Do you prefer more, shorter trips OR less, longer trips?

We prefer fewer longer trips. We like to go on international trips for a month at least. The price of flights and whole traveling to get there experience is a large part of the decision.

I find the overnight flight miserable, so I definitely prefer fewer but longer trips. However, I'm retired and have all the time in the world, so I can move at a reasonable pace rather than rushing around. I wouldn't want to attempt a long go-go-go trip.

We struggle yearly with that same question.... it seems we had fallen into a nice rhythm (in the before times) of 3 vacations a year ranging from 10 days to 3 weeks depending on the destination. It breaks up the year nicely. I can take as much time off (I just wish the budget were unlimited) as I'd like and I have a couple very busy work months so I work the travel schedule around those months. This year is the "getting back to swing of travel" year so we have one 24 day trip planned to Italy/France with a couple shorter "domestic" trips scattered throughout but in 2023 we are already "planning" two trips to Europe OR one to Europe and one to NZ plus a trip to the Caribbean (BVI is my other love and a must do every 2-3 years).

Coming from the west coast I usually stay in Europe for at least two weeks (average 3 weeks) because the flights are so long and expensive. If I lived some place where flights to Europe were 8 hours or less, I would go more often and for less time - probably a week or so at once. Also 47 with many working years left, a partner and 13 year old.

Husband and I both work full time and are in our mid-50's, so we have a ways to go. We are pulled in so many different directions when it comes to our vacation time. We would like to be able to do a trip to Europe for 21 days (I always fit in a paid holiday into my Europe Trip, usually Columbus Day in October) every 2-3 years. The other years we are visiting family, making memories with the grandkids, local trips with friends. I am working remotely and asked my work about being able to work in a different country's for a month, it was a no go. We would love to base in Florence, work and travel for a month.

When I was working, it was hard to take multiple trips during the year as most of that was budgeted for visiting my daughter and her family. So I would take one trip to Europe every couple of years that would last for about 2 1/2 weeks.

Now that I'm retired and have moved close to my family, I can take more trips. My first trip since retirement 2 years ago (and Covid) will be a month-long trip to Germany, but I am also taking shorter trips in the US (one week to Naples, FL, a week visiting family back in Ohio, a couple of weeks to Colorado and Utah to visit some siblings (probably a road trip) and a couple of weeks to visit New England and attend a family wedding.

As others have said, airplane trips to Europe can be exhausting and I don't know that I would want to do more than 1, or maybe 2 a year. I think it would depend on the destination and type of trip. This month-long trip will be spent traveling around Germany, since I want to see a lot, but I could also imagine taking a second trip - maybe a 7-10 day trip to someplace in Europe that is a bit closer and staying put for the entire time. For example, maybe traveling to Somerset in the UK and basing myself in a cozy cottage. Hmmmm, I'm getting to like this idea. :)

When we were working, we would take a 1-week vacation in February to Hawaii or SW USA to get away from the grey skies of winter in Seattle. Then a 3-week vacation to Europe around September. And sometimes, we did a second domestic trip to a state we hadn’t seen previously.

Post retirement, I am planning two trips to Italy this year. A 4-week solo trip in June and a 2-week trip with my daughter in September. So I guess I am preferring more & longer! To be honest, that’s driven more by waiting through the last few years, but I think it will become the norm.

My husband doesn’t like to miss golf season, so we will probably take more domestic trips off-season, and I will probably continue to take a longer trip to Europe - maybe a combo RS tour and time on my own for a few extra weeks instead of a complete solo trip. Agree that the price of airline tickets prompts me to stay longer.

I love longer trips, between 6 wks and 2 to 3 mos, once a year. I’m never ready to come home, and that length of time fills me up and makes me feel like i am really there. All my 2-3 wk trips end way too fast for me.

I've often wondered the same thing. I'm closing in on retirement and we know we're going to try longer trips to see what it's like. I get 5 weeks vacation but so far, the longest we've been away is 17 days and we're usually ready to head home. However, we dream about month long stays in places like London and Nice and will give it a try. I'm not sure I'd be able to stay away for 43 days though. I think I'd miss my comforts of home, TV, sports, etc.

I think that this changes depends on circumstances. Some trips may be better shorter and more often. Others may be better if longer. It may depend on factors such as destination, lodging costs, and airfare sales.

