Looking back on our travels over the past year, one of my major trips was my journey to England. It was significant for several reasons. First, it was my first solo trip outside the U.S. While my wife, Sharon, and I have traveled the world together, being all alone across the ocean was a completely different experience.
The trip itself was a whirlwind—just four days that started and ended in London, with a side adventure to Wales to see Portmeirion. It was an ambitious schedule, and I never quite adjusted to the time change. I found myself awake until 3 AM every night and needing naps in the afternoon to function. But in the words of Taylor Swift, “Jet lag is a choice.” And let me tell you—it was worth it.
Despite the struggle with the time difference, this wasn’t my first short trip to the United Kingdom. Back in 2009, I flew to London for four nights. During that period, I didn’t have much vacation time, and Sharon took an 11-day journey through England without me. While we weren’t newlyweds, it was the longest time we’d been apart in years. Our reunion at the Holiday Inn lobby was a moment to remember.
More recently, our shortest visit to London together was in 2019. That time, we spent five nights and planned the trip with just two months’ notice.
How Short Is Too Short for a Long-Distance Trip?
When planning my recent England trip, I asked the question: What’s the shortest trip you’d take for something that involves a long-haul flight? (Mileage runs or trips just for the experience of the plane don’t count.)
Several readers shared their experiences, and some of their responses amazed me.
- Derek:
“My shortest trip from the US to London was one day. Arrived on Saturday morning for a dinner on Saturday evening. Did some sightseeing on Saturday afternoon. After a leisurely brunch, went to the airport and came back on Sunday around lunchtime.” - Joe:
“Back when I was first getting into the points and miles game, I did a weekend trip from Oakland to Oslo, leaving after work on Friday, arriving Saturday morning, before turning around and coming back on Sunday. I’d say two days on the ground are my minimum now for a trip to Europe, but if I’m going to the Far East, then nothing less than five days, just because of the time change.” - Bobby B:
“I’ve gone to London to watch Arsenal Football Club three times in 2023. I live in the DC area. I’ve never stayed more than three nights for any of those trips, and two of the three were only two-night stays. It can be a lot. Leaving in the morning seemed worse for me—I was fine the first night but woke up at 12:30 AM the second night and didn’t get back to sleep until sunrise.
I’ve also flown to Hong Kong and Hanoi on separate trips from the East Coast, staying three nights each time! Business class is essential for those trips and, depending on the flight time, can work out pretty well.” - Stacey:
“I’ve often made three-night trips from Singapore to Monterey, CA. Not easy, but a lot is in the mind, and willpower makes things possible.”
Share Your Thoughts
Hearing these stories got me thinking: What’s the shortest trip you’ve ever taken across the Atlantic or Pacific? Unless you’re flying purely for the journey or the miles, how long would you want to stay for a long-haul destination?
I’d love to hear your experiences. Share your thoughts in the comments!
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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