or books to read

but what was he thinking?? YIKES!!

If it is a local coach it may not be so bad...get dropped in town, get on coach bag window seat , get luggage stowed away, get off in Paris twelve long hours later .
A plane often means, a car journey, trawling about the airport with bags, malingering about the departure lounge, waiting for the luggage carousel the other end, bus/train into centre of Paris to get to hotel

ScrambledEggAndToast · 21/01/2015 20:27

YANBU. We did that when I was at school from Plymouth and it was a long trip. Mind you, we also did Italy via coach. That was looong Grin Took nearly two days to get there.

kewtogetin · 21/01/2015 20:27

Christ no! It's a 30 min flight! I'd be looking right now and pricing them up! If he gets a bee in his bonnet over it tell him you will fly, he can go on the coach and you'll meet him there!

FinallyHere · 21/01/2015 20:29

Would love to know why he picked a coach over Eurostar or a flight. It may well be about the ease of getting to the start point, not being keen to fly etc. hope its not just the cost. Enjoy, xx

MagpieCursedTea · 21/01/2015 20:32

I'd just be grateful if my DH booked me any sort of surprise trip!
I went to Paris by coach with my ex boyfriend when I was a teenager. We had loads of fun. There are worse things than a coach trip to Paris.

Chilicosrenegade · 21/01/2015 20:32

He's nuts. Train would've been far better....

But unless it's changeable (check!!!) gotta make best of it. Buy a DVD player. Take films. (Or iPad) get lovely cool box and pack a scrummy box of picnic and little bottles to eat the whole time.

Two very serious questions....

  1. on the basis of this how much luggage can u take? Could seriously affect your wardrobe!!!!!!
  2. Id check where the hotel is NOW.
ReallyBadParty · 21/01/2015 20:33

YANBU. that sounds truly shit, unless you're 18

londonrach · 21/01/2015 20:35

I cant understand where you coming from but take this at face value...trip to paris with someone you love...and stock up with nice sweeties,wine, wine and books...

Chilicosrenegade · 21/01/2015 20:35

Ps took me 8hrs to go Paris to Milan by train. Coach?! He could honestly do one!

Butkin · 21/01/2015 20:36

Have done plane, train, coach (on ferry) to Paris and taken car over on train when I was staying north of Paris. Of all the options going by Eurostar train is by far the best although it can be expensive.

12 hours sounds a lot - where are you starting from?

GokTwo · 21/01/2015 20:36

Oh dear! As someone who gets very sick on coaches that would be hideous for me...a sweet gesture though!

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 21/01/2015 20:38

Sounds truly truly hideous. I'm not sure a weekend in Paris would be worth the hassle of getting there for me!

Showy · 21/01/2015 20:41

I did this when I was 18 and DH was 17! We went for Valentines weeken (cheap deal, not specifically because of Valentines). It was lovely and I remember it very fondly. We read books, talked, cuddled up and enjoyed the adventure.

But then we went on a coach holiday/stayed in youth hostels on honeymoon too.

Lottie5 · 21/01/2015 20:41

Sacre bleu! vous n'êtes pas déraisonnable!

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