I've never been gone for more than 2 weeks before. This summer I am going to try one month. One week on my own and then two back to back RS tours. The plan is to maximize the use of airfare with this trip as well as take a trip in September. (Still a thrill to travel in September for this retired teacher!)

I have taken more than one short trip simply because there was a "can't miss" bargain attached with it. I found RT airfare to London for $488. I bought a ticket and went for a week. I found an Alaska Cruise with a balcony stateroom for $800 total. I purchased it and went for a week.

The longest trip I have taken was 15 days and that is probably perfect for me...pre-covid I'd do 12-15 days in the spring and then I started adding a 5 day trip to London in the early fall. I am 57 and will likely work several more years, but I have time constraints due to several factors--elderly parents, 2 older cats, a job that is crazy busy in summer and then with covid just became crazy, and busy, non-stop all year long with no end in sight--and I have a position of huge responsibility that is proving hard to pass off onto others. So since spring 2020 I have taken 3 domestic trips of 5 days, and I'm off to London for 8 days in April--I can do a lot in 8 days so we'll see how that goes as it might have to become my new normal. Once I retire I have no idea how my traveling will work, but if I can do 2 trips abroad annually I will be grateful.

Thanks for the responses everyone!!! I am lucky that I can get to Chicago nonstop to a lot of places. And, I don’t have any kids or pets to worry about. I did surprisingly well on the flight to and from Switzerland. It was my first time traveling in 20 years so I did not know what to expect.

I’m lucky with my job too. The work does not pile up when I’m gone as there’s others to do it. And, I can flex my schedule, which means I could work say Sun-Wen and have the rest of the week off without using any vacation days.

I’m not sure I could do 43 days all at once. But, I am thinking 3 trips might be doable if I can pick the right destinations.

Comments above made me think of how I feel when I'm on vacation ... I always hit a wall, no matter how long the trip, when I'm ready to come home but it usually passes in a day and than I never want to leave (except for our two bernese mountain dogs which we miss too much).

I’m 48 and still have many work years left. ☹

You need to find a job that you enjoy and that gives you freedom that you desire if you feel that way.

Retirement time does not guarantee that you are going to be in a better situation to travel the way you want.

I am 52; before the pandemic since about 2015 I was doing leisure travel to Europe 3 times a year. But I work at a university; they don't call it the ivory tower for nothing as we get generous vacation benefits and long breaks over Xmas and summer before students come back. Sometimes there is some event in Europe that I want to see; for example I have friends musicians that tour Europe constantly for a living. Despite the flying experience in coach (that is how I afford it especially when Norwegian and Wow Airlines was flying from ORD) it is great fun being there seeing them move an audience that is not from the USA and meeting up afterwards.

I am on the side of more vacations. My international trips are often 16 days and then I want to be home. In the past I have taken many long weekends to London, but I live in Massachusetts and take the day flight. Domestically, my trips are two weeks or less. With climate change I am likely to be unable to justify more than one international flight per ?year?. Domestically I am happy with trains.

For those who talked about the high price of airfare limiting you to one trip, I'm wondering whether the additional cost of lodging, food and transportation for a 30 day trip (as opposed to a 2 week trip) might sort of balance the cost out.

I usually travel solo so I'm not sure how it would work for a couple or people traveling with others, but when I did the math for myself, I would only wind up spending about an additional $500 for a 30 day trip as opposed to a 2 week trip. Obviously that is very ballpark although I think you could use expenses from a current or previous trip to figure it out.

Flying from SFO or OAK I prefer the longer trip of at least a month after the non-stop eleven hour flight, all the better if six to eight weeks sometime between mid-May to the end of Sept.., the longer the trip , the more preparations need to be attended to prior to departure.

This applies to traveling on the continent without or without the UK. If the trip is only in London and England, then a week or two is just fine.

Oh hey, I'm planning to go to Italy in March next year too! I'm 41 so have even more work years left, and it's these trips that's getting me through it.

Going forward I'm planning 2 international trips per year of 2-3 weeks duration each. I have 27 vacation days so combined with weekends and labor day, Columbus day, etc., I think it'll work out. If I had as many days as you I think I'd still do 2 trips but explore a country more thoroughly, or combine 2-3 neighboring countries. If you mix it up with big cities and small towns it'll help with the burn out.

