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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:
Bartlebee · 21/01/2015 21:14

YANBU, what was he thinking?

Mine booked a surprise trip to Rome with bloody indirect flights, that was bad enough but 12 hours on a coach? Awful.

INeedSomeHelp · 21/01/2015 21:17

I went on a school trip from the North of Scotland to the South of France by coach - it took us two days each way!
But it was a good laugh and was all part of the trip. Take a cushion though - the coach seats got very uncomfortable after a while.

Mousefinkle · 21/01/2015 21:18

Oh the coach from Leeds to London is bad enough. Did it once when I was 16, I swore I'd never ever do long distance coach journies again. Fucking awful, drags like a bitch.

The eurostar is so easy and pretty cheap too. Half an hour on a plane... Did a coach from Poland to Germany with school come to think of it and that was fucking awful too. Just no.

I'd have just said "oh this is so lovely DH, thank you but why on earth did you choose the coach?! That's going to take hours. Shall we cancel it and take the eurostar instead? It'll eat into our weekend a lot if we do the coach thing too..."

Shesaysso · 21/01/2015 21:19

Mmm - have you got a couple of days in Paris when you get there or is the 12 hours each way on the coach part of the weekend (if you see what I mean)?

Thenapoleonofcrime · 21/01/2015 21:19

I've just looked up going from Birmingham to Paris for a few days in March on Megabus and it's £25 quid! 13 hours! This is extremely cheap as there's no travel to airports/airport parking etc.

There's absolutely no way the Eurostar can compare with those prices!

If he's a bit short on cash, perhaps this is the only way he can take you. Or he thought it easier to sit on a coach than faff around traveling to the airport etc.

I have to say Megabus coaches are usually excellent now- it's not like the old days of horrid toilets. My husband travels a lot for work and often gets them (or National Express) in preference to train- as there's a great internet connection, comfortable, better facilities than the train and most of the time not as delayed. And, depending if you are prepared to travel at odd times- dirt cheap.

Get a seat at the back, cuddle up, relax, sleep, take a tablet/Kindle, unless you get car sick, this is quite a relaxing way to travel.

CalicoBlue · 21/01/2015 21:25

I would not be impressed at all. But I can also see that you do not want to seem ungrateful.

You are probably just going to have to suck it up, and then say never again.

MoanCollins · 21/01/2015 21:27

I'm absolutely horrified at this. How ungrateful and spoilt are some people. An awful lot of people can't afford holidays at all, let alone have husbands who book surprise trips for them. I'm utterly astounded that so many other people are agreeing.

I have to say I think this is typical Mumsnet: if there was a post from a woman who had stumped up to booka surprise coach trip to France and their DPs reaction was to moan about going on a coach there would be choruses of financial and emotional abuse and LTB.

Here's an idea OP, if the idea of a coach horrifies you so much why don't you pay for flights yourself?

Branleuse · 21/01/2015 21:29

i think itll be nice.

SallySolomon · 21/01/2015 21:30

For me, the issue with a hostel being booked is that it makes it rather less of a romantic weekend if you're sharing a room with a bunch of strangers!

I've stayed in a hostel once on a mini break. They're lovely, but basic and it's not all dormitories, you know! Me and boyfriend (now DH) had a double bedroom so just us.

travailtotravel · 21/01/2015 21:30

I love coach trips - you meet some great people if you have the right approach.

Look at the 'rules' before you stock up on booze for the trip though, some don't allow it for many reasons.

FindoGask · 21/01/2015 21:31

"Here's an idea OP, if the idea of a coach horrifies you so much why don't you pay for flights yourself?"

high fives MoanCollins

Some of you lot are right precious princesses.

SallySolomon · 21/01/2015 21:32

An awful lot of people can't afford holidays at all, let alone have husbands who book surprise trips for them.

My DH has to be practically dragged on holidays and would much rather stay at home nowadays. If it wasn't for me we wouldn't go anywhere. I'd bloody LOVE it if he booked a surprise trip away if I hadn't fallen down in a heap at the surprise first

MassaAttack · 21/01/2015 21:32

It depends on how it compares with other of transport. When I travel to see my friend overseas, the flight is only an hour long. But factor in all the pissing about getting to and checking in at the airport, it's more like 12 door-to-door (although to be fair she lives a long way from the airport). It takes only a couple of hours longer by road or train.

SallySolomon · 21/01/2015 21:33

Here's an idea OP, if the idea of a coach horrifies you so much why don't you pay for flights yourself?

^this^

MassaAttack · 21/01/2015 21:39

Oh and the thing with flights is that whilst tickets can be cheap, airport parking and transfers can bump up the price as well as the travel time.

Ohanarama · 21/01/2015 21:45

My honeymoon was a coach trip to Paris Blush. It was all we could afford at the time. Loved every moment, especially arriving in Paris after dark and seeing everywhere lit up.

paulapantsdown · 21/01/2015 21:48

I wouldn't do it.

LilMissSunshine9 · 21/01/2015 21:49

Thenapoleonofcrime whilst Eurostar cannot compete with the prices they did have an offer on a month back where single tickets to Paris were £20 and £20 back from Paris making a return trip £40 and you could go on a Thurs come back on Monday or make your trip for as long/ short as you want.

lemisscared · 21/01/2015 21:52

are people really so ungrateful that they would turn their noses up at a present that someone clearly put a fair amount of effort into organising?

ColdCottage · 21/01/2015 21:52

Pack an amazing picnic with wine as some games and a guide book to plan your time once there.

Fill up on French goodies for the return trip.

It won't be too bad and super fun when you get there.

Just stay up the whole time you are there and sleep the 12h home.

DodgedAnAsbo · 21/01/2015 21:56

Think about your carbon footprint. Every time you fly the planet heats up and God kills a kitten. according to the green moonbats

Branleuse · 21/01/2015 22:05

you see a lot more of where youre going on the coach or train.
I think if hes already booked it, just go along with it.
It might not be ideal but maybe its what he could afford

MoanCollins · 21/01/2015 22:17

The only answer to this is to say absolutely nothing, pretend you're delighted (because it's horrendously ungrateful you are not) and try and think of ways you can make the trip more fun and enjoyable. I like the idea of a gourmet picnic and you can get blankets, pillows, all sorts of magazines, books or games. Hell, some people might even look at the trip as a nice opportunity to actually spend some quality time with their partner and, y'know, talk, laugh, enjoy their company.

To be honest I'm wondering if the OP is Liz Jones.

BadLad · 21/01/2015 22:40

I once went to Preston on an overnight coach once. I'm still recovering and it was 15 years ago.

Don't be so ridiculous.

Postchildrenpregranny · 21/01/2015 22:47

In 35 years my DH has never booked a surprise trip .Other posters are right,depending on where you live it could be almost as easy as flying .I went to Paris by air to stay with friends 3 years ago .Factoring in check in and getting into the city by train it took about about 5 hours .And cost about £110 .Iwant to go on Eurostar just for the expere

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