{"id":79106,"date":"2023-03-15T01:58:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T08:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/?p=79106"},"modified":"2024-04-08T09:47:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T16:47:38","slug":"how-long-the-average-honeymoon-lasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/how-long-the-average-honeymoon-lasts\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s How Long the Average Honeymoon Lasts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After months of planning the perfect wedding, it\u2019s a welcome break to start dreaming about your honeymoon. With an endless list of destinations, from metropolitan cities to far-flung locales such as the island of Bali<\/a>, it can be dizzying to choose the best spot to start your married life together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you can jet off on your honeymoon, you first need to decide on the length of time that\u2019s right for you and your partner. From concerns about that vacation time request to how to factor in jet lag, here\u2019s everything you need to know about the length of the average honeymoon \u2014 and advice for what to keep in mind so you won\u2019t feel rushed on your romantic getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long is the Average Honeymoon?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On average, Adeel Khan of the travel search engine BusinessClass.com<\/a> sees that domestic honeymoons tend to be planned for three to seven days, while international trips clock in at seven to 14 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel trends are always evolving, however, dependent on factors such as transportation costs and the economy as a whole. Right now, Jack Benoff, president of the hospitality company Vacationeeze<\/a>, is seeing couples indulge in longer honeymoons to international destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe’re seeing that people are pushing for longer trips, whereas pre-Covid a lot of people would look for five days in Mexico or the Caribbean and 10 days abroad,\u201d he says. \u201cNow that’s being pushed to seven days for Mexico or the Caribbean and 12 to 21 days for abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focusing on individual experience is another way of approaching how long your honeymoon should last. Instead of heavily factoring in the average length of a honeymoon, Matthew Ruth, COO and co-founder of Ravel Trips<\/a>, suggests doing some simple math to figure out the right amount of time away for you and your partner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn lieu of telling honeymooners typical trip lengths, we suggest they go for 1.5 to two times the length of their typical vacations,\u201d he says. \u201cFor example, if a couple mostly travels for long weekends, then seven to 10 days is appropriate; however, if they generally travel for a week or more, then two to three weeks may be more in line with their expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors That Can Impact Your Honeymoon Length<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all had that fantasy of running off to a far away land with the love of your life for an endless amount of time, but reality starts to kick in at check-out. Eventually, you must return home. So what should you keep in mind when deciding on the length of your honeymoon to avoid those post-departure blues? Here are a few of the most important things to consider when choosing the perfect honeymoon length for you.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Vacation Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even before you start thinking about a destination, couples are mostly thinking about two big things: time off and costs. If you are feeling stuck on how much time to take off, Ruth has a great tip to maximize your vacation time: \u201cSpend one full day per two hours of travel [it takes to get there],\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are hoping for a longer trip after your nuptials but you\u2019ve used all your paid time off on wedding planning (and for the big day), consider taking a mini-moon. Hold off on that extended getaway until your vacation days refresh next year. The worst thing you can do is not give your honeymoon enough time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After spending on every detail of your big day, it might be hard to imagine having anything left over to budget for your honeymoon. First, create a honeymoon registry<\/a> so wedding guests can help you achieve your travel goals. Second, start to think about what you want to spend on this trip and write down a savings plan. If skipping a few date nights and cutting back on \u201cnice to have\u201d wedding elements still won\u2019t help you reach your dream destination, it may be time to get creative. Pushing your getaway to the shoulder season is one way to get the most bang for your buck on travel, accommodations and honeymoon activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honeymoon<\/strong> Destination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researching the best location for your honeymoon can leave you with fever dreams of hopping from one country to the next. Pare down your options by deciding on a vibe first. Do you and your partner want a metropolitan getaway or a relaxing honeymoon in Hawaii? Make a list of international and domestic destinations that have that vibe. Next, determine how far you\u2019re willing to travel. A lengthy flight to an international destination can be costly in terms of both time and money. If your budget in either one of those areas is a little tight, you may want to consider the domestic alternative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Travel Days<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Couples must take into account how long it will take to get to their destination of choice. After all, you don\u2019t want to spend 12-plus hours on a flight just to turn around and do it again in three days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven if you don’t have connecting flights, the day you arrive into your destination and the day you leave it are considered travel days, which are days you usually do nothing besides get from point A to B, then check into and out of your hotel,\u201d says Emily Smith, travel planner and founder of The Female Abroad<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to add these days to the total length of your honeymoon so you don\u2019t miss out on even one romantic activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jet Lag<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are hoping to honeymoon in far away places like the Maldives or Australia, don\u2019t forget about the potential impact of jet lag. The last thing you want to do on your first trip as a newlywed couple is waste a precious day fighting sleep and irritability!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a general rule of thumb, the number of hours you are changing relates to the number of hours it will take you to get over [jet lag] symptoms,\u201d says Smith. \u201cFor example, if you are traveling to a place with an eight-hour time difference, then it will take eight hours to recover from the symptoms.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Time of Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you choose your destination, check out what the weather will be like during your stay. It may vary more than you think, especially if your wedding day is during the warmer months in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLots of couples get married in the summer and want to head to places like the Maldives, South Africa or Costa Rica \u2014 all of which are experiencing their rainy or winter season during this time,\u201d says Charlotte Piazza, founder of Handpicked Honeymoons<\/a>. \u201cI find this is one of the biggest factors that is overlooked when couples envision their dream honeymoon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time of year can also have an effect on other areas of honeymoon planning, such as making your budget if you travel during tourist season or limiting the availability of activities during the off-season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Honeymoon Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Deciding what to do on your honeymoon is a delicate dance between pre-planned activities, spontaneity and relaxation. To help determine the right honeymoon length, you should have a general idea of what you want to do on your honeymoon \u2014 just don\u2019t book up every second of your trip because it will start to feel like work! Make sure to add a few extra days for the impromptu dinner on the beach or an entire afternoon of relaxing under the sun while sipping frozen margaritas. Plan a few things in advance to look forward to and let the rest fall into place. If you find that you are under-scheduled, lean on your concierge for help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Multiple Destinations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard not to think about taking advantage of all the spectacular places within reach of your dream honeymoon destination. Should you plan to venture to other locales, make sure you don\u2019t overdo it. Spend at least three full days (not including travel days) in each destination to get the most out of your trip and not feel rushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Destination Weddings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re hosting a destination wedding, chances are it\u2019s in the beautiful, romantic location of your dreams. You may be able to cut down on your travel budget by planning your honeymoon at the same resort where you exchange \u201cI dos.\u201d But if you need a change of scenery after celebrating your big day and all the pre-wedding festivities, heading to a nearby city can still help you avoid jet lag (and any loved ones who hang around for their own family vacations!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honeymoon Versus Mini-Moon <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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If simultaneous wedding planning and honeymoon decisions are making your head spin, you\u2019re not alone. Some couples who need a little more time extend their honeymoon period by planning a mini-moon. This could be your only getaway, or serve as a prelude to the long, luxurious honeymoon of your dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMini-moons and staycations can be great if you want to save money, cannot get away due to work, or you want to take a honeymoon at a later time,\u201d says Smith. \u201cUsually these are a max of five days and are done somewhere local so it is either a short drive or flight to get to. This way you can still do something on your travel days and do not have to worry about jet lag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also consider recreating a recent short trip you and your partner took from before you were newlyweds. Going somewhere you are already familiar with relieves you of having to schedule every minute of a short trip. You can skip seeing all the sights and just focus on relaxation and romance. Another way to make a familiar destination feel extra special is by skipping budget accommodations in favor of an all-inclusive resort or a boutique hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n