I'm retired with no real obligations, so I can go for as long as I want. My long-haul flights have been my trips to SE Asia, once to Oz/NZ and visits to the US, where I have lots of friends and family, my main purpose, so staying for 6-8 weeks is fine, even if I travel from one end of the country to the other and back. The trips to the Far East and Down Under have all been 4.5-5.5 weeks long, to "justify" the misery of long flights. That's my limit for moving around and being away from my own bed (and shower!) and my friends.

I'm very fortunate that I live close to Europe so 3 or even 4 shorter trips is what I like. After reading some of the responses here, I guess what I call shorter trips aren't all that short. I usually start by planning a 16 day trip and end up struggling to limit my itinerary to what I can do in 23-24 days. It's the double-edged sword of not having time constraints. Well, except for the BIG ONE - who knows how many more trips I'll be able to take, either my body or my bank account will give out or I'll just keel over one day, so carpe diem.

We have both been retired for 11 years and traveled overseas 2-3 times every year expect for the last two COVID years.

For Domestic trips to visit family, we usually don't stay longer than a week.

For International trips we prefer long trips with a minimum of three weeks, up to seven weeks.
Our longest trips have been to Australia/NZ, which included a transpacific cruise and totaled seven weeks. Going to Europe, we usually go for at least a month.

Trips to Alaska and Canada, we have done trips of 2-3 weeks.

If you are going to spend $3,000 flying somewhere, you want to make the most of the trip.

During the “working” years we were limited to trips lasting 8-10 days max. Our first post retirement trip was 2 full weeks excluding the travel days. We loved not feeling as rushed. In 2019 we spent 4 weeks in Ireland. We enjoyed the slower pace of travel, moving less often, staying 5-7 days in 5 locations. This year we are planning 5 weeks in England/Wales. I would opt for longer/less frequent over shorter/more frequent.

I appreciate all the responses!!

Jazz, I don’t mind my job. I just would rather be retired. 😊

I am not tied to one or the other. My shorter trips tend to be 10-12 days in one city and I I know we are drawn to city stays because we live in the country! But we have also taken and loved our 3 week trips, usually country centric and by car. I have to say I have loved all our trips and don’t really have a preference. For me, each duration has perks and drawbacks. I just love to travel……..

In my experience, the ideal length for a trip is about 3 to 3.5 weeks weeks. Even on a fabulous trip, after about 3 weeks, we start missing some things at home (clean clothes, more clothes to choose from, just being at home, and food that's hard to find elsewhere), and we start to just get a little worn down and fatigued from all the tasks of traveling plus trying to be active and maximize our time while we are away. After about 3.5 weeks, I find myself less enthusiastic about activities that I would have jumped at if they were in the first few days of the trip.

I don't think it's wise to take very short trips -- for me at least, very short is less than 2 weeks on the ground in Europe (3 weeks in Asia -- takes longer to get there). A lot of that is because of flights. It's just not a good use of your flights (money, FF points, plus the wear and tare on yourself) if you're only going to be there for a week or so -- also considering that going/getting back burns a day or two each way. I know people do go to Europe for the weekend, but if you are going to invest all those resources in going, it's so much more efficient to stay a while.

Of course, if all you can get away with is a week, then go for a week, do the best you can and don't lose any sleep over that. But I think we get more out of trips that last about 3 weeks. YMMV.

Now, the frequency of trips is a separate question....

I'm lucky that at 48, I'm retired. My husband retired at 54, two years ago just before covid kicked in, so we haven't been able to enjoy our retirement in that way yet.

But even before that, we preferred longer trips - usually around 21 nights. The big reason is because of the cost of flights to Europe. Flights from our province in Canada aren't cheap. It's usually at least 20% of the total cost of our trip, so while I'd love to take shorter, more frequent trips, it's too costly in that way.

I will be interested now to see how we get along on trips since we've retired. Usually at the 2 week mark, we'd be on each others nerves so much I was ready for a divorce. But since he retired, we actually get along much better and are way happier together (go figure).

Next year, I've told hubby we are doing two trips to make up for 2020 and 2021. I really want to take my mom back to Italy, and I want to do a biking trip, so fingers crossed the world is still travelable next year!

Two weeks is just about the right amount of time for a trip. Its more about getting back to responsibilities at home than homesickness. But if we lived on the east coast, I would consider doing more shorter, focused trips, like a week in Paris, for example.

I've just started a book called "Take More Vacations" by Scott Keyes.https://www.amazon.ca/Take-More-Vacations-Search-Cheaper-ebook/dp/B08CR85KZG

In chapter 2 he makes a case and refers to several studies that people are happier taking several, shorter trips during the year instead of one big one. He says that the pleasure of anticipation of looking forward to travelling several times a year can outweigh the pleasure of saving money on flights by going only once per year.

I really don't have a preference as I am just happy to go places. We have done 3 weeks in Europe when the kids were young, and then 3 weeks in the Alaskan bush a handful of times. In Europe, I did not get anxious to get home, but I admit that for the bush after about 2 weeks I was looking forward to the comforts of home like a bathroom, not needing to carry a gun when you leave the cabin etc.

We did a 12 day trip to Iceland this past summer and it was great, but we wished we had more time. Then we went again last month and only had 6 days, but with winter that was the right amount of time. So I think it just depends on the individual trip as to what is right for each person.

We have a hut trip in our mountains planned next month and that is just a short 3 day trip.

I guess you would have to define short and long, but I really do not see the sense in going to the hassle of a long flight for a week trip, though for business I did a number of Europe trips for 4 long days of meetings, and adding 3-4 days of personal time.

We generally shoot for 3-4 weeks, previously it was every other year or so (with Europe business trips every year). In retirement, we hope to make that twice a year.

We have talked going longer, closer to 2 months, but right now other responsibilities would make that difficult.

How lucky you are to be able to have both the time and funds to consider multiple trips to Europe a year! My work is seasonal so in the before pandemic times I could only do a long trip in the spring every other year (long being 2-3 weeks). Like others I'd prefer to minimize flying time back and forth and stay for a longer time. My work schedule also makes it hard to take advantage of airline fare deals or traveling in off season. I get more vacation time than you, but I save some for emergency use, plus I also enjoy the lovely Pacific Northwest summer weather so I stay local then. I'm about 14 months from retirement and looking forward to being able to answer your question based on real life experience :)

We're good for 2 weeks and 3 weekends on trips. After that, the kennel keeping our Rottweiler gets to be more money than our flights.

We often will take two trips per year--in Spring and Fall if we spot some bargain airfares.

European air conditioning is not as good as ours, and we try to avoid summer trips. We used to travel the last day of March as the airfares used to go up on April 1st. This year, we're going May 25th--as soon as our granddaughter gets out of school. But we're heading for The Alps after London.

I think you'll really like traveling to Austria. Western Tirol is the same mountains as Switzerland, and we've found it cheaper and easier to travel through Austria We also love Salzburg, and have been to Vienna many times.

We used to travel the last day of March as the airfares used to go up on April 1st.

Good to know.

We are now retired and prefer longer trips. Last fall we spent 3 months traveling out west (via car). One of those months we spent in San Antonio.

In 2019 we spent a month in Cambodia/Vietnam and then later in the year a month in New Zealand/ Australia.

This year we are doing a month in April/ May which includes a transatlantic cruise and B2B British Isle and then a week in London.

In July we are doing a month in Scotland/Ireland

And then in Ict/ Nov we are doing 2 months which includes 2 weeks in Egypt/Jordan, a week in Portugal and then a month long Med cruise / transatlantic cruise. I was trying to get the most out of our airfare and being halfway across the world in Jordan.

I would be happy with 2 months but my husband prefers a month at a time. We are making up this year for all the missed trip during Covid.

Hoping to go back to Vietnam next year.

Almost all our trips to Europe over the years have been for 2 weeks or more. We once did 7 days in Paris and I'd never do just a week again. Too short. I don't like 2 weeks either because usually, it ends up being just 12 days. Day one is jet laggy and the final day we always seem to be at the airport at 6 AM! 16-18 days seems about right. ;^)

The responses are all very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

After talking with my parents and sister today, I think I’m going to plan for 3 trips next year. I realize I am very fortunate to be able to do this. I’ve worked hard the last 20+ and have a good amount of money saved. I keep thinking back to a post here a year or two ago where a lot of the comments were along the lines of “I wish I traveled more when I was younger.” Having done zero traveling the last 20 years, I feel like I’m behind. So, I think it makes sense to start using my vacation days for actual vacations. 😊

Of course, my upcoming June trip is my first solo trip. So, I’ll have to see how I do on that one.

Allan, that book you mentioned reminds of the new expedia commercial, which my dad brought up today. It’s something about, we don’t regret the stuff we didn’t get, but the things we didn’t do. So, I think my motto will be, travel while I can. And, while I can afford it.

I'm off to plan some trips!!! 😊

We always do three weeks. Coming from California, jet lag is a big issue and it takes a week to get into a travel groove. March is too early in the year for Italy and May would be best. For solo traveling, I'd recommend an occasional group guided tour such as The David in Florence for example. Besides skipping the line you will meet fellow travelers very easily. If you follow our host's guide books you will also meet people on the same path.

March is too early in the year for Italy

Curious why you think so. I'm planning to go to Italy in March next year (I don't mind cool weather).

I’m with roubrat, we’ll take cooler weather over crowds any day. 😊 And I’ve been watching the weather this March over in Rome and Verona and it’s been anywhere from 50-70 degrees. Sounds like perfect weather to me. There’s never any weather guarantees.

Plus, those of us that are still working don't always have the luxury of going whenever we want. My bro in law does heating and cooling and March is a slow month for him.

If these were normal times, ie, pre-Corona, no horrific war in the Ukraine, I would be doing the normal long trip of 6-8 weeks or so, going over in May ending up just before August, covering mainly Germany, Poland, Finland, Austria and France, the Czech Rep and Budapest included, taking the ferry , zipping back and forth on the trains, etc.

Obviously, that luxury is no longer so easy. My plan is still to do a much scaled down trip of two weeks max only limited to Paris and France. But, we'll just have to wait and see.

I guess one disadvantage is less daylight hours, but that doesn't bother me at all. Some cities are truly magical at night.

roubrat, the lack of daylight is not a problem for us. When the 3 of us were in Switzerland last Sept., we were all conked out by 4 or 5pm. 😊

aimee, you certainly lucked out. Sometimes it just works out that way. It probably means that next year it will rain everyday. 😊

Where in Italy were you thinking of going, Carrie?

Roubrat, we’ll be flying into Zurich (nonstop from Chicago), spend a few nights in Lugano, Switzerland, then on to Verona (my sister and bro in law have credit card points so our nights here will be free), then it’s on to Rome.

That sounds nice. I've always wanted to see Verona.

I've just started a book called "Take More Vacations" by Scott Keyes.https://www.amazon.ca/Take-More-Vacations-Search-Cheaper-ebook/dp/B08CR85KZG

In chapter 2 he makes a case and refers to several studies that people are happier taking several, shorter trips during the year instead of one big one. He says that the pleasure of anticipation of looking forward to travelling several times a year can outweigh the pleasure of saving money on flights by going only once per year.

I just finished reading this book last night. Interesting stuff. And I did think of this thread when I got the parts about taking more short trips vs. one longer one. Reminds me of that quote "Happiness is having something to look forward to."

I am definitely convinced on the shorter trips more often. But, the “problem” I’m having now is deciding how to space them out so they’re not too close together, but avoiding winter weather and summer crowds.

This is my tentative plan for next year: 3 weeks in March for Italy; 1.25 weeks end of May/early June for Edinburgh or Dublin; 2 weeks end of Sept. for Netherlands and Belgium. Trip # 1 and 2 are a little close together. Hopefully, my boss won't mind.

We're planning Netherlands and Belgium for Sept this year :) I'll do a trip report when I get back. Only 5 1/2 months to go...

I get tired of the 10 hour flights back and forth.

Italy is worthy of two weeks travel on its own. Switzerland and Austria can be seen in two weeks if you carefully plan your trip. (I find Austria easier to travel through and cheaper than Switzerland.)

I too had lots of vacation time. But those round trip flights are not getting any cheaper with the cost of fuel, etc. going up. I'm pushing it to go twice a year, but we carefully pick flights only when they're ridiculously cheap. Our 5/2022 flights are approximately 1/2 that of full average fare prices--into London.

Roubrat, excellent!!! I look forward to reading the trip report. I hope the 5.5 months goes by quick for you.

David, I didn’t mind the flight to Switzerland (I was there this past Sept.) as much as I thought I would. Of course, it was my first flight in 20+ years, so I think I was just excited to be going somewhere, no matter how long it took. 😊 Cost is definitely an issue. I got good deals (I think) on my 2 flights for this year—Switzerland is $885 and Austria $1243, both including seat reservations. I may have to disagree with you on the transportation. I’ll have to wait and see how it goes in Austria. When I was in Switzerland this past Sept., the Swiss Travel Pass made traveling so easy. I can’t imagine any country coming close to the ease of Swiss travel. We shall see. 